The Mentawai Islands are one of the most consistent surf destinations in the entire world. It's broad exposure towards the vast, southern Indian Ocean provides these majestic islands with remarkable consistency and quality. During the dry season, late April to early November, the southern hemisphere's winter, the Indian Ocean is an ultra-active, groundswell producing machine.
If you haven't had a chance to surf in the Mentawai's you've probably seen it's limitless potential on video, in print, or heard it from your friends. The place is pure, unparalleled magic, plain and simple. The entire area enjoys an abundance of hollow, glassy barrels constantly evolving around the various moods of the ocean.
Listed below is an in-depth look at the TOP 33 Mentawai surf spots:
4 Bobs
A short, playful right-hander located next to a popular mooring area. Swells that break here wrap considerably around the south end of Karangbajet Island and break over a relatively safe reef. If you're fast you can take off deep and try to float the first section where most people take off; otherwise, it's strictly a one or two turn wave. Not exactly a popular destination besides those surfers looking to grab one more session before dark.
7 Palm Point
A fun left-hander ideally suited for longboarders. Most boats skip surfing here but every once in while it will offer up a decent wall to attack.
Arik
A spectacular right when it's on, Arik offers a high-speed barrel that momentarily backs off before it throws square again. It needs a pretty good-sized swell to work but it's been known to leave a smile on your face.
Bank Vaults
Bankvaults is a thick, barreling right punctuated by a shifting line-up. Sets seemingly emerge out of nowhere and can wreak havoc if you're caught out of position. The ideal size to surf Bankvaults is head-high to a triple overhead, in any swell size, getting caught inside is a certainty. Despite the dangers, snag a clean, open barrel here and you'll be talking about it for years. If it looks too heavy, Nipussi is a scant three-hundred yards to the east.
Bechongs
Benchongs is an exhilirating right barrel on the south end of Devil's Island. It is somewhat of a secret spot because it is difficult to find unless you know what you are looking for. Many random waves, mostly unrideable, break in the near vicinity making its location somewhat of a mystery. Benchongs is practically identical to Bankvaults in the north and offers a dry, frothing barrel over an extremely shallow reef. At low tide the inside section is absolutely unmakeable so be careful.
Beng Bengs or KeyHole
Keyhole is an extremely good left that only shows its true face during the largest swells, primarily from the west. Located near E-bay, there are a number of boats that scope it out if E-bay has a few boats on it or is absolutely breaking out of control. Keyhole is located in a very scenic area and just anchoring next to the break is almost a zen-like experience.
Bintangs
Bintangs is a punchy, Velzyland type right located a few hundred yards from Lance's Left. It can handle some funky north wind directions pretty well and if the swell isn't too large can be worth a session or two.
Burger World
Burgerworld is a last alternative when everywhere else is flat. Anything bigger than two feet here flattens out into a giant mushball. The one positive aspect about Burgerworld is its consistency; however, your chances of scoring this place on fire is slim.
E-Bay
E-bay is a fast, barreling left that gets good when it's head high or bigger. When a pumping west swell is marching through, E-bay does a close impersonation of Padang Padang on Bali without the death cliff looming inside. The overall set-up at E-bay is flawless, stereotypical Indonesian, with beautiful, bluish-green water and tall palm trees everywhere. Besides its aesthetic beauty, double overhead E-bay is a beast and force to be reckon with.
Iceland
Iceland is an intimidating left, right combo that is always larger than surrounding areas. Sets spring out of very deep water straight onto a semi-shallow reef ledge. The waves here break quickly so most of the time you'll find yourself hanging on for dear life instead of dictating your plan of attack. Huge barrels are commonplace but half of the time they're purely accidental. The best wind direction for Iceland is an unusual northeast wind but it also works quite well early in the morning with little or no wind.
Kandui Left
Kandui Left is one of the fastest, down the line, left-hand barrels in the world. Kandui Left is an obscenely hollow wave with your only option for survival being tucked inside its enormous, gaping jaws. Unless you're comfortable pumping inside the barrel the best you can hope for is to find the right line, exert a little extra front foot pressure, and hold on. Most of the waves will simply outrace you; however, the thrill of charging through the longest barrel possible is more than worth the effort. If the conditions are right you'll take your share of beatings; but, chances are you'll kick out of the best barrel of your life as well. When this happens you are finally able to realize that you need to sell everything you have and rededicate your life to the one thing that matters most, surfing.
Kandui Right
Kandui Right is one of the longest, most perfect, awe-inspiring waves in the world. When it's breaking properly with a hint of southwest wind you can expect four to six hundred yard right walls with numerous tube sections. Kandui Right is a violent barrel from start to finish, sometimes when you think you are coming out another section will throw over, and another, and another. If you do come out and see it lining up, you have to put the pedal to the metal to make it through the next barrel section. Basically, you have to go as fast as you can go almost the whole way through the wave. To be able to reach the necessary speed we recommend a smaller board for increased maneuverability.
