Cape Mendocino
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Swl 3
0.5ft 13s.
4kJ
Swl 2
0.9ft 16s.
17kJ
Swl 1
1.2ft 12s.
17kJ
Wnd
24mph
34mph
Hourly Forecast
Timezone: America/Los_Angeles
⏱️s.
⚡️kJ
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Cape Mendocino surf guide

Cape Mendocino is the westernmost point in California, known for its wild and rugged coastline. This area is pretty remote and can feel desolate, which might not be everyone's cup of tea. Getting there can be a challenge, as the drive along twisting Mattole Road from Ferndale can test your patience. However, once you make it to the coast, you'll find that the ocean is pretty accessible right from the road.

The surf here is a mix of beach breaks with a few spots that come alive on the right day. Sandbox is the main one you'll see as you drive, featuring a wide and flat beach break with various boulders offshore. It's best on small swells and when there's no wind. It can work for different tide heights, and the waves break left and right. If you're looking for something punchier, McNutt Gulch is just a short drive away. This spot can handle small swells but needs to be windless or offshore to be clean. It's got some shifting peaks and a semi-steep beach slope, making it more suitable for intermediate surfers.

In terms of swells, Cape Mendocino prefers a west swell direction but can also handle south and north angles. The surf can take on sizes starting at about 1 ft (0.3 m). When you're out there, the best winds come from the east, helping to keep things nice and clean. So if you're planning a surf trip, make sure to check the conditions and timing!

Surf reports and surf forecasts nearby Cape Mendocino

Samoa Peninsula
California, United States
Beach break
Tue 29
Wed 30
Thu 31
Fri 1
Sat 2
Sun 3
Mon 4
Tue 5
Wed 6
Thu 7
Fri 8
Sat 9
Bunkers (Humbolt County)
California, United States
Beach break
Tue 29
Wed 30
Thu 31
Fri 1
Sat 2
Sun 3
Mon 4
Tue 5
Wed 6
Thu 7
Fri 8
Sat 9
North Jetty
California, United States
Unknown break
Tue 29
Wed 30
Thu 31
Fri 1
Sat 2
Sun 3
Mon 4
Tue 5
Wed 6
Thu 7
Fri 8
Sat 9
North Jetty
California, United States
Jetty break
Tue 29
Wed 30
Thu 31
Fri 1
Sat 2
Sun 3
Mon 4
Tue 5
Wed 6
Thu 7
Fri 8
Sat 9
Harbour Entrance
California, United States
Rivermouth break
Tue 29
Wed 30
Thu 31
Fri 1
Sat 2
Sun 3
Mon 4
Tue 5
Wed 6
Thu 7
Fri 8
Sat 9
South Jetty / Table Bluff County Park
California, United States
Beach break
Tue 29
Wed 30
Thu 31
Fri 1
Sat 2
Sun 3
Mon 4
Tue 5
Wed 6
Thu 7
Fri 8
Sat 9
Humboldt Harbor Entrance
California, United States
Unknown break
Tue 29
Wed 30
Thu 31
Fri 1
Sat 2
Sun 3
Mon 4
Tue 5
Wed 6
Thu 7
Fri 8
Sat 9
Shelter Cove
California, United States
Reef break
Tue 29
Wed 30
Thu 31
Fri 1
Sat 2
Sun 3
Mon 4
Tue 5
Wed 6
Thu 7
Fri 8
Sat 9
Centerville Beach
California, United States
Beach break
Tue 29
Wed 30
Thu 31
Fri 1
Sat 2
Sun 3
Mon 4
Tue 5
Wed 6
Thu 7
Fri 8
Sat 9
Cape Mendocino
California, United States
Beach break
Tue 29
Wed 30
Thu 31
Fri 1
Sat 2
Sun 3
Mon 4
Tue 5
Wed 6
Thu 7
Fri 8
Sat 9
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Wind certainty

Wind certainty tells you how much the weather models agree on the forecast.

  • High certainty: Models agree closely; forecast is reliable.
  • Medium certainty: Some disagreement; conditions may shift slightly.
  • Low certainty: Models diverge; treat forecast with caution.

We calculate this by comparing wind speed, gust and direction from multiple models (like GFS, ECMWF, Arome, and Harmonie) and seeing how closely they match. They are weighted, meaning that some models count more than others, depending on how good they are for a certain spot.

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