Beach Break
Surf guide
Written by the Koobo team from local sessions and boatman intel
Beach Break is the wave the locals turn to when it's too big everywhere else. A sand-bottom peak straight out in front of the volleyball court at Dahican public beach, it goes both ways with a slight lean to the right, and it's the only wave in Dahican that runs on a low tide while everything else needs more water. Most days it belongs to the skimboarders. It comes into its own when the swell builds past 5 or 6 ft…
Ideal conditions
What to look for before you commit to the boat fare
Swell direction
East is best. Beach break comes alive past 5 to 6 ft, when the reefs around the bay start closing out.
Wind direction
Offshore on a west to east wind, or slightly west southwest. That is the common good-wind setup for the bay.
Tide
Mid to low, and best on a low low tide. The one break in Pujada Bay that runs opposite to the others.
How to get there
Beach Break sits in the Dahican section of the Mati coast, in Davao Oriental on the east side of Mindanao. There is no commercial airport in Mati, so the route is a flight into Davao City, then overland. Buses run through the day from the Davao City Overland Terminal, also called Ecoland, and take about four hours for roughly 150 km. Commuter vans are quicker at three to four hours but leave very early and go when full rather than on a timetable. A private car does it in two and a half to three hours, and it is the easiest option if you are travelling with boards. From Mati town, Dahican is about 7 km and fifteen minutes by habal-habal, the local motorcycle taxi, for around ₱40 to ₱50. Agree the fare first. If you want to check several breaks in a morning, rent a motorbike through your accommodation. You will find a free public access way to the beach next to the new Dahican tricycle terminal. Follow the path to the beach and the break sits directly in front of the vollyball court as you walk it.
Surf forecast & live wind
Where the wave breaks
Nearby spots
Other breaks within reach of the same trip
At a glance
Wave difficulty
Beginner
The beginner wave of the bay and the one the local instructors teach on. Sand bottom, so the consequences of falling are far lower than at the reef breaks either side of it. It still needs a reasonable swell to have shape, and it wants a low tide.
Wave quality
Good
A fat take-off and a short ride, with the occasional small barrel. Its value is reliability rather than quality: it holds up on the days the reefs are unsurfable.
Crowd factor
Moderate
Quiet most days, when the skimboarders have it. Busy on a big swell because the reef breaks shut down and everyone moves here. Thins out again when it goes really big.