Surf Forecasts:
Cape Mendocino surf forecast from 7 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 8 Jul, 5PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 17s period, SSW swell with 717 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 1.1m 17s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 08) 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 2.3m 8s period and expected on Friday (Jul 10) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Wed 8th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cape Mendocino over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the cards for this stretch of coast. I gotta be straight with you – it's a pretty grim outlook for the next couple of weeks. We're looking at a long, blank run with hardly anything worth paddling out for.
The only spot on the radar is Cape Mendocino, and even that is a tough sell. For the first week, from Tuesday the 7th right through to Sunday the 13th of July, it's mostly poor. We've got small swells, mostly around 3 ft to 4 ft from the SSW, but the wind is a problem. It's a constant cross-shore breeze from the NNW or N, 12 to 19 mph, and it's just chopping everything up. The wave energy is moderate, but it's all messy. There's nothing clean on offer. You'd be battling a lumpy cross-chop for no reward.
Now, there is a bit of a spike around Sunday the 12th and Monday the 13th. The swell picks up to 6 ft from the NW, but again, the wind is howling cross-shore at 15-19 mph. The period is short, just 9 to 10 seconds, and the combined swell energy is still moderate (968 and 702). With that onshore/cross wind and short period, it's gonna be a washing machine. If you're a strong paddler and love a workout, maybe you'll find something, but it's definitely not for beginners. It looks more like a kite surfer's day than a paddle surfer's day.
After that, we drop back to tiny, weak waves for several days. The 14th through the 16th of July is a total write-off with 1 ft to 3 ft of weak, choppy slop. The water temperature is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.
There is one glimmer way out on the horizon. On Friday the 18th of July, we see another jump in swell to 6 ft from the NW again. The period is still short at 10 seconds, and the combined energy climbs to a strong 1338. The wind is still cross-shore though, so again, conditions look average at best. For the real dedicated crew, it’s something to keep an eye on, but it’s a long way off and the wind is the big question mark. Honestly, for the next two weeks, the surf looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.
Stay patient, and don't hold your breath.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Wed afternoon, min 10°C on Tue night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat afternoon, min 11°C on Sat night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 7 | Wednesday 8 | Thursday 9 | Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | ||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 11 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | NW 9 | SSW 15 | NW 10 | NW 10 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 6 | NW 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 548 | 643 | 651 | 491 | 717 | 539 | 643 | 441 | 377 | 377 | 367 | 275 | 268 | 382 | 249 | 653 | 638 | 406 | 399 | 201 | 187 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 5:32PM1.70m | 6:21AM1.05m | 6:14PM1.80m | 8:06AM1.05m | 7:02PM1.89m | 9:33AM1.14m | 7:54PM1.98m | 10:39AM1.25m | 8:48PM2.06m | 11:31AM1.36m | 9:44PM2.12m | 12:18PM1.44m | 10:38PM2.15m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:58AM0.39m | 00:42AM0.38m | 11:48AM0.58m | 1:46AM0.16m | 12:47PM0.74m | 2:45AM-0.05m | 1:51PM0.86m | 3:40AM-0.25m | 2:56PM0.92m | 4:33AM-0.40m | 3:57PM0.93m | 5:23AM-0.49m | 4:56PM0.90m | ||||||||
 |  |  |  | | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — |
 | — | 8:50 | — | — | 8:50 | — | — | 8:49 | — | — | 8:49 | — | — | 8:47 | — | — | 8:47 | — | — | 8:46 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 14 |
Feels °C | 9 | 9 | 7 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 20 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | WNW 10 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 13 | NW 8 |
| kJ | 485 | 643 | 651 | 491 | 717 | 539 | 643 | 441 | 372 | 377 | 367 | 275 | 268 | 242 | 164 | 168 | 173 | 178 | 93 | 118 | 187 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SSW 14 | WNW 10 | SW 15 | S 20 | S 19 | — | S 18 | SSW 16 | — | — | WNW 9 | S 20 | W 19 | SSW 15 | S 17 | S 18 | WNW 16 | SSW 14 | WNW 15 | SSW 13 |
| kJ | 258 | 70 | 171 | 171 | 68 | 188 | — | 160 | 377 | — | — | 76 | 8 | 7 | 249 | 51 | 55 | 52 | 66 | 76 | 139 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | S 8 | SW 15 | S 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 8 | W 18 | — | S 19 | W 18 | W 15 | S 18 | W 14 | S 16 | SW 19 |
| kJ | 11 | 5 | 220 | 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 10 | 6 | — | 29 | 25 | 18 | 24 | 33 | 45 | 133 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 11 | NW 7 | NNW 6 | NW 6 | NW 7 | NW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 7 | NW 6 | NW 9 | NNW 6 | NW 10 | NW 10 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 6 | N 7 |
| kJ | 548 | 198 | 51 | 203 | 248 | 427 | 557 | 587 | 617 | 602 | 393 | 198 | 175 | 382 | 115 | 653 | 638 | 406 | 399 | 201 | 57 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 54 | 151 | 437 | 40 | 151 | 436 | 54 | 316 | 437 | 40 | 262 | 437 | 51 | 151 | 436 | 54 | 151 | 54 | 40 | 151 | 54 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Humboldt County | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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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