Kong & Bin
Surf guide
Written by the Koobo team from local sessions and boatman intel
Kong & Bin is two different waves depending on where you sit and how big it is. It breaks fifteen metres off the sand across the road from Bungalows and Alima Cafe, so you walk across an empty block of land and you're basically on it. That accessibility is why the instructors bring people here. On the inside, when it's small, that means whitewater and little crumbly green waves and a very easy morning. Further out…
Ideal conditions
What to look for before you commit to the boat fare
Swell direction
Small is beginner territory on the inside. Bigger and it is intermediate plus only. Too much north in the swell closes it out onto the reef.
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 high, and it needs the water. Low and it closes out onto shallow coral bommies, with rock showing above the surface beside the break.
How to get there
Kong & Bin sits in the Dahican section of the Mati coast on Pujada Bay, 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. Stay on the beach at Dahican if you are here to surf. Bungalows is a great central spot if you're coming to Mati City to learn how to surf.
Surf forecast & live wind
Where the wave breaks
Nearby spots
Other breaks within reach of the same trip
At a glance
Wave difficulty
Intermediate
Two waves in one. Beginners can surf the whitewater and small green waves on the inside when it is small, which is where the instructors teach. Out on the main section the take-off is fast and slabby, and that is intermediate and above.
Wave quality
Poor
Barrels if you pick the right wave, and closes out if you do not. A short ride either way.
Crowd factor
Moderate
Steady, because it is the easiest break to reach and the instructors use it.