Surfing Seasons

 

The Kandui Surf Resort Mentawai islands is actually grouped or divided during the year into two different seasons: The In-Season and the Shoulder Season.

 

In the Mentawais, these two different seasons are identified by the differences in the sizes of the rolling waves, whether they are left-handed or right-handed (where the curl of the waves begin, left or right and going to the opposite direction), and the wind.

 

Surf types

 

These two types of surf come at different times (approximate months) and Mentawais have different types of surf at different times of the year.

 

It is important that you chose the time of year to visit he islands and get what you are looking for.

 

Shoulder season

 

This one still has the most misconception for years. The Shoulder Season (October to March) had people still think of flat surf, bad winds, tons of rains

and simply not the time to visit.

 

The real score is that there are overhead waves, great weather, fewer crowds but with still great vibes. While most of the Mentawais faces west and turns onshore, the Playgrounds region (this includes Kandui) has countless reef passes that remain offshore.

 

While you may not see the large SW swells that result in massive Kandui Left or Bank Vaults, you will see countless days of overhead surf with good conditions that favor the rights.

 

While most of our guests do not want the massive, scary surf that In-season can yield, our Shoulder-Season results in the fun overhead surf that the Mentawais are known for.

 

Fun times

 

At this time of the year, guests have the most frolicking time. Overhead, fun right-handers, incredible weather and you’re lucky to see another boat to surf with. 

 

It may be rare to see the triple-overhead Bank Vaults or double-overhead Rifles swells, but you will see overhead surf virtually every day and the kind of surf that is enjoyable, not scary.

 

October to March

 

From October to March, the majority of the guests enjoy the months when the waves would go from shoulder high to overhead, but the weather is good and the crowds are lighter.

 

Many people don’t seem to know much about the In-season. The wind switches towards the Northwest at this time, making most of Indonesia onshore, The direct area has countless reef passes that remain offshore.

 

In January, February and March at the Mentawais, you not see the world-famous massive SW swells of In-season. But you will however see fun overhead surf daily.

 

If you're a regular- guy that enjoys fun size barrels and turns with minimal people, you need to visit in February. March is similar to January and February but with a bit more SW activity.

 

Transition months

 

October is a transition month where the In-Season winds are switching to Shoulder-Season winds. The true Shoulder season month is November all the way to December.

 

The waves and winds favor the popular right-handers (Nipussi, Burgerworld, small Bank Vaults, Pistols, etc) and while it's the heart of the rainy season, there is still plenty of sunny days.

 

If you enjoy a mellow surfing atmosphere, fun size rights and very light crowds, you need to visit in December.