Maps to Nowhere Episode 1: The Lost Atoll

An original video series by Surfline x​ O'Neill.
Diehard surf traveler and journalist, Matt Rode, had heard rumors of a certain wave. A machine-like lefthander, that on its day, funneled flawlessly for over 200 yards over shallow, live coral around a reef pass off an atoll somewhere in a sea of other atolls. Through his contacts on the ground and photos/vid he’d collected over the years, the time was now to pull the trigger on a very promising swell. Promising…but with locations this remote, always a risk.
Rode invited pro surfers Ian Crane, Brett Barley and Winter Vincent to see what some of the best surfers in the world could do with this left. And over two days of travel later, they found themselves at the translucent natural wavepool which had certainly turned ON.
Well…everyone but Brett Barley found themselves there. Missing a connection or two en route, Brett was stranded on an island halfway to destination. But after a couple harrowing boat rides that replaced a cancelled flight, jumped straight into the lineup and washed the travels off with eight hours of tube-time. The following few days served the crew countless barrels with no-one else out, a particularly close-call with the reef, and a bounty of fresh-caught fish (when they weren’t being stolen by the men in grey suits).
*Note: This is a series about the lengths surfers will go to surf perfect, empty waves. The waves you are about to see are not new discoveries -- but they are (nearly) perfect, and they are empty. The locations are not disclosed because our belief is that the journey is at least half the fun -- and sometimes, over half of the travel time. We thank the many local community members that helped make our adventures a success.
“Maps to Nowhere” Release Dates:
Ep#1, “The Lost Atoll”, March 15th: featuring Ian Crane, Brett Barley, Winter Vincent.
Ep#2, “The Accidental Treasure,” coming April 5th, featuring Cory Lopez, Brett Barley, Torrey Meister, Eli Beukes.
Ep#3, “Timing is Everything,” coming April 26th: featuring Anne Dos Santos, Soli Bailey, Ian Crane.
Ep#4, “Where The Road Ends,” coming May 17th: featuring Jordy Smith and Soli Bailey.
Music credits:
The rage of becoming instrumental by Benjamin James (mb)
Infinite by tony Anderson (mb)
Music Bed SyncID: MB01QX6EXSW4NTW
Young Sounds
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[@Surfline]

Don't forget to subscribe to the channel and to receiving notifications! You don't want to miss the next episodes coming very soon! Thanks all for watching!

[@ryanlowe988]

At 49 years old and 1000s of surf vids deep I was honestly really excited to watch this. I waited to get home to watch on the big screen. I absolutely loved it. So excited for the rest of the series. Super stoked on all of O'Neill's and Surfline's content lately 🤗😎🤙🏼

[@Surfline]

It means a lot to us. Thank for your support!

[@mikeglades7105]

I pretty much felt the exact same way at the exact same age.....

[@hawaiiansouthshore]

Agree!

[@DGT73]

Same 😁

[@charliedillon1400]

Shout out to Brett Barley. Dude has duckdived a trillion cold, murky, grinding OBX waves in his life, and it's cool to see him in another seascape. Dude is a barrel riding machine.

[@nettwench]

YASS!

[@Swordofmichael333]

1,000%

[@paultannenbaum]

I've surfed this wave, and it is as incredible as portrayed in the video. Kudos to Surfline and the Matt Rode for not giving any major clues away and still making a rad video.

[@simonrose751]

fanning island

[@warrenwilson2572]

Brett is hands down one of the best surfers

[@mls01981]

2:02 "It had to be the right crew. Surfers that can handle the journey, appreciate the experience, and..." sponsored by O'Neill.

[@nottherealChickenJoe]

I was confused by that as well. Everyone knows this is sponsored by Oneill so why are they making it sound like something else haha

[@rahawk69]

LOL

[@nexrace]

Brett shrreding & fish flying out of the wave at 9:55, he had everything at this point! :)

[@marcmelpo972]

I lived there for 6 months back in 2000 (on the main island, not on the islet facing the wave, which was unhinabited at the time, but for a hut and a traditional fish trap contraption). I was working in one of the only 2 dive centers there back then. What a dream job and à dream life that was...

