Northern California
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Mendocino Headlands, Northern California. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Sat, May 16: 6–7ft, 14s period, rated Poor - Fair. Not the most exciting day — 6-7ft and poor - fair conditions with 17mph out of the N. Expect the wind to bump up to around 27mph by PM.
Sun, May 17: 10–11ft, 9s period, rated Poor - Fair. Early morning is your best window — 10-11ft waves on W swell at 13s with strong N wind at 18mph. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 26mph from the NNW and dropping conditions to poor - fair.
Mon, May 18: 6–7ft, 9s period, rated Poor - Fair. First light looks cleanest — 7-8ft on NW swell at 9s with light ENE winds. Onshore flow builds through the day to 14mph, bringing conditions down to poor - fair.
Tue, May 19: 7–8ft, 15s period, rated Fair. Early morning is your best window — 7-8ft waves on NW swell at 9s with glassy conditions. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 7mph from the WNW and dropping conditions to fair.
Wed, May 20: 5–6ft, 14s period, rated Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 6-7ft waves on NW swell at 8s and barely a breath of wind. Onshore flow builds through the day to 6mph, bringing conditions down to fair.
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Mendocino Headlands is a raw and dramatic surf spot along the rugged Northern California coastline, where exposed rocky shelves and sea stacks create powerful, unpredictable reef breaks that reward experienced surfers willing to navigate the challenging entry and exit points. The spot faces northeast, picking up the powerful northwest swells that barrel down the Pacific during the winter months, producing heavy, hollow waves with significant punch. What makes this spot truly unique is its stunning natural setting within Mendocino Headlands State Park, where crashing surf meets dramatic bluffs and sea caves, making it as visually spectacular as it is technically demanding.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Mendocino Headlands is 6-7ft with a 7.55s swell period. Wind is N at 17mph and conditions are rated Poor - Fair. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Mendocino Headlands is 6-7ft, produced by a 2.8ft WNW primary swell at 14s, a 1.2ft SW secondary swell at 14s, a 7ft NW wind swell swell at 8s. Breaking wave height is the actual rideable wave size at the shore — calculated from offshore swell data using this spot's coastal bathymetry — not the raw buoy reading.
Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Mendocino Headlands is Monday from 7 AM to 10 AM with 8ft waves, a 9.25s swell period, and conditions rated Very Good. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Mendocino Headlands works best with a NW swell and SE winds. Offshore winds groom the face of the wave, while onshore winds turn it sloppy. Cross-offshore conditions usually produce the cleanest shape.
Tide plays a big role at Mendocino Headlands. Mid tide works for most beach breaks, while reef and point breaks often prefer higher or lower stages. Use the tide chart above to line up your session with the swell peak.
Mendocino Headlands is a reef with a rock bottom, suited to advanced surfers. Mendocino Headlands is a raw and dramatic surf spot along the rugged Northern California coastline, where exposed rocky shelves and sea stacks create powerful, unpredictable reef breaks that reward experienced surfers willing to navigate the challenging entry and exit points. The spot faces northeast, picking up the powerful northwest swells that barrel down the Pacific during the winter months, producing heavy, hollow waves with significant punch. What makes this spot truly unique is its stunning natural setting within Mendocino Headlands State Park, where crashing surf meets dramatic bluffs and sea caves, making it as visually spectacular as it is technically demanding.
The prime season at Mendocino Headlands is winter, when swell direction, wind patterns, and water temps line up most consistently. Outside the peak season you can still score, but you'll need to watch the forecast closely for the right windows.
Common hazards at Mendocino Headlands include rocks, sharp reef, strong currents, cold water, sharks (recent attacks), rogue waves, difficult entry/exit, isolation. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Mendocino Headlands forecast uses NOAA GFS and other weather models combined with spot-specific bathymetry to calculate breaking wave heights. Short-range (1-3 day) forecasts are most reliable. Extended forecasts show general trends. See the forecast accuracy card above for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
