So, you’ve seen the photos, watched the surf films, and want to take a trip to surf the Mentawai Islands!
The Mentawai Islands in Indonesia are renowned worldwide among surfers for having the most perfect waves on Earth located in a picture-perfect tropical paradise. In this guide, you will find out where are the Mentawai Islands when is best to travel to the Menatawais, how to get there, and some hints for packing for the perfect surf trip!
The many legendary world-class breaks around Mentawai can handle all different swell and wind combinations, which makes this area a year-round surfing destination for all surfing levels.
Where Are The Mentawai:
The Mentawai Islands are a chain of about seventy idyllic tropical islands located approximately 150 km off the western coast of Sumatra in Indonesia. They can be divided into three main surfing regions:
- Northern Islands: The majority of the spots are located around the islets south of Siberut, in an area called Playgrounds. This is also the most crowded region, due to the presence of many camps and easier accessibility from Padang via public ferries, but the variety and quality of waves are excellent.
- Central Islands: push yourself a bit more south and get lost in paradise. Sipura is the main island and home of legendary waves as Lance’s Left and HT.
- Southern Islands: What you come for is Macas, the only wave in the Mentawai with limited access to a certain amount of surfers. This area is still very untouched and not so developed. With very few land based options, if you are on a charter in this area, expect to surf with just you and your mates!
When To Go:
When to travel to the Mentawai Islands? The Mentawais are a year-round surf destination due to their exposure and swell consistency. There isn’t a bad time to go! Every season has something to offer. The low swell season (December to March) offers many perfect fun-sized days of surf (head high) perfect for beginners – to advanced surfers looking to relax. This is also the quietest time of year with very few people in the water!
The peak swell months (May to September) are every chargers dream with average swells of 7ft with long periods and a high percentage of forecasted 5 stars rated days, this is the time of year to surf the Mentawais if you want big barrels and to challenge yourself. In between the seasons, the Shoulder Months are the best pick for intermediate to advanced surfers that want to stay away from the crowds and still score fantastic waves!
How To Get There:
How do you get to the Mentawai Islands? Padang is the international airport where you would have to arrive. Daily flights land here from Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta. Garuda Indonesia is the best airline company based on reliability and they carry surfboards in your checked baggage for free!
Surf charters depart from Padang harbour during the late afternoon to undertake the crossing during the night. If you have chosen to stay in a land-based camp, Fast ferry boats leave the city of Padang every day. If you choose public transfer ferries try to do it on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays to get the best rates. As the fast ferry leaves early in the morning, make sure to arrive in Padang the day before your Ferry departure day! AWAVE Travels Expert Surf Team will assist in the arranging of all your logistics when traveling to the Mentawais.
Charter vs Land-Based – Which Is Best:
This really is a matter of personal preference! Although dozens of land camps have been established in the past few years and many more are planned, the best way to get around Mentawai is no doubt a charter boat. Long-distance traveling is mainly done at night to be able to be at the surf spot already at dawn. All charter boats have a dinghy to drop you on and off the surf spot. Surf Charters offer unrivaled flexibility to be in the right place at the right time and to surf from dawn to dusk.
The real downside of charters is the lack of space and privacy. This is where the Surf Resorts really excel, offering access to a smaller selection of world-class waves in one region but offering much high levels of comfort and privacy. These are perfect for those that don’t enjoy boat life as much and couples looking to have a bit more privacy. AWAVE Travels Surf Travel Experts can help advise you on the best charter or resort for you!
What Is The Mentawai Tax:
To surf in the Mentawai you need to pay a Tax. The Mentawai Tax has been introduced by Mentawai’s governor to benefit the local community and it requires each surfer to pay 2 Millions Rupiah (around US$130) upon visiting the region. The tax lasts for 15 days, but it’s extendable, in case you want to stay longer. The Tax has been thought to improve the management of carrying capacities of surfers in each region, reduce overcrowding, and improve the overall experience of visiting surfers.
AWAVE Travel’s Favourite Waves In The Mentawai Islands:
The island chain is home to an almost unlimited amount of waves with lefts, rights, a-frames, heavy reef breaks, playful pointbreaks, and everything in between. This region is a surfers playground and you can find waves for all levels on a trip to the islands. The AWAVE Travel team loves surfing in the region and has picked a few of their favourite waves!
Macaronis
South Mentawai – Voted the most rippable and funnest wave in the world, Macas Left is a machine, predictable, perfect, and challenging at the same time! Working on almost all swell directions, this world-class left can serve up perfect walls, heavy barrels and is even good onshore!
HT’s
Central Mentawai – Hollow Tree or Lance’s Right is the classic Mentawai right barrel, mechanically perfect. Be careful in the inside, where the shallowness of the Surgeon Table awaits. On smaller swells, this can be a friendly right but with size becomes one of the best right-hand barrels in the world!
