MENTAWAI ISLANDS Surf information
THE WAVES
The main island is Siberut with a great concentration of reefs at the southern end of the island. The Nyang-Nyag area has several sports like E-Bay, which needs a W swell, and Nipussi Rights, which are average but consistent. Pit Stop is a fun righthand wall ending on a sandy beach while the shallow rights of Bankvaults are for experts. The straight edged Karangmajet Island holds a few breaks including Four Bobs, which peels into a lagoon, but it's Sipora that may be the best island in the archipelago.
Telescopes in the north is a consistent left, ideal for anyone and works on a typical SW swell, SE wind combo. Off Pitoyat harbour is Scarecrows; a short, wedgy left which is usually best on a dropping high tide. In the south of Sipora Island are the mythical Lance’s Left and Lance's Right. Lance’s left is a forgiving mixture of workable walls and barrel sections, while Lance’s Right is dangerous, fairly fickle and usually crowded with boats. South are the twin island of Pgai Selatan, and the northern most of which is home to another famous Mentawai jewel, Macaronis. This is a machine like left, which produces an intense barrel on the first section before backing off into a slashable inside wall. Bommie Peak is for only the bravest of big wave riders. Nearby, Gilligan's provides waves suitable for anyone's ability. On Sibigau, Thunders can turn bigger swells into challenging left pits that shift around a lot.
Traditionally, April through to October is regarded as the peak surfing season, when the swell is largest and most consistent. However perfect glassy surf in the 3 - 6 ft range can also be found with less crowds in the low season from November to February, an ideal time for less experienced surfers or those surfers who are in 'the know' and are looking to avoid crowds.
As the Mentawai Islands are located only 1 degree south of the equator, weather conditions are generally similar all year round (tropical, humid, sunny weather), however August and September are known to produce some stormy wet weather.
Macaronis
2 min speedboat transfer from Macaronis Resort
Macaronis, more commonly referred to as Macas, is a perfectly shaped mechanical left-hand barrel that has been described by many as being the most high performance wave in existence. On good days 4 - 6 second barrels become standard from the take off zone, while the inside ramp is akin to a skate park's half-pipe; tail-slides, floaters, airs, you name it, the opportunities are endless.
Macas is one of the few reef breaks in the world that continues to break perfectly in any tide and almost any wind condition. Macas breaks from 2 - 8 feet and technically doesn't get any bigger than this; it just becomes hollower….and rounder, eventually breaking a bit like chopes in Tahiti.
Macas has been extensively featured in the media since the early 90's, as surf magazines and videos have devoted it a huge amount of coverage, owing to its popularity among pro-surfers and surf photographers. In both years the OP Pro final was held in the Mentawai Islands it was staged at Macas (yrs 2000 & 2001); won by Mark Occilupo on both occasions.
In 2003, Waves Magazine conducted a survey pole of 50 of the world's best surfers and industry figureheads in order to rank the world's best waves purely for their enjoyment value. Macaroni's ranked 1 in the world in that survey. In fact, an overwhelming 76% of all surveyed, "goofy and natural footers agreed; Macaroni's is the funnest wave they have ever ridden" (refer to Waves magazine, December 2003 edition).
Macas Right
2 min speedboat transfer from Macaronis Resort
Maca's Right is a long mellow wave that requires northerly winds and a medium to high tide to be working. The outside section is sometimes referred to as 'KFC's', while the inside ledge has been dubbed 'Pizza Huts'. Generally, the outside section is the best and safest option and is ideal for long boarders or those seeking a crowd-free alternative to Macas Left. Another option for those seeking a mellow right hand wave is the Bat Cave, located only 20 min from Macaronis Resort via Speedboat.
Hollow Tree's (HT's)
Hollow Trees, more commonly known as 'HT's' (or Lances Right), has been voted the 7th most enjoyable wave in the world by Waves magazine (December edition, 2003). It has also been ranked the 12th most perfect wave in the world by Tracks Magazine, 2001.
