As if Indo didn’t already have enough, Mentawai surf is now reestablishing this island nation as one of the meccas of the spot. It’s not hard to see why. This string of isles just off Sumatra have reefs that shape the dry-season swell into some of the best waves on the planet, from Maccas to Playgrounds.
An introduction to Mentawai surf

The Ments are something else. Really, even in Indo, where you’ve got the epic likes of Desert Point and Bali’s Ulu, G-Land and Sumba, this string of islets is hallowed surf territory unlike any other. The best part is that it’s only just about been discovered. A few pros strayed this way back in 1992, spurred on by whispers of clear-water barrels without a soul in sight. What they found wowed the surfing world and bingo: The most wave-rich region of Asia was thrust into the limelight.
The variety is mind numbing. There are three distinct areas, each centered on the Mentawai’s main three islands. Siberut – or, more accurately the isles just off Siberut – in the north is by far the best known, hosting a surf region called Playgrounds that bursts with breaks. To the south of that comes Sipura, a place to seek out more challenging waves and regular barrels. Then there are the southern islands anchored on Pagai, host to much-talked-about Macaronis (hailed as the funnest in the world).
This guide to Mentawai surfing will delve into this group of 70 or so islets to reveal what all the fuss is about. And, trust us, there is a fuss. It will take a look at the top Mentawai spots, where to stay, where to eat, and more…
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This guide is just one part of our complete guide to surfing in Indonesia
Mentawai surf at a glance
Wave type: Reef break // Level: Upper intermediate and up // Season: Dry season (April-Sept)
The good
- Crazy consistency all year round
- Perfectly formed and regular barrels
- Empty points that you can surf all to yourself
- Incredible array of surf camps
The bad
- Can be hard to reach
- Not suited to beginners
What’s in this guide to Mentawai surf?
Where are the Mentawais?
The Mentawai islands are a chain of over 70 islands that string along the western coast of Sumatra in Indonesia. They face the open Indian Ocean to the west, which means oodles and oodles of swell all year round. They’re not the easiest to get to but can be reached on boat transfer out of the mainland port of Padang. Some surf camps in Mentawai will also offer boat transfers.
A guide to EVERY SINGLE Mentawai surf spot

The Ments can be broken down into three separate surf areas. Running from north to south, they go from the group of small islets south of Siberut (a whole surf region known as Playgrounds), through the central island of Sipura (sometimes also spelt Sipora), and finish at the least-trodden part of the chain in Pagai (sometimes referred to as South Pagai). We’ll take each, and their spots, in turn…
Playgrounds (Siberut)
The first main surfing area of the Ments is centered around the south tip of the most accessible island of all: Siberut. It’s known as Playgrounds because it’s a veritable surf playground, and the place we’d recommend going for if you haven’t visited before, since there are upwards 25 locations to surf within a short boat ride of most surf camps. Some of the spots stand out from the crowd…
Promises
Promises languishes out on the reefs past the outer island of Ngiau. It’s hard to reach and hard to surf. Reserved for pros, it’s a very fast right hander barrel that ends on shallow reef that’s pretty unforgiving. You’ll probably have it all to yourself but don’t mess up!
Burgerworld
Burgerworld is one of the most exposed of the Mentawai surf breaks. It hoovers up any of that S-SW Indian Ocean swell and forces it onto the shallow reefs of Palau Dodiki, creating sculpted right-hand tubes even in the low season. On bigger days it can get really heavy but holds well, offering a sectiony stretch of playful water in front of the palm-topped headland (something that we think makes it look more like a Sri Lankan point than a Ment wave in the photos – but don’t be deceived, cos’ it certainly isn’t mellow!).
Bank Vaults
Bank Vaults is one of the poster boys of the Mentawai surf because of the perfectly lipping top of the barrel that’s a surf photographer’s dream come true. But it doesn’t just look amazing. It rides amazing too. We’re talking a fast and furious drop in straight into a barrel that fizzes salt spray on any easterly winds. This one’s really an expert only wave that will get shallow as the tide pulls back, so watch out for that and know when to kick out.
Nipussi
A consistent spot that’s basically a more tame version of Bank Vaults, opening up the right hander tubes to more intermediate surfers but also with rippable shoulders where you can get playful and have some fun. The risks here are rips and some shallow reefs.
