Heavens
- Freeride, Shortboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Small waves
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Heavens is a rugged, exposed beach break along the Santa Monica Mountains coastline, most often working with small-to-medium waves. Water quality is reported as clean, and the seabed is shallow near shore before deepening more quickly, with conditions influenced by rocky shelves, kelp, and scattered submerged hazards. Wind sports benefit from a consistent afternoon sea-breeze/thermal pattern in spring and summer. Reported typical winds are about 15–25 knots with a steadier feel, and the spot is active from April through September, particularly with SW, WSW, and W wind directions. For surfing, West/Southwest swell is described as the most favorable direction, with offshore grooming described for northerly winds. The spot’s main challenge is access and the nearshore environment. The trail down is steep and can be slippery, with rocks at the bottom—especially when the tide is coming in. Kelp beds offshore and submerged rocks are also noted throughout the lineup and launch area, and there can be moderate longshore drift during strong swells. For safety, treat this as an intermediate-focused environment: hazards include rip currents, kelp, submerged rocks, and steep cliff access. Aim to plan your session around tide (the beach can disappear at high tide), and be prepared to manage without on-site rescue support. Emergency care is described as available via 911 access, with nearest medical facilities referenced in Malibu or Oxnard.
- Often working exposed beach break with small-to-medium waves
- Clean water
- Reliable afternoon sea-breeze window in spring and summer
- Wave-oriented kitesurfing opportunities from April to September
- Exposed beach break that is often working
- Clean water and small-to-medium wave conditions
- Reliable spring/summer afternoon sea-breeze winds for kitesurfing and other wind sports
- Steep, slippery access and limited launch space at high tide
- Rocky/kelp hazards and scattered submerged rocks
- Rip currents reported; rescue availability reported as none for the spot
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- W, WSW, SW, WNW
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — Consistent afternoon sea-breeze/thermal pattern during spring and summer.
- Reliability
- Good during the spring and summer afternoon window.
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Reported as steady.
- Best Months
- April, May, June, July, August, September
- Shadow Zones
- Bluffs can create small wind shadows very close to shore, particularly if wind is slightly more north of west.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Small waves
- Beach
- Mixed — One source reports sand; another reports mixed composition—consistent with sand/rock at the launch strip.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Sources describe small wave conditions, with another source indicating medium wave capability.
- Launch
- Small — Narrow strip of sand and rock at the base of the bluffs; space is limited at high tide.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Moderate launch difficulty due to steep access and limited launch area.
Through the year
Generally less crowded than the main breaks in Malibu, but can get busy on weekends with good swells.
Winter months (December through March) see the most rainfall and storm activity.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Works from April to September with SW, WSW, and W wind directions; suited to wave-oriented freeride. Noted as a popular spot for wave-oriented kiters who prefer less-crowded conditions than more urban nearby Malibu beaches.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Occasionally used for bump and jump or wave riding, but less common due to the gear haul down the cliff.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.7–5.7 m²
Possible but challenging due to rocky bottom and heavy kelp presence near shore; requires walking past nearshore rocks to reach deeper water.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Limited due to conditions near the shore.
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Exposed beach break with multiple peaks; often working with small to medium wave conditions in summer.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- SW, W
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid, Low — Sources indicate aiming around mid to low tide as the beach disappears at high tide.
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- Offshore winds from the north groom the waves; typical West winds create afternoon chop.
- Bigger Swell
- Can become heavy and disorganized during massive winter swells.
- Wave Quality
- Average
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — Decent rides on the right swell, often with multiple sections.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–100 m
- Ride Length Details
- Provides decent rides on the right swell, often with multiple sections.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Heavens in the full forecast view.
Heavens wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–9 ktsGusts 14 kts
- Direction
- WSW251°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 249 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.8–1.7 m11s period
- Temperature
- 15–26 °C
Over the next 7 days, Heavens is forecast for daytime winds of 2–9 kts, peaking around 9 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 14 kts. The prevailing direction is WSW. Waves run 0.8–1.7 m with a period of about 11s. 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
- Submerged rocks
- Kelp beds
- Steep cliff access
- Rip currents
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — None reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — No rescue availability reported for the spot.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest medical facilities are described as in Malibu or Oxnard; call 911 for emergencies.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Reported mild localism.
Rules of the spot
Standard right-of-way rules apply; respect surfers in the lineup.
- The trail down to the beach is steep; watch out for rocks at the bottom, especially when the tide is coming in.
- Use caution with gear on the steep, slippery trail down from the Pacific Coast Highway.
- Aim to ride at mid to low tide as the beach disappears at high tide.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Malibu
- Nearest Town
- Malibu
- Parking
- Free parking is available in dirt pull-outs along the Pacific Coast Highway.
- Access
- Access is via steep dirt trails leading down from the shoulder of the Pacific Coast Highway.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Camping is available at the nearby Leo Carrillo State Park.
- Food & Drink
- Limited options nearby; most services are a short drive east toward central Malibu or west toward Oxnard.
- Equipment Rental:
- No rentals available on-site; shops are located in Malibu or Ventura.
- Gear Storage
- No on-site storage is described; most visitors manage gear using personal vehicles.
- Gear Repair
- Minor surfboard repairs are described as available in Malibu; major kite/sail repairs may require travel to Oxnard or Santa Monica.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Heavens?
The best overall months at Heavens are June, July, August, September. The best wind months are April, May, June, July, August, September.
Which wind directions work at Heavens?
Heavens works with W, WSW, SW, WNW winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Heavens?
Recommended equipment sizes at Heavens: Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Windsurfing: 4.7–5.7 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Heavens suitable for?
Heavens suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Advanced · Surfing: Intermediate.