Malibu Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, this is Rusty. Let’s talk about what’s coming up for Malibu.

Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with you – the next week and a half are pretty flat and messy for Malibu. We’ve got a long stretch starting now with some small, weak swell, but the wind and conditions just aren’t playing ball. The water temp is sitting at 67° which is much warmer than normal for this time of year – a solid 4° above the long-term average, so the water feels nice, but that’s about all the excitement for a while.

From Tuesday afternoon through to the end of the next week, we’re looking at tiny swell, mostly around 1ft to 3ft from the SSW, with periods around 13–18 seconds – groundswell for sure, but the energy is weak, with combined energy values dropping from 498 down to just 121. Most of the time the wind is onshore or cross-onshore, and the wave reports are either “poor” or “marginal.” Not worth paddling out for.

We hit a real dry spell from about the 14th of July onwards, where the surf just dies. Days and days of 1ft to 2ft swell, with no quality in sight. The combined energy drops into the low 100s, and the wind stays bad. Honestly, it’s a blank run.

Now, let’s skip ahead to Friday the 17th of July. That morning is the first time we get a real flicker of hope. The swell is still only 1ft from the SW, but the period jumps to 19 seconds – that’s groundswell with some reach. And here’s the thing – the wind goes glassy. Absolute glass. Combined energy pops to 317, which is at least moderate. The score says “expect good surf conditions.” That’s your best window in the whole outlook, but it’s tiny surf. Not a standout for power, just a clean little session for a longboard if you’re desperate.

Then we move to Saturday the 18th of July. Morning has 2ft from the SW with an 18-second period, light cross-shore wind, and combined energy at 374. Not huge, but it’s the next best thing. By the afternoon the wind shifts to a gentle cross-shore from the ESE, energy jumps up to 575, still 2ft. It’s cleaner than anything else we’ve seen, but don’t expect a big day.

Into Sunday the 19th, the swell starts to push – 4ft to 4ft from the S, with a shorter period around 14 seconds. Combined energy hits 967 and 933, which is moderate to strong, but the wind is onshore and cross-onshore, making it choppy and unappealing. The quality scores are poor to marginal. That’s more of a mess than a treat.

The last few days, Monday the 20th and Tuesday the 21st, are similar – 3ft to 4ft swell from the S or SSW, but with onshore or cross-shore wind and moderate chop. Energy’s in the 400–500 range, but the conditions just aren’t there.

If I had to pick the one standout session here, it’s Friday morning the 17th of July. Glassy conditions, a little 1ft SW groundswell, and long 19-second period. It’s not a big wave day, but for a clean, gentle paddle, that’s your best bet. Saturday the 18th afternoon is second best.

Other than that? There’s a long gap of over a week with basically nothing worth getting wet for. Bring a book.

Rusty.

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