Los Angeles County, California
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Zuma Beach County Park, 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. Afternoon is the play — morning is only fair at 3-4ft. Things come together by the afternoon with 2-3ft at poor - fair.
Mon, May 11: 2–3ft, 18s period, rated Fair. Expect 3-4ft all day on SSW swell at 17s with calm winds — nothing amazing but surfable. Afternoon breeze fills in 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. First light looks cleanest — 2-3ft on SSW swell at 14s with light winds out of the ESE. Conditions go downhill through the afternoon.
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 light winds out of the ESE. The WSW wind kicks in by afternoon — 9mph and poor - fair by then.
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
Zuma Beach County Park in Malibu offers a classic Southern California beach break with forgiving sandy bottoms ideal for learning and progression. The beach faces northeast, catching Pacific swells particularly well during autumn months when Northwestern swells wrap around the coast. This well-maintained county park combines accessible facilities, a spacious sandy beach, and consistent small-to-medium waves that make it a popular spot for beginners and intermediate surfers.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Zuma Beach County Park is 3-4ft with a 17.7s swell period. Wind is WSW at 5mph 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 Zuma Beach County Park is 3-4ft, produced by a 1.1ft SSW primary swell at 18s, a 0.9ft 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 Zuma Beach County Park is Sunday from 1 PM to 4 PM with 3ft waves, a 17.7s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Zuma Beach County Park 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 Zuma Beach County Park. 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.
Zuma Beach County Park is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Zuma Beach County Park in Malibu offers a classic Southern California beach break with forgiving sandy bottoms ideal for learning and progression. The beach faces northeast, catching Pacific swells particularly well during autumn months when Northwestern swells wrap around the coast. This well-maintained county park combines accessible facilities, a spacious sandy beach, and consistent small-to-medium waves that make it a popular spot for beginners and intermediate surfers.
The prime season at Zuma Beach County Park 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 Zuma Beach County Park include crowded during summer months, occasional rip currents. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Zuma Beach County Park 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.