[@rostand73]

Such an incredible place. Took us 35 odd days of sailing to get there but 100% worth it. All the islands/atols around there are so amazing. Never seen so many reef sharks in my life!!

[@sebchartrand]

The ultimate goofy foot dream.

[@jpc630]

So sick. Kinda just wish we could've seen at least one takeoff. Would have been nice to see the full wave.

[@greeff100]

17:05

[@user-zo4ns5bu5l]

7:21 7:45 8:03 Need more?

[@coreyrice8607]

This was gold. Old school surf flicks vibes were epic

[@ponzuprince7534]

Congrats to all who made this video. Easily one of the best surf video series ever and it's only the first episode. Bravo O'neill...

[@WjB_96792]

Incredible piece! This is the essence of stoke for me! Always dreamt of travel but i never seem to get off of this crowded island. And now at 50 with huge responsibilities my only travel is done vicariously. Thank you for sharing your adventure! Looking forward to more! Aloha!

[@michaelperry9180]

Such a heavy crew. Brett and Ian and are two of surfing's best underground characters. The grom is gnarly, I'd like to watch him surf some of the Manly slabs sometime. Matt is cool and I'll have to look up some of his work. This is great. Cheers Surfline.

[@global_zoo]

That was pretty epic! Didn't expect that wave at 8:45 to grow so much down the line

[@ryanlowe988]

Good catch 🪝🤙🏼

[@KdubseaTV]

What dreams are made of, well if it was a right. Seriously though this is the perfect example of a well planned trip to discover uncharted waves. The filming was on point and the crew ripped. Well done!

[@kjhart60]

While exploring the Baja peninsula in the late 70s, friend of mine and I found a place that was similar to this in that it had crystal clear water, a reeling little point left-hander and a very shallow reef. We had it all to ourselves for about 3 days straight. Absolutely unsurfable at low tide. I remember thinking it was about time to go in, coming out of the barrel into the flats and having one of my fins scrape the reef. Yep, time to go in. I love the whole theme of this series and I think it's going to be wonderful. Brings back memories of exploring surf spots up and down the west coast of Mexico, Baja and the u.s back in the 70's.

[@sebastiaocarneiro4122]

This is the real surf culture. Keep this path, its surfing watch this episodes. Respect and peace.

[@JasperTrojeTuck]

Best surf vid I’ve seen in a long, long time. Stoked to see the rest of this series!

[@brennansnow911]

More of this, please! Thank you, Surfline!

[@jodymarcon189]

WOW! Well done, Surfline and O'Neill! So excited to see more!

[@sallyskiera4756]

Great job, Matt! Can’t wait for the next episode!

[@theseachannel_]

What an amazing crew you guys put together! You can feel the vibe and the disbelief of them with that wave. The soul surfer is still alive! Haha love it

[@rupertlagrange5149]

Welldone!! Awesome video!! Looking forward to the rest of the series.

[@tomluker4224]

Without a doubt one of the best surf shorts I've seen in a long long time inspiring exciting the travel the waves the people outstanding look forward to the next one Good job. I was really really really really good!

[@Surfline]

Thank you so muuuuch! So glad you liked it. More coming soon!

[@maxmazoudier24]

Watch Torryn Martin if you like the shorts. Dudes insane

[@Surfline]

@@maxmazoudier24 +1

[@a-j731]

So sick amazing episode look forward to the next one. Thanks O'Neil and Surfline🤙🏻🤙🏻🤙🏻🇦🇺

[@hardoff]

Thank you so much for making this. In a world increasingly obsessed with content and grabbing shorter and shorter attention spans, it's great to see something come out of this era with the heart and soul and just pure stoke that is beyond time. I can safely admit that I'll never surf waves like this and that super shallow reef would make it a complete no for me to actually ride those waves there, but this has inspired me to go find waves in my own area more and just surf.