Pit Stops
A curling right hand barrel that spins over a shallow part of the reef in front of a gorgeous beach, Pit Stops is accessible and a whole load of fun. The rides here can be long and sectiony as can be, with some hollow parts and a finale of open-faced shoulders to carve on.
E-Bay
If Bank Vaults is the best-looking right in the Ments, then E-Bay might just be the best-looking left. Hailed by pro goofies as one of the finest waves on Earth, it lips over into a stand-all-the-way-up tube where you can cruise and then opens onto a whole wall of water that sucks up enough power to offer airs, top turns, cutbacks and whatever else you want to try. No wonder it’s famous.
Beng Bengs
We can’t wax lyrical about Beng Bengs enough. It’s a chilled wave that hardly feels like a heavy Indo reef break. More mellow and crumbly but loads of fun as it moves left across a deep section of coral and into the paddle channel. Big swells are tamed a touch here into unsteep faces where you can practice and move around, perfecting bottom turns and top as you go. A good option for all levels of surfer.
Hideaways
S-SE winds are offshore at Hideaways point, which is a gift on the Ments where it’s usually N-NE. The spot is a stunner, too, with a curling set of left handers that form on the reef and move out into the paddle channel. Hideaways is a chameleon of a wave, though – some days it’s a hollow tube, other times it’s a fat and cruisy shoulder for longer logs. When it’s the former, remember that the take-off zone isn’t as tight into the shore as you might think – AKA watch some others before you jump in.
Kandui
Kandui inspires a following like only the Oahu North Shore can dream of. A rifle-barrel of a left hander that rolls over the reefs of the southernmost of the Playground isles, it’s a charger’s wave that is always fast and always challenging. It’s not for ripping up from bottom turn to top. It’s for paddling hard and pumping the front foot all the way through really deep barrels until you fire out the other end.
A Frames
Just as the name implies, this one’s a rare A-Frame in the north Ments. It’s located on Karangmajat Island, forming on the outer reefs in a crumply lip that goes both ways into relatively deep reef. Usually attracts a crowd for the versatility of the spot.
Four Bobs/4 Bobs
A rare intermediate and grom wave on the Mentawai surf scene, Four Bobs is a mellow reef break that rolls into a channel and works like a mellow beachy on even the largest swells. It’s a nice ride that can even barrel on occasion. This is perfect if you’re just getting used to surfing reefs or want to get pitted with low risk.
Rifles
Curling around the south side of Karangmajat Island in a series of very different sections, Rifles is one hell of a wave for regular-footed barrel hunters. Sometimes it will line up to offer connected tubes that run for over 400 meters but, most of the time, it’s chopped into sections by the reef, offering a pits for short bursts punctuated by wally and powerful shoulders. It’s an intermediate+ wave and is generally considered to be one of the best in the Playgrounds region.
Sipura

The island of Sipura forms the base for the Central Ments, as they’re now known to surfers. This is a part of the archipelago that’s way less busy than Playgrounds to the north but still has moments of world-class quality. One or two waves stand out from the crowd, but you’ve got 10s to pick from on any given day, all usually within an hour’s boat ride of each other. Let’s take a look…
Pulau Silabok
Pulau Silabok is the tiny fragment of land that sits just off the north tip of Sipura. It’s a pretty private place, and the breaks are mainly the province of guests at the sprawling hotel resort that occupies the east and west shores. If that’s you, then you can look forward to some sheltered reefs that tone down the fast and rifling barrels that characterize the rest of the Mentawai surf scene, only with a similar consistency.
Iceland
Iceland is a schizophrenic wave that changes completely on small and big swells. On more mellow days when the rest of the Ments are flat (very, very rare!), it’s a cruisy tube that fires out intermediate surfers onto a nice left shoulder where there’s lots of room to practice turns bottom and top. When things go overhead it’s a whole other beast, with barreling sections to dwarf the North Shore as they roll and roar overhead on the reef into HUGE pits that only the best surfers can dream of making.
