general information

Macaronis is quite possibly the best wave found in Indonesia’s, Mentawaii Islands. The Mentawaii’s is widely regarded as the best surf region found on the planet. This left hand reef break has stared in numerous surf movies and magazine articles, such is the quality of the wave. 

Macaronis (or Macca’s as it’s often referred to) is a long peeling left-hander, a barrelling wave, that also allows a surfer to crack the lip. The wave peels at perfect speed for surfing, as it reaches the inside section it drops in size and forms a perfectly shaped half pipe, ideal for linking up turns and floaters. This kind of perfection will always attract a crowd, so don’t expect to be surfing it alone.

As the waves get bigger, Macaronis gets considerably heavier. At eight foot plus (three times overhead), Macca’s is a top to bottom grinding barrel that will snap boards and limbs. 

There are two options a surfer can take to fulfil his or her quest to surf Macaronis. There is the yacht charter option, or the relatively new and luxurious land based resort option. Currently the resort is advertising a seaplane they have at their disposal! Land or boat, either way it’s going to be an expensive surf trip, but be assured, you get what you pay for. When you come screaming out of a five to six foot (double overhead) Macca’s barrel, the last thing that will be crossing your mind is the cost of your airline tickets.

At the time of publishing, yacht charters do have access to Macaronis, however there is a possibility of the land based resort gaining exclusive rights to the wave. What happens in future is anyone’s guess, but it is well worth investigating with your surf travel agent before booking a yacht charter to the Mentawaii’s.

When in the Mentawaii’s, if you have contact with the local people, it’s important you have a positive influence on them. This hasn’t always been the case at various surfing locations throughout Indonesia, so please respect their culture and act responsibly. Also support Surf Aid International, they do great work in the area.

Macaronis is truly one of the wonders of the surfing world. They don’t call it, ‘the most fun wave in the world’ for nothing. 

BT