Macaronis
Macaronis is the Mentawai Islands' most user-friendly world-class wave—a forgiving left that produces 4-6 second barrels followed by rippable walls, working in virtually any conditions. The reef is relatively deep and friendly, the wave handles all tides and even onshore wind, and the takeoff is predictable. The Macaronis Resort sits right in front of the break. When other Mentawai spots are too big, too small, or too windy, Macaronis usually delivers. It's the Mentawais' most reliable path to perfect barrels.
Macaronis surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SSW (210°)
- Direction range
- 180° - 250°
- Size range
- 0.8m - 3m
- Ideal size
- 1.8m - 2.5m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 16s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- NE (45°)
- Offshore range
- 0° - 90°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- all
- Optimal range
- 0.4m - 1.8m
Water temp
29°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Difficulty
5/10
Crowd level
5/10
Access: Macaronis Resort or charter boat from Padang.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Macaronis?
Macaronis is a reef break in Mentawai, Indonesia, that mostly breaks left. It's on our list of the world's 100 best waves.
What's the story behind Macaronis?
Chris Goodnow, Scott Wakefield and Tony Fitzpatrick found it in 1980 and called it 'P-Land'. It may have been the first wave ever surfed in the Mentawais. The trio kept it secret for years; the Mentawais only went public when photos leaked after a 1992 boat trip.
What swell works best at Macaronis?
Macaronis picks up swell from the S round to the WSW, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the SSW. It starts working at around 0.8m and handles up to about 3m, with the sweet spot around 1.8 to 2.5m. Period matters too: aim for 16s or longer, as anything under 10s tends to be weak. These are the numbers our scoring uses, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise.
What wind is offshore at Macaronis?
A NE wind is dead offshore at Macaronis, and anything from the N round to the E keeps it clean. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Macaronis?
Macaronis has a preferred tide range, roughly 0.4m to 1.8m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Macaronis?
The most reliable run of swell at Macaronis comes Apr to Oct. There's a second window in Nov to Mar too. Most consistent wave in Mentawais. Works all tides, all sizes, handles wind.
How cold is the water at Macaronis?
The water at Macaronis averages around 29°C, so boardshorts or a rashguard will do. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Macaronis good for beginners?
It's more of an intermediate wave, rated 5/10 for difficulty, so newer surfers are best off sticking to the smaller days. Expect a moderate crowd (5/10) when it's on. Sharp reef. Works in onshore wind too. One of the most forgiving world-class waves.
How do I get to Macaronis?
The nearest airport on our list is PDG. From there you need a boat to reach the break (we estimate around $150 USD, but confirm with an operator). Macaronis Resort or charter boat from Padang.
What other surf spots are near Macaronis?
The closest breaks we track are E-Bay (2.8 km), Greenbush (5.6 km) and Stormrider (15 km), handy when Macaronis isn't working. We track 7 spots around Mentawai in total.
Best Season
Peak: Apr-Oct
Secondary: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Most consistent wave in Mentawais. Works all tides, all sizes, handles wind.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
E-Bay
🌊 Emerald Mentawai barrel • Two rock sections • Heavy tube time
Greenbush
🌙 Spring tide slabs • Square barrels • Timing is everything
Stormrider
📖 Guidebook namesake • Heavy left barrel • Playgrounds serious side
Bankvaults
🎰 Playgrounds multi-section right • Linking walls • Mid-crowd escape
Beng Bengs
🔔 Maccas' mellow neighbor • Rippable lefts • Low-crowd gold
Rags Right
🌊 South Pagai perfection • Multi-section barrels • Super shallow
Plan a trip around Macaronis
Compare this break with other destinations in these surf guides.