Leo Carrillo Beach Activities
Surfing
Surfers gather at Leo Carrillo Beach to play in the exposed reef and point break. The waves are pretty average. Rocks hidden below the surface pose a hazard. Usually, summer is the best time at Carrillo, especially with offshore winds blowing from the north. It's considered a good spot for longboards.
The water can get crowded on busy summer weekends. The area is popular with windsurfers too.
Just down the coast from Leo Carrillo Beach at Nicholas Canyon Beach is a surfing spot known as Zeros. The hollow, left and right point break draws more experienced surfers.
Caution: Check with rangers or lifeguards that conditions are safe for your planned activities.
Leo Carrillo Kiteboarding
Because of the crowds at Leo Carrillo Beach during the summer, limits have been placed on the hours and places where kiteboarders can launch. Generally launching is permitted after 5:00 PM, but kiteboarders should check with the lifeguard before setting up. Often kiteboarders must launch from the area north of Leo Carrillo's North Beach at the lifeguard tower on Staircase Beach.
With restrictions in place for kiteboarders on other Malibu beaches, Leo Carrillo has developed into the kiteboarders' destination. Beginners to advanced are allowed there.
The Southern California Kiteboarding Association has complete information about kiteboarding at Leo Carrillo Beach and neighboring areas.
Leo Carrillo Junior Lifeguards
The Junior Lifeguards program develops skills in ocean swimming and in dealing with hazards in the ocean. Participants learn about water safety, surf rescue, surf riding, and first aid. The 5-week program is open to youths ages 9 to 15. Participants meet on Leo Carrillo's North Beach, in front of the day-use parking area.
New participants must pass a basic swimming test.
Complete Junior Lifeguard Information:
Leo Carrillo Junior Lifeguards
Leo Carrillo Beach Junior Lifeguard Program
2024 Schedule
Session 1: June 24 - July 12, 2024
Session 2: July 15 - August 2, 2024
Surf Camp August 5-9, 2024
Days/Hours: Monday - Friday, 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM (hours vary on field trip days).
No Junior Lifeguards on July 4
Surf Fishing at Leo Carrillo Beach
Surf fishermen at Carrillo Beach do well for surfperch, kelp bass, thresher shark, corbina, white sea bass, sheephead, and halibut. Those who prefer to fish from the rocks gather around the middle part of the beach where several points jut out into the ocean. Others move along the shore seeking the right spot before casting out into the waves. Carolina rigs are favored by many.
Diving at Leo Carrillo Beach
A number of good dive spots around found along the Leo Carrillo State Park shoreline. A gigantic kelp forest there provides habitat for a myriad of sea life. Reefs extend outward to depths around 55 feet. Unique rock formations offer interesting places to explore. Visibility is best during the late summer or fall. Carrillo Beach is a popular night diving destination.
Beginning divers do best near lifeguard tower #2 where there is a small cove and plenty of sand. Divers are rewarded with a variety of sea life, everything from leopard sharks to lobsters. Carrillo Beach is known for its large number of octopuses. Divers will likely see bat rays, mantis shrimp, barred sand bass, and cabezon.
