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.
Sun, May 10: 5–6ft, 12s period, rated Poor - Fair. Morning kicks off with 5-6ft on W swell at 12s.
Mon, May 11: 5–6ft, 11s period, rated Fair. First light looks cleanest — 5-6ft on WNW swell at 11s with light winds out of the NNE. The N wind kicks in by afternoon — 13mph and fair by then.
Tue, May 12: 4–5ft, 11s period, rated Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 4-5ft waves on WNW swell at 11s and barely a breath of wind. Onshore flow builds through the day to 9mph, bringing conditions down to fair.
Wed, May 13: 4–5ft, 13s period, rated Fair. First light looks cleanest — 4-5ft on WNW swell at 11s with gentle ESE breeze. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.
Thu, May 14: 4–5ft, 12s period, rated Poor - Fair. The sweet spot is around midday — 4-5ft waves, light NW winds, fair - good conditions. Morning is a bit bumpy but things clean up by late morning. Don't wait too long — the wind comes back up after lunch.
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
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 5-6ft with a 11.55s swell period. Wind is N at 16mph 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 5-6ft, produced by a 3.6ft W primary swell at 12s, a 0.9ft SW secondary swell at 16s, a 0.8ft SW tertiary swell at 18s, a 4.7ft WNW wind swell swell at 7s. 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 6 AM to 9 AM with 6ft waves, a 10.9s 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.
