Overview
Natadola is a left-hand reef break off a beautiful resort beach in Fiji, breaking over live coral. The shorebreak is fun for bodysurfing, and an inside reef peak comes to life for longboarding in bigger swells. The main wave sits about 2 km out: at high tide, lefts leap out of deep water and hit the reef pass, bending and peaking along a disorganised line-up. Expect long walls and tubes when it's on the smaller side, but it turns scary and sketchy once the swell gets big. This is a wave for expert surfers.
When It Works
Natadola draws swell from south to west (S-W), with southwest swell the best match. It's usable from 0.6 m / 2 ft to 3.7 m / 12 ft, and it's a consistent break that shows up reliably.
Wind and Tide
Look for northeast offshore wind. The biggest headache here is the howling southeast wind, which can quickly wreck the line-up. The reef works on mid and high tide, with a rising tide the better call. There's also a lesser right about a 1 km paddle away that needs northeast winds to come good.
Local Tips
This is expert-level surf that rewards experience over enthusiasm. Even when it's firing, the line-up stays fairly quiet.
Access
Getting out here is a mission: a long paddle or walk past the resort, through the lagoon, across Lovo Island, and then a low-tide reef walk that can take up to an hour. The safest bet is to hire a boat out and back.
