Los Angeles County, California
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Westward 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: 2–3ft, 18s period, rated Fair. Skip the dawn patrol — 2-3ft and fair early on. Things come together by the afternoon with 2-3ft at poor - fair.
Mon, May 11: 3–4ft, 18s period, rated Fair. Steady 3-4ft waves on offer on SSW swell at 17s — calm winds. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 7mph.
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 gentle ESE breeze. Conditions go downhill through the afternoon.
Wed, May 13: 2–3ft, 15s period, rated Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 2-3ft on SSW swell at 14s with light winds out of the ESE. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.
Thu, May 14: 2–3ft, 16s period, rated Poor - Fair. Early morning is your best window — 2-3ft waves on SSW swell at 13s with gentle ESE breeze. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 9mph from the WSW and dropping conditions to poor - fair.
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
Westward Beach offers accessible, forgiving waves on a wide sandy beach with a NE-facing exposure that picks up southwest swell effectively. The gradual slope and soft sand bottom make it an ideal spot for beginners and intermediates looking to progress in a mellow environment. This popular Malibu area beach delivers consistent peaks throughout the year, with fall bringing the most reliable swell periods.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Westward Beach is 2-3+ft with a 17.7s swell period. Wind is W at 7mph and conditions are rated Fair. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Westward Beach is 2-3+ft, produced by a 1.2ft SSW primary swell at 18s, a 0.8ft WSW secondary swell at 9s, a 0.6ft S tertiary swell at 14s. 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 Westward 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.
Westward Beach works best with a SW swell and NE 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 Westward 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.
Westward Beach is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Westward Beach offers accessible, forgiving waves on a wide sandy beach with a NE-facing exposure that picks up southwest swell effectively. The gradual slope and soft sand bottom make it an ideal spot for beginners and intermediates looking to progress in a mellow environment. This popular Malibu area beach delivers consistent peaks throughout the year, with fall bringing the most reliable swell periods.
The prime season at Westward 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 Westward Beach include crowded during peak times, occasional rip currents. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Westward 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.
