Northern California
Best window·Tuesday 2PM–5PM·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.
Tue, Jun 30: 3–4ft, 9s period, rated Fair. Expect 2-3ft waves early on NW swell at 9s. Wind increases to 19mph from the N.
Wed, Jul 1: 2–3ft, 10s period, rated Poor - Fair. First light looks cleanest — 2-3ft on NW swell at 10s with 12mph N winds. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 16mph from the N and dropping conditions to poor - fair.
Thu, Jul 2: 1–2ft, 10s period, rated Poor - Fair. 1-2ft waves to start the day on NW swell at 9s. The WNW wind builds to around 10mph by afternoon.
Fri, Jul 3: 2–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor - Fair. First light looks cleanest — 1-2ft on NW swell at 7s with calm winds. Onshore flow builds through the day to 8mph, bringing conditions down to poor - fair.
Sat, Jul 4: 2–2ft, 7s period, rated Poor - Fair. Slim pickings today — 2ft and poor - fair with glassy conditions. Expect the wind to bump up to around 7mph by PM.
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 N at 9mph and conditions are rated 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 7.9ft NW primary swell at 9s, a 1ft SW secondary swell at 14s, a 0.6ft SW tertiary swell at 19s. 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 Tuesday from 2 PM to 5 PM with 3ft waves, a 9.35s 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. Visit /public/accuracy for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
