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.
Sat, May 16: 2–3ft, 15s period, rated Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 2-3ft on W swell at 6s with light winds out of the WNW. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 9mph from the W and dropping conditions to poor - fair.
Sun, May 17: 2–3ft, 14s period, rated Fair. First light looks cleanest — 2-3ft on W swell at 8s with 7mph ESE winds. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.
Mon, May 18: 2–3ft, 13s period, rated Fair. Early morning is your best window — 2-3ft waves on WSW swell at 7s with 10mph from the SE. It gets a bit messier later in the day.
Tue, May 19: 1–2ft, 15s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with barely a breath of wind. Expect the wind to bump up to around 13mph by PM.
Wed, May 20: 1–2ft, 20s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with calm winds. Afternoon breeze fills in to 10mph.
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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 2-3ft with a 15.1s swell period. Wind is W at 2mph 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 RAT Beach is 2-3ft, produced by a 1.2ft W primary swell at 6s, a 0.8ft SSW secondary swell at 15s, a 0.7ft SSW tertiary swell at 13s. 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 Sunday from 12 PM to 3 PM with 3ft waves, a 13.4s swell period, and conditions rated Fair - Good. 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.
