Northern California
Dawn patrol is the move — 2-3ft on WNW swell at 9s with light WSW winds.
Dawn patrol is the move — 2-3ft on WNW swell at 9s with light WSW winds.
Best window·Sunday 6AM–9AM·2-3ft·Fair - Good
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.
Thu, Sep 3: 2–3ft, 10s period, rated Poor. Early morning is your best window — 2-3ft waves on W swell at 8s with gentle WSW breeze. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.
Fri, Sep 4: 2–3ft, 11s period, rated Poor - Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 2-3ft waves on NW swell at 11s and light S winds. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.
Sat, Sep 5: 2–3ft, 9s period, rated Poor - Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 2-3ft waves on NW swell at 9s and light winds out of the ENE. Onshore flow builds through the day to 10mph, bringing conditions down to poor - fair.
Sun, Sep 6: 2–3ft, 5s period, rated Poor - Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 2-3ft on NW swell at 5s with gentle ENE breeze. Onshore flow builds through the day to 11mph, bringing conditions down to very poor.
Mon, Sep 7: 1–2ft, 5s period, rated Poor. Hold off if you can — morning starts out very poor with 0-1ft waves. Things come together by the afternoon with 1-2ft at poor.
Two days at a glance. Swipe for later hours.Five days at a glance. Drag for later hours.
Poor - Fair today — get one free email when Mendocino Headlands turns Good.
Check Mendocino Headlands from the lineup
Forecasts, surf alerts, and live conditions in the Swell Intel iPhone app.
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 2-3ft with a 9.4s swell period. Wind is SSW at 3mph. 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 2-3ft, produced by a 4.6ft WNW primary swell at 9s, a 1.4ft S secondary swell at 12s, a 1.1ft SSW tertiary swell at 16s. 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 Sunday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 2ft waves, a 4.7s swell period, and conditions rated Fair - 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. We also verify our offshore swell predictions against NOAA buoy measurements daily — see our accuracy page for those swell-verification metrics (buoys measure open-water swell, not breaking surf size).
