Los Angeles County, California
Conditions stay similar this week — check the hourly forecast at RAT Beach for the cleanest windows.
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at RAT Beach, Los Angeles County, California. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Wed, Jun 24: 2–3ft, 18s period, rated Poor. Get out early for the best of it — 2-3ft waves on SSW swell at 15s and glassy conditions. Conditions go downhill through the afternoon.
Thu, Jun 25: 2–3ft, 17s period, rated Poor - Fair. Early morning is your best window — 2-3ft waves on SSW swell at 16s with glassy conditions. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 8mph from the W and dropping conditions to poor.
Fri, Jun 26: 2–2ft, 15s period, rated Poor - Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 1-2ft on SSW swell at 15s with barely a breath of wind. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 9mph from the WSW and dropping conditions to poor.
Sat, Jun 27: 2–2ft, 18s period, rated Poor - Fair. First light looks cleanest — 2ft on WSW swell at 6s with 8mph from the ESE. It gets a bit messier later in the day.
Sun, Jun 28: 2–2ft, 17s period, rated Poor - Fair. Early morning is your best window — 2ft waves on W swell at 7s with moderate ESE wind around 10mph. Conditions go downhill through the afternoon.
RAT Beach in Malibu offers accessible beach break waves perfect for learning, with a sandy bottom that provides a forgiving platform for surfers of all levels. The southeast-facing orientation captures Southern Hemisphere swells during fall and winter months, while the nearby Malibu Point geology suggests reliable sandbar formations that create consistent peeling waves. This spot provides a mellow alternative to the more crowded Malibu breaks, making it ideal for those seeking quality waves with a relaxed vibe.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at RAT Beach is 2ft with a 16.85s swell period. Wind is WNW at 10mph and conditions are rated Poor. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at RAT Beach is 2ft, produced by a 1ft SSW primary swell at 14s, a 1ft SSW secondary swell at 17s, a 0.3ft SW tertiary swell at 15s, a 0.7ft WSW wind swell swell at 4s. Breaking wave height is the actual rideable wave size at the shore — calculated from offshore swell data using this spot's coastal bathymetry — not the raw buoy reading.
Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf RAT Beach is Thursday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 2ft waves, a 15.95s swell period, and conditions rated Poor - Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
RAT Beach works best with a W swell and SE winds. Offshore winds groom the face of the wave, while onshore winds turn it sloppy. Cross-offshore conditions usually produce the cleanest shape.
Tide plays a big role at RAT Beach. Mid tide works for most beach breaks, while reef and point breaks often prefer higher or lower stages. Use the tide chart above to line up your session with the swell peak.
RAT Beach is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. RAT Beach in Malibu offers accessible beach break waves perfect for learning, with a sandy bottom that provides a forgiving platform for surfers of all levels. The southeast-facing orientation captures Southern Hemisphere swells during fall and winter months, while the nearby Malibu Point geology suggests reliable sandbar formations that create consistent peeling waves. This spot provides a mellow alternative to the more crowded Malibu breaks, making it ideal for those seeking quality waves with a relaxed vibe.
The prime season at RAT Beach is fall, when swell direction, wind patterns, and water temps line up most consistently. Outside the peak season you can still score, but you'll need to watch the forecast closely for the right windows.
Common hazards at RAT Beach include localism, strong currents near point breaks. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our RAT Beach forecast uses NOAA GFS and other weather models combined with spot-specific bathymetry to calculate breaking wave heights. Short-range (1-3 day) forecasts are most reliable. Extended forecasts show general trends. Visit /public/accuracy for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
