Surf Forecasts:
Cape Mendocino surf forecast from 5 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 5 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 16s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 6 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 15s period, SSW swell with 653 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 5 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 16s period with SSW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Cape Mendocino this week:
The surf forecast for Cape Mendocino over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 05) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 1.4m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Cape Mendocino in the next 16 days are 1.2m 15s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 06) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.8m 7s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 08) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Sat 5th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Sat 5th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Sun 6th Sep) | 4ft (1.2m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cape Mendocino over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it for the Cape Mendocino area. The forecast is a bit of a slow burn, with a long stretch of pretty average conditions before a big, powerful pulse of swell rolls in late in the period. You’ll need to be patient and pick your moments.
The first real chance to get wet comes this Saturday, September 5th. Cape Mendocino is seeing a 4ft groundswell from the SSW with a solid 16-second period. The combined wave energy is moderate (1063). The catch is a cross-shore wind making for a bit of a chop, so it’s not going to be glassy perfection. It’s a surfable option, but it’s not a standout.
Sunday through Tuesday of next week are a write-off, with the swell dropping to 3ft or less, and the cross-shore winds staying moderate. The energy fades into the `600s` and `500s`. It’s a real lull for a few days.
We get a little bump in size on Friday, September 11th, with some 6ft swell showing up, but the period drops to 10 seconds and the wind is cross-onshore, so it’s going to be messy. The energy is moderate (1076), but the quality just isn’t there.
After that, it’s another trough of nothing much until the real event. The period from September 14th to the 16th is a full blank – poor surf, very small waves, and mostly onshore winds.
Now, hold onto your boards, because the end of the forecast window is where the juice is. On Thursday, September 17th, the swell absolutely cranks up to 10ft from the WNW. The combined energy jumps to a very strong 2641. This is a serious, powerful swell. The swell period is 12 seconds, so it’s got some good grunt. However, at 10ft, this is a size that only proper experts can handle. This is a big-ol’ clean-up set. The wind is a strong cross-shore, so it’s going to be lumpy, but the power is undeniable. The energy is still very strong on Friday, September 18th, sitting at 10ft and 2210, before dropping back to 8ft on Saturday, September 19th (1433 energy). For the advanced crew, that Friday and Saturday are the best shots, but it’s a heavy, powerful wave that demands respect. For the rest of us, it’s a time to watch from the cliffs.
Rusty signing off.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon afternoon, min 12°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Wed morning, min 13°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSE 14 | SSW 14 | SSE 13 | NW 7 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | SW 19 | WNW 12 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 659 | 627 | 546 | 653 | 405 | 400 | 280 | 243 | 239 | 176 | 254 | 284 | 309 | 342 | 368 | 177 | 419 | 560 | 496 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 8:17AM1.27m | 6:17PM1.84m | 9:14AM1.37m | 7:30PM1.87m | 9:58AM1.47m | 8:37PM1.91m | 10:36AM1.56m | 9:37PM1.94m | 11:11AM1.64m | 10:32PM1.91m | 11:44AM1.71m | 11:23PM1.85m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:00AM0.02m | 12:35PM1.04m | 2:10AM-0.05m | 1:56PM0.98m | 3:10AM-0.12m | 3:02PM0.86m | 4:00AM-0.14m | 3:59PM0.71m | 4:44AM-0.12m | 4:49PM0.56m | 5:23AM-0.05m | 5:37PM0.42m | |||||||
 |  | | | | | | | |  |  |  | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — |
 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:40 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:35 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 16 |
Feels °C | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 9 | SSW 15 | NW 9 | SSW 14 | NW 8 | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | SSE 13 | NW 7 | S 13 | NW 7 | NNW 8 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NW 11 | NW 7 | NNW 8 |
| kJ | 492 | 294 | 206 | 653 | 164 | 400 | 97 | 243 | 239 | 176 | 254 | 284 | 223 | 187 | 142 | 102 | 338 | 119 | 307 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | NW 9 | SSW 15 | NW 9 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | S 13 | SSW 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 12 | SW 17 | SW 16 |
| kJ | 659 | 627 | 546 | 190 | 405 | 126 | 236 | 233 | 233 | 156 | 202 | 118 | 309 | 342 | 246 | 149 | 216 | 560 | 496 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | SSW 12 | S 11 | SSE 14 | SSW 11 | SSE 16 | SSE 14 | NW 12 | WNW 12 | NW 11 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 19 | WNW 12 | SW 17 | S 11 | S 11 |
| kJ | 144 | 142 | 86 | 37 | 68 | 193 | 280 | 38 | 56 | 32 | 118 | 111 | 83 | 130 | 368 | 177 | 419 | 191 | 191 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NNW 4 | NNW 4 | — | NNW 4 | NW 8 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NNW 7 | — | NW 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | 10 | 21 | — | 7 | 153 | 132 | 167 | 319 | — | 206 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 151 | 780 | 40 | 151 | 151 | 0 | 80 | 54 | 40 | 86 | 51 | 0 | 151 | 40 | 40 | 151 | 51 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Humboldt County | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||
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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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