Lances or Hollow Trees
Hollow Trees, more commonly referred to as "HT's" is a fast, perfect, barreling right-hander. Out of all the breaks in the Mentawai's "HT's" best exemplifies the term "swell wrap". The waves here wrap around the south end of the island and into a guarded bay over one-hundred and eighty degrees before unloading over an unmerciful reef aptly named "The Surgeon's Table". It is probably one of the top five most famous waves in the entire world and not without good reason. There are three main take-off zones, but it's the deepest zone, dubbed "The Office" that serves up the heaviest, scariest, roundest, most mesmerizing barrels in the world. On video or in magazines it appears to be a simple drop, routine cover-up and graceful exit, when you surf here you'll find out it's none of the above. On the contrary, it's one of the most feared waves in the Mentawai's, not so much because of the wave itself; but, the mere prospect of blowing a drop and getting shredded to pieces on the inside keeps most normal surfers hesitant to charge the bombs. Most surfers gravitate towards "HT's" straight out of Padang and end up getting hurt in their first session of their trip. Our advice is to catch it at the end of the trip when you're more comfortable with your surroundings and aren't afraid to get hurt because your trip was already a success anyway.
Lance's Lefts
Lance's Left is one of the most popular destinations in the Mentawai's for consistency and quality. It is an occasionally grinding left with multiple take-off zones and during the right conditions two distinct barrel sections. Despite its relatively harmless allure Lance's Left can pack a serious punch, especially if you get caught inside and find yourself parked on the reef. The extreme inside sports a series of lava fingers with deep gaps in between, keep this in mind as before you try to squeeze in that last roundhouse. The place can hold size, up to ten feet, and is often compared to G-Land's Moneytrees section as steep take-offs throw you down the line with impressive speed and flow. Lance's Left is always a good call if the winds are right so it's no surprise that many boat captains and traveling surfers frequent the area.
Lighthouse
Lighthouse is an above average right which breaks in front of a large, white lighthouse in the extreme south end of the Mentawai chain. Most of the time Lighthouse breaks like a manageable point break with rippable sections and a steep pocket. However, when a serious swell is pushing through it is often compared to small Sunset Beach in Hawaii. Most of the boats skip coming down this far so crowds are at a minimum and waves are empty and carefree. Some boat operators also refer to this break as "Beelzebubs".
Macaroni's
Macaroni's, more commonly referred to as "Macca's" is one of the best lefts our planet has to offer. It is the premiere destination of every boat charter in the Mentawai's and more often than not there are a minimum of six boats camped out in front of it. Every magazine and surf video nowadays devotes an obscene amount of coverage to this wave, remarkably, it deserves it. The wave itself barrels graciously on the take-off before walling up into the most high performance oriented wave imaginable. To top it off, the scenery surrounding it is breathtaking as it sits comfortably inside a picturesque cove with emerald green water lapping its shores. The only downside to surfing Macaroni's is the fact that it's always smaller than everywhere else because it faces an awkward direction. Macca's works best from three to six feet, it is possible to surf here during larger swells but the drops begin to look more like Teahupoo and the consequences become more substantial. It's definitely a place that you have to surf at least once, no, make that twice in your life.
Macaroni's Right
Macaroni's Right is a long, mellow right situated in front of a gorgeous tropical bay. Unfortunately, it blows out way too easily and requires a higher tide to break along the proper stretch off reef.
Mainuk
Mainuk is a thick-lipped left barrel over a disgustingly shallow reef. It is a bit more fickle than other spots in the surrounding area because it needs a west swell but when it's on it is one of the best waves in the Mentawai's. Not for the faint hearted, Mainuk is a challenge from start to finish, each ride is capable of heart-stopping action and a thrilling adrenaline rush.
Nipussi
Nipussi is a high-performance right situated inside a reef-laden cove. Most people line up at the apex of the point and surf a solid wall that hugs the inside, but during a west swell some people prefer to sit wide and wait for the swinger sets which break in the middle of the cove. Nipussi always has waves and is a good alternative when the rest of the islands are flat. It's known as one of the mellowest waves in the islands but it's still a powerful wave.
Playgrounds
Playgrounds is a long, playful left next to 4 Bobs. Similar to 4 Bobs, it's not one of the premiere locations to surf; but, because it is located so close to an overnight mooring area there are often a few die-hards paddling out to catch a few right before dark.
Pitstops
Pitstops is a predictable right-hander which breaks a few hundred yards from E-bay. The waves here start their assault towards shore over a reef shelf, allowing for a quick cover up, before shifting gears over a sand bottom and evolving into a solid right wall good for a few lip bashes. It works best around head high or smaller, anything bigger makes the drop impossible, there is just too much water moving in too small of an area. A popular choice among many boats, a virtual liquid playground.
