Is Carbon - La Costa Beach good for swimming today?
Carbon - La Costa Beach has BeachFinder Score: 82/100. Use this as a planning signal only, then check local flags, lifeguards, closures and current beach conditions.
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US-W - US
Carbon - La Costa Beach
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Quick answer
Quick answer: Carbon - La Costa Beach today
Carbon - La Costa Beach is a BeachFinder spot in US-W, US. Today, compare water temperature 23°C, wind 5 km/h · W, uv 7.6, waves 0.8 m, water quality Check official advisories before leaving. BeachFinder Score: 82/100. Always check official flags, closures and lifeguard advice before swimming.
Water temperature
23°C
Wind
5 km/h · W
UV
7.6
Waves
0.8 m
Water quality
Check official advisories
Last updated: Aug 13, 09:00 PM local forecast timeBeachFinder Score: 82/100
Sources: Open-Meteo weather and marine forecasts, OpenStreetMap place context and BeachFinder spot data.
This is planning information, not a safety clearance. Conditions can change quickly.
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Live conditions on the site
Surfers can check wind, wave height, currents and surf cues here before opening the full BeachFinder app.
Updated: Aug 13, 09:00 PM
Water temp
23°C
Air temp
19°C
Feels like
21°C
UV index
7.6
Wind
5 km/h · W
Gust 11 km/h
Waves
0.8 m
Current
1 km/h · SW
Parking
...
Shower
...
Accessible access
...
Toilets
...
Restaurants
...
Weather and marine data: Open-Meteo
Carbon - La Costa Beach
Carbon – La Costa Beach stretches along the southern coast of California, in the Malibu region, about 50 kilometers northwest of downtown Los Angeles. This section of the Pacific coastline is characterized by shale and sandstone cliffs that plunge directly into the ocean, creating a dramatic coastal profile typical of the Malibu Palisades. The shore, exposed to west and northwest swells, receives the full energy of the North Pacific's low-pressure systems, particularly in winter. The beach itself features a fine sand surface, contrasting sharply with the rock formations that frame it. Compared to nearby beaches located 1.2 kilometers and 2.4 kilometers away, Carbon – La Costa Beach offers a more intimate character, less frequented than Big Rock Beach, which is 2.4 kilometers to the southeast. Access is via a narrow coastal path descending from the Pacific Coast Highway; at low tide, the sand widens considerably, revealing tide pools and pebble formations. The atmosphere remains that of a resident beach rather than a tourist spot, with few visible developments from the shore. No permanent facilities are reported on site. The beach is not labeled Blue Flag and does not have any official supervision. Wheelchair access is not arranged due to the rugged terrain and the slope of the approach path.
About this spot
The name "Carbon" refers to the deposits of oil shale that outcrop in the surrounding cliffs, formed millions of years ago during Miocene marine sedimentation. These geological formations, rich in fossilized organic material, attracted the interest of oil prospectors in the early 20th century. The Malibu area, long the domain of the Chumash before Spanish colonization, transformed into a prestigious residential enclave after 1920. Carbon Beach, despite its unpoetic name, remains one of the least densely developed portions of the Malibu coastline, its unstable cliffs having discouraged the large real estate developments seen at neighboring beaches.
Updated 5/9/2026
Frequently asked questions
What is the water temperature at Carbon - La Costa Beach today?
23°C. Marine temperature is shown when forecast coverage is available for this location.
How windy is Carbon - La Costa Beach today?
5 km/h · W. Wind can change comfort and surface conditions, especially on exposed beaches.
What should I check before swimming at Carbon - La Costa Beach?
Check official safety flags, lifeguard advice, closures, water-quality advisories, UV, wind, waves and currents before entering the water.
Before you go
Conditions
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Amenities
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Carbon - La Costa Beach
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