FAQs

Macaronis is considered the most consistent wave in the Mentawais. It breaks on all tides and is good in most winds. When other spots are maxed out, Macaronis is still working. When other waves are flat, Macaronis will still be breaking.

Aside from those excellent attributes, Macaronis (AKA Macas) is well known for its tubes. Many surfers have got their first-ever barrel on this user-friendly wave and many more have gotten the deepest and best barrels of their life. After the top barrel section, Macas runs down the reef for 250 yards at a speed perfect for performance surfing. It’s a perfectly foiled wall that sets up mechanically time and time again.

It is no secret that Macaronis is one of the best lefts on earth. Macas was chosen as the best wave in Indonesia by Tracks Magazine and in the past was voted by pro surfers and industry figureheads (Waves Magazine, 2003) as the “funnest” wave to surf on earth!

If you are looking to have quick and easy access to one of the best, most consistent lefts in the world, Macaronis is your spot!

Macaronis Resort is Open Year Round!

April – October is regarded as the best time to score a larger surf in the Mentawai Islands. This is when the Indian Ocean is producing intense storms more regularly passing by Indonesia, therefore increasing wave action and intensity. May – September will most likely book out the quickest as it is winter in the Southern hemisphere and surfers closer-by are looking to escape the cold and enjoy some Indo perfection!

March & November are considered shoulder months, which produce world-class surf, usually generated from longer period South swells which are perfect for Macaronis and Greenbush. In certain years, March and November have been the best months of the entire year, when swell is of ideal direction, winds are light, and crowds are at a minimum.

December – February is the summer season, which means very few Southern hemisphere surfers visiting, meaning empty line-ups! Ground swells travel from further away in an ideal Southerly direction, perfect for Greenbush and Macas. Glassy surf in the 2-4 ft range is common with the occasional larger swell. This is a great time of year for intermediate surfers and those who are looking to get plenty of wave time at these world-class breaks. Surfers can visit Macaronis Resort at up to 30% off from December – February!

Want a closer look at conditions throughout the year?Check out our YouTube Channel here, and our Video Playlists for Christmas and New Year’s, and our annual Surf Coaching Clinics.

Firstly, Greenbush works best on a South swell. The more pure south, the better and more perfect it will be. In late and early season Jan – June we enjoy consistent South swell direction, with Mar – June usually being most intense. Northerly offshore winds are common in November right through to June. From late June higher storm tracks produce more SW swell mixed with occasional solid South swells, but South winds can be more common July – November.

Secondly, the bush is best on king high tides (above 1 M) preferably in the mornings with north-east to north-west winds during the peak season and afternoons in the summer season. The largest tides occur on a new or full moon, so you will preferably want to align a spring tide to have the best chance of scoring Greenbush with favourable winds.

We plan trips to Greenbush depending on conditions and on guest requests. If it’s lining up, we’ll be onto it and plan the night before for an early departure. Our 11.5 m Aluminum Cat ‘Surfalot’, can get us there in 25 minutes as it is powered by 250 hp Yamaha outboard engines and is stable enough to cut through NW wind chop if those winds are prevailing.

Due to the ever increasing popularity of photography and videography packages, Macaronis Resort has engaged some of the best freelance surf videographers and photographers. They will capture all your surf sessions and other recreational activities during your stay at the resort. Organise a private surf-photography session, or capture your waves from a birds-eye view by a professional drone operator. Your family can have a professional video produced of your entire stay, allowing you to re-live your favourite moments back home with your friends.

Photo and video service pricing is as follows and includes photos and videos:-

7 day package – Rp 3,000,000
10/11 day package – Rp 4,000,000
12 day package – Rp 4,500,000
14 day package – Rp 5,000,000
1 month package – Rp 8,000,000

Custom video edits can be provided starting from Rp 1,000,000 per guest.

Yes, you can surf anytime you want all day, dawn to dusk. We have one boat that remains anchored at the break all day. This boat serves as a floating radio/water/storage station where you can rest or leave some items you may need. There are 3 dinghies that run back and forth from the break to the resort all day. It is about a 5-minute ride from the main break (Macaronis) to the dock at the resort.

