Surf Trip in Mentawai
The Mentawai region is known for its world class waves and is a surf mecca for surfers looking for quality surf. You can stay at a Mentawai Surf Camp or surf resort and be guided by experienced surf guides who will take you to spots like Kandui and Lance’s Left. The boat ride to the surf spots offers breathtaking views of the crystal clear waters and lush green islands. Whether you are an experienced surf or want to learn how to surf, the Mentawai region has something for everyone.
During your Mentawai Surf Trip, you can expect to ride rippable waves from start to finish at spots like 4 Bobs and Nipussi.
The consistent left and right-handers provide a perfect playground for surfers of all levels. The Mentawai region is a surf destination that is sure to delight any surf travel enthusiast.
Surf coaching is available at our resorts. You can improve your skills while enjoying some of the best surf in the world.
In the heart of Indonesia
Located in West Sumatra, the Mentawai region is directly in front of some of the most sought-after waves in the world. From Padang to Nias to the Telo Islands, the Mentawai Surf Trip offers a variety of surf experiences. The surf season in the Mentawais brings some of the biggest swells in the world, making it a prime destination for those seeking world class surf. Whether you are looking for a hideaway or a fun wave, the Mentawai region has it all.
Travel for surfers has changed drastically since the Mentawai Island chain’s waves were discovered in the 1990s by avid adventurers.
There are more ideal waves per square mile in the roughly seventy islands off the west coast of Sumatra than anywhere else in a surfing destination.
There are 50 officially recognized quality breaks; some of the best in the world include Hollow Trees, Macaronis, Rifles, and Green Bush to surf. Since the breaks are remote and dispersed across a hundred miles, boats were found to be the most effective means of accessing them early on.
Surf in Mentawai: Best Waves
The Mentawai Islands in Indonesia are renowned for their world-class surf spots, making it a dream destination for surfers.
With over 70 different breaks scattered across the islands, surfers of all levels can find waves that suit their skills.
Some of the most famous surf spots in Mentawai are Telescopes, Macaronis, Pitstops, and Lance’s Right.
NORTH SIPORA
Telescopes, North Sipora
Wave Quality: World Class
Wave Direction: Left
Also Known As: Tellies
Experience: Intermediate+
Consistency: Inconsistent
Wave Type: reef
This is a well-known world-class wave. Long left with multiple deep barrel opportunities which opens up to a steep shoulder ripe for maneuvers.The bigger the better and more perfect it gets. It works best on a moving low to high or on a dropping tide. West swells are always better but it also gets good with a southwest swell. Can hold real size and lends itself to a variety of skill levels depending on swell size. This is also a very good longboarding wave on those super small days.
Tikus , North Sipora
Wave Quality: Good Fun
Wave Direction: Left
Also Known As: The Rat
Experience: All levels
Consistency: Average
Wave Type: reef
Rippeable, fun left for most levels of surf with 2-3ft swell. When bigger swells hit this reef it turns into a more advanced wave with some barrels, good drops, and fast peeling sections, perfect for high-performance maneuvers and turns. It works with the south or southeast wind or no wind at all and likes mid-tide when it is small. It’s a fun longboarding wave.
Icelands, North Sipora
Wave Quality: Very Good
Wave Direction: Left
Also Known As: The Ice
Experience: Intermediate+
Consistency: Consistent
Wave Type: reef
As a swell magnet it is, when everywhere around the area is flat you can still pull up at Icelands and get a head-high wave. With a big west swell when everyone is getting excited about Telescopes the Ice turns into a monster with really big barrels. At smaller sizes, it’s a super fun, mellow wave, ideal for the intermediate surfer, and a good place to practice your drops and turns. It works with almost any swell direction. It likes east, northeast, and southeast winds and is better on a moving low to incoming tide. It works at all sizes.
Suicides, North Sipora
Wave Quality: Good
Wave Direction: Left
Also Known As: Doughnuts
Experience: Advanced
Consistency: Average
Wave Type: reef
As you can guess from the name, is not a wave for beginners. Is a very shallow, racing right-hander suitable only for experts. When a solid ground swell is running most surfers will simply cruise past the line-up, opting for the less consequential waves around the area. Surfed only at mid to high tides. Likes north or northeast winds.
Scarecrows, North Sipora
Wave Quality: Very Good
Wave Direction: Left
Also Known As: Scarecrows
Experience: Intermediate+
Consistency: Consistent
Wave Type: reef
Just south of telescopes, a truly beautiful and incredibly fun world-class left-hander that offers consistent barrel sections, performance surfing and even longboarding with the right conditions. Is exposed to South as well as SW swell. The wave works at all sizes and is good on all tides, but seems to work better on a dropping tide. On the bigger days, the inside bowl( named curry bowl )section can deliver exceptional barrels. On flat days, snorkeling on the channel can be a sweet option too.
