Mareta is a southwest-facing town beach break that comes into its own when the west coast is maxed out and blown onshore. Tucked into a sheltered corner, it picks up peaks along its length, and while the waves are unspectacular they can throw up some genuinely fun walls. It breaks both left and right over sand, so there's room to find your own peak.
When It Works
Mareta draws swell from southeast through south to northwest (SE-S-NW), with south (S) the best match, though it really needs a big northwest swell to wrap into the bay. It works from 0.6 m / 2 ft to 2.4 m / 8 ft, so plan around waist- to head-high days through the winter, with December to February the prime window. Paddling out is easy when it's small, but the bank can lack channels and get rippy as the size picks up.
Wind and Tide
Look for northeast (NE) offshore wind, with a workable window running from north-northwest to northeast (NNW-NE). The beach works across low and mid tide, and while low tide is the optimal call, a rising tide is generally the better bet.
Local Tips
This is a forgiving, beginner-friendly beach break that suits just about anything under your arm, from shortboards and fish through funboards, longboards, and bodyboards. Expect a moderately busy lineup when it's firing, especially over the winter holidays when it may be the only break in shape, and it can get a little hassly when the peaks fill in.
Access
There's a car park overlooking the beach with free parking, plus roadside spots nearby. Facilities are well sorted, with restrooms, showers, camping, a lifeguard, a surf school, and a surf shop on hand.
