Malibu Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, this is Rusty. Let's take a look at what's coming up for our little stretch of coast here at Malibu.

Right off the bat, we've got a quiet spell. The first week or so is looking pretty flat and not worth paddling out for. We're seeing small, weak swell with poor conditions through the end of August and into the first few days of September. The combined energy is low, sitting around 200 to 400 (moderate energy) for most of that time, but the waves are just too small and the wind is not on our side. You'll get a mix of light onshore and cross-shore breezes, which won't give you anything clean. This is a long stretch of nothing, about a week of it, before things start to change.

The real action starts to build around Sunday the 6th of September. We've got a S swell pushing in at 4.6ft, and by Sunday afternoon it jumps to 5.2ft with a solid 15-second period. The wind switches to a light offshore from the north, and that's when Malibu starts to wake up. The combined energy hits 1334 (strong) on Sunday afternoon, and it's being described as excellent for experienced surfers. This is a solid groundswell, so the long period will mean longer waits between sets, but the waves that come through will have real power.

Now, the standout. Monday the 7th of September is your best bet. You're looking at a 6.6ft S swell, still with that 15-second period, and light offshore winds straight out of the north. The combined energy is a whopping 1923 (very strong). This is proper, clean Malibu. The wind is offshore, the swell is well-sized, and it's pointing right at the point. Because it's a groundswell with a long period, expect it to wrap in nicely and give you those long, peeling walls that this place is famous for. Keep in mind, at 6.6ft, this is for experienced surfers, not beginners. Crowds are always a factor here, so expect a full lineup.

Tuesday the 8th is also cooking. The swell holds at 7.2ft from the south, and Tuesday morning looks absolutely glassy with a light NNE breeze. The combined energy is 1292 (strong). That's a rare, perfect window of glassy conditions on a solid swell. The afternoon gets a bit dicey with a 9.8ft SSE swell and cross-shore wind, which is more for the big-wave chargers and will be a bumpy mess, so stick to the morning.

After that, the swell fades fast. By Wednesday the 9th, it's back down to small, weak waves with poor conditions for the rest of the forecast period. The water temperature is sitting at a very warm 75.0°, which is far warmer than normal for this time of year, so you can leave the full wetsuit at home.

So, to sum it up: be patient. The first week is a write-off. The best on offer is Monday the 7th of September and the Tuesday morning session on the 8th. That's the window.

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