Promises
Promises is a lightning fast right located next to Burgerworld. Promises breaks off the corner of a relatively small island and needs a north wind to smooth it out. Best surfed early in the moring, or late in the evening it can be a solid call if the swell is over four feet.
Rag's Left
Rag's Left is an absurdly long left with a dependable barrel. It is best on a huge southwest swell when it is breaking four feet or bigger and at the top of the reef. The overall set-up is incredible and just sitting outside the line-up is almost as good as surfing its waves.
Rag's Right
Rag's Right is a formidable opponent to your health, safety, and well being. It is a wide-open right capable of churning out oxygen-sucking dry barrels. Perhaps the most difficult part in the Rag's Right equation is the drop. The wave stands up and explodes over a nearly exposed reef, the faster you are able to get into it, the greater your chance for success. If it's breaking, it's definitely worth a gander as eight to twelve second tubes become standard. If you can swing it, ride a shorter board for increased maneuverability and control deep in the barrel.
Satan's Left
Satan's Left is a juicy left-hand wall located immediately across from Lighthouse Right. The extreme inside slab of reef is probably your best call to score a barrel, as the outside is more of a down-the-line surfing experience. Can be fun on the right day, glassy is best.
Scarecrows
Scarecrows is an exposed left a few miles to the west of Telescopes. Scarecrows prefers a light trade wind to hold it up better. The wave itself is characterized by a wedging take-off that gives way to a fairly decent wall and sometimes a wicked inside bowl.
Silabulu
Located semi-close to Macaroni's Silabulu is a fun left when everywhere else is gigantic and unruly.
Suicides
Suicides didn't get its name for nothing. It's a ridiculously fast, horrendously square barrel capable of extracting extreme punishment. Goofyfoots have the clear advantage confronting its ominous, left caverns. Suicides is somewhat hard to score, but if you're in the area, you like getting pitted, and you're goofyfoot, scope it out.
Telescopes
Every thing you've heard about Telescopes is true. It's a remarkably long left which tempts you to sit deeper and deeper, almost daring you to backdoor an impossible section. With size, the wave breaks for over a half mile outside and descends upon the formal take-off area at mach one. Fortunately, by the time it reaches the pack its slowed down a bit and ready to serve up a wondrous, steep, hollow wall. Telescopes is frequented by many boats based on its premiere quality. However, there always seems to be plenty of waves to go around and when its absolutely firing at six to eight foot many less accomplished surfers watch it from the safe confines of their boats, videocameras in hand.
Thunder's
Thunders is the largest, most consistent break in the Mentawai's. Aptly named, Thunders powerful lefts break so hard that it not only makes a booming sound; but it also creates a weird, sea foam that often has trouble clearing out before the next set. The line-up is extremely complicated as waves seem to break everywhere around you; however, on a rising swell a solid, slabby wall offers a serious drop followed by a forceful shoulder. The wave breaks in deeper water than you'd expect so it's unlikely you will hit the bottom here. The reality of surfing Thunders on a big day, which is often, is you'll get stuck inside and probably have to make a trip to the shore to make it back out. Grab a big board and charge.
Thunder's Right
Thunders Right is a so-so right next to Thunders. If you decide to surf here hopefully you'll have a northwest wind and medium tide to make it halfway entertaining.
The Hole
The Hole is an extremely heavy wave found in the southern end of the Mentawai Islands chain. The waves here are one of a kind as approaching swells wrap themselves around a circular-shaped island and onto a reef that faces due north. Waves here erupt over a shallow reef with incredible force and magnitude. Interestingly enough, the higher the tide gets the shallower it becomes as the wave races along a new section of reef. The Hole is notorious for its end section which contorts and bends the wave towards shore making a clean exit, especially backside, a difficult proposition at best. Watch out for the sets that swing wide as these tend to hit the deadly end section every time, making a safe exit almost impossible. The best advice when surfing The Hole is to catch the medium-sized waves in between sets that break off the top of the reef; not only do these waves offer wide-open barrels, they often aren't affected by the wicked, inside death bowl. Most surfers who catch The Hole good claim that it's the best barrel in the Mentawai's. To check out "The Hole" in action there is an old-school video with Tom Carroll and Martin Potter charging mountain-sized barrels there; the name of the video, "The Hole".
Turuns
Turuns is a magnificent left which breaks off the side of an incredibly tiny island. It is located no more than one mile away from The Hole but oddly enough it faces the exact opposite direction. Given a decent-sized swell Turuns is often compared to G-Land's Moneytrees section as thick, raw, slabs of ocean propel themselves down the line serendipitiously. It's usually empty as most boat charters skip coming this far south, their loss.