A 19th-century treasure map, a mythical Atlantic wave, and a crew of modern-day surf pirates who’d rather drown than do a Zoom call.
This is part surf doc, part seafaring thriller—and all shot in water that wants to kill you.
Trailer for “Savage Waters”
You Can’t Make This Sh*t Up
- The Savage Islands are so remote that skipper Matt Knight had crossed the Atlantic three times and never heard of them.
- The quote that launched the quest describes a wave so big and clear it created a glowing green cave under its lip. Knight took that as surfable intel.
- Andrew Cotton nearly dies surfing Nazaré mid-expedition—snaps his back—and still rejoins the mission later.
Watch “Savage Waters”
You can watch “Savage Waters” on Amazon and other VOD platforms.
Find latest streaming options at JustWatch.
Ratings:
- My Rating: 92/100
- IMDB Rating: 8.7/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: Not yet rated
Director’s Note: Mikey Corker, known for his surf cinematography, directs this 93-minute adventure doc. He brings the same raw energy and wave-chasing spirit from “Beneath the Surface”.
Release Date: 2022
My Review of “Savage Waters”
The Setup
It starts with a sentence—a single passage from E.F. Knight’s 1891 journal about a monstrous wave crashing over a hidden reef near the Savage Islands. Surfer Matt Knight reads it, and it becomes a treasure map. Knight, fellow big-wave surfer Andrew Cotton, and crew set sail to find that wave.
The destination? A jagged cluster of rocks 170 miles off the coast of the Canaries. The route? Through unpredictable Atlantic storms. The vessel? A catamaran called Hecate. And that mythical wave? Might not exist.
More Highlights from the Doc
- The journal’s author, E.F. Knight, wasn’t just a writer—he was a real-life adventurer searching for Spanish gold.
- Hecate’s crew includes free divers, sailors, and a rotating cast of weathered sea dogs who lend grit and unpredictability to the voyage.
- The Savage Islands are a UNESCO nature reserve; surfing there isn’t just hard—it’s borderline illegal. They dodge both storms and bureaucrats.
- The doc blends sweeping drone shots with intimate cabin confessions, charting how physical risks compound personal ones.
- Matt Knight’s wife is diagnosed with advanced melanoma mid-journey, adding a gut-wrenching personal layer to an already dangerous trip.
Wrap Up
“Savage Waters” is part surf movie, part sea thriller, and part emotional gut punch. If you think surfing is all sunshine and chill vibes—this will prove otherwise.
Thanks for reading!
Heather Fenty, Guest Writer, Daily Doc