Cape Mendocino Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Hey, Rusty here. Let’s break down what Cape Mendocino has in store for the next couple of weeks. I’ll be honest, it’s a slow start, and you’ll need to wait it out.

Right off the bat, Wednesday the 5th is a no-go. That 5ft northwest swell is all chopped up by a 20 km/h cross wind, and the water is a bone-chilling 50°, which is a massive 7° colder than normal – very unusual for this time of year. The combined energy is a moderate 459, but the quality is poor. From Thursday the 6th all the way through to the morning of Thursday the 13th, it’s a solid week-plus of poor surf. Swells are small, mostly under 2ft, with periods all over the place, and the wind is either cross or onshore, often strong up to 30 km/h. It’s a bleak run, but the spot is fairly consistent, so this kind of lull is normal.

Then, on Thursday the 13th afternoon, we finally get a small window. The wind goes glassy out of the southwest at just 5 km/h, and the swell is a small 2ft from the SSW with a very long 16-second period. The combined energy is 222. It’s not big, but that glassy surface makes it the cleanest wave of the whole forecast – a true standout for the smooth conditions. Friday the 14th afternoon is similar, with glassy wind again, a 2ft swell from the SSW at 19 seconds, and combined energy of 352. The break is exposed to the southwest, and the optimum direction is SW, so that SSW swell is in the right zone. Crowds are sometimes a thing here, so expect company if it’s clean.

Looking further out, Saturday the 15th morning shows a 3ft swell from the SSW at 17 seconds, with combined energy jumping to 663, but it’s cross-onshore and the quality is marginal. From Sunday the 16th onward, it’s back to poor conditions with choppy cross-shore winds. For a spot that’s only fairly consistent, this is a tough stretch, but forecasts can always turn around.

Keep your eyes on that Thursday 13th and Friday 14th afternoon glass – that’s the best we’ve got.

Rusty

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