This celebrity hotspot is famous for beautiful beaches and surfing, but there is plenty of good snorkeling in Malibu right by Pacific Coast Highway for underwater fanatics to enjoy.
Malibu embodies the spirit of California perfectly. Rolling hills descend into the ocean, warm, breezy winds that perfectly complement the bright sunshine, and the blue Pacific Ocean that caress the soft sand. Surfers are out on the ocean, sitting and waiting for the perfect wave to carve. This is the ultimate southern California experience. To boot, you may run across a Hollywood actor or a rock star at a market or a restaurant.
The Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) goes through the heart of Malibu. This memorable highway hugs the California coastline closely and gives a reason to put the top down and feel the sunshine. Not to mention, it runs by several locations that provides wonderful opportunities to go snorkeling in Malibu. Leo Carrillo State Beach and El Matador State Beach. So be sure to pack your snorkeling gear next to the sunscreen and bathing suit during your visit!
Malibu Snorkeling Profile:
- Water Visibility: Fair. Nothing special but the water isn’t murky at all.
- Current Strength: Above Average to Strong. The coasts off Malibu are a surfer’s dream and there is usually a crowd. Always be careful out on the California coast.
- Reef Presence: There are finger corals around, but California waters are too cold to maintain coral reef systems. However, California coast is known for kelp forests which function as a key part of the habitat for marine life.
- Marine Life: Diverse and plenty. Good mix of smaller fish, including senioritas, gobis, and garibaldis, and bigger fish, including squids, rays, and even leopard sharks in the deeper end.
- Crowd: Beaches get more crowded the closer you are to L.A., and expect plenty of surfers to be around.
Getting There:
Closest Airports: Los Angeles International Airport (30 miles, 50 minutes away); Hollywood Burbank Airport (40 miles, 1 hour away)
- LAX is located in the Westchester neighborhood of Los Angeles on the western end of the city. Given the enormous traffic on the 405 and PCH, it will probably take about 45 minutes to an hour to get to Malibu from the airport. But there is no shortage of connections to anywhere on the planet, let alone the country, if you fly into one of the busiest airports in the world. The alternative would be Hollywood Burbank Airport, which serves northern Los Angeles, and while a bit further the time wouldn’t be too different.
Closest Major Metro: Los Angeles
- Los Angeles is the mecca of southern California. It is never boring in the City of Angels, whether you want to check out the shining lights of Hollywood or enjoy the beaches of Malibu. Its proximity to famous resort destinations, such as Newport Beach or Catalina Island, means visitors can enjoy relaxing environments without venturing too far from Disneyland. If you can’t pack your schedule while in Los Angeles, you don’t know how to travel.
Best Transportation Method to Destination: Fly into LAX and rent a car
Introduction
Up the Pacific Coast Highway from Los Angeles lies Malibu, a treasured commune within the confines of the Santa Monica Mountains. Once the domain of the prominent Rindge family, it is now littered with homes of the celebrities and the wealthy that have gorgeous views of the Pacific Ocean. The opulence and celebrity of Malibu is quintessential LA, but there’s something about this beachside town that’s also as far as it could be from Tinseltown. Much of that has to do with the ample nature around that provides the space for activities such as hiking, cycling, horseback-riding, and surfing. Of course, there are decent options to go snorkeling in Malibu as well, which we will explore.
Where to Go Snorkeling in Malibu
The town of Malibu stretches over twenty miles on the Pacific Ocean coast. As such, there are plenty of space and options for folks to go snorkeling in Malibu. The waters right off the shore are populated by kelp forests and possess plenty of marine life that make going underwater exciting. Beaches closer to Los Angeles, especially those east of Point Dume, can get quite crowded with surfers so snorkelers should be careful.
Leo Carrillo State Park
Leo Carrillo State Park is located on the western border of Malibu and closer to Ventura than to Los Angeles. The main beach is rocky so you will have to navigate properly during entry (red marks on map below), but once you are in, it is a quick swim to the blanket of kelp forests and the rocky reefs underneath. You will find various types of fishes darting around the forests and reefs, including schools of sardines and senoritas and bigger fish such as kelp bass and sheepsheads.
Water here is relatively calm so even beginners can enjoy the experience. Surfers are much farther out in the ocean, so the snorkeling section is well-defined and uncrowded. Leo Carrillo would be the best place to go snorkeling in Malibu for newbies, while more seasoned folks would prefer the next stop given the much more diverse marine life.
Point Dume
Point Dume is one of the most recognizable locations in all of Malibu. The promontory juts out south deep into the Pacific Ocean and provides very picturesque views of the southern California coastline. There are beaches on both sides of Point Dume: Point Dume State Beach and Big Dume Beach. Big Dume Beach, which faces the Dume Cove, is the spot to target to go underwater.
Word of caution on Dume Cove: the bottom declines precipitously and waves can be unpredictable, so only strong swimmers are recommended. Once you dive into the bottom though, it is a cool experience. There isn’t the usual kelp forests or rocky reefs in the area, but the sandy bottoms contain bushes and shrubs for marine life to play around in. There are squids spawning and lobsters crawling at the sandy bottoms and schools of surfperches swimming around. Rays are also common here and leopard sharks are around too.
This is the most interesting place to go snorkeling in Malibu, certainly, but once again, snorkelers need to exercise caution here. Currents can trouble inexperienced swimmers and waves can turn unfriendly real quick. Always be sure of your surroundings even when you are underwater.
Final Word:
Not many are familiar with how much more there is to Malibu than taking in beautiful Pacific Ocean views and celebrity sightseeing. But all that shoreline ain’t there for nothing. There are some great places to go snorkeling in Malibu, and Leo Carrillo and Point Dume are two of the finest. Don’t hesitate to take some time from sunbathing in Malibu to take a quick dive into the waters, you will be surprised.
Snorkeling in Malibu Rating: 3/5 Snorkels – Easily Accessible and Decent Snorkeling!
