By The Wayfarer
Surf the story, not just the swell: Take the Wayfarer Malibu Tour
If surfing has a sacred shoreline, it’s here—First Point Malibu. Also known by its shortform street name, 1st Point Malibu, this legendary stretch of wave sits just east of the Malibu Pier and west of Malibu Lagoon. It’s more than a break. It’s a birthplace.
Long, peeling, perfectly sculpted rights. A cobblestone takeoff. Waist-high rides that seem to last forever. For surfers, it’s not just a place on the map—it’s a rite of passage. And for everyone else, it’s one of the best windows into Malibu’s layered, living coastal culture.
Here’s everything you need to know about Malibu First Point—why it matters, how to experience it (board or no board), and how to understand the surf, the stories, and the shore with the help of the Wayfarer Malibu Tour.
What Is 1st Point Malibu?
1st Point is the inside section of the Malibu Point break, a wave that unfurls in elegant slow-motion over cobblestone reef just offshore from Surfrider Beach. It’s known for:
- Long, smooth right-hand rides
- Ideal beginner and intermediate conditions
- A deep connection to California surf history
It’s not the most powerful wave in Malibu—but it may be the most important.
This is where the modern California surf identity was carved—by teens in the 1950s riding redwood planks, by women making their mark in the ‘70s, and by generations of kids learning to read the ocean, one ankle-deep paddle at a time.
Where Is Malibu First Point?
Location:
Right next to the Malibu Pier, along Pacific Coast Highway, within Malibu Lagoon State Beach.
Parking:
- Paid lots near the Malibu Pier
- State park parking near the lagoon
- Limited metered street parking
Best Access:
Walk through the state beach path just west of the pier and veer left toward the lineup. You’ll see the classic cobblestone stretch, and usually, a small crowd of boards bobbing just outside the foam line.
Who Surfs Here?
Everyone—from first-timers on foam boards to old-school locals who’ve been here since the Gidget days. On any given day, you might see:
- Kids and families learning how to paddle and pop up
- Loggers riding longboards with style and flow
- Locals with serious etiquette expectations (more on that below)
This is not a place for aggro shortboarders to snake waves. 1st Point Malibu has an unspoken rhythm: patient, respectful, wave-sharing. When it works, it’s a living meditation.
Not Surfing? Still Worth Visiting.
You don’t need a board to appreciate the scene.
Bring:
- A towel or beach chair to sit on the sand
- Binoculars or a camera (sunset light here is unbeatable)
- Curiosity—there’s a rich subculture in every lineup conversation
You can watch:
- Longboarders cross-step and hang ten
- Instructors coaching kids through their first wave
- Seagulls, dolphins, and sometimes whales cruising the break line
And when the wave’s not working? Walk the shore, visit the pier, or head into the lagoon’s nature trails to spot herons and egrets in the reeds.
Surf Etiquette at First Point
If you’re planning to paddle out, know the rules:
- Don’t drop in on someone already on the wave
- Take turns—locals tend to be polite but firm
- Respect the vibe—aggression ruins the ride for everyone
Also, be aware that the wave slows as it moves through the inside section. This gives First Point Malibu its signature cruisy ride—but also means multiple surfers often share the same wave. Know how to yield, or better yet, watch for a while before jumping in.
Understanding the History with Wayfarer Malibu Tour
To really get why 1st Point Malibu matters, you need more than a surf report. You need a sense of who surfed here first—and who still shapes the break today.
The Wayfarer Malibu Tour is a self-guided GPS audio experience that leads you through the heart of Malibu, including:
- The Chumash origins of surfing and watercraft in Southern California
- The 1950s surf boom and the Gidget-era explosion of California surf identity
- The battle over public beach access and who gets to belong at the edge of the sea
- The quiet forces—tide, cobblestone, moonlight—that shape every set wave
Start the tour before you arrive or play it in your car as you drive the coast. You’ll arrive not just at a beach—but in the middle of a story.
When to Go
- Best swells: Summer south swells
- Best time of day: Mornings are often glassy and mellow
- Crowds: Midweek mornings = least crowded; weekend afternoons = packed
- Tide: Mid to high tide tends to produce the cleanest rides
Check surf cams and tide charts before heading out. And remember: even when the wave’s not firing, the feeling here always is.
Final Thoughts
Malibu First Point isn’t just a surf spot—it’s a story that keeps rewriting itself with every set. It’s where generations have learned to fall, paddle, glide, and return. It’s where sea and culture still meet in a way that feels timeless.
So come watch the waves roll in.
Or better yet—listen to the stories behind them.
Because 1st Point Malibu isn’t just about catching a wave.
It’s about catching what it means.
by xotatech.com