(NOTE: Reviews may be edited by our content team for the purposes of ensuring accurate and relevant information)
“Big peaks and hollow on a good swell offshore wind. Sometimes the sponsored Jordan boards team riders tried to hog the take off spot on the best bank. The day we were there bunch of kooks and we had a good laugh when one of them took off to late poo-stance style and broke his board. He paddled back with half a board to his boat and left.”
Monty from NEW ZEALAND - 16 Dec 2020
Matakana Island Ratings
Overall: 3.0. Based on 8 votes and 5 reviews. Vote
Quality on a good day: 3.4(1 star: Even when the swell and winds are optimum, the waves are poor quality, 5 stars: If conditions are right, the waves will be World Class). |
Consistency of Surf: 2.3(1: Matakana Island is a fickle surf spot that only works a few times a year. 5: Reliable year-round spot). |
Regional Rating: 3.3(1: Matakana Island is usually very poor quality compared to other spots in Bay of Plenty. 5: the best break in Bay of Plenty). |
Difficulty Level: 2.7(1: Suitable for Groms. 3: Intermediates. 5: Expert tow-in surfers only). |
Onshore Wind: 2.3(1: even a light onshore ruins the surf. 5: Matakana Island can offer better rides with a light wind behind them). |
Other Options: 3.5(1: If wind or tide conditions are poor at Matakana Island, it will be poor everywhere nearby. 5: other locations nearby provide a rich variety of wind and swell exposures). |
Wind and Kite Surfing: 2.3(1: An unsuitable spot. 5: Wind and wave conditions at Matakana Island are often excellent). |
Water Quality: 3.6(1: Known health risks from pollution. 5: Never any pollution). |
Crowds: 2.6(1: Often too crowded. 5: Matakana Island is an isolated spot where you are unlikely to meet other surfers). |
Access: 2.3(1: Getting to Matakana Island requires an overland expedition or chartering a boat. 3: A 30 minute walk from the nearest parking. 5: Park a vehicle right by the break). |
Scenery: 4.7(1: An ugly industrial backdrop. 5: A spectacular setting). |
Local Attitude: 3.2(1: Locals are hostile to visitors. 5: Either there are no locals who surf, or else they are accommodating and friendly). |
Accommodation: 2.3(1: No convenient places to stay indoors. 5: A wide variety of accommodation near Matakana Island for all budgets from hostels to luxury hotels). |
Camping: 1.7(1: Camping at Matakana Island is not possible. 3: Camping tolerated but no facilities. 5: A nearby camp ground has excellent facilities and a good vibe). |
Entertainment: 2.0(1: Besides the surf and the solitude there is nothing to do when it is flat. 5: Matakana Island is in such an interesting area to visit that getting wet is a bonus). |
Equipment and Repairs: 2.2(1: Nothing can be sourced, not even wax. 5: Quality surfing equipment can be purchased or hired. Major repairs can be fixed too). |
Eating: 2.3(1: Bring your own food, there isn't even a shop. 5: A wide variety of places to eat and drink at Matakana Island, from fast food and cafes to fancy restaurants). |
Drinking: 3.7(1: Alcohol is not allowed in the country. 5: There is an excellent pub near Matakana Island where you can stay or park a camper van overnight). |
“Matakana Island is a quality wave on its day but hardly world class as some Mount locals claim.
The waves and banks are inconsistent, and too short waves, and few barrels.
Surf Indonesia if you want plenty of quality ,and barrels, the waves there make Matakana look ordinary go to East Java, Gland, West Sumatra, and North, to Nias, Banyak Islands.”
Syd from AUSTRALIA - 27 Oct 2013
“Proper wicked with the right conditions but would not recommend to novice surfers as it can like get proba tampn fugen ragn and become uncontrollable it also costs a bit of that cash money to get there son so plan b 4 u party.”
masssive chest from NEW ZEALAND - 25 Oct 2013
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