Malibu First Point.
First Point is the main peak at Surfrider Beach in Malibu, beside the pier, and the long right-hand wall that runs from it is one of the most photographed waves in the world. Wikipedia says the site was dedicated as the first World Surfing Reserve on 9 October 2010, and describes a right-hand break that influenced Southern California surf culture in the 1960s. It is a gentle, rolling wave compared with the reef and shorebreak giants elsewhere, which is why it suits longboarders and early intermediates, and why it is so busy.
Photo: Gurong Shen chris_shen · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons- Level
- Beginner
- Direction and bottom
- Right · Cobble
- Best swell
- S to SW groundswell
- Best wind
- N offshore or light
- Best tide
- Check locally; works across the range
- Best months
- Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
- Size
- Ankle-high to head-high; summer south swells give the classic size
- Hazards
- Crowds, Rocks and cobbles, Water quality after rain, Loose boards in a packed lineup
Three points along one beach
Wikipedia divides the break into three main areas. First Point is the best known and is popular with longboarders and shortboarders in bigger swells. Second Point is used for higher-performance surfing, with a takeoff that connects to the inside section known as the kiddie bowl. Third Point has both left and right sides, and on south swells, typically in late August and September, surfers can ride all the way to the pier.
The bottom is rock and cobble that steps down gently, and the wave peels along the point in a long, even line. Surf-Forecast describes it as an exposed point break that is usually a safe bet, rating consistency at four out of five. The page puts difficulty at about 2.6 out of 5, which fits the idea of a forgiving but not trivial wave, and reviewers give the crowd a very low score.
Swell, wind and the best months
The best swell is south-west groundswell, and the best wind is from the north, according to Surf-Forecast. The guide says summer offers the optimum conditions, and that fits with the south swells that arrive from the southern hemisphere between late spring and early autumn. Its historical statistics put November as the most consistent month, with about 60 percent clean, 31 percent blown out and 9 percent too small, a reminder that other seasons can also work.
Winter brings larger west swells, but they often hit other parts of the coast more than Malibu. The sea temperature on the page was about 22 degrees Celsius at the time of writing, and wetsuit choice depends on the season. Summer wind is usually light in the morning and rises in the afternoon.
Who it suits, and who should skip it
First Point is one of the best places in the world for a surfer to practise riding a long wall, and many improvers come here for that reason. The rolling wave allows time for turns and trim, and the rocks are mostly smooth. But the lineup is packed, and Surf-Forecast lists crowds, pollution and rocks as hazards. A beginner who has not yet learned to control a board in a crowd is likely to collide with people.
If you cannot stay in control on a wave, or you do not yet know the etiquette of the right of way, learn on an empty beach first. Do not surf for a few days after heavy rain if local health warnings are posted, because runoff affects water quality. Check the current advice from the county and state agencies. Surfers with open cuts or weakened immune systems should be particularly cautious.
Getting there and watching
Surfrider Beach is part of Malibu Lagoon State Beach beside Malibu Pier on Pacific Coast Highway, and is reached from Los Angeles by road. Surf-Forecast lists LAX at about 27 kilometres and Hawthorne Municipal at about 34 kilometres. Traffic on the coast road can be heavy, especially at weekends in summer, so plan extra time. Parking is limited and paid, so expect to walk a short distance.
The pier provides an excellent view of the break, as do the sand and the bluff above. Wikipedia notes that the lagoon is an estuary at the mouth of Malibu Creek and a stop on the Pacific Flyway, and that protected snowy plovers nest on the beach. Keep to marked paths and do not disturb the birds. Leave nothing on the sand, and check parking signs carefully.
Nearby alternatives
When First Point is overcrowded, Surf-Forecast lists Latigo Point, Latigo Canyon, Topanga Point, Chart House Rights and Point Dume at distances of six to ten kilometres. Each has different swell exposure and crowds. The Malibu destination guide covers the wider coast, parking and beginner options.
Etiquette on a crowded point
First Point has a well-established order. Longboarders and shortboarders share the same wave, and the surfer closest to the peak has priority. Avoid paddling through the take-off area, and keep control of your board; at a crowded point a loose board can hit someone. If you are learning, ride the white water on the inside before you try a green wave, and move to quieter beaches for practice. Watch for the surfers who work the break regularly, and notice how they share waves. Be patient on weekends and holidays, when the lineup is at its busiest, and consider an early start.
The ocean off Malibu, by month
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swell, m | 0.9 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 1.0 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.8 |
| Period, s | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 |
| Water, °C | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 16 |
Open-ocean ERA5 medians, not wave size at the break. Sources.
Questions about Malibu First Point
Is Malibu a left or a right?
The main wave at First Point is a right. Wikipedia notes that Third Point has both left and right sides.
Is it good for beginners?
It is gentle in shape, but the crowds and the rocks make it hard for true beginners. It suits confident longboarders and early intermediates.
When is the best time?
Summer and early autumn, when south swells arrive. Surf-Forecast says summer offers the optimum conditions.
Is the water clean?
Surf-Forecast lists pollution as a hazard. Check posted health advisories, especially after rain.
Check a live forecast and local advice before paddling out. Heavy waves injure and kill experienced surfers.