Longboard-friendly waves in Malibu

Malibu, California

Recommendations refresh every 30 minutes based on tide, wind, and crowd telemetry from Quiver.

Malibu delivers the kind of mellow walls that make nine-footers purr. These 10 breaks offer long shoulders, patient sections, and enough face to cross-step without rushing.

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Featured Beaches(3)

Leo Carrillo State Beach

Beginner friendly

Leo Carrillo is a family-friendly state beach with a gentle beach break.

Malibu First Point (Surfrider)

Beginner friendly

Malibu First Point (Surfrider) is a point break in Malibu, CA. It is well suited for beginners and those learning to surf. Watch out for rip currents, rocks, sea urchins.

Zuma Beach

Beginner friendly

Zuma Beach is a long, wide stretch of sand with multiple peaks that break over a sandy bottom. The beach offers consistent, forgiving waves that suit beginners on smaller days and transforms into a powerful shorepound during big winter swells. On any given day you'll find peaks breaking left and right, with plenty of room to spread out.

Today's longboard plan in Malibu

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Top picks

1Zuma Beach
1 ft7 mph
2Malibu First Point (Surfrider)
1 ft9 mph
3Leo Carrillo State Beach
1.2 ft5 mph
Long, peeling waves perfect for noseridingMellow takeoff zones with forgiving shouldersClassic surf spots with old-school vibesBest tide windows for logging sessions

Longboard-friendly breaks in Malibu

Break types, wave character, and ideal conditions for mellow log sessions.

County Line
point
intermediate

County Line, on the border of LA and Ventura counties, features a right-hand cobblestone reef break at the northern end and 500 yards of beach break to the south. Conditions range from peaky lefts and rights to heavy closeouts. On larger swells, currents and rips become strong and the point turns into an advanced wave.

Wave character

Choose between the long right off the point or the peaky beach breaks to the south. On bigger swells, sit wider to avoid getting caught inside.

Best conditions

Mid tide, light N wind, 4–8 ft W–SW swell.

Latigo Point
point
intermediate

Latigo Point is a right-hand point break that offers a less crowded alternative.

Wave character

Position at the top of the point for the longest rides. Wave wraps nicely on S swells.

Best conditions

Low-mid tide, NNW winds, 3-5 ft S swell.

Leo Carrillo State Beach
beach
beginner

Leo Carrillo is a family-friendly state beach with a gentle beach break.

Wave character

Beginners should stick to the main beach break. Advanced can check reef on north end.

Best conditions

Mid rising tide, north winds, 2-4 ft SW swell.

Malibu First Point (Surfrider)
point
beginner
5.0(1)

Malibu First Point (Surfrider) is a point break in Malibu, CA. It is well suited for beginners and those learning to surf. Watch out for rip currents, rocks, sea urchins.

Malibu Second Point
point
upper-intermediate

Second Point is the middle section of the famous Malibu point break system.

Wave character

Position yourself at the top of the section to catch sets. The wave speed increases here.

Best conditions

Mid tide, light north winds, 4-6 ft SW swell.

Malibu Surfrider (First Point)
point
intermediate

Malibu First Point is one of the most iconic surf breaks in the world. This cobblestone point produces long, peeling right-handers perfect for longboarding.

Wave character

Sit on the inside for easier waves or paddle to the top of the point for longer rides.

Best conditions

Mid tide with offshore north winds and 3-6 ft SW swell.

Malibu Third Point
point
advanced

Third Point is the outermost and most powerful section of Malibu.

Wave character

Position at the outermost point. Needs more swell to break - when working, its the best wave.

Best conditions

Mid tide, north winds, 5-8 ft SW swell.

Point Dume
reef
intermediate

Point Dume is a scenic reef break at the southern end of Zuma Beach.

Wave character

Position near the reef and watch for the S swell lines. Mid to low tide best.

Best conditions

Mid tide, NE winds, 3-5 ft S swell.

Topanga
point
intermediate

Topanga Point is a right-hand point break over a cobble and sand bottom interspersed with rocks. The wave can be hollow and fast, offering fun rides for all levels, though beginners should be cautious at low tide. It works on most tides and picks up both south and northwest swells. Crowds and passionate locals are the norm.

Wave character

Sit near the top of the point for the longest rides. Set waves swing wide and offer hollow sections; stay high on the face to make sections.

Best conditions

Mid tide, light N wind, 3–6 ft W–SW swell.

Zuma Beach
beach
beginner

Zuma Beach is a long, wide stretch of sand with multiple peaks that break over a sandy bottom. The beach offers consistent, forgiving waves that suit beginners on smaller days and transforms into a powerful shorepound during big winter swells. On any given day you'll find peaks breaking left and right, with plenty of room to spread out.

Wave character

Look for sandbars that create clean peaks. For beginners, surf inside reforms; for experienced surfers, chase the outside sets during a combo swell.

Best conditions

Mid tide, light NE wind, 2–5 ft SW–W swell.

Log in 15 seconds(optional)
Wave Quality7/10
Crowd4/10
Overall8/10

Logging once helps tune Malibu picks.

Frequently Asked Questions

About surfing in Malibu

Great longboard spots in Malibu include Leo Carrillo State Beach, Malibu First Point (Surfrider), Zuma Beach. Look for peeling point breaks and gentle beach breaks with long shoulders.
Ideal longboard waves have gentle shoulders, a mellow takeoff, and long walls to trim. The best spots feature point breaks or sandbars that create peeling waves.

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