8 spots
Malibu surf reports
Beach breaks, points and a reef, from Topanga to County Line.
. At Zeros, the forecast is 3–4 ft (waist to chest) and Fair–Good for a longboard, with 6 mph onshore wind. Conditions vary across the region.
New swell Point Dume and Zuma: New W swell fills in Sunday night.
Best session from it: Mon 10–10:45 AM at Point Dume
Details
Point Dume and Zuma: New W swell (12s) fills in Sunday night.
Swell timing unavailable for 3 spots: Zeros, Leo Carrillo and County Line.
Malibu surf guide
Malibu runs from Topanga to County Line: its points come alive on the south swells of summer, and Zuma and County Line take over when winter swells arrive from the west.
More about Malibu
Best seasons
Summer. Southern hemisphere swells from the south and southwest are Malibu’s season. First Point, Zeros, Colony, Topanga and Point Dume all face them, and late summer brings the longest rides of the year. Mornings tend to be glassy until the afternoon sea breeze chops things up. The water reaches the high 60s by August, and the crowds peak with it, most of all at First Point on weekends.
Winter. West and northwest swells favor County Line and Zuma, a long, open beach that faces southwest and has its cleanest days in winter. The Malibu points mostly miss these swells, because the Channel Islands and the headland at Point Dume shade that stretch, so a swell that’s big in Ventura can run small at First Point. Santa Ana days blow offshore and clean up the faces. The water drops to the upper 50s, so wear a full suit.
Spring and fall. Fall is the overlap: the first winter swells meet the last south swells, offshore mornings return, and the water’s still warm. Spring water stays cool, and the first south swells usually show up in May.
Where to start
Beginners. First Point and Leo Carrillo work for newer surfers on small days, but both get crowded, so learn the etiquette before you paddle out. Topanga, Colony, Zeros, Point Dume, Zuma and County Line suit surfers with some experience.
Longboards. First Point and Leo Carrillo are slow, peeling rights built for a longboard, and Leo Carrillo’s small takeoff fills fast. County Line’s softer reef waves and the inside at Topanga suit a longboard too.
Shortboards. County Line and Zuma on a winter swell, and Topanga or Zeros on a solid south swell, have the most push; Zuma’s shorebreak hits hard and its rips run strong, and the Zeros takeoff hides submerged rocks. Point Dume’s fast right runs along a rocky cove on summer swells. Erosion closed the road and lot below Point Dume in August 2026: reach the cove by the long stairway from the bluff-top park off Cliffside Drive, not around the point from Westward Beach.
Which spot for which swell
| Spot | Break | Best swell | Best tide | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Topanga surf report | Point | S to W (190°–270°) | Low to mid | Intermediate surfers; shortboards up top, longboards inside. |
| Malibu First Point surf report | Point | S to SW (180°–230°) | All tides, best mid to high | Longboards; newer surfers on small days. |
| Malibu Colony surf report | Reef | S to SW (180°–230°) | No known tide preference | Experienced surfers who know reef breaks. |
| Point Dume surf report | Point | S to SW (180°–230°) | Mid tide | Intermediates and up on shortboards. |
| Zuma surf report | Beach | SW to W (235°–280°) | Mid tide | Intermediates on shortboards and bodyboards; longboards on small, clean days. |
| Zeros surf report | Point | SSW to SW (195°–220°) | Mid tide | Intermediate and experienced surfers, mostly shortboards. |
| Leo Carrillo surf report | Point | S to W (190°–280°) | Mid to high, rising | Longboarders and cruisers; beginners on small days. |
| County Line surf report | Beach | WSW to WNW (255°–285°) | Mid tide | Intermediate surfers; longboards on the softer reef waves. |
Guide updated October 2026