If you want to go for a surf and no dinghy is at the dock, just stop at the bar and they will radio one for you

Trips to further breaks, such as Greenbush and Bat Cave, are planned the day before, based on guest requests and conditions. We usually run these at least twice a week, depending on guest numbers and the forecast. Each trip needs a minimum of six guests to go ahead. If fewer than six guests want to join, the trip can still run with an additional charge to cover fuel costs, which our on-site managers will calculate and confirm with you before departure.

Yes! We have a rack full of high-performance JS surfboards for hire. You can reserve one before your trip and skip all the hassle with board bags, or just try one out while you’re here. If conditions are not suitable for the boards you brought along, or perhaps you snap a board… we’ve got you covered.

Check out the current boards on the rack here: Surfboards for Hire

Performance Surfboard Rental Rates
Full Day: Rp.300.000
Per Session: Rp.200.000

Learning Boards
We also have a selection of soft-top learning boards available free of charge for any guest to use at any time

Yes! There is one of the best waves for beginners in the Mentawais right in front of the resort. The wave is called Fish Fingers and is a soft right-hander that peels away from a sandy channel. The wave is sand-bottom and is usually small and gentle. There are a variety of learner boards available for guests to use free of charge. This is a great place to teach the kids or give surfing a go for the first time.

Offering Special Discounts & Inclusions – The Beginner Surfer Package

Yes! We do offer beginner surf lessons. Surf lessons are available from the hosts and guides for Rp.500,000 per session.

Beginner surfers are those who have never surfed before or have very limited experience and have never surfed a reef break! If you know how to surf or plan to bring your own equipment, you must book as a surfing guest. If you are interested in surfing waves other than Fish Fingers before booking your trip, you must book as a surfing guest.

Beginner surfers are permitted to surf at Fish Fingers wave only, using the soft-top learner boards provided. For your safety, the opportunity to advance to other waves is at the discretion of our surf guides.

Surf lessons at Fish Fingers are RP500,000/session.

View Packages & Rates

Yes! Intermediate Surfer is a difficult term to define; however, let’s define it as… if you´re able to go across the face on a wave, generate some speed, and do some turns reasonably confidently, then you are an intermediate surfer, suited to surfing small to medium-sized Macaronis and likely to improve quickly during your stay.

If it is a bit big at Macaronis, then Mini Macas, a peak that forms inside of Macaronis, is a favorite place for surfers with some experience but looking for something a little less heavy than Macaronis. Mini Macas is a fun and easy-to-surf left-hander that is generally empty. On a big swell, Mini Macas can be overhead with beautiful long lines.

Silabu Left is another option for intermediate surfers just a boat ride through the mangroves away. It is also a reef break, but it is not as steep or as perfect as Macaronis. At Silabu, you can surf with a small group of friends, as charter boat guests rarely visit this wave. Macaronis Right is also an amazing option for intermediate surfers.

Start Planning Your Trip Today » View Packages & Rates

Macaronis Resort is like no other on earth! Lush vegetation meeting a white-sand beach extends into clear, warm water where perfect waves peel around the reef… this is the kind of place that dreams are made of! The small local community embodies the true joy of life and further enhances the natural beauty of this incredible place.

Macaronis wave has been voted the #1 wave in Indonesia by Tracks Magazine, the ‘Funnest’ wave to surf in the world by ‘Waves’ magazine, and various other claims have been made!

Discovered in the 1980s and kept secret for over a decade, the word eventually got out, and surfers slowly started to document and share photos and stories of the amazing waves they scored at Macaronis. In the 90s, its popularity skyrocketed, with the surf media showing off its every barrel, open face, and air section.

Macaronis is very consistent and, unlike most other resorts in the Mentawais, offers easy access to great surf almost every day without long boat trips to get waves.

Macaronis is also in a bay where several waves break, making it not just for expert surfers, but also for those who want to improve their surfing at any level or learn from the start.

