Chart House Rights
- Shortboard, Advanced riders
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Swell
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Chart House Rights is an exposed right-hand reef/point break in LA County with a rocky, very shallow entry and limited take-off zone. The spot is best around low tide and is particularly sensitive to tide levels, swell angle, and wind direction, which contributes to its overall inconsistency. When it works, it can be a fast, hollow right-hand reef break with the potential for small barrels, peeling along the rocky point toward the east. Descriptions emphasize that the ride can be long on the right setup, with reports of runs reaching up to about 50 meters. However, it is also noted to wash out or close out on very large swells. Local conditions are highly hazardous: the bottom is rock/reef with boulders and kelp beds, and currents can be strong and variable laterally depending on swell size. Multiple warnings also highlight slick, submerged rocks around the entry/exit and the presence of rips/strong currents. For these reasons, the spot is generally not aimed at beginners and requires careful line choice and controlled entry. Wind-wise, north winds are ideal (best with light offshore winds from the north). Onshore conditions can significantly degrade wave quality with added chop. Seasonal performance is strongest in summer south swells (with best month often cited as October), and overall consistency is limited compared to more reliable breaks.
- Fast, hollow right-hand reef/point wave on low tide
- Best with north/offshore-favorable winds and south-to-southwest swell
- Low-profile spot that can be overlooked, but it’s hazardous and sensitive
- Can produce fast, hollow right-hand reef barrels and longer rides on the right tide
- Good on a small south swell with north/offshore-favorable wind
- Inconsistent surf and frequent blown/very small conditions
- Very shallow, rocky reef with dangerous footing and strong currents
- Sensitive to tide and wind; onshore wind can add significant chop
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N, NE, NNE
- Offshore directions
- N, NE, NNE
- No-go directions
- S, SW, WSW
- Wind Range
- 5–12 kts
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — Ideal winds are from the north; sea-breeze influences are common but wind can be low/variable and onshore winds can degrade surf quality.
- Reliability
- low
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts
- Shadow Zones
- High bluffs along the coast can provide some protection from northerly winds.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell
- Beach
- Rocks — Rock/reef bottom; boulders and kelp present.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Small — Often small; can offer a better window as it builds (reported to range from waist high to a little overhead when conditions are favorable).
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — Onshore winds can create significant chop.
- Launch
- Small — Small take-off zone with a narrow rocky entry directly in front of the restaurant seawall.
Through the year
Highest during summer months when south swells are active; generally less crowded than a nearby more famous point.
December through March
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed reef and point break on a very shallow, rocky bottom with a right-hand reef/point line. The wave can be fast and hollow with potential barrels on a small to medium south swell at low tide; overall consistency is limited.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- S, SSW, SW
- Swell Height
- 1–2 m
- Optimal Tide
- Low — Low tide is repeatedly indicated as best.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed reef break with limited natural shelter; conditions are sensitive to wind and swell angle.
- Wind Effect
- Best with light offshore winds from the north; north winds can be favorable, while onshore winds cause significant chop.
- Bigger Swell
- On very large swells it can wash out or close out.
- Wave Quality
- Average — Described as good in some assessments but also inconsistent; monthly consistency is low (often blown/very small).
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Can be fast and hollow on the reef; also noted as a softer/more mellow ride at times.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — Fast, hollow right-hand reef break; can also peel more softly compared to nearby points depending on swell/tide.
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Also described as medium-speed peeling depending on conditions/tide.
- Ride Length
- Long — Up to ~50 meters reported; otherwise described as a decent/medium run on the right tide.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50 m
- Ride Length Details
- Right-hand run along/peeling toward the east on the right tide; up to ~50 meters reported for longer rides.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Chart House Rights in the full forecast view.
Chart House Rights wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 1–7 ktsGusts 13 kts
- Direction
- SW214°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 247 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.6–1.0 m12s period
- Temperature
- 15–25 °C
Over the next 7 days, Chart House Rights is forecast for daytime winds of 1–7 kts, peaking around 7 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 13 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 0.6–1.0 m with a period of about 12s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- rocks
- shallow reef
- boulders
- kelp beds
- strong currents
- rips
- locals
- slippery rocks / submerged rocks near the entry
- highway traffic
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — No direct rescue availability is indicated for this spot.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest emergency services are in Santa Monica or Malibu; call 911 for emergencies.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild
Rules of the spot
General surfing etiquette applies; respect the local lineup which can be protective of the peak. Parking lot is reserved for restaurant customers; park alongside the road instead of the restaurant lot.
- Parking lot reserved for restaurant customers.
- Reef is sketchy—be careful and plan your entry/exit carefully.
- Park alongside Pacific Coast Highway; the restaurant parking lot is reserved for restaurant customers only.
- Watch your entry and exit as rocks are slippery and often submerged just below the surface.
- The spot is best on a low incoming tide to help prevent the wave from getting too mushy.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Malibu, California
- Nearest Town
- Malibu
- Parking
- Extremely limited parking along the shoulder of Pacific Coast Highway; the restaurant parking lot is reserved for restaurant customers only.
- Access
- Accessible via Pacific Coast Highway; the break is located directly in front of the restaurant and nearby seawall/entry area.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Various hotels and rentals available in Malibu and Santa Monica.
- Food & Drink
- Restaurant landmark directly at the spot.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Chart House Rights?
The best overall months at Chart House Rights are June, July, August, September.
Which wind directions work at Chart House Rights?
Chart House Rights works with N, NE, NNE winds. Offshore directions are N, NE, NNE. No-go directions are S, SW, WSW.
What skill level is Chart House Rights suitable for?
Chart House Rights suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.