John’s Place is a secluded getaway set amidst a palm grove, overlooking its very own private beach. John’s Place is a truly extraordinary destination for anyone wanting a secluded Mentawai Islands escape.
This amazing property was originally built to accommodate John’s family and friends, but fortunately for us, he’s opened it up for small groups of travellers venturing to this beautiful region of the Mentawai Islands.
Staying on Awera Island
Nestled on Awera Island, with stunning views of the surf breaks G4 and Hookers, and Devil’s Island looming in the background, John’s Place is a meticulously crafted five-bedroom villa made entirely of Sumatran hardwood. Designed as a sustainable long-term residence, this luxurious home offers unparalleled comfort and breathtaking scenery.
It’s perfectly located in the middle of the Mentawai Islands, the ultimate location for surfers and their families and friends to escape the ordinary and soak up everything this beautiful region of Indonesia has to offer.
At World Surfaris, we offer an all-inclusive group package for guests staying at John’s Place, which includes everything from your Padang transfers, to your own private chef, meals, drinks, boat trips, an expert surf guide and more.
Perfect for small groups of friends, families and couples, John’s Place Mentawais is the ultimate location for surfers wanting to ride the best waves of their lives and non-surfers wanting to fish, snorkel and explore the natural beauty of the Mentawai Islands.
Mid-Range 
Indonesia 
February to November 
All Levels 
Mentawai Islands Surf Perfection
If you’re a surfer, you’ll have the time of your life at this private surfer’s retreat in the Mentawai Islands. You’re less than five minutes by boat from Tuapejat Harbour, which means more waves, close by!
From John’s Place, you’re only a five to 20-minute boat ride from a dozen amazing local breaks where you can surf from dawn to dusk. Jump on board the 10.5 metre speedboat for half an hour, and you’ll have more than 20 other breaks at your fingertips within the Playgrounds area of the Mentawai Islands. Only another hour in the other direction, and you’re at the world-famous HT’s and Lances Left region!
Accommodation
John’s Place is located in a dream location on Awera Island in the Mentawais. This unique surfer’s getaway is designed to cater to small groups and families. With five air-conditioned bedrooms set up for couples, twins or singles, this ‘Queenslander style’ home also features beautiful upper and lower verandahs where guests can take in the stunning views.
Guests will share two large bathrooms, one upstairs and one downstairs, both with Western-style toilets and hot and cold showers. The home’s air-conditioned dining area is upstairs, with a beautiful outlook over the grounds and the blue waters of the lagoon.
To keep guests entertained, there is an air-conditioned games room downstairs, with all the essentials including a pool table and ping pong table for some friendly (often competitive) holiday battles. The games room opens up onto a lower deck and swimming pool where you can relax after a long day surfing or the kids can play without worrying about any neighbours – it’s just you!
John’s Place features:
- 4 x rooms with 2 double beds.
- 1 x room with 1 double bed.
- 2 large bathrooms.
- Personal chef.
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner and more.
- Modern kitchen facilities.
- Water, coconuts and beer provided.
- Huge balcony with views.
- Swimming pool.
- Private beach.
- Games room.
- WiFi.
- Experienced personal surf guide.
- Laundry is available.
Meals
As a guest at John’s Place, you’ll have a private chef cooking up a delicious array of Indonesian and Western cuisine. You won’t go hungry with an amazing range of freshly prepared dishes made with love from locally sourced meat, fruits and vegetables.
Whether you’re refuelling after a big day in the surf, or need food packed for an adventure in the Mentawai Islands, the experienced chef has you covered. All meals at John’s Place are enjoyed in the air-conditioned dining room, with spectacular views over the grounds and the private beach.
Beautiful, fresh seasonal fruit and coconuts are also available for all guests and the chef will try to accommodate special food and beverage requests when possible.
Surf John’s Place Mentawais
John’s Place is located in one of the world’s most wave-rich regions – the Mentawai Islands. The Mentawais is a sought-after surfing destination with a range of waves ranging from fun and playful, to challenging and adrenaline-pumping.
Within a two to 20-minute journey from John’s Place, there are at least 11 named waves that work in various swell, wind and tide conditions, and the 10.5 metre Kahajay Marine cuddy cabin will get you there in comfort and style. The 5.5 metre Kahajaya Marine centre console is also a great option for accessing the local breaks of Western Sipura.
