Cape Mendocino Surf Break

Lat Long: 40.42° N 124.40° W

Cape Mendocino Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 10 am 15 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Cape Mendocino sea temperature is
10.8° C
2.6° 

Cape Mendocino surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Cape Mendocino surf forecast from 15 Jul 2026:

  • Most powerful swell: Friday 17 Jul, 5PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 16s period, WNW swell with 518 kJ wave energy.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Cape Mendocino this week:

The most powerful waves expected at Cape Mendocino in the next 16 days are 1.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 17) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.1m 9s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 19) at 11PM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)--
Best Surf--
Most Powerful 5PM (Fri 17th Jul)3.5ft (1.0m) 16s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cape Mendocino over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. It’s been a bleak stretch around Cape Mendocino, and honestly, the next several days aren’t going to offer much for a surfer looking for a decent wave. The water temperature is sitting at 51°, which is a whopping 5° colder than normal for this time of year, so you’ll be needing a thick hood and boots just to think about getting out there.

The first week is a real write-off. The whole period is plagued by onshore or cross-shore winds, and the wave quality is consistently poor. We’re looking at a long, quiet gap with no real surf on offer from Wednesday the 15th right through to the end of the week. The swell is small and weak, with a messy cross-chop on the surface. The energy is moderate at best, with readings around 384 (weak energy) to 558 (moderate energy). It’s a tough run of nothing.

The only glimmer on the horizon is on Friday the 23rd of July. A morning pulse of 7 ft swell from the NW pops up, but it’s short period at just 8 seconds, so it’s going to be a disorganised, lumpy mess. The wind is still cross-shore, so it’s a marginal call at best, and honestly, that size and period combo is more likely to appeal to the kite crowd than us paddle surfers. The water is still running cold offshore breezes, so it’s a no-go for a clean session.

Looking further out, the second week shows a bit more life. The swell picks up again around Saturday the 25th and Sunday the 26th, with a solid 5 ft from the S and a 4 ft from the SW, both with decent periods. The energy jumps right up to 1930 (strong energy) and 2582 (very strong energy). But again, the wind is still cross-shore, keeping that lumpy texture on the face. The swell direction is from the S and SW, which isn’t ideal for the break’s optimum SW exposure, and the crowds are “sometimes” an issue, so you might have some company if you do go. It’s a promising but uncertain long-range outlook, so keep an eye on it.

The rest of the forecast into the 30th of July is just more of the same: cross-shore winds, poor surf, and moderate energy. Nothing to get excited about. It’s one of those runs where the ocean just doesn’t want to play ball.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Wed afternoon, min 12°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat afternoon, min 11°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
2
1
0
1
2
0
1
2
0
1
1
0
2
0
1
2
1
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
WNW
10
1
WNW
10
0.5
WNW
20
0.6
WNW
19
0.6
WNW
19
0.9
WNW
18
0.9
WNW
17
1
WNW
16
0.9
WNW
16
0.9
WNW
16
0.8
SW
18
0.9
WNW
16
0.8
WNW
15
0.9
SW
17
0.9
SW
17
0.9
SSE
14
0.9
SW
16
0.9
SW
16
1
S
12
0.8
SSW
15
0.7
SW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
154
183
218
286
280
438
433
518
463
452
375
348
259
434
419
341
362
367
305
287
214
Wind (km/h)
25
N
25
N
20
NNE
25
N
30
N
20
N
25
NNW
25
N
20
N
20
NNW
25
NNW
15
NNW
10
NW
15
NNW
15
NNW
15
NW
20
NNW
20
NNE
20
N
25
N
20
NNE
Wind State
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
High Tide
1:42PM1.56m
00:24AM2.04m
2:22PM1.61m
1:16AM1.89m
3:01PM1.66m
2:11AM1.69m
3:40PM1.69m
3:10AM1.48m
4:20PM1.72m
4:18AM1.27m
5:00PM1.73m
5:43AM1.12m
5:42PM1.73m
Low Tide
6:48PM0.78m
7:41AM-0.39m
7:46PM0.71m
8:23AM-0.23m
8:45PM0.65m
9:05AM-0.04m
9:49PM0.58m
9:47AM0.18m
10:56PM0.49m
10:31AM0.41m
00:05AM0.40m
11:20AM0.62m
1:13AM0.29m
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:58
6:00
6:01
6:01
6:03
6:03
6:03
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:45
8:45
8:45
8:44
8:44
8:43
8:42
 mm
Temp °C
15
16
14
15
16
13
14
16
14
15
16
14
15
15
13
14
15
13
15
16
14
Feels °C
10
11
10
11
12
8
10
12
10
12
12
11
14
13
10
11
12
10
12
12
10
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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Information about the Cape Mendocino Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Cape Mendocino provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Cape Mendocino can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Cape Mendocino surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Cape Mendocino) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).

Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Cape Mendocino may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.

Cape Mendocino is 47 km (29 miles) from Eureka. If you plan a vacation in Humboldt County, look for hotels and other accommodation in Eureka. Eureka has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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