Bobon (Mati)

Surfing
Shortboard, Longboard
Best for
Advanced
Skill Level
Ocean, Swell
Spot Type
Quiet
Crowd Level

This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.

About this spot

About

Bobon (near Mati) is a remote, boat-access reef-coral spot best known for a right-hand wave that can be hollow, fast, and powerful, with world-class wave quality. The break starts working from less than 1m and can hold up to 3m+ as the swell builds, making it a high-performance option during the main swell season. Riders describe it as consistent with high-performance walls and barrels on the right swell. Access is a major factor: it’s described as hard to find and generally reached by taking a boat (typically from Dahican Beach or Mati). Entry and conditions demand respect for the shoreline and sea state—sharp reef, coral, exposed rocks, and strong currents on larger swells are repeatedly cited hazards. Because the spot is tide-sensitive, it’s recommended to focus on high tide and rising tide; lower water levels can increase risk around the reef. Wind conditions are influenced by trade/Amihan patterns, with typical winds around 10–20 knots and moderate reliability. Offshore winds from the West or North are noted as the cleanest for surf quality. The best window reported for the spot is October through April (Amihan season), and crowd levels are generally quiet—empty on weekdays and only a few surfers on weekends. Safety planning matters here: there is no lifeguard presence, and rescue is described as limited (no formal motorized, sport-specific rescue). Localism is also mentioned as a consideration, so behaving respectfully and following on-the-water guidance is important given the remote setting and boat-only access.

  • World-class, hollow right-hand reef-coral break
  • Works from under 1m and can hold to 3m+
  • Remote boat-only access with tide-critical conditions
Great for
Surfing shortboardSurfing longboard
What's great
  • World-class right-hand reef break with hollow, fast, powerful characteristics.
  • Consistent during the swell season (swell works from under 1m and can hold up to 3m+).
  • Typically empty on weekdays with only a few surfers on weekends.
Heads up
  • Hard to find; requires boat access to reach the reef point.
  • Difficult entry and exposed reef hazards.
  • Lower tide can be dangerous.
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Practical spot guide

Wind, water and seasons

Wind

Direction
E, N, W
Offshore directions
W, N
Wind Range
10–20 kts
Wind Type
Trade — Amihan trade-wind influence reported for the spot’s conditions.
Reliability
moderate
Gust Factor
Light gusts
Best Months
October, November, December, January, February, March, April

Water & beach

Water Type
Ocean, Swell
Beach
Rocks — Flat rocks also reported for the bottom.
Beach Size
Small
Waves
Big — Reported to start working under 1m and hold up to 3m+.
Launch
Small — Boat-based access or challenging rock entry
Launch Difficulty
Difficult — Challenging rock entry; access primarily by boat.

Through the year

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
Wetsuit Guide
Jan–Dec: Boardshorts and a rash guard are sufficient year-round.
Storm/Rain Season

June to October

By sport

What to expect for each.

SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

A right-hand reef-coral break known for consistency during the swell season, with hollow sections and high-performance walls.

Reef break
Wave Direction
Right
Optimal Swell
SE
Swell Height
0.9–3 m
Optimal Tide
High — High tide only; rising tide noted.
Shelter
Exposed
Wind Effect
Offshore winds from the West or North provide the cleanest conditions.
Bigger Swell
Holds significant size and becomes very heavy and hollow.
Wave Quality
World class
Wave Power
Powerful — Hollow, fast, powerful conditions; world-class wave quality reported.
Wave Shape
Hollow
Peel Speed
Fast
Ride Length
Medium
Ride Length Details
Fast, peeling right-hander that sections into hollow barrels on the right swell.
Forecast

Check the forecast before you go

See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Bobon (Mati) in the full forecast view.

Bobon (Mati) wind and wave forecast summary

Wind
2–8 ktsGusts 16 kts
Direction
ESE106°
Strongest day
Mon, Oct 268 kts
Windy days
0/712 kts or more
Waves
0.6–1.0 m8s period
Temperature
26–31 °C

Over the next 7 days, Bobon (Mati) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–8 kts, peaking around 8 kts on Monday, October 26 with gusts to 16 kts. The prevailing direction is ESE. Waves run 0.6–1.0 m with a period of about 8s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.

Safety

What to know before you launch

Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.

Hazards

  • Sharp reef
  • Submerged rocks
  • Strong currents
  • Localism
  • Coral
  • Exposed rocks
Ability Level: Advanced
Recommended Safety Gear
LeashBoots

Rescue & support

Rescue & Self-Rescue
Limited — No formal motorized kite-specific rescue; informal assistance may be provided by local surf community activity.
Emergency Info
Davao Oriental Provincial Medical Center is located in Mati City; the national emergency number is 911.
Localism / Vibe
Moderate

Rules of the spot

Restrictions
  • Accessible primarily by boat
  • Accessible by boat only
Local Tips
  • Respect the locals and the remote nature of the spot.
  • Always check the tide as it becomes dangerous on lower water levels.
  • The spot is hard to find and generally requires taking a boat to reach the reef point.

Getting there & access

Nearest City
Mati
Nearest Town
Mati
Nearest Airport
Davao International Airport (DVO)
Parking
Parking is available at Dahican Beach before taking a boat to the spot.
Access
Access is typically by boat (bangka) from Dahican Beach or Mati town. Land access is extremely difficult due to lack of paved roads.
Cost Level
Moderate
Local Language
Cebuano, Tagalog, English
Amenities

What's on the beach

Accommodation
Near — A variety of resorts and guest houses are located at nearby Dahican Beach.
Food & Drink
No facilities at the spot; provisions must be brought by boat.
Equipment Rental:
Basic surfing and skimboarding equipment is widely available; kitesurfing gear is limited and often requires bringing your own.
Gear Storage
Limited storage is available at specific beachfront resorts catering to long-stay surfers.
Gear Repair
Informal board repairs are available for surfboards.
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

The area

Off the water

The Mati (Davao Oriental) coast offers eco-tourism and raw coastal beauty, with a strong local board-riding community and consistent water-sport conditions during the Amihan season.

Best time to visit: December to April for the best balance of wind, waves, and sun.
Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

Latest reported conditions

Spot questions

Frequently asked questions

When is the best season at Bobon (Mati)?

The best overall months at Bobon (Mati) are October, November, December, January, February, March, April.

Which wind directions work at Bobon (Mati)?

Bobon (Mati) works with E, N, W winds. Offshore directions are W, N.

What skill level is Bobon (Mati) suitable for?

Bobon (Mati) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Advanced.