Malibu, 1st Point
Cobblestone right point off PCH in Malibu. South-facing pocket inside Santa Monica Bay, primarily a summer south-swell magnet shaped by the Channel Islands swell shadow on west energy.
When it’s on
Malibu, 1st Point works best on a SE to SW swell. Light offshore from the north through northeast. Mid to lower tide window.
Spot intel
- Parking
- Paid lot at Surfrider Beach off PCH, about 100 spaces with a meter fee. Free street parking along PCH fills before first light on a swell. Car break-ins are regular.
- Crowd
- Stacked. Longboard presence runs generational. The lineup runs at contest density on any south swell.
- Beginner-friendly?
Yes.
Slow, forgiving cobblestone right that peels for longboard-length rides. The wave itself is about as mellow as a famous wave gets. The catch is the crowd: priority runs tight on a south swell, so beginners do best on smaller days and early.
- Famous for
- First Point Malibu. The wave that defined California longboarding in the 1950s and 1960s, namesake of the Malibu surfboard, and host of an annual WSL longboard event.
- Lineup etiquette
- At a longboard point, priority extends further back along the shoulder than at a shortboard break. Paddling inside an active takeoff is the standard call-out.
Where it breaks
- Coordinates
- 34.0358, -118.6794
- Shore faces
- SSW
- Region
- Malibu, California
Common questions
- What swell direction is best for Malibu, 1st Point?
- Malibu, 1st Point works best on a SE to SW swell.
- How big does Malibu, 1st Point need to be?
- Malibu, 1st Point is best in the 5-12ft range on a 12-18s period.
- What are the best conditions at Malibu, 1st Point?
- Light or offshore wind under about 8 knots, with the tide around 2-4ft.
- Where is Malibu, 1st Point?
- Malibu, 1st Point is a long-period right point in Malibu, California. The beach faces SSW.
- Does GhostFingers forecast Malibu, 1st Point?
- Yes. GhostFingers grades Malibu, 1st Point with a six-tier verdict from swell height, period, direction, tide, and wind. iPhone, winter 2026.
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