Zuma Beach - surf spot statistics

Zuma Beach is a consistent surf spot with year-round swell activity, but the best conditions for surfers generally occur between April and September. During these months, ground swell dominates (90-97%), providing cleaner and more organized waves compared to wind swell, which is minimal (1-9%). The mean swell size hovers around 0.7-0.9m, offering manageable but often small to mid-sized waves, making it ideal for beginners and longboarders. Wind conditions improve significantly in this period, particularly from May to September, where good wind days (offshore or light winds) range from 41-53%, peaking in August. The worst wind conditions are in winter, especially December, where bad winds (onshore or strong crosswinds) reach 83%. Winter months (November-February) see more mixed swell conditions with higher wind swell percentages and frequent bad wind days, though ground swell remains fairly consistent. Swell size doesn’t vary drastically throughout the year, but the combination of cleaner ground swell and favorable winds makes late spring to early fall the prime window for surfing Zuma Beach. If you prefer smaller, cleaner waves with higher consistency, target May through September, while winter offers more size but less predictable conditions due to increased wind interference.

February at Zuma Beach delivers mostly small but clean conditions, with an average swell height of 0.7m and a solid period of 14.2s, indicating well-spaced, organized waves. The primary swell direction is WSW (32.5% of waves in the 0.5-1m range), with secondary contributions from SW and W, ensuring a mix of angled and peaky setups. Wind conditions are less consistent, with only 29% of days offering ideal offshore or light cross-shore flow—typically from ENE to E. However, stronger onshore winds (SSE to SSW) are frequent, potentially chopping up sessions. The best windows for surf are likely early mornings when winds are lighter. While not a big-wave month, the long-period swells and occasional clean days make it suitable for performance surfing or logging when conditions align. Expect waist-high waves with occasional chest-high sets, particularly on W or WSW swells. Windswells and onshore interference are the main drawbacks.