Ombak Tidur
Ombak Tidur – also known locally as Sleepers – is a very good quality reef break that runs right along the shoreline south of Iceland on Pulau Pototoga. It’s a lovely, sectiony break that alternates between steep, often-hollow walls and open face sections. It’s rare that you’ll be able to link up all the constituent parts here because they don’t often connect, even though it might look makeable. It’s a good intermediate and up wave because the paddle and rips can be tricky.
Ariks/Backyards
The last of the breaks on little Pulau Pototoga, Ariks is a long and cruisy barrel on days with offshore winds from the north. We’d say it’s an experienced surfer’s wave beczÄ…ce of the thigh-burning length of the rides and the potential for long paddles from the end to the take off.
Suicides
Awera Island offers this high-performance right barrel for the best of the bunch. It’s a good moniker, since the reef here gets super, super shallow and the break is virtually unsurfable at low tide. When the water rises, it shapes into perfect, copper-pipe-style tubes that for for hundreds of meters. It’s a local favorite when it’s working, so prep for lineups.
Telescopes
When a certain Kelly Slater came to ride Telescopes with the Quiksilver Young Guns crew the spot was still pretty unknown. But, there it was, for all to see, a perfect, sectiony left reef break built just like Uluwatu, rolling perfectly for hundreds of meters and forming barrel after barrel over the Sipora reefs. Now considered the finest wave of the central Ments, this one always draws a crowd. It’s an exceptional break, with almost guaranteed pits along its hefty length. Can also hold some big swells, but is for the best surfers out there.
Scarecrows
Scarecrows is being seen more and more as a fine alternative to Telescopes, known for its smaller crowds and fine quality. The wave is a very consistent number on S-SW swells and works even without too much size. It starts with a neat left shoulder that’s pretty cruisy but offers a grand finale: A deep bowl that rips overhead and offers regular tubes before spitting you out into the channel. You’ll need a boat to get here.
7 Palms
7 Palms is a regular pitstop for surf boat tourers heading south from north Sipora to Lances Left and Right. It’s tucked into a bay about a third of the way down the island, offering a pretty fun and workable peak on the reefs with hollow left. These days, you probably won’t have it to yourself.
Bintangs
Bintangs is a south Sipoora wave that loves elements of W and SW in the swell compass. It’s a right hander reef that’s good fun, getting sucky and rippable on mid swells and churning out some pretty awesome barrels on the bigger days. The bes thing? North is offshore here, so it’s worth remembering fro when other Mentawai surf spots are totally dead thanks to the wind.
Cobras
A almost constant barrel forms at Cobras during any S swells, but it’s a tricky spot with a shallow reef at the take off and a fast right to the left straight into the channel. It’s usually uncrowded but doesn’t offer the trademark cruise rides and multiple barrel sections that the Ments are known for,
Lances Left
Lances Left is at its finest on medium SW swells. That gives it perfect exposure and pushes enough power into the reefs of south Sipora to keep it firing even if there’s a W onshore, although there’s no question that E offshores improve the wave quality considerably. The wave is a left hand barrel that runs right infront of the bay, going for up to 100m+ and offering almost unrivaled consistency for this part of the Ments.
Lances Right/Hollow Trees
Once known as a Hollow Trees for the hewd-down trunks that dotted the reef in times past, this epic Ments classic is now called Lances Right after the pioneering surfer who put it on the map in the early 1990s. You’re looking at proper surf-brochure stuff here – perfect barrels that peel and reform over long runs of reef on the eastern side of the island. The fame has made it one of the most popular waves in the region, and there are now whole surf camps here dedicated to filling surf trips with this iconic wave. We love it but it’s a challenge, ending on a very shallow reef known as the Surgeon’s Table that reminds us of Impossibles in Bali – AKA you don’t want to end there!
Pagai

Pagai is probably the last known frontier of Mentawai surf. The most southerly island in the chain, it’s got excellent exposure to SW swells and turns more of the N winds into offshore gems. It is harder to reach, but there’s now an ever-growing array of surf camps on offer. Oh, and Pagai hosts Macaronis – THE MOST FAMOUS WAVE IN THE MENTS!
Macaronis
Macas, Macaroni, Macaronis – this one’s been called the funnest wave on the planet. It’s hard to disagree, though we think that moniker might detract a little from the sheer quality of its performance credentials. At heart this is a proper Indo left hander that forms on the shallow reef at high-octane speeds and moves into more mellow sections where the face opens up and you can rip to your hearts content. It’s great to come here and watch the pros letting their creativity loose. A proper shortboard dream and performance wave major.
