Surfer Dream

 

Every surfer-adventurer in the world knows that the mentawais surf is not only for mad surfers. It is one of the last truly remote regions of the world where tribes still live the way they do thousands of years ago. 

 

Discovered by hardcore explorers only in the 90s, the mentawais surf Island chain has revolutionized surf travel. The 70 or so islands off the West Coast of Sumatra pack more perfect waves per square mile than any other surf destination. There are 50 recognized quality breaks, some of them are known to be the best in the world.

 

Further, it is known to have some of the most perfect waves on the planet and waves can be scored all year round. (Off peak season is from December to February.) the main transport are charter boats from basic to luxury and a growing number of quality surf resorts.

 

North Sipora Surfing

 

North Sipora boasts one of the mentawais surf Island’s best waves in Telescopes, but a slew of other lefts and rights which offer a great variety for all levels of surfers.

 

Telescopes is the obvious jewel of the whole lot, providing that long, perfect, barreling left that lights up on the larger west swells. Nearby Scarecrows, however, is an often overlooked, but is a super consistent, left whose easy takeoff and long rides make it user-friendly.

 

Icelands also has a good claim to be the premier big-wave location in the Ments (short for Mentawai from foreigners), while Suicides, Scarecrows and Seven Palms offer quality waves that are often surfed alone.

 

South Sipora Surfing

 

South Sipora was the first real Mentawai discovery and remains one of the chain’s best.  HT’s, is the main reason, recognized as one of the best and most consistent fast, barreling right-handers, set in one of Indonesia’s most idyllic bays.

 

Close by waves like Bintangs and Cobras offer quality, if not world class, options for differing swell angles and sizes.

 

Playgrounds Surfing

 

Located at the most northern point of the chain it has 20 world class waves all located within a half hour boat ride of each other. Whether you choose a land camp or charter option you will know that the chances of scoring well-known waves like Rifles, Nokandui Lefts, E-Bay or Bank Vaults are always high.

 

Playgrounds does attract a crowd, but with so many options it’s easy to find a wave away from the crowds or that better suit your needs.

 

It’s also not all death and glory, with waves like 4 Bobs, Beng Bengs, Burger World, Nipussi and Good Times being some of the most perfect intermediate waves on the planet.

 

Pagai Surfing

 

These islands at the southern end of the Mentawai chain, is another wave rich surf haven.  dotted with some truly world class breaks and plenty of just plain amazing ones.

 

Macaronis, described as the planet’s most fun wave, is Pagai’s poster wave and rightly so. Close is Greenbush, another world class left that however is far heavier and for experienced surfers only.

 

Further south consistent, quality waves like Rags Left and Rags Right, the super fun Roxys, the perfect Bat Cave and the consistent Thunders all provide real Mentawai magic.