[@SoccerVan]

Loving the concept of this series. Subscribed. Props for keeping this spot nameless. Sure, there are plenty of guys out there that know where this is but please don't feel like you need to prove it to the world by posting in the comments. Let's keep a little bit of mystery in this ever-shrinking world.

[@wadejoseph784]

Great stuff. Adventures like this are a dream come true. I love the Stoke of Brett Barley. Well done editing any clues as to location.

[@charlieduvall6463]

Really happy to see Brett doing his job w style. Dudes a true model.

[@Sol_Weird]

This is gonna be such a great series!

[@storm2000808]

Awesome video beautiful waves! I'm not surprised Winter went into the reef he's the only regular stance on this shallow left. 👏👍

[@jansmith3158]

Fantastic video!! Thank you for sharing your amazing surf/fish/coconut island/tiki hut trip with all of us. DREAM BIG & follow your passions everyone!!! 💙🌏🌊🏄‍♂🐟🎏

[@Ferrari333SP]

Great stuff! Can't wait for episode 2!

[@rodellison]

Really enjoyed this, getting back to the old surf movie vibe which has seemed to have disappeared of late. Well done

[@michaelj8793]

Outstanding Thanks for sharing and rubbing it in You lucky dogs 👍🤙

[@bonbondesel]

Great video with incredible atmosphere !!! Rare to see this kind of stuff on the tube ! It's very special. I know where the place is. In my opinion, this is the most perfect spot on the planet. It's so good to see a video showing the beauty of the place without really giving clues to where it is. Great job ! The state of mind shared on this video is so authentic and pleasing !!!

[@sl101d5]

Remarkable, one of the most dreamiest waves I’ve ever seen!

[@Marksurfz]

This was INSANE...Kudos! 🤙

[@Surfline]

Episode two coming soon. Stay tuned!

[@MarcHalikas_surfercook]

I LOL when Barley the straggler finally showed! Too funny! Like a kind in a candy store.

[@Surfline]

He made up for lost time.

[@nickkosciuk673]

What a dream I wish I was 50 years younger. I would love to learn the map follow the swells. All the hard stuff would make the dream sweeter.

[@ryanf1560]

fantastic, a major treat to see this adventure, wave, and environment presented in such clarity by very grateful and talented individuals as well

[@Surfline]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@AndrewCooperr]

This got me absolutely FROTHING! This is every surfers dream.

[@Surfline]

We hope Maps To Nowhere inspires you to find your own remote, perfect wave!

[@bentonpix]

Well done! A tasty heaping spoonful of what the surf life is all about!

[@halclarkfire]

Oh man...what a life! Awesome.🎸

[@deedubs602]

This is going to be an awesome series!

[@dennybreese]

Nice Matt Rode☺️, good to see you! Congratulations on the video series! That wave looks amazing. I’m back in Australia now living full time at Moonees. Remember Moonee Beach track? Not so secluded anymore:(

[@Vin_Nguyen]

Love this and know exactly where this is. Thank you for not spoiling

[@danaronowicz635]

At 12:59, he's ripping so hard he's sending fish flying 😅

[@modellbleu2294]

There is nothing secret about this place if you are a diver. Been on the radar for decades. Still a cool video. Nice to see this place again!

[@jaketellkamp2302]

Can’t wait to see episode 2 tomorrow

[@thespanishcaravan3001]

very good vibes, amazing waves and great crew! Love it!

[@JoePonton]

What was the song called from 17:07. It’s elite. What a series. Watched it soooo many times. Please make more

[@DannyLamastrasAdventures]

This series is incredible

[@Surfline]

😘

[@joeblow1942]

This was really good!🤙🏼

[@vaporcitizen3276]

yup great series, and hell yeah brett is talented.

[@ahbwisurfnpaddle]

woW such ExcellenT surf adventure Ian Crane ! What a perfect sized left hander you guys found, love to watch those tube rides !

[@Surfline]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@patricknoveski6409]

This was so well done. The surfers are humble Rippers. Brett & Ian style masters. Thanks Matt. Please keep secret. Our planet is getting small er Peace to all. P.j. -Rincon Calif.