Greenbush
A west swell will wrap into the reefs south of Macas and fire up the lefts of Greenbush. It’s a three-parter, with shallow reefs creating O-shaped barrels where you can stand complete in the pit in some parts. It’s quick and unforgiving, because you have to make it through if you want to get to the channel and dodge getting stuck on the inside with the corals. Only for experts.
Roxies
A right wave with occasional barrels and some nice faces to carve up, Roxies is a fine regular-footed stand in for Maccas, and perfect if you want to cut down the size of the lineup.
Rag’s Left/Right
There are two waves at Rag’s, one right and one left. The first isn’t the most consistent wave in southern Mentawai but it’s still fun, offering regular riders a very nice barrel when the tide is high. Rag’s Left is better known, and can handle huge S and SW swells, which it shapes into crashing left barrel sections for expert surfers.
Bat Cave
Bat Cave looks more like something plucked from the Maldives. It’s a curling point break over sand-reef that picks up virtually any swell direction and is very sectiony – barrel, face, mellow bump, ankle burner, it’s all in there. We love that it’s an all-level wave and lots of fun for less experienced surfers and pros alike.
Thunders
A big, lipping left hander that’s got a steep drop in straight into a barrel, there’s a much more forgiving end to Thunders as you sail out onto a glassy shoulder before kicking out back into the paddle. It’s not usually too busy and offers good consistency, but we find it can shift around on W swells a little.
Step-by-step guide to planning your Mentawai surf trip right now
Step one: Book flights to the Mentawai surf…Lately, we like Omio for searching flights. It’s a nice interface and has lots of airline options. We also use Skyscanner because that sometimes offers deals that even beat going direct to the carrier!
Step two: Book your surf camp Book Surf Camps is the numero uno online booking platform for fully-fledged surf-stay packages on the internet right now. Then there’s Booking.com. That has consistently unbeatable rates for hotels and a nifty map feature that lets you check EXACTLY how close your hotel is to a surf break.
Step three: Get insuranceThis is kinda’ important. Not just for surf trips but for any trips. SafetyWing is great for nomad travelers. They offer rolling contracts that cover amateur surfing.
Step four (optional): Rent a car If you’re surf camping then you might not need wheels. If you’re not then we’ll just say this: We’ve never been on a surf trip that wasn’t improved by having our own car. Use RentalCars – they’re the best.
Step five: Enjoy!
For paying for stuff when you’re traveling – Get a Wise borderless card/account. They charge NOTHING for POS payments in any country and have some of the best FX rates around in our humble opinion.
The best surf camps in the Mentawais

Choosing the right surf camp in the Ments is arguably one of the most important decisions you’ll face when planning this trip. There are options in the north of the chain, in the middle, and in the south, each offering access to different groups of breaks.
On top of that, different surf camps have different facilities. Some will include daily boat charters so you can get out to more far-flung spots Others have world-class breaks like Hollow Trees and Maccas sitting right there, plum in front of your room. Then, of course, you have the classic hotel concerns to factor in, like the comfort of the room and the lux level.
For us, the best option here is to go all-inclusive and book a proper surf package in the Ments. There are loads on offer – you can check them here – with options for varying lengths and levels of class. We think they are a good idea because they take all the stress out of booking your own accommodation, finding places to eat, planning surf outings with the local boat operators – you name it. That can become a real headache in a region that’s hardly developed at all. Seriously, there aren’t even tarmacked roads in the Ments. That’s why it’s so awesome.
We’ve seen a few that we think stand out from the crowd in terms of quality. Let’s lay em’ down:
- 11 Day Advanced Level Surf Camp in Mentawai @ Shadow Mentawai – The Shadow is a surf resort on a private island. It’s a touch of luxury that’s on the doorstep of the legendary Playgrounds region. They have speedboats at hand to ferry you to and from breaks and most participants do 4-6 hours of surfing per day. This package includes daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and 10 nights accommodation in the gorgeous hotel.
