Point Dume (Malibu)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Advanced
- Skill Level
- Ocean, Mixed
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Point Dume is a right-hand point break at Malibu’s exposed headland, with fast, ledgey/hollow walls that can deliver powerful, high-performance surf—best when south swell aligns with northeast offshore winds during summer into early autumn. Seasonality is emphasized by multiple sources, with September frequently highlighted as a top month; conditions are also described as “only works when conditions are just right,” indicating a narrower optimal window. The ride and wave feel are consistently described as advanced surf: hollowness and fast sections are common descriptions for the point, with strong potential for long, peeling walls when the point and inside connect. Reported working swell ranges vary by source, but the overall theme is that larger, well-timed swells can create very serious, fast faces. Low tide is generally favored for cleaner takeoffs and a better-feeling ride. Safety risks are substantial. Expect rocks/reef and sea urchins, plus strong rip currents/undertow and heavy shorebreak in some sections. Kelp beds can also affect conditions in certain areas, and in addition to physical hazards, localism is described as heavy with strict surf etiquette; restricted/private access is also reported for Little Dume. Treat the lineup as highly competitive and avoid confrontation. For planning, the closest parking is at Point Dume State Beach, followed by an about 20-minute south hike to reach the surf area. Lifeguard coverage is described as seasonal at the spot level, with area rescue services active; still, the combination of currents, reef hazards, and localism means advanced self-management is essential. Wetsuit guidance commonly points to a 3/2mm spring-to-fall approach (or 4/3mm in cooler periods) depending on how long you stay in the water.
- Exposed, fast right-hand point break with hollow/peeling walls
- Best when south swells pair with northeast offshore winds in summer/autumn (often September)
- Serious hazards: rocks/reef, sea urchins, strong rip currents/undertow, and heavy shorebreak
- Heavily localized and advanced-focused lineup with restricted/private sections
- Legendary right-hand point break conditions
- Works with south swells and northeast offshore wind in summer/autumn
- World-class high-performance waves for experienced riders
- Very advanced, heavily localized lineups
- Strong currents (rip currents/undertow) and rocks/reef with sea urchins
- Heavy shorebreak and restricted/private access in some sections
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N, NNE, NE, W
- Offshore directions
- N, NE, NNE, NW
- No-go directions
- S, SSW, SW
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Thermal — Afternoon sea-breeze pattern common; NW winds can also bring offshore conditions for surf.
- Reliability
- Moderate; highly dependent on seasonal pressure systems
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Moderate gusting reported.
- Best Months
- June, July, August, September, October, November
- Shadow Zones
- Significant wind shadows near the cliff base due to high bluffs at the point
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean, Mixed
- Beach
- Sand — Sand is reported for the general beach composition, though other sources note mixed composition and reef sections at the point/entries.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Wave size is described as small in one physical summary, while surfing conditions are also described as powerful with serious swell.
- Chop Level
- Heavy chop — Heavy shorebreak is reported in some sections.
- Launch
- Medium — Main surf area requires a hike from Point Dume State Beach; some entries at Westward/point and Little Dume are described as sandy entry at Westward and rocky/reef-strewn at the point and Little Dume.
Through the year
High during summer weekends and on classic south swell days; can be crowded/growded.
December to March
By sport
What to expect for each.
Expert-only high-wind option described at Westward Beach; requires strong kite control and can involve heavy shorebreak.
- Kite Sizes
- 7–10 m²
Premier wave-sailing option on strong NW days; powerful waves and challenging side-offshore conditions.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.2–5.3 m²
Challenging due to kelp beds and wind shadow near the point; advanced riders sometimes use the outer swell.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Foil friendliness is described as limited.
- Min Depth
- 2 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–5 m²
Right-hand point break with fast, ledgey/hollow walls. Works best when south swells line up with northeast offshore winds (summer/autumn).
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- S, SW, W
- Swell Height
- 1.2–3.7 m
- Optimal Tide
- Low — Low tide is favored.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed point with heavy shorebreak in some sections; wind and swell face the open coast at the headland.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore in N or NE winds; also described as offshore-from-northeast for summer/autumn.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds significant size; can become difficult to paddle out when the point is closing out, but also described as handling big swells up to very large sizes.