7 palm point, North Sipora
Wave Quality: Good Fun
Wave Direction: Left
Also Known As: Ulars
Experience: Intermediate+
Consistency: Consistent
Wave Type: reef
Situated on a small bay in the middle of Sipora you have to know where it is to find it. This is an excellent wave for intermediate surfers on small days. Also, you will get fun when nowhere else seems to be working. It likes the southeast or east wind and higher tides. Some days, it barrels really nicely and it might surprise you with how good it can get.
SOUTH SIPORA
Lances Rigth,HT´s
Wave Quality: World Class
Wave Direction: Right
Also Known As: Lances Right
Experience: Advanced
Consistency: Average
Wave Type: reef
Is known as one of the most perfect waves in Mentawai, also rated as one of the top five right-handers in the world, just for intermediate and advanced surfers. The wave likes south to southwest swell, light wind or no wind, and at least 2hrs of tide. The Office is the farthest section of the reef which offers a quick drop and deep barrel. The Main Peak, which follows The Office, is an open wall that shoots surfers over the shallow inside section known as Surgeons Table. Definitely one of the crown jewels around.
Lances Left
Wave Quality: World Class
Wave Direction: Left
Also Known As: Lances Left
Experience: Intermediate
Consistency: Consistent
Wave Type: reef
A very consistent spot that even with onshore winds can offer fun waves. Lance´s left wraps over three predictable sections, each section has its own flare and changes from a heaving barrel to a soft wall. A number of take-off options means this place rarely feels crowded. The wave works on all swell directions and tides and is famous for its year-round consistency. However, optimal conditions are a medium southwest swell with offshore winds from the East.
Bintangs
Wave Quality: Very Good
Wave Direction: Right
Also Known As: Binnies
Experience: Intermediate
Consistency: Average
Wave Type: reef
A really fun right-hand which can deliver round barrels and a great option to go while you are trying to get away from the crowds nearby Lance´s left. Also, a good advantage about this rippable wave is that when the North wind is blowing out most of the spots around you will get offshore and pumping waves. Certainly fun under 4 feet, a more solid swell will deliver a more thick perfectly formed cavern along the entire length of the wave.
The Cobra
Wave Quality: Very Good
Wave Direction: Left
Also Known As: The Cobra
Experience: Advanced
Consistency: Average
Wave Type: reef
A very good quality wave that occasionally can be one of the longest lefts in the whole of the Mentawai Islands. On a South swell and East wind is a nonstop barrel from start to finish. It gets really shallow on low tide so better to surf with a bit more water on it. A real tube rider’s dream.
PLAYGROUNDS
Rifles, Playgrounds
Wave Quality: World Class
Wave Direction: Right
Also Known As: Kandui Right
Experience: Advanced
Consistency: Inconsistent
Wave Type: reef
Without question, one of the best waves on the planet. Nice and hollow when the waves are overhead and with more sections bit on smaller days. Rifles needs a swell with a distinct south direction in it and winds with some west and not too strong. Also, mid to high tide is the right time to surf it. Definitely a real world-class wave.
Kandui , Playgrounds
Wave Quality: World Class
Wave Direction: Left
Also Known As: Nokandui
Experience: Advanced
Consistency: Average
Wave Type: reef
Just around the corner from Kandui Resort and breaking on the reef of Karanjmajat is where this freight train is situated. Even expert surfers are humbled by this wave when it’s pumping. This is a long, intense, and heavy left that goes through multiple sections breaking with ferocity. It likes East or South-east winds and southwest swells. Go as fast as you can and don’t look back!
Four Bobs, Playgrounds
Wave Quality: Good Fun
Wave Direction: Right
Also Known As: Four Bobs
Experience: Intermediate+
Consistency: Consistent
Wave Type: reef
With plenty of swell, this rippable right-hander situated on the East side of Karangmajat island could be a really good option. The wave offers two to three opportunities for turns or aerials. Beginners or intermediate surfers will have a lot of fun at this spot.
Hideaways, Playgrounds
Wave Quality: World Class
Wave Direction: Left
Also Known As: Hideaways
Experience: Intermediate+
Consistency: Average
Wave Type: reef
The wave is centrally located in the area. A very hollow left which can offer a tube of a lifetime. Gets really shallow at low tide and it likes South-East wind. Surfers say that this left-hander has 20 different moods, depending on tide and swell angle.
Bank Vaults, Playgrounds
Wave Quality: Very Good
Wave Direction: Right
Also Known As: Bankies
Experience: Intermediate+
Consistency: Consistent
Wave Type: reef
This righthander is capable of delivering amazing barrels and can handle triple overhead waves but also works at almost any size and is very rarely flat. The surf here is often solid and sets easily catch you out of position so watch out for the sets, it’s a big reef and breaks in 2 or 3 areas.
