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.
Tue, Jun 30: 1–2ft, 18s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with barely a breath of wind. Afternoon breeze fills in to 13mph.
Wed, Jul 1: 2–3ft, 18s period, rated Poor. Dawn patrol is the move — 1-2ft on WSW swell at 5s with light SSW winds. The W wind kicks in by afternoon — 11mph and poor by then.
Thu, Jul 2: 2–2ft, 17s period, rated Poor. Midday is the call — 2ft waves with light winds out of the S and poor - fair conditions. Early on is a little rough — give it until mid-morning to shape up. Sea breeze fills back in by mid-afternoon so get on it early.
Fri, Jul 3: 1–2ft, 16s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with light SE winds.
Sat, Jul 4: 1–2ft, 15s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with barely a breath of wind. Expect the wind to bump up to around 13mph by PM.
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 1ft with a 13.8s swell period. Wind is W at 8mph 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 1ft, produced by a 1ft WSW primary swell at 5s, a 0.7ft SSW secondary swell at 14s, a 0.5ft SW 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 RAT Beach is Thursday from 9 AM to 12 PM with 2ft waves, a 15.55s 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.