- Wave Quality
- Excellent — Wave quality described as good to excellent depending on conditions.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Powerful wave conditions reported.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — Walls described as hollow; at least one source also characterizes sections as peeling.
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Fast sections are reported for the right-hand point break.
- Ride Length
- Long — Can be long when the point and inside sections connect; multiple sources indicate advanced, high-performance point breaks.
- Typical Ride Length
- 150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Reported ride lengths include about 50 meters and also rides exceeding 200 meters when sections connect.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Point Dume (Malibu) in the full forecast view.
Point Dume (Malibu) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–8 ktsGusts 15 kts
- Direction
- SSW207°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 248 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.7–1.0 m12s period
- Temperature
- 16–25 °C
Over the next 7 days, Point Dume (Malibu) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–8 kts, peaking around 8 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 15 kts. The prevailing direction is SSW. Waves run 0.7–1.0 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 and reef
- Sea urchins
- Strong rip currents / undertow
- Heavy shorebreak
- Kelp beds (in some areas)
- Submerged boulders
- Localism
- Private/restricted beach access
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Seasonal lifeguard presence is reported; also noted: year-round LA County rescue coverage in the wider Malibu Coast cluster context.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Yes — Rescue availability is described as limited at the spot level, but rescue coverage is active in the area (Malibu Search and Rescue and county lifeguards).
- Emergency Info
- 911; Malibu Search and Rescue and Los Angeles County lifeguards operate in the area.
- Localism / Vibe
- Heavy — Heavily localized; locals enforce surf etiquette and the area is described as strongly localized.
Rules of the spot
Surf etiquette is strictly enforced by local riders; private sections and localism can be significant.
- Private beach access
- Little Dume access restricted/private above mean high tide
- Localism - aggressive local culture
- Parking at Point Dume State Beach is closest; reaching the main surf area involves hiking about 20 minutes south along the beach.
- Use booties when surfing reef sections to reduce urchin risk.
- Be extremely careful exiting the water where shorebreak is described as very heavy.
- Little Dume access can be restricted by gated/private property above the high-tide line.
- Localism is heavy—avoid confrontation and follow on-site etiquette.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Malibu
- Nearest Town
- Los Angeles
- Nearest Airport
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
- Parking
- Parking at Point Dume State Beach (paid/limited free street options on Westward Beach Road are also noted).
- Public Transport
- Limited public transit (Metro Bus Line 134 along Pacific Coast Highway).
- Access
- Public access via Point Dume State Beach or Westward Beach; Little Dume access is restricted/private above mean high tide.
- Cost Level
- Expensive
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — High-end luxury accommodations and vacation rentals along the Malibu coast.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental is available along Pacific Coast Highway; specialty foiling gear may require appointment.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Malibu is known for rugged cliffs, expansive beaches, and an upscale lifestyle—an anchor of classic California surf culture with broad outdoor options.
Iconic historic landmark with dining, fishing, and ocean views.
Museum and educational center focused on ancient Greek, Roman, and Etruscan arts and cultures.
Popular hiking trails featuring waterfalls and historic mansion ruins.
High-end Japanese cuisine with oceanfront views.
Large, accessible sandy beach with extensive parking and facilities for families.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Point Dume (Malibu)?
The best overall months at Point Dume (Malibu) are June, July, August, September, October, November.
Which wind directions work at Point Dume (Malibu)?
Point Dume (Malibu) works with N, NNE, NE, W winds. Offshore directions are N, NE, NNE, NW. No-go directions are S, SSW, SW.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Point Dume (Malibu)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Point Dume (Malibu): Kitesurfing: 7–10 m² · Windsurfing: 4.2–5.3 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–5 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Point Dume (Malibu) suitable for?
Point Dume (Malibu) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Expert · Windsurfing: Expert · Wingfoiling: Advanced · Surfing: Advanced.