Surfing at Maqai
Offering the ultimate advanced and learn to surf options -
 In the months of November to May, the reefs in front of Maqai become a surfer's paradise. Crowds are non-existent, unlike the south islands of Fiji, warm water, lefts and rights. This so far undiscovered paradise really is a surfers dream! You can also score great surf sometimes in the off season between June and October, and the conditions can get good as early as October (through till June).
There are four awesome surf breaks located between a five and ten minutes boat ride from Maqai beach. The four offshore waves are best suited to intermediate to advance surfers, all breaking over coral reef. There is also a fifth wave on offer that works almost every day of the year located just 500 meters off the beach, basically straight out of the resort. This wave is best suited to beginners and is where we run our learn to surf program. It never gets above 2 foot and is just a short paddle off the beach therefore perfect for the first time suffer before advancing to the more challenging outer reefs.
The main surf break is located approximately 1,500 meters offshore straight out the front of Maqai beach. Always visible from your beach front bure and is surfable on all tides.
This right-hander (above), known as ‘Maqai Right’ provides a long clean wall that can be surfed from waist high to triple-overhead, with a fast barrel at the take-off if you want to get deep, and a slightly easier barrel on the inside before it backs off into a beautiful open workable face. Depending on swell direction it is usually a very fast wave for the first two sections before sucking hard off the reef and becoming extremely ripable on the inside. The end of this machine like perfection right which on a good day offers one hundred meter plus long rides, eventually dissipates into a safe deep water channel on the end of the reef so also makes for an easy paddle back out. It’s a high performance, very long wave, brilliant for surfers from intermediate through to professional skill levels. Best suited to short boarders, however many long boarders have enjoyed great long rides taking off a little wider on the slightly more mellow shoulder of the wave. 
The left-hander provides challenging waves for the more experienced surfers; a group of pro-surfer guests once dubbed this wave "Little Pipeline" in reference to the legendary Pipeline on Hawai's North Shore. It breaks on the other end of the reef of ‘Maqai Right’ and is also surfable through all tides from low to high. At its best on a big swell, it’s an intense steep take off followed by a steep bending wall, just when you think you have it under control from the end of the reef, spotted in the corner of your eye a huge thick wedge comes surging from deep to shallow water on the end of the reef. A high line and maximum speed in required and, if conditions are right, charging the end wedge section you find yourself in a big thick round barrel, spat out into a safe deep water channel. It’s an amazing wave which isn’t as consistent as the right, however will leave you smiling for a very long time!
The third wave Maqai has to offer does not yet have an official name as none of the waves in this remote location do, although it is often referred to as “the Purple Wall”. It’s located further offshore from Maqai and is the more intense version of the consistent ‘Maqai Right’. It breaks over shallow reef and is a fast take off requiring the surfer to be straight onto their rail to make the speed of the first section. This wave is generally recommended for the more advance surfer. Although not as long as ‘Maqai Right’ it offers a more challenging, steep, intense, fast and hollow experience to the surfer. Only to be surfed on the medium to high tide.
The forth of the advanced waves located visible from Maqai Beach is another left, again un named at this point in time it works only on a big south swell and is for the super fast goofy or very talented regular footer. When it’s on the huge wall and car size barrel can easily be viewed from the beach over 1km away.. Due to its speed and grunt this wave has rarely been surfed. Only surfable on medium to high tide as the odd coral boil can be seen protruding from beneath the surface when screaming down the speedy line at any time after medium tide. This left is not particularly frequent, however when it turns on is a force to be reckoned with for the advance surfer only.. 
As mentioned above there is also a fifth, small beginner wave option on offer just off the beach at Maqai (above). As it’s located so close to sure it’s always protected from the wind and can be surfed almost every day during the high tide. We offer a comprehensive learn to surf program at Maqai with experienced coaches that aim to introduce the beginner to surfing on the smaller wave out the front and hopefully succeed in giving them the skills to possibly take on the more advanced waves on the outer reefs after mastering the beginner wave.
Launching yourself from the boat and having these waves to you and your friends is one of surfing’s great experiences. The freedom of surfing unlimited and unchallenged waves in Fiji with absolutely no crowds is an extremely rare experience - surfing in this part of Fiji is still somewhat undiscovered.
- Surf trips from F$25.
- Boards for hire from F$30.
- Beginner surfing lessons $65 per session with private coach, very personal attention and small classes in crystal clear, warm tropical water.
- We recommend you come prepared with more than one leash, sunscreen, warm water surf wax and reef boots for the low tide.
Email: maqaibeach@gmail.com
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