Surf

Macaronis

5 min speedboat transfer from the resort



Macaronis, more commonly referred to as 'Macas', is a perfectly shaped mechanical left-hand barrel that has been described by many as being the most high performance wave in existence. On good days 4 - 6 second barrels become standard from the take off zone, while the inside ramp is akin to a skate park's half-pipe; tail-slides, floaters, airs, you name it, the opportunities are endless.

Macas is one of the few reef breaks in the world that continues to break perfectly in any tide and almost any wind condition. Macas breaks from 2 – 8 feet and technically doesn’t get any bigger than this; it just becomes hollower….and rounder, eventually breaking a bit like chopes in Tahiti.

Macas has been extensively featured in the media since the early 90's, as surf magazines and videos have devoted it a huge amount of coverage, owing to its popularity among pro-surfers and surf photographers. In both years the OP Pro final was held in the Mentawai Islands it was staged at Macas (yrs 2000 & 2001); won by Mark Occilupo on both occasions.

In 2003, Waves Magazine conducted a survey pole of 50 of the world's best surfers and industry figureheads in order to rank the world's best waves purely for their enjoyment value. Macaroni's ranked 1 in the world in that survey. In fact, an overwhelming 76% of all surveyed, "goofy and natural footers agreed; Macaroni's is the funnest wave they have ever ridden" (Waves magazine, December 2003 edition).

Macas Right

2 min speedboat transfer from Macaronis Resort



Maca's Right is a long hot doggers wave that needs northerly winds and a medium to high tide to be working. The outside section is sometimes referred to as 'KFC's', while the inside ledge has been dubbed 'Pizza Huts'. Generally, the outside section is the best and safest option and is ideal for those seeking a crowd-free alternative to Macas Left. On a good day with prevailing North winds and medium to large swell, Macas Right can provide fun long walls and the occasional barrel section, but is often ignored due to the allure of Macaronis Left.

On the swell of the decade in 2007 when Katiet Villa's was flooded and waves were breaking over the beach road in Padang, John McGroder and a group of pro's on the Barrenjoey repoted towing in to Macaronis Right and surfing some of the largest Right handers ever surfed in the Mentawais. We'll try and find a photo of that day to post on here a little later...

Bat Cave

30 min north from the resort via speedboat

Another option for those seeking a long mellow right hand wave is the Bat Cave. This wave breaks down the outside of a deserted tropical island that is also a great spot to have a swim or do some snorkeling. Accross the channel, high cliffs provide a place for those who are into cliff jumping. Bat Caves is a great alrounder that has fun long waves and is equally as apealing for non-surfers to take in the spectacular surroundings and have a picnic on the deserted beach (Photos below: Bat Caves Right).



Greenbush

20 min south from Macas Resort via speedboat

A reasonably new discovery and a very hollow left hander that can either lock you in the barrel with no exit, or you may be lucky enough to avoid the lip and make a mind blowing tube before negotiating a safe exit off the wave. You really have to pick the right waves to paddle for, but when you do pick a good one, this is definitely a wave you'll remember. Not too shallow, very photogenic, and an excellent wave for those willing to charge. Remember the epic barrel Dayne Reynolds scored in Young Guns 2 ?



Photo above: Chris McQueen Surfing Greenbush 2006

Silabu Left

10 min north from the resort via speedboat

Silabulus is another wave that our crew first began surfing in the later half of 2006. In strong southerly winds, when Macas can be a little blown out with a southerly wind (but still perfect all the same), Silabulus is off shore and can be firing, so long as Macaronis is breaking at 5 - 6 feet of bigger. In 2007 two guests spent a week at Macaronis Resort and the whole week they surfed 4-6 foot Silabu Island Left twice a day with only two people out, whilst Macaronis was onshore and crowded. This wave is surfable on all tides but perhaps a little more hollow and longer on low tide.

Hollow Tree's (HT's)

Accessable and frequently visited by Indies Explorer



Hollow Trees, more commonly known as 'HT's' (or Lances Right), has been voted the 7th most enjoyable wave in the world by Waves magazine (December edition, 2003). It has also been ranked the 12th most perfect wave in the world by Tracks Magazine, 2001.

HT's, a fast, perfect, barreling right-hander, is a dream wave for natural footers but can prove to be somewhat difficult for goofies. From the boat HT's looks magical, long grinding cylindrical tubes that appear to stay open all the way before breaking into a deep channel. However this is not always the case, and one should be warned of sneaker sets on big days and a particular section in the reef dubbed the 'Surgeons Table'. It takes experience and local wave knowledge to know where to sit in the line-up and anticipate the right waves to paddle for. Our experienced guides will be able to provide you with this local knowledge to ensure that your HT's experience is one to remember for only the right reasons.

Lances left

Accessable and frequently visited by Indies Explorer

Lances Left is a long, magnificent lefthander that is regarded as one of the most consistent and user-friendly breaks in the Mentawai's. There are several sections which can be surfed on various tides, which makes this wave reasonably crowd friendly as the pack is usually spread out. At small to medium size, Lances Left offers long racy walls with occasional barrel sections. On larger swells the wave becomes more intense and generally less hollow, however long rides and steep walls provide plenty of speed to unleash various carves on the face; guaranteed to get the adrenalin pumping.



Bintangs

Accessable by Indies Explorer

Bintangs is a short right located on the northern side of the bay near Lances left. This is one of the few breaks that is suited to northerly winds, and on a decent swell provides a short and intense barrel. There is also occasionally a nice peaking left located on the northern side of this headland that can provide an alternative to Lances Left in larger swells.

(Photo to come)

Rags left

Accessable by Indies Explorer or 40 min south from the resort site via speedboat



Rag's Left is a long barreling wave that turns on during large southwest swells. If you are lucky enough to catch Rags at 8 ft or bigger, don't forget to shoot a photo of the lineup, it is an extraordinary sight, one that you are unlikely to see too often. Rags Left is very dependant on swell direction, tide and wind, but when all of these factors fall into place, you could find yourself and just a few of your friends pulling into massive caverns which start from an outside boil, eventually mellowing further down the line into a large open face that can be ridden for a further 150m or more. This place has been surfed at 15 foot plus, so a big wave board is a must at size.

Rags Right

Accessable by Indies Explorer or 40 min south from the resort via speedboat



The crew from Sarina Koat surf charters describes Rag's right as "a formidable opponent to your health, safety, and well-being" - and that certainly isn't far off the mark. At low tide forget it, unless you choose to surf the outside section, which can occasionally offer some alternative on a northerly wind. At high tide though and on the right swell, Rag's Right can offer perhaps some of the thickest, hollowest tubes in the Mentawai's. The wave grinds down a section of reef that is famous for two coral heads situated at the kick out point - always in the back of a surfers mind whilst locked inside the tube and looking to negotiate a safe exit.

Thunders

Accessable by Indies Explorer or 45 min south from the resort via speedboat



Thunders is one of the most consistent breaks in the Mentawai's and is surfable on all tides. Higher tides usually offer racy tube sections over a shallow inside reef shelf breaking close to the island, whilst lower tides offer a forceful shoulder further out the back. In smaller south swells the top section of the reef can turn on offering long hollow barrels. Generally Thunders is an excellent option in smaller swells.

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