Mentawai Surf Camps: 5 Great Options for Next Year
Here’s a hard truth: serious surfers aren’t flocking to Bali the way they used to. In Indo, there are bigger (much, much bigger) fish to fry.
The biggest of them all is the Mentawais, a scattering of islands off the coast of West Sumatra with a concentration of world-class waves that’s hard to match. Not just in Indonesia. Anywhere. Yes, it really is that good.
For a long time, the way to surf the Ments was a pricey liveaboard boat trip. Boats are still a brilliant way to do it, and they’re far more affordable than they once were.
But the islands are now dotted with excellent land-based surf camps. You get the same world-class waves by day, then come back to solid ground, a proper bed and, at the plusher end, a pool and a spacious suite when you’re done for the day.
They’re ideal if you’d rather not give up every creature comfort for your surf trip. And some sit within paddling distance of seriously good waves.
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>>This is just one part of our complete overall guide to surfing in Indonesia
>>This is also a part of our complete guide to surf camps
Quick-click book your surf camp in the Ments
- Hidden Bay Resort – Private beach, 24 surf breaks, and stunning accommodation (AND 5% off bookings with code SURFATLAS)
- The Point Surf House – A luxurious, boutique stay with rave reviews
- The Shadow Mentawai – Locally owned resort that prioritizes cultural immersion (and loads of surfing)
- Solid Surf Resort Villa Mentawai – A well-known brand that makes the Ments accessible to even beginners
- Beng Bengs Surf Camp – An old-school surf camp with three speedboats
>>Want more inspo? Check out our complete guide to the very best boat charters in the Ments
Hidden Bay Resort
Private beach, 24 surf breaks, and stunning accommodation
Hidden Bay Resort really does live up to its name. The camp sits in the middle of a pretty remote inlet on the eastern edge of Masokut Island up in the northern Ments. Before we get to the ridiculous array of surf breaks that puts on the menu, a word about the setting…
A dogleg of perfect white sand bends around the shoreline in front of the hotel, palms loom above, and almost no one but the people staying at this hotel have access to that corner of the coast, so you can enjoy pure seclusion and relaxation when you’re not surfing.
The stay oozes authentic Indo charm, too. The rooms are all built in old-school Sumatran style, with thatched roofs and eco materials. They can sleep groups of three or couples, have big ensuite bathrooms, and open onto deck spaces that gaze at the Indian Ocean. It’s like authentic but luxury at the same time.
They’ve also made some very cool changes in recent years, which range from adding a dedicated Starlink connection for reliable WiFi to getting a new chef who’s doing rotating menus at the on-site restaurant. Oh, and they do a dedicated speedboat transfer for all guests, so there’s no hanging around on Sumatra on the day you arrive – you board, transfer, and then wake the next day ready to surf.
Talking of surf…there’s upwards of 24 breaks within a 20-minute boat ride of this hotel, covering all bases. Basically, it’s a fine jump-off point for everything that the Playgrounds area can offer. The closest of all is the peeling left of Hideaways, and the long tube potentials of Rifles.
These guys do everything they can to maximize the sessions – they don’t just randomly go out willy nilly each morning and afternoon. Guides study forecasts and plan surf days accordingly. What’s more, there’s never more than 6 people on one boat, so things shouldn’t get too cramped.
Get 5% off your surf camp booking with this code:
The Point Surf House
A boutique beachfront stay with rave reviews
The Point Surf House has one very big thing going for it: Location.
It’s right on the beachfront at Katiet on southern Sipura. Those in the know will be buzzing, because they’ll know that means the legendary barrels of HT’s (Lance’s Right) are right there – something like 5 mins walk up the beach, as is a nice mellow point break right in front of the hotel.
That’s something pretty special in the Mentawais, where reaching the best breaks often means relying on boats.
The camp itself is a small, family-run operation headed up by Ivan and Laia, with a choice of simple but comfortable ocean-view and jungle-view rooms, which are the epitome of relaxed, island getaway – they’re spacious, done with real-wood floors and whitewashed walls, and offer air-con and stylish Scandi furnishings.
Then there’s the food offering, which blends Mediterranean and Indonesian cooking, with a full-board option covering three chef-prepared meals each day.
Surf guiding is available with Ivan for an additional fee, although experienced surfers can simply do their own thing – there’s loads of breaks to surf close by, remember.
The Shadow Mentawai
Locally owned resort that prioritizes cultural immersion (and loads of surfing)
It’s not often we get to say this but The Shadow boasts its very own private island. Mhmm…come here to channel your inner Richard Branson, only with less in the way of premierCru champagne, more in the way of perfect barreling rights and lefts over pristine coral reefs.
Location? Think just on the edge of the acclaimed Playgrounds area of the northern Ments, with 20 or so named breaks sat within easy boat ride (and, yep, don’t worry, these guys have their own boat!).
The Shadow is one very cool looking surf resort. The rooms have a touch of the castaway about them but don’t let that fool you. They come with plush double beds and driftwood-built balconies, indoor-outdoor bathrooms and air conditioning throughout. There’s even now a pool, which the guys here built using recycled beer bottles, and it looks da bomb.
You’ll hangout with other guests and surf guides in the communal space, or pretty much anywhere along the beachfront that’s often deserted from tip to toe – did we mention that it’s a private island?
The surf program at The Shadow is, simply, exactly what you’re looking for from surf camps in the Ments. They’ve got local guides who know the archipelago like the back of their hand running the twice-daily sessions.
On top of that, you also get morning or evening yoga included, along with all three daily meals cooked by the fantastic in-house chef – think healthy, vegan-veggie-friendly, dishes that run the gamut from gado gado salads to avocado on toast.
Solid Surf Resort Villa Mentawai
A well-known brand that makes the Ments accessible to even beginners
Think the Mentawais are only for advanced surfers chasing cavernous barrels over shallow reefs? Solid Surf Resort Villa might just change your mind.
This beachfront camp on North Sipura is one of the few outfits in the islands that actively welcomes complete beginners and lower intermediates, with dedicated coaching program for different ability levels.
The secret is the variety of breaks nearby. There’s a sheltered learner-friendly wave around the corner and the playful lefts of Tikus, which can be great for building confidence when conditions cooperate. Meanwhile, more experienced surfers can head for Telescopes, Icelands and Seven Palms.
Packages include daily surf lessons or guiding, boat transfers, board rental, video analysis and surf theory – pretty much everything you need to progress, fast.
There’s a maximum of three or four learners per instructor, too.
Accommodation is considerably more luxurious than your average surf camp, with ocean-view rooms, a swimming pool, daily yoga and freshly prepared meals. Just remember that the Mentawais are still a serious reef-surfing destination, so conditions and careful spot selection matter enormously for beginners.
Check prices and availability at Solid Surf Resort Villa Mentawai
Beng Bengs Surf Camp
An old-school surf camp with three speedboats
Poking out of the jungles of Nyang Nyang Island in the midst of the Playground area of northern Mentawai, Beng Bengs Surf Camp is one of the original on-land camps in the area.
It looks over the iconic wave known as Ebay, a frothing left hander that offers more barrel sections than you can shake your morning pancakes at. They also have not one, not two, but three speedboats ready and waiting for when it’s time to explore the other waves in the region.
What we really like about Beng Beng is the fact that it has a real down-to-earth vibe.
It’s built more like a classic surf stay, with palm-thatched ceilings and a mix of double and twin rooms, some with cold showers, most with hot.
The fact that it’s limited to a max of 8-10 people each week helps to keep the whole thing feeling like a little community, not some factory line surf hotel that’s in it for the cash.
