Los Angeles County, California
Dawn patrol is the move — 0-1ft on W swell at 5s with moderate SW wind around 7mph.
Dawn patrol is the move — 0-1ft on W swell at 5s with moderate SW wind around 7mph.
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.
Thu, Sep 3: 1–2ft, 12s period, rated Very Poor. First light looks cleanest — 1-2ft on W swell at 5s with 7mph from the SW. Onshore flow builds through the day to 13mph, bringing conditions down to very poor.
Fri, Sep 4: 1–2ft, 18s period, rated Poor. First light looks cleanest — 1-2ft on SSW swell at 18s with gentle ESE breeze. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 13mph from the W and dropping conditions to very poor.
Sat, Sep 5: 1–2ft, 16s period, rated Poor - Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 1-2ft on SSW swell at 16s with glassy conditions. Onshore flow builds through the day to 10mph, bringing conditions down to very poor.
Sun, Sep 6: 1–2ft, 14s period, rated Poor. Midday is the call — 1-2ft waves with glassy conditions and poor - fair conditions. Morning is a bit bumpy but things clean up by late morning.
Mon, Sep 7: 1–2ft, 13s period, rated Poor. Get out early for the best of it — 1-2ft waves on S swell at 13s and light winds out of the W. Onshore flow builds through the day to 14mph, bringing conditions down to very poor.
Two days at a glance. Swipe for later hours.Five days at a glance. Drag for later hours.
Very Poor today — get one free email when RAT Beach turns Good.
Check RAT Beach from the lineup
Forecasts, surf alerts, and live conditions in the Swell Intel iPhone app.
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 0-1ft with a 5.1s swell period. Wind is SW at 7mph. Conditions are rated Very Poor. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at RAT Beach is 0-1ft, produced by a 1.5ft W wind swell swell at 5s, a 1.5ft SSW secondary swell at 10s, a 1.1ft SSW 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 Sunday from 11 AM to 2 PM with 2ft waves, a 14.2s 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. We also verify our offshore swell predictions against NOAA buoy measurements daily — see our accuracy page for those swell-verification metrics (buoys measure open-water swell, not breaking surf size).