Macaronis Resort offers non-surfing guests and beginners approximately half the regular surfer rate when sharing a room; kids ages 6 to 11 get almost 60% off, and kids ages 5 and under stay for free!

Perfect for families, honeymoons, getting away, or scoring the waves of your life – there is everything you could dream of and more at this resort, and we hope that you feel at home the moment you arrive!

Yes! Families love visiting Macaronis Resort because there are waves for all levels… moms, dads, and groms!

There is a large pool area for lounging and playing, lots of big blow-up pool toys, billiards, and ping-pong.

The best thing for kids is the learning wave, Fish Fingers, and the beautiful area to swim and play at the beach. Kids love it! Use of the learning boards, kayaks, SUPs, and snorkel gear is free for all guests.

Kids Menu! We have a special kids menu with all the tasty simple options kids love. Check out the menu here » Kids Menu

The resort has baby cots, high chairs, and fold-out beds.

Visit the Resort page for more pictures, or see Rates & Packages and contact us to make a reservation.

Yes, we do! As a family-friendly surf resort, we happily offer child-minding services to our family guests. Enjoy getting out on the water and relax, knowing your children are in safe hands! Guests should request this service prior to arrival at the resort. Contact us for more information & prices.

Macaronis Resort is located in a very remote and pristine part of the world, 2° South of the equator. The climate is tropical, with warm, humid weather and year-round rainfall.

The nearest village, Silabu Village, is a Christian community with approximately 600 indigenous inhabitants. It is located approximately 20km from Sikakap, the largest town on North Pagai and the port for ferries from Padang. Silabu is connected to Sikakap by a walking track that can also be crossed on a motorbike, and the trip takes about 1.5 hours.

Contact with the outside world was initiated by Christian missionaries who converted the people to Christianity in the early 1900s. For over 30 years, the villagers have extended their hospitality to the strange outsiders who come to ride the waves breaking on their reefs.

The Forest & Ocean surrounding Macaronis Resort are Abundant with Life

Saltwater crocodiles (known locally as Buaya) are native to the Mentawai Islands, as they are to many other parts of Indonesia. They are most commonly found in interior river systems and swamplands, and sightings near coastal areas are rare. Since opening in 2004, Macaronis Resort has never experienced any physical encounter involving a crocodile with guests or staff.

In 2026, a crocodile was filmed swimming in the bay near the resort, and this video was shared on social media. Management immediately reported the sighting to local authorities, who are responsible for coordinating any removal, as crocodiles are a protected species in Indonesia. Guest safety remains the highest priority for both Macaronis Resort and the Mentawai Tourism Department. Surfing and other activities have continued as normal, with no reports of crocodiles approaching surfers or guests.

Every guest arriving at the resort must watch our introduction video, which explains the local wildlife — including crocodiles, sea snakes, cone snails, and stonefish — and provides guidance on how to stay safe while enjoying their natural habitat.

Other Wildlife Around Macaronis Resort

The Mentawai Islands are home to an incredible diversity of species:

• Reptiles & Amphibians: Reticulated pythons, king cobras, green tree vipers, and large water dragons (Biawak) that can grow up to 2.5 meters.

• Mammals: Wild boar, gibbons with black fur and white faces, Mentawai leaf monkeys, macaques, flying squirrels (Tupai), spotted deer, pangolins, and land tortoises.

• Birds: The Crested Serpent Eagle, which nests high in hollowed tree trunks on Silabu Island.

• Marine Life: Silabu Lagoon hosts squid, mud crabs, giant trevally, octopus, mangrove jack, red snapper, mullet, scorpion fish, and more. Offshore, anglers may encounter king mackerel (tengirri), mahi mahi, sailfish, and occasionally black marlin.

There are some beautiful places to walk or jog around the resort:

• Jungle track to Silabu Village: A track across the channel leads through the jungle to the local village of Silabu, about 4 km or 45 minutes on foot.
• Siniai Island Beach: Walk from the resort along the calm bay tide-flat and around to the rugged, shell-strewn beach. It’s a great place to find large shells. This walk is best done at low tide.
• Pasangan Bay Beach: A white sand crescent about 2 km long, reached by a one-minute boat ride or a quick paddle across the channel.