Further exploring, and 30 minutes to an hour in the boat will bring you to a buffet of waves in the Playgrounds area, as well as the world-class HTs and Lances Left. Surfers are spoilt for choice when it comes to surfing the Mentawai Islands.
G4s
This is a fun, walling left that has at least two or three defined sections. Close to John’s Place, this wave is great for surfers looking to cruise without fewer crowds. You can check what G4’s is doing from the veranda of John’s Place!
Hookers
As the name suggests, this left-hander hooks around the reef and runs down towards John’s Place. Depending on the size, tide and swell direction, Hookers can be a playful long left or a challenging down-the-line beast with tube sections. Another rarely-surfed gem on your doorstep!
Tikus
A super fun, non-threatening left that can be surfed by all levels of surfers. Have a blast on your fish or twin-fin, while the kids enjoy themselves in the waves too!
Icelands
Another left, Icelands offers up waves when other breaks are empty. Totally different on big and small swells, Icelands throws out big barrels and is considered one of the big wave spots in the Mentawais.
Suicides Rights
From 2 to 4 ft, this wave can be really fun and rippable. When it gets bigger, it’s only for the experienced, who will enjoy long funnelling barrels! Like a lot of waves in Indonesia, it is reliant on the right tide and swell direction to be at its best.
Ombak Tidur
Another swell magnet close to home, Ombak Tidur is a large playing field of peaking right-handers that stand up and run along the reef. When it’s bigger, this is another challenging wave where you can ride a bigger board.
Twiggies
A spitting left barrel! The swell line comes in and bends into a horseshoe barrel with one or two sections. This wave packs a punch, so make sure you have a spare board just in case!
Telescopes
Telescopes curves around the reef and is a fun left-hander with a long barrel section. It’s a fun and consistent wave that’s mellower than many of the other left-handers in the Mentawai Islands.
Scarecrows
It’s not one of the most well-known lefts in the Mentawai Islands, but it offers quality waves with long rides and a fun inside barrel in the right conditions.
Seven Palms
Another swell magnet, Seven Palms is a fun, walling left-hander with a workable tube section that breaks from 2 to 4 ft, but only handles up to about 5 ft. A go-to location when there’s not much swell.
Secret Spots
Secret spots still exist in the Mentawai Islands! Some fickle, some forbidden to operators, these surf breaks are only known to a handful of people. If you’re lucky, you might get to ride one of these hidden gems.
Surf Guides
Meet Cahn Mitchell, the resident surf guide at John’s Place, and one of the most passionate surfers you’ll ever meet. Originally from Margaret River in Western Australia, Cahn has been travelling to the Mentawai Islands since the 1990s, and living there full-time for the last decade, mostly in his wife’s local village.
Cahn’s skills as a surf guide have been sought after by many surf charter boats and surf resorts in the Mentawai Islands, but since 2016 Cahn has been the go-to man at John’s Place, looking after the property and finding the best waves in the Mentawais for his lucky guests.
Non-Surf Activities
John’s Place is the perfect location for the whole family, with plenty to do in and out of the water. When you’re not surfing, John’s Place has various activities including stand-up paddleboarding, snorkelling and fishing, just to name a few.
Stand Up Paddling
Guests can grab one of the two 2018 model, 10 ‘2 NSP stand-up paddleboards to explore the foreshore. Put the kids up front and go on a little adventure through the pristine estuary on high tide. The surf boat is also available to find a stand-up paddleboarding paradise further afield.
Snorkelling
You can’t go to the Mentawai Islands without snorkelling! With almost perfect visibility the majority of the time, there’s a small reef out from John’s Place where you’ll entertain the kids for hours as you explore the coral and abundant sea life.
Devil’s Island is a favourite snorkelling spot and is only five minutes from John’s Place. We recommend that you bring your own snorkelling gear for the best fit.
Fishing
Fishing is a popular activity in the Mentawai Islands. If you’re lucky you might just snag yourself a nice pelagic fish, like a Spanish Mackerel, Mahi Mahi, Rainbow Runner or Trevally. Dusk to dawn is the ideal time for fishing. You’re welcome to bring your own gear too!