- 8-Day Surf Evolution Program in Mentawai @ Hidden Bay Resort – The Hidden Bay Resort is the piece de resistance of surf camps in the Ments for high-performance surfers. It’s a fully-fledged health and fitness hotel that focuses in on mediation and yoga, healthy eating, and surfing to your heart’s content. The pad sits smack dab in the middle of Playgrounds, with 24 breaks on the doorstep, along with two right there in front of the resort. Rooms are mainly shared bungalows and the place is pretty snazzy all round.
Boat charters in the Ments
Ask most vets of the Ments and they’ll tell ya’ – boat charters are the way to go. Basically here you live on a boat and you get ferried from spot to spot by a local expert. That means you always catch the best waves when they are firing properly because you have an Einstein of swell forecasts at hand.
Plus it means you can be at the break before all the other punters take their place in the line up. To be honest, boat charters would still be our pick in the Ments for advanced surfers. They’re tailor-made for getting around a region where the breaks are spread out, for discovering hidden spots, and catching the right tide and swell directions – AKA barrel after barrel after barel.
Here are some of the top surf boat charter trips on offer to the Ments right now…
- 13 Day Private Group Liveaboard Sibon Jaya Surf Charter in Mentawai Islands – This one is the bee’s knees of surf charters in the Mentawai chain. You sail on a deluxe yacht with ust four suites, all modern, all chic. There’s a max of six other people so it’s all very intimate and you’ll make great buddies. The package includes 11 days of fully guided surfing, three chef-cooked meals a day, and loads, loads more. Our advice? If you can afford it – go for this!
- 9 Day Luxury Surf Charter Boat in Mentawai, West Sumatra – Sail the Ments on Maki Boat, a timber-built vessel with a double-level deck. The price includes all your accommodation, transfers from the boat to the line up, surfing all day every day if you want it, and all food including snacks and beers. It’s not for nothing that this is rated among the best boat charters in Indo!
When to surf in the Mentawais?

The Mentawais are one of the most consistent surf destinations on the planet. You shouldn’t have to worry about finding swell – it’s almost always around. However, different seasons do bring different types of waves. It’s just like in Bali – the dry season is bigger, more powerful and better-suited to advanced riders. The wet season, on the other hand, is better for learners and intermediates. Let’s take a closer look…
Dry season (March-October)
The dry season is the peak time to surf the Mentawai islands. There’s nigh-on consistent action in the SW swell channel, which is pumped straight through the big Java Trench to offer regular barrels on the spots from the north to the south of the chain. This is the time to come to seek out the gnarliest tubes and the heaviest reefs.
Wet season (November-February)
Things do calm down a little in the low season, but anyone who’s ever surfed Indo should know that doesn’t mean the waves disappear. Nope, the Ments are just a bit more chilled and mellow. We’d say it’s the top time to come if you’re an intermediate improver or beginner surfer, or just want to push the budget further as the surf camps tend to cost a little less.
We might use affiliate links in this post. Basically, you click em’ and we get a little something from your booking or purchase. They help us keep offering more and more in-depth surf guides to awesome places all around the globe. So, thanks for that!
4 comments
Hi what’s the nearest surf camp to the bat cave break.
Pretty much any of the surf camps in Pagai have that one on the menu. You gotta get to it by boat so just message ahead and make sure that’s something you can do from the camp you pick. Alternatively, there’s a boat charter option in Pagai.
Hello,
I’m looking to travel now. Any charters you’d recommend that would have availability to locations that would have un crowded surf. Taking my girlfriend and we both want to avoid the crowds in the lineup. In your write-up you mention the islands of Supra and Pagai are often less crowded, any resorts you’d recommend in these locations for uncrowded surf. Thanks for your help. Looking to travel now, as I start a new job on May 6th. Thanks, Jon
Hey Jon, every charter is different but most them focus on the northern islands of SIberut and Sipura in our experience. If it’s crowds you want to dodge then it might be worth getting in contact with some boat runners to see if there’s any way you could shift the focus to the southern islands. That said, there’s usually somewhere in the Ments where you can get away from the crowds, even in the Playgrounds area. Book Surf Camps have a good array of options for liveaboard…https://www.booksurfcamps.com/all/d/asia-and-oceania/indonesia/mentawai-islands?aid=7420