Bring sun protection and water, and wear sturdy shoes on the jungle track.

Resort Front/Lagoon Beach: There is a small beach right in front of the resort with white sand shells. The water is clear, calm and warm and great for swimming. It is an excellent launch point for kayaking or stand up paddling with an easy beach landing.

Pasangan Bay Beach: There is a beautiful white sand crescent of beach about 2K long in the bay between the resort and the wave. The beach is located just across the channel and can be easily accessed by a 1 minute boat ride or a quick kayak or paddle across. The beach has some shells and is lined with beautiful forest and palms. You can walk to Macaronis wave from this beach, but you must cross a small inlet entrance in the far corner of the bay.

Siniai Island Beach: The resort is located on Siniai Island, which faces the open sea, the bay of Macaronis wave and the calm inner lagoon. Starting from the resort, you can walk out towards the ocean along the calm bay tide-flat and around to the coral and shell-strewn rugged beach. It is a beautiful and pristine island walk where beautiful and large sea shells can be found. There have been several large chambered nautilus shells found on this beach as well as beautiful cowries.

All activity gear is available to guests free of charge!

Snorkeling: There are 12+ sets of fins and masks for guest use free of charge. There is great snorkeling out front in the lagoon, but even better behind Silabu Island, a short boat trip through the mangroves. Silabu reef is calm and generally very clear with dynamic live reef and a variety of beautiful bright reef fish. Snorkeling trips can be arranged anytime through the resort hosts and guides. Beautiful reef fish, rays and turtles can all be spotted at this clear water snorkeling haven!

Stand Up Paddling: Stand up paddling around the lagoon, through the mangroves or out around the bay is a favorite activity. There are two stand up paddle boards with paddles available for guests at anytime. The lagoon in front of the resort is calm and perfect for easy launching.

Kayaking: There are two sea kayaks with paddles for guest to explore the area. A beautiful trip through the calm and quiet mangroves is well worth it! The water is clear and you can watch the fish swimming beneath you as you make your way through the beautiful passage-way.

Fishing: Quality spear guns, and 12+ sets of fins and masks are available to guests. There are some great spots for spearing nearby and the guides know just where to take you. Spinning rods and game rods and tackle are available as well for trolling off the power boats. Special fishing trips can be arranged or trolling can be done to and from surf spots on bigger trips.

Beach Combing: There are some great beaches both in walking distance and a short trip on the boat for exploring and relaxing.

Jungle Walks: Walking through the jungle on the island is an adventure. Home to beautiful and unique wildlife, friendly local people and beautiful plants and foliage.

Visits to the Village: A walk or beautiful boat trip to the village of Silabu is a fascinating experience for many guests. The Mentawai people live a beautiful lifestyle and greet visitors with joy.

As mentioned, we have high-quality spear guns, fins and masks and snorkels are available to guests.

There are some great spots for spearing nearby and the guides know just where to take you.

Rods and tackle are available as well for trolling off the speed boats. Special fishing trips can be arranged or trolling can be done to and from surf spots on bigger trips.

Our basic equipment includes Repala ExRaps and skirts, ideal for catching larger pelagic fish. Guests can also enjoy shore fishing using soft plastics for GT and Mangrove Jack, both prized for their delicious taste. While we provide gear, we recommend bringing your own to ensure availability, as sometimes equipment can be misplaced or damaged by other guests. Bringing your own gear ensures you’ll be well-equipped to target these sought-after species.

Yes. We do offer laundry services. Please see our laundry rates attached here.

Please note that the resort’s WiFi will be offline during our generator switches:
7:30 AM – 8:00 AM
4:00 PM – 4:30 PM

If you have an important work meeting or call during these times, let us know in advance, and we’ll adjust accordingly to ensure your needs are met. Thank you for helping us save energy while enjoying paradise!