Welcome to the surfer’s paradise on Earth.
The Mentawai archipelago is located in the middle of the Indian Ocean, approximately 100 miles from the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. The high season goes from March to October and that’s when you have higher chances of getting long period/powerful swells, but that doesn’t mean that the ‘off-season’ has no waves. Being one of the most consistent regions in Sumatra, you can basically surf there all year long.
The islands chain consist of 4 main islands: Siberut, Sipora, North Pagai and South Pagai, which are surrounded by many others small islands in a stunning area rich in nature and beautiful beaches.
During the trip we sail in search of the best waves according to weather and forecast conditions, sparing no efforts to get you to the best surf spot on a daily basis.
One of the most consistent
surf destinations in the world
Most famous waves
Greenbush
SOUTHERN MENTAWAI ISLANDS
Fast and shallow wave ideally for tube-masters. Extremely hollow uber-tube when the rare conditions of spring high tides and moderate S-SW swell meets a N quadrant wind. Vert drop, stall for the barrel then get on the gas as it coils and accelerates over ever shallower reef. May spit you out in the channel or slam the door, but it’s safer in the barrel than straightening out.
Thunders
SOUTHERN MENTAWAI ISLANDS
Works from tiny to huge and speed barrel sections can appear up the reef in a moderate S swell, but this is the go-to spot when it’s flat elsewhere. Easily the most consistent left in the Mentawais. SE to SW winds are more or less off shore with South being the ideal wind direction.
The Hole
SOUTHERN MENTAWAI ISLANDS
Located on the west side of tiny Saumang Island and tucked behind the southern tip of Pagai Selatan, this very hollow left starts barreling off the takeoff, but never really stops until a closeout section at the end of the reef. Swell needs to be very S just to get in and winds need to be NE-E or non-existent, while high tide moves the takeoff to a shallower section up the reef.
Macarroni’s
SOUTHERN MENTAWAI ISLANDS
Voted the most fun wave in the world, more commonly referred to as “Macca’s”, its consistency makes it one of the best lefts in the tropics, looking more like a machine than a natural reef formation. Starting with a perfect pipe section and often ending with a ruler-edge quarter pipe wall, its a machine-like, fun park left with all the rides.
Lances Right (HT’s)
CENTRAL MENTAWAI ISLANDS
Sitting on top of a shallow coral reef is this freak of nature fantastic right hander. At the top of the coral platform, The Office section breathes in sharply, scooping up the next lucky expert who is hoping to be there when it exhales deeply, then launches through the Main Peak and into the inside where the shallowness of the Surgeons Table awaits. Perfection arrives with 6-8ft of S-SW swell, light W or no wind and at least 2hrs of tide.
Lances Left
CENTRAL MENTAWAI ISLANDS
Super-consistent and long left wall is what defines this beautiful wave located at the bottom of Sipura island. Whit the right E wind and a sniff of S swell, up to 3 defined sections will deliver anything from small lumpy walls to warp speed barrels at the top, centre and tail of the reef. The end section that’s both beautifully hollow and unmakeable in equal measure – get out while the going is good!
Bintang
CENTRAL MENTAWAI ISLANDS
A fun, workable slab, right across the bay from Lances Left. Wont handle too much size, but when it’s on, a slabby, take-off barrel section recedes into a bendy bashing wall and delivers more fun per meter than most waves you will ever surf. On days when the hell N winds blow everything out, Bintang shines.
Telescopes
CENTRAL MENTAWAI ISLANDS
The wave looks easy from the anchorage but its always bigger and faster than you think on the drop. A steep take-off allows entry to a flawless, steady tube section then a whacking wall to a bend in the coral shelf where the next slot beckons. Prefers some W in the swell and mid tide will usually produce the epic sesh.
Burguerworld
NORTHERN MENTAWAI ISLANDS
Friendly intermediate pointbreak nestled close to the dense jungle isle, where the rocky reef platform trips up some hooky little rights, perfect for snap and cutback combos or a little punt. The place to head when the swell disappears and the wind is W to N.
Kandui
NORTHERN MENTAWAI ISLANDS
A difficult and technically demanding wave that ranks as one of the fastest left-hand barrels in the world. Perfect conditions are SW swell, light E wind, mid to high tide and at least 8ft faces as the reef is bloodthirsty when small. Most waves are just too fast to paddle into and some of the biggest bombs can only be ridden with a tow-in from well out the back.
Rifles
NORTHERN MENTAWAI ISLANDS
Turbo charged advanced surfers only. Riders have to maintain faster than a speeding bullet mentality to keep ahead of the foamball. Needs slack or light NW wind, due S swell, not low tide and head to double over in order to provide a regular footers dream wave.
More than just surfing…
Fishing, snorkeling, stand up paddle… it’s all up to you!
Although surfing is the main activity in our surf trips, there are many other things to do during your journey. The islands have plenty tasteful fish swimming around and some exciting catches always happen during the trip.
These islands are one of the most stunning locations on earth, most of them with beautiful white sandy beaches and coconut trees surrounded by crystal clear waters, live coral reefs and a large variety of marine life, offering that perfect set-up for a snorkeling, stand up paddle or just explore the beaches between surf sessions.
