Malibu – Surfrider Beach
Malibu, California (Los Angeles County), United States
Sports: Surfing, SUP
Best time to go: February–May
Surfrider Beach sits next to Malibu Pier, where Malibu Creek meets the sea. South and south-west swells in summer bend around the point and peel along a cobblestone bottom in long, even rights, split into First, Second and Third Point. The wave is famous for its smooth, gentle walls, ideal for longboarding, and northerly winds blow offshore in the mornings.
The line-up is very busy, especially at First Point, and surf etiquette is taken seriously. Beginners do best on smaller days and away from the main take-off. Water quality near the creek mouth can be poor after rain, so check the local beach reports and stay out for a few days after storms. In winter the point is often too small or affected by north-west swells and wind.
Month by month at Malibu – Surfrider Beach
- January: 4 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 6 knots, waves 0.9 m, water 15°C, air 19°C (nights 10°C), 26 sunny days, 6 rainy days
- February: 3 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 7 knots, waves 1.1 m, water 15°C, air 19°C (nights 11°C), 25 sunny days, 6 rainy days
- March: 4 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 7 knots, waves 1.1 m, water 15°C, air 20°C (nights 11°C), 28 sunny days, 8 rainy days
- April: 3 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 7 knots, waves 1 m, water 16°C, air 21°C (nights 12°C), 29 sunny days, 3 rainy days
- May: 2 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 7 knots, waves 1 m, water 17°C, air 22°C (nights 13°C), 30 sunny days, 2 rainy days
- June: 1 windy day (15+ knots), average wind 7 knots, waves 0.9 m, water 19°C, air 25°C (nights 16°C), 30 sunny days, 1 rainy day
- July: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 6 knots, waves 0.9 m, water 21°C, air 28°C (nights 18°C), 31 sunny days, 0 rainy days
- August: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 7 knots, waves 0.8 m, water 22°C, air 30°C (nights 19°C), 31 sunny days, 1 rainy day
- September: 1 windy day (15+ knots), average wind 7 knots, waves 0.9 m, water 22°C, air 28°C (nights 19°C), 29 sunny days, 4 rainy days
- October: 1 windy day (15+ knots), average wind 6 knots, waves 0.8 m, water 19°C, air 26°C (nights 16°C), 31 sunny days, 2 rainy days
- November: 1 windy day (15+ knots), average wind 6 knots, waves 0.8 m, water 17°C, air 21°C (nights 13°C), 27 sunny days, 5 rainy days
- December: 1 windy day (15+ knots), average wind 5 knots, waves 0.8 m, water 16°C, air 20°C (nights 11°C), 25 sunny days, 6 rainy days
When is the best time to go surfing at Malibu – Surfrider Beach?
February–May, when the waves are biggest.
How warm is the water at Malibu – Surfrider Beach?
15°C to 22°C over the year: a shorty or lycra in the warmest month, a 5/4 with boots in the coolest.
How windy is Malibu – Surfrider Beach?
About 20 days a year with at least 2 hours of 15+ knots in the daytime, most in March.
Figures from 4 years of weather data (Open-Meteo).
Spots near Malibu – Surfrider Beach
- Huntington Beach (75 km)
- Trestles – San Clemente (124 km)
- Blacks Beach – La Jolla (184 km)
- San Diego – Mission Bay (194 km)
- Morro Bay (249 km)
More: All spots in United States · Surfing in United States · SUP in United States
Compare with: Malibu – Surfrider Beach vs San Diego – Mission Bay · Huntington Beach vs Malibu – Surfrider Beach · Malibu – Surfrider Beach vs Trestles – San Clemente · Malibu – Surfrider Beach vs Morro Bay