THE MENTAWAI ISLANDS – WEST SUMATRA INDONESIA

Click here for Mentawai Is surf gallery

Since the early 1990's surfers from around the globe have been visiting the Mentawai islands to experience untouched rainforest and superb waves. More than a dozen "worldclass" reefbreaks exists making it one the most surf infested regions in the world. Most spots host mechanical perfection and vary in intensity for all level of surfer, making it an ideal surf vacation location.

Indonesia is such a great place for surf. It has got the classic waves, the crystal clear warm water and the balmy days. What more could anyone want. The Mentawai islands are a relatively new surfing location, having only been surfed since the early 90's. Although the main island has loads of spots probably the best way to surf the Mentawai islands is by boat.

Our good friend the South Indian Ocean produces the swells that have the islands pumping from March through to November at 6-12ft, and the cyclone swells keep the surf rolling in throughout the remainder of the year. You go to Mentawai, you get surf! The calm winds ensure that the swells that do arrive are always of a high standard.

Top Mentawai waves include Rifles, Telescopes, Lance's Left and Lance's Right, Macaronis, Greenbush, Thunders, Rags & The Hole : just to name a few.

All standard of surfers will be stoked with the variety and the consistency."This is the real Surfers Paradise." 

Flexible itineraries are devised to maximise surf time and to combat the ‘crowd factor’. On the recommendation of the skipper / surf guide who analyses the prevailing surf conditions in the region, you will be given expert advice on where the best conditions and swell will be located.

North Sumatra - Nias, Hinakos and Banyaks

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NORTHERN SECRET SPOTS: Jiwa regularly surfs up in this less explored region and  Nomad charters can take you to this region on custom charters.

Contrary to some rumours the surf in this region is still world-class since the boxing day 2004 Tsunami and the March 2005 Earthquake. There has been major reef upheaval in some areas which has changed the characteristics of some waves, created some new ones and even made some old ones better –eg : Lagundri Bay –Nias.

 In this region, there is this beautiful island with an amazing right hander. A long, long wave that has it all - barrels, freight-train fast walls, and hot-dog sections. A group of very good surfers from Western Australia said, "We've been coming to Indo for over 15 years and this is the wave we've been looking for." There is another right within sight of this one that is smaller and shorter, with a perfectly manicured barrel. And then there is a third right a bit further down; a heavy wave throwing out across a shallow reef that nobody has tackled … yet. And for the goofy footers there are a couple of lefts on the other side of this island. This place is called Treasure Island by those lucky enough to go there.

On another island there is a left that consistently produces perfect, long, hollow waves; lots of power and speed. On the inside is a smaller left that is a fun long board wave.

In the same general area there is a right that will get anybody's blood pumping - big (it makes the most of any swell), fast, wide-open barrels. Definitely in the heavyweight category. There are a number of other waves in this region that go off on their given day. And even when there is hardly any swell there is one little island that you can always count on to produce a wave.

Northern secret spots offer something for everyone. Waves so perfect you will think you are dreaming, waves heavy enough to challenge even battle-scarred Indo veterans, and other waves just right for a good, fun surf.

An 11-day charter will enable you to surf The Banyaks, Nias & the Hinakos - that's a lot of good surf, and you could go in between the spots cruising at night ". Waves in the Hinakos - Asu & Bawa are already well documented and the Telos also offer a wide range of spots that provide everything from mellow fun waves to screaming barrels. Mainland Nias is of course famous for "Lagundri Bay" and there is the opportunity to surf this if desired (although classic, better waves exist in the outer islands). There is also another awesome left & right set-up further north on mainland Nias that is worth checking out on route to the Northern Secrets.

BREAK-AWAY FROM THE PACK AND GO DISCOVER!

YOU WILL BE ABLE TO TELL EVERYONE IN A FEW YEARS WHEN IT BECOMES MORE POPULAR THAT YOU SURFED THERE (NORTHERN SECRETS) BEFORE THE MASSES ARRIVED!!

Telo Islands - Sumatra