Pirates Cove Beach

Pirates Cove is a hidden sandy beach in a small cove on the west side of Point Dume in Malibu. It was made famous as the filming location of the final scene in the original 1968 movie Planet of the Apes with Charlton Heston on the beach below the ruins of the Statue of Liberty.

Access to Pirates Cove is from the southern end of Westward Beach and it can be tricky at higher tides. Westward Beach ends abruptly at a high rock wall which has large boulders piled up in the surf at the terminus. The cove is behind this wall. If the water is too deep or too rough to safely walk through, then take the rugged path behind the boulders that climbs up and over to Pirates Cove.

After visiting Pirates Cove Beach you can explore the natural preserve in Point Dume State Beach that is on the bluff above. A hiking trail ascends from the end of Westward Beach to the bluff top. From those trails you can look down on Pirates Cove and also walk to an observation platform at the top of Point Dume. A stairway descends the east side of the point to Dume Cove for another beach to explore. To get to Pirates Cove, turn off Pacific Coast Highway onto Westward Beach Road and drive to last parking lot (which requires a fee).

Address

7103 Westward Beach Road
Malibu, CA 90265

Park Name

Point Dume State Marine Reserve

Owner

County Beach

Pet Details

No dogs allowed on the beach

Fees

Fee for parking

Activities

Beach Exploration, Hiking, Photography

Amenities

Trails, No Facilities

Links

Aerial View of Pirates Cove at Point Dume
Tide Chart
Water Quality
Surfing Info & Web Cams
Water Temps