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GhostFingers · Los Angeles County · Malibu

Zuma

Long open sand beachbreak at Zuma Beach in Malibu, the most exposed stretch of the Santa Monica Bay coastline. Bars shift along a wide beach with no reef structure.

Malibu Famous + beginner-friendly

Spot intel

Parking

County day-use lots along Pacific Coast Highway with a posted fee. Free roadside parking on PCH fills early.

Crowd

Moderate and spread across a long beach. Mixed ability.

Beginner-friendly?

Depends.

Sand bottom the length of the beach, but Zuma carries a steep shorebreak on size and rip currents that county lifeguards flag regularly.

Famous for

The largest and most exposed county beach in Malibu, and the main open-ocean beachbreak of the Santa Monica Bay coast.

Lineup etiquette

Beachbreak priority is per-wave from the peak, not by lineup position.

When it’s on

South through west swell with light offshore wind from the north through northeast. Mid tide window.

When beginners can paddle out

Small clean swell under about waist high, light wind, mid to high tide, and surfed near a staffed lifeguard tower.

Where it breaks

Coordinates
34.0106, -118.8291
Shore faces
SSW
Region
Malibu, California

Common questions

What swell direction is best for Zuma?
Zuma works best on a S to W swell.
How big does Zuma need to be?
Zuma is best in the 2-6ft range on a 10-18s period.
What are the best conditions at Zuma?
Light or offshore wind under about 8 knots, with the tide around 1-4ft.
Where is Zuma?
Zuma is a wide open beach break in Malibu, California. The beach faces SSW.
Does GhostFingers forecast Zuma?
Yes. GhostFingers grades Zuma with a six-tier verdict from swell height, period, direction, tide, and wind. iPhone, winter 2026.

New to reading a forecast? Start here.

Launching winter 2026.

Six-tier verdicts for every California break, calibrated to swell, period, direction, tide, and wind.

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