[@chrishumphries3389]

Nice work Matt! Whenever you can’t find the right break, don’t forget Moonies. 😊

[@krustysurfer]

Now you all know why so many are holed up around the great lakes........ And its in our backyard so to speak... Every now and then it gets epic and its just your friends and you. The world can still be a beautiful incredible place. Aloha from west Michigan 🤙the double peninsula State...

[@greeff100]

What a beautiful wave. So sick how it starts off chest high and then grows into an overhead barrel that just breaks flawlessly. The guys surfed in perfectly too. 🤙

[@Surfline]

pretty dreamy, right?!

[@pursuitone]

Amazing stuff surfline, what a crazy series this will be!

[@Surfline]

Thank you!

[@steve-g-]

So rad! Loved it

[@TheSassita]

Great video !❤

[@tonywrone7259]

Love this series! Rough and real.

[@kohbaker3394]

Thanks for making such a great surf film

[@Surfline]

You're going to love what we have cooking for episode 2!

[@uzayrsonday8514]

unreal...surely drop a playlist

[@ItsWesSmithYo]

I’m so stoked you have found a path and support for your commitment to understanding good waves 🌊. It’s inspired me to bite down and really understand where I live first, then maybe beyond, if there’s any time left 😂. Looking forward to where that leads 🤙🏽😎🖤🏄🏽‍♂️

[@aaronbaltusis6357]

That was sick!

[@coltensmith9352]

So sick 🙌🔥

[@cjgamer2140]

Sick wave! Crano straight ripping!

[@Stevos_HookedonRods4844]

Beautiful wave, blessed to have that to yourselves

[@eleanorhall-bx3eg]

Amazing music!

[@BenGotBarreled]

wow amazing job surfline and oneil

[@TheRig04]

Absolute legend Winter Vincent !

[@GuentherOka]

Sick one guys!!!

[@garlandmidgette884]

Love it when barley hit the lip and ballyhoo went flying

[@rdotrusty]

love it!

[@peristv5841]

when its gonna be new episodes?!!!! This edits are so magestic and see these guys surf alone in that magical place, stokedd!!

[@Surfline]

In three weeks we will drop episode 2!

[@lucasbuchmasser-qc2wd]

So keen

[@theman21030]

Epic ! Right on Brett surf fish eat surf fish eat

[@danielneethling757]

Soooo Epic!

[@DanielDow]

Amazing!

[@matthewjames_pnw]

Well done folks... well done.

[@user-xu4um5lx1y]

Nice work with maintainng the anonymity of the place as much as possible, no faces, logos, airlines etc..

[@michaelchow6368]

I recognize the floral pattern of the lady preparing the fish, it's somewhere in South East Asia

[@vincentfu7025]

Awesome movie(: Can you give some information on that amazing song starting at 17.00 minutes?:DD Thanks much 🤙

[@TaranakiGreenfields]

EPIC!!!

[@Alex-zs7rv]

Very cool.

[@jop6077]

this is perfect

[@capt_boos]

Sick clip

[@nettwench]

As an East Coaster I'm a big Brett Barley fan. Such a healthy reef with so many fish!

[@chrisculley3756]

Ah the east coast rep outer banks Brett Barley. Awesome . I could freaking live the rest of my days there. So amazing. RLTW 3/75

[@exploringeuropeafloat]

Wow.epic trip.

[@theminimalistplan]

So Cool!! Looking forward to the next trip. If you ever come to Norway. Hit me up ;)

[@tapeworm6093]

Bret talked about how life should be, and how I dream everyday. All I need is an island to myself with a perfect wave, a quiver, mask, snorkel, spear, and a fishing pole. I’m good. But unfortunately I am only a spectator now due to a terrible back injury that has pinched my L3,L4

[@burntreynoldsschilltime7108]

This is a dream ❤

[@dkilla01]

So cool ❤

[@doctorcrypto3048]

Brett is such a tube master

[@jebshred]

🎬🔥👏so good... looking forward to more Maps