Los Angeles County, California
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.
Sun, May 10: 3–4ft, 18s period, rated Poor - Fair. A slow one — 3-4ft waves and poor - fair conditions with 12mph from the WNW.
Mon, May 11: 2–3ft, 18s period, rated Poor - Fair. First light looks cleanest — 2-3ft on SSW swell at 16s with barely a breath of wind. The WNW wind kicks in by afternoon — 10mph and poor - fair by then.
Tue, May 12: 2–3ft, 16s period, rated Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 2-3ft waves on SSW swell at 15s and barely a breath of wind. Onshore flow builds through the day to 8mph, bringing conditions down to fair.
Wed, May 13: 1–2ft, 15s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with light S winds. Afternoon breeze fills in to 11mph.
Thu, May 14: 1–2ft, 16s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with light SSE winds. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 12mph.
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
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 3-4ft with a 17.6s swell period. Wind is WNW at 11mph and conditions are rated Poor - Fair. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at RAT Beach is 3-4ft, produced by a 1ft WSW primary swell at 9s, a 1ft SSW secondary swell at 18s, a 0.3ft SW tertiary swell at 16s. 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 Monday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 3ft waves, a 16.5s swell period, and conditions rated 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. See the forecast accuracy card above for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