Nipussi, Playgrounds
Wave Quality: Good Fun
Wave Direction: Right
Also Known As: Pussies
Experience: Intermediate+
Consistency: Consistent
Wave Type: reef
Centrally located in the area at a very scenic bay breaks this fun and rippable right. Most of the camps are within a 10-15 minute speedboat ride away. When the wind goes North and everything else is blown out, Nipussi is offshore. The wave works better on small and medium swells and breaks on all tides but watch out for the inside that gets shallow when the tide is low. Definitely, one of the most consistent surf breaks in the Northern Mentawai Islands.
Beng Bengs, Playgrounds
Wave Quality: Good Fun
Wave Direction: Left
Also Known As: Bengers
Experience: All levels
Consistency: Consistent
Wave Type: reef
A super fun left located at one of those picturesque lineups that welcomes you to Mentawais. Always worth a look but is ideal from chest high to just overhead high. The wave is perfectly positioned to protect you from any South Wind. Certainly a great warm-up location and very consistent.
Burger World, Playgrounds
Wave Quality: Good Fun
Wave Direction: Right
Also Known As: Burgers
Experience: All levels
Consistency: Average
Wave Type: reef
An iconic surf break situated on the tip of a small deserted island in the Playgrounds area of the Mentawai’s. A known swell-magnet that can give you really long rides offering numerous sections to work with as well as some nice barrels. Is the go-to surf spot when everywhere else is flat and it´s becoming popular in the ‘off season’ when the mid-size south swells are most common.
PAGAI SURFING
Macaronis, Pagai
Wave Quality: World Class
Wave Direction: Left
Also Known As: Macas
Experience: Intermediate+
Consistency: Consistent
Wave Type: reef
This famous wave is situated in Pasongan Bay on the western side of North Pagai in the southern region of the Mentawai Islands and there is no doubt one of the best high-performance waves on the planet. This super mechanical left-hand reef break offers one of the most rippable walls after the barrel section which can be very hollow with many shallow spots. The long trip across the globe to this remote area is worth it for just one pumping session at this spot.
Green Bush, Pagai
Wave Quality: World Class
Wave Direction: Left
Also Known As: The Bush
Experience: Advanced
Consistency: Inconsistent
Wave Type: reef
On a correct swell direction Greenbush can produce some of the best barrels around the world. You really have to pick the right wave at this spot as is not an ideal break for inexperienced surfers. Ideally early season, April – June when winds are lighter and big South swells light up the reef could be the best time to score proper Greenbush. Also, you will need big high tides. One of the most amazing and unpredictable waves to surf in the Mentawai region.
Rags Left, Pagai
Wave Quality: Excellent
Wave Direction: Left
Also Known As: Rags Left
Experience: Advanced
Consistency: Average
Wave Type: reef
A long barreling lefthander wave that turns on during large southwest swells. With a big board, you might just luck into a 100mfreight train tube, before bursting onto a mellower wall, further down the line, which can be ridden for another 150m or more. Rags Left is very dependent on swell direction, tide, and wind but on the right conditions, the wave can hold serious size.
Thunders, Pagai
Wave Quality: Excellent
Wave Direction: Left
Also Known As: Thunders
Experience: Intermediate
Consistency: Consistent
Wave Type: reef
This is a top to bottom wave on the outside that gets a bit mellower on the inside section. Higher tides usually offer racy tube sections over a shallow inside reef shelf breaking close to the island, whilst on the lower tide a fuller shoulder breaks further out the back. It also has a number of take-off spots which will always spread the crowd out. A good option due to its consistency on smaller to medium swells.
Roxies, Pagai
Wave Quality: Very Good
Wave Direction: Right
Also Known As: Roxys
Experience: Intermediate
Consistency: Consistent
Wave Type: reef
Only around 40 minutes ride to the south Macaronis Resort you will find this rippable, fun righthander. It prefers some west in the swell and is pretty consistent from small to medium-sized pulses as it becomes a hollow barrel when the swell increase. Many traveling surfers have compared this wave to a «Macas in reverse».
The best time to surf in Mentawai Islands
The best time to surf in Mentawai Islands is during the dry season from May to September , when the swell is consistent and the weather is sunny. Surf charters and resorts offer all-inclusive packages that include accommodation, meals, boat transfers to the breaks, and experienced guides to help you navigate the surf spots.
Whether you’re looking to challenge yourself on some of the world’s best waves or simply relax on pristine beaches, surfing in Mentawai is an unforgettable experience that should be on every surfer’s bucket list.
Some of the most popular surf breaks in Mentawai include Bankvaults, Macaronis, HT’s, and Lance’s Right, all offering consistent waves and perfect barrels.
The islands also offer a variety of breaks suitable for all levels of surfers, from beginners to advanced.