Malibu 3 (Katsuura Coast)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Beginner to Advanced
- Skill Level
- Ocean
- Spot Type
- Busy
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
The spot is an exposed reef point-style break with rocks and shallow reef hazards around the launch. Offshore northwest winds are consistently described as ideal, and the wave is typically peeling with a strong preference for the right-hand peak. Tide matters: multiple sources state it’s best at mid to low tide, while also warning that the reef can become very shallow—so entrants should be prepared for changing depth over the course of a session.
- Right-hand peak is the wave of choice
- Offshore northwest winds groom the face
- Typhoon pulses can significantly increase quality and size
- Peeling right-hand reef break that can hold size well during typhoon pulses
- Offshore northwest winds help groom the face
- Clean water quality is reported
- Reef hazards (rocks/shallow reef) and tetrapods near the harbor wall
- Strong currents can develop during large typhoon swells
- Heavy localism and strict lineup etiquette required
- Rescue availability reported as no
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NW
- Offshore directions
- NW
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Sources differ on wind character (trade vs mixed), but both place the offshore window around northwest conditions.
- Reliability
- unreliable
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Moderate gusts reported by one provider; another describes steadier gusting.
- Best Months
- May, June, July, August, September, October, November
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean
- Beach
- Reef — Beach/launch context involves reef and rocks; one source also explicitly lists rocks and tetrapods.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Medium — Some sources describe the spot as small; others report medium wave size depending on swell.
- Launch
- Medium — Rocky entry near the harbor wall; access is often via the port side or a small rocky shore.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate
Through the year
Can get quite busy in the water during peak months; extremely busy when a good swell hits.
Typhoon season: August to October (also reported as August to October).
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed reef break with long, peeling right-handers when the right swell and offshore wind line up; reef can become very shallow at low tide.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- SE, SSE, E
- Swell Height
- 1–3 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Also described as best at mid to low tide.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed reef point-style break.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore northwest winds groom the face; northwest offshore is ideal.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds size well during typhoon pulses; during large typhoon swell it can become world-class but very challenging.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Another source describes wave quality as excellent.
- Wave Power
- Soft — One source describes the spot as soft/polite-feeling; another describes it as powerful and world-class when it fires during larger swell.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Consistently described as peeling, with preference for the right-hand peak.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Peeling right-hand waves with medium peel speed.
- Ride Length
- Short — Ride length varies by day: some reports say short; other reports quantify longer rides on good days.
- Typical Ride Length
- 150–200 m
- Ride Length Details
- Gentle, peeling rides suitable for longboarders are reported, and on good days waves can peel for long distances.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Malibu 3 (Katsuura Coast) in the full forecast view.
Malibu 3 (Katsuura Coast) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 4–16 ktsGusts 30 kts
- Direction
- N2°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2516 kts
- Windy days
- 2/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.2–2.3 m7s period
- Temperature
- 14–25 °C
Over the next 7 days, Malibu 3 (Katsuura Coast) is forecast for daytime winds of 4–16 kts, peaking around 16 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 30 kts. The prevailing direction is N. Waves run 1.2–2.3 m with a period of about 7s. 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
- Sharp rocks
- Tetrapods near the harbor wall
- Strong currents can develop during large typhoon swells
- Urchins
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — Local spot sources report no rescue availability.
- Localism / Vibe
- Heavy — Heavier local hierarchy reported for the lineup; requires politeness and strict etiquette.
Rules of the spot
Strict surfing etiquette is required; respect the locals and wait your turn in the lineup.
- No-go zones near the active fishing port channels
- Local priority is strictly observed
- Localism is quite strong—be very respectful of the local surfers and lineup rules.
- Avoid taking set waves from locals; wait your turn.
- Conditions are best at mid to low tide; watch for the reef becoming very shallow.
- Right-hand peak is the wave of choice.
- Offshore northwest winds help groom the face.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Katsuura
- Nearest Town
- Katsuura City
- Nearest Airport
- Narita International Airport (NRT)
- Parking
- Limited paid parking available in lots near the harbor and nearby beaches
- Public Transport
- Accessible via the JR Sotobo Line; the Wakashio Limited Express connects Tokyo Station to Katsuura Station in approximately 90 minutes.
- Access
- 1227-2 Kushihama, Katsuura City; 12-minute walk from JR Katsuura Station (pick-up/drop-off available). Also described as accessible by road via Route 128 near the Katsuura Port area.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Japanese
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous guesthouses and hotels in Katsuura; also ocean-view rooms at Malibu Point.
- Food & Drink
- Cafe and shop at Malibu Point.
- Equipment Rental:
- Malibu Point offers water-sport rentals; equipment rental is also available through surf shops in the wider area.
- Gear Repair
- Basic surfboard and wetsuit repair services available via specialty shops in Katsuura and nearby Onjuku (regional context).
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 Malibu 3 (Katsuura Coast)?
The best overall months at Malibu 3 (Katsuura Coast) are May, June, July, August, September, October, November.
Which wind directions work at Malibu 3 (Katsuura Coast)?
Malibu 3 (Katsuura Coast) works with NW winds. Offshore directions are NW.
What skill level is Malibu 3 (Katsuura Coast) suitable for?
Malibu 3 (Katsuura Coast) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Beginner to Advanced.