Little Malibu - surf spot statistics

Best Surf Season (November - March)

The winter months deliver the largest average swell heights, clocking in around 1.5 to 1.6 meters with periods averaging 9.8 to 10.0 seconds. While the dominant swell direction from the NE quadrant is far from ideal for this SW-facing beach, the longer period allows for better wrapping and some clean lined-up waves when combined with reliable offshore winds from the NE to E. Wind is ideal 62-70% of the time, so the window for clean, punchy surf is narrower than the numbers suggest, but when it aligns, you can score fun, rippable waves. This is the most consistent shot at size and power.

Fair Surf Season (April, May, September, October)

During the shoulder months, average swell heights dip slightly to 1.1-1.3 meters and periods shorten into the 8-9 second range. The wind remains favorable, with ideal conditions 69-78% of the time, but the diminishing wave power and less wrap efficiency means the surf becomes more fun-sized and grovel-worthy. Occasional longer-period pulses can still deliver solid sessions, but don't expect pumping tubes. The vibe is more about small-wave carves and longboard cruises when the stars align.

Low Surf Season (June - August)

Summer brings the smallest and weakest swell of the year – average heights hover around 1.0 meter and periods drop to 6.7-7.3 seconds. Though the wind is ideal 85-87% of the time (mostly light offshore from the E and NE), the wave energy is simply too low to produce anything beyond tiny, choppy, micro-swell. The NE windswell that dominates this period is short-period and messy, barely wrapping into the beach. Unless you're itching for a grovel session on a log, it's better to save your energy for the calmer summer beach days.

January: Winter Window of Opportunity

January kicks off the year with the highest average swell height of 1.5m and a solid 10.0s period. Swell direction is overwhelmingly from the NE quadrant – 32.9% from NE and 25.5% from ENE – which, for a SW-facing beach, means most of this energy is not optimally oriented. However, the longer period offers some refraction, and when the offshore winds kick in (NE to ENE blowing at 10-30kph 62% of the time), waves can turn clean and punchy. Wind is ideal 64% of the time, making Jan a solid bet for early winter sessions, but don't expect perfection as the dominant NE swell will have a lot of east in it, leading to closeouts if you stray from the peak.