Swell Intel

Mendocino Headlands Surf Forecast

Northern California

Mendocino Headlands surf spot

Current Conditions

Fair - Good
Wave Height
3-4+ft
waist to chest high
Swell Period
8.45s
Wind
16mph
N / Gusts 35mph
Conditions
Fair - Good
Active Swells
Primary
1.0ft @ 16sSW
Secondary
0.6ft @ 12sSSW
Wind Swell
7.9ft @ 8sNW

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Spot Guide

Break
Reef
Bottom
Rock
Level
Advanced
Crowd
Light
Best Swell
NW
Best Wind
SE
Season
Winter

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.

RocksSharp reefStrong currentsCold waterSharks (recent attacks)Rogue wavesDifficult entry/exitIsolation

Forecast Charts

Daily Forecast

Thu, Mar 26Fair - Good

The sweet spot is around midday — 3-4ft waves, barely a breath of wind, fair - good conditions. It's a bit wonky first thing but settles down.

6am9am12pm3pm
16s SW|Calm
Fri, Mar 27Fair - Good

Early morning is your best window — 4-5ft waves on NW swell at 10s with barely a breath of wind. Conditions go downhill through the afternoon.

6am9am12pm3pm
10s NW|Calm
Sat, Mar 28Fair - Good

Steady 4-5ft waves on offer on NW swell at 10s — calm winds.

6am9am12pm3pm
10s NW|Calm
Sun, Mar 29Fair

Expect 2-3ft all day on NW swell at 8s with glassy conditions — nothing amazing but surfable.

6am9am12pm3pm
9s NW|Calm
Mon, Mar 30Fair

Consistent 2-3ft surf through the day on NW swell at 6s with barely a breath of wind.

6am9am12pm3pm
6s NW|Calm

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Mendocino Headlands Surf Forecast FAQ

What is the current surf forecast for Mendocino Headlands?
The current wave height at Mendocino Headlands is 3-4+ft with a 8.45s swell period. Wind is N at 16mph. Conditions are rated Fair - Good.
How accurate is the Mendocino Headlands surf forecast?
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.