E-Bay
North Mentawai – Spectacular and barreling world-class left with a vertical drop and a race to the exit. A short but spice ride, the bigger the swell, the better it gets. Generally needs a good-sized SW swell to get going but is a beauty when it does! Watch out for the two rocks on the inside.
Rifles
North Mentawai – Race on the most perfect rights in the Mentawai, or even the world. Rifles it’s all about hollow barrels and straight-line speed! Rifles is a rare gem that needs all the conditions to align to score it perfect but when it is on, this is a freight train barrel that races along a very shallow reef!
Bintangs
Central Mentawai – Truly one of the most underrated waves in the Mentawais, this classy right-hander produces a slabby, take-off barrel section followed by a fun bowly wall.
A-Frames
North Mentawai – Short right and playful left in a beautiful set-up right in front of an idyllic island. Usually uncrowded and overlooked by most charter boats. A great spot to get away from the crowds and enjoy fun waves with your mates!
4 Bobs
North Mentawai – Fun right-hander for the less intrepid surfers, with a whackable wall and deep water. Although not as intense as the average Mentawai wave, everyone loves 4 Bobs. This super rippable right is perfect to lay some turns and get the occasional barrel. Kandui Resort even has a floating dock overlooking the wave for afternoon beers!
AWAVE Travel’s Top Picks For Surfing The Mentawai Islands:
AWERA Resort & Spa
Awera Resort sits on the shores of a pristine tropical island in the Mentawais. Located at the Northern end of the Central Mentawai Islands, Awera has easy boat access to 13 waves in the local area with others being reachable with longer boat trips.
Aloita
Imagine white-sand beaches, perfect reef breaks, and beautiful luxury accommodation and you’ll have a good idea of what to expect at Aloita Resort. Located on its own island off the Northern end of Sipora, this boutique resort offers an unparalleled experience for surfers wanting to surf the fabled waves of the Mentawais.
Macaronis
South Mentawai – Voted the most rippable and funnest wave in the world, Macas Left is a machine, predictable, perfect, and challenging at the same time! Working on almost all swell directions, this world-class left can serve up perfect walls, heavy barrels and is even good onshore!
Hollow Tree’s Resort
Hollow Tree’s Resort is just a stone’s throw away from one of the Mentawais’ premier waves, Hollow Tree’s (also known as Lance’s Right). Since it was first surfed by the pioneers of the Mentawais, Hollow Trees has been the poster child of the Mentawais, churning out perfect right-hand tubes for the lucky surfers that make the trip!
Kingfisher
Kingfisher Resort is a beautiful boutique resort located in the heart of the Mentawai Islands, one of the most wave-rich areas in the world. The white sand beach looks out to turquoise waters and is backed by palm trees, with 10 high-quality waves within 10-minute boat ride of the resort!
Hidden Bay Resort
Hidden Bay Resort Mentawai sits in a pristine bay, right in the middle of the Playgrounds area of the Northern Mentawai Islands. Located right in the middle of 24+ waves in the area, the resort is perfectly placed to get you in the spot for the wave of your life! The location, food, guiding, and on-site functional training centre, make for an incredible experience.
Maki Boat
Maki is a 105ft liveaboard Phinisi built-in 2017 in South Sulawesi, Indonesia. This large luxury charter is built to cruise comfortably through the Indonesian archipelago.
Sibon Jaya
Fast and Luxurious Purpose Built Surf Charter, the Sibon Jaya is the large and more luxurious big brother of the Sibon Baru.
Wave Hunter
Wave Hunter is a high-quality surf charter offering comfortable accommodation, reliability, and excellent value for money.
Moon Palikir
The Moon Palikir is a classic Mentawai surf charter, built to a high standard and measuring 100ft, this charter is a great option for exploring the Mentawais!
Sibon Baru
High-Quality Mentawai Catamaran Sibon Baru is one of two charters run by an experienced surf charter operator of the area.
Crystal Clear
High-end Mentawai Charter with Excellent Guiding, perfect choice for groups looking for comfort, reliability, and amazing food!
What To Pack For Your Trip:
The Mentawais are a tropical year-round destination. Warm water, light winds, and sunny days are definitely the highlights of this region. Being very close to the equator you also expect some rain from time to time!
Due to its remote location and difficulties in finding even the most basic stuff, we recommend bringing with you the following items:
- 2 or 3 Surfboards
- Spare Legropes
- Surf Wax
- Sunscreen (lots of it!)
- Zinc
- Surf Hat
- Rash Guard
- First Aid Kit
Travel Insurance:
World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance and safety advice to help you travel confidently. World Nomads offers travel insurance for independent travelers and intrepid families. It has been designed by travelers for travelers, with coverage for more than 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation, and more. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world.
Travel To Indonesia:
Although Visa requirements change depending on your nationality, the majority of nationalities can get a free visa on arrival for 30 days, extendable for up to 60 days.