HT's,
a fast, perfect, barreling right-hander, is a dream wave for natural footers but can prove to be somewhat difficult for goofies. From the boat HT's looks magical, long grinding cylindrical tubes that appear to stay open all the way before breaking into a deep channel. However this is not always the case, and one should be warned of sneaker sets on big days and a particular section in the reef dubbed the 'Surgeons Table'. It takes experience and local wave knowledge to know where to sit in the line-up and anticipate the right waves to paddle for. Our experienced guides will be able to provide you with this local knowledge to ensure that your HT's experience is one to remember for only the right reasons.
Lances left
Lances Left is a long, magnificent lefthander that is regarded as one of the most consistent and user-friendly breaks in the Mentawai's. There are several sections which can be surfed on various tides, which makes this wave reasonably crowd friendly as the pack is usually spread out. At small to medium size, Lances Left offers long racy walls with occasional barrel sections. On larger swells the wave becomes more intense and generally less hollow, however long rides and steep walls provide plenty of speed to unleash various carves on the face; guaranteed to get the adrenalin pumping.
Playgrounds
An area with possibly the most world class waves per capita, in the world. This area, made of a few islands, boasts over 10 waves , all within 10 to 15 minutes from each other, and often just a paddle away. Lefts, rights, points and reefs for experts , intermediates and beginners.
Bintangs
Bintangs is a short right located on the northern side of the bay near Lances left. This is one of the few breaks that is suited to northerly winds, and on a decent swell provides a short and intense barrel. There is also occasionally a nice peaking left located on the northern side of this headland that can provide an alternative to Lances Left in larger swells.
Riffle’s
One of the best waves in INDO. A barrelling screamer of a right point that will offer you the best barrels of your life.
Kandui
Stuff that legends are made of. Stay at Kandui Resort and have up front access to this amazing set up.
No-Kandui
Stuff that legends are made of. Stay at Kandui Resort and have up front access to this amazing set up.
Other World class Waves in the Playgrounds area:
Four Bobs, Little Nias, Bank Vaults, E Bay and more……..
Rags left
Rag's Left is a long barreling wave that turns on during large southwest swells. If you are lucky enough to catch Rags at 8 ft or bigger, don't forget to shoot a photo of the lineup, it is an extraordinary sight, one that you are unlikely to see too often. Rags Left is very dependant on swell direction, tide and wind, but when all of these factors fall into place, you could find yourself and just a few of your friends pulling into massive caverns which start from an outside boil, eventually mellowing further down the line into a large open face that can be ridden for a further 150m or more. This place has been surfed at 15 foot plus, so a big wave board is a must at size.
Rags Right
The crew from Sarina Koat surf charters describes Rag's right as "a formidable opponent to your health, safety, and well-being" - and that certainly isn't far off the mark. At low tide forget it, unless you choose to surf the outside section, which can occasionally offer some alternative on a northerly wind. At high tide though and on the right swell, Rag's Right can offer perhaps some of the thickest, hollowest tubes in the Mentawai's. The wave rips its way down a section of reef that is famous for two coral heads situated at the kick out point - always in the back of a surfers mind whilst locked in the tube and looking to negotiate a safe exit.
Thunders
Thunders is one of the most consistent breaks in the Mentawai's and is surfable on all tides. Higher tides usually offer racy tube sections over a shallow inside shelf breaking close to the island, whilst lower tides offer a forceful shoulder further out the back. Generally Thunders is an excellent option in smaller swells, especially in the late or early season
Silau left
This wave doesn't get surfed very often because it needs a rare west swell and is out of the way of most of the other breaks. Located between Thunders and The Hole, this wave occasionally gets surfed by passing charter boats if the correct conditions are prevailing. When working, it is an excellent left with a long wall where stand-up barrels can be found. There are several take-off zones down the line that occasionally link up when the swell hits from a favorable direction.
The Hole
The Hole is one of the heaviest left hand barrels found in the Mentawai Islands, made famous by Martin Daly, Martin Potter and Tom Caroll in one of the first Mentawai surf movies ever released, 'The Hole'. Compared to most of the waves in the Mentawai's, the Hole is relatively inconsistent, however it is a wave definitely worth holding out for. A late take off is followed by a long, open, intense tube ride, and that's all the wave really is, a perfect tube!! Perhaps you might be able to hit the lip a couple of times after making it out of the barrel, but in essence, what the Hole is famous for is its mind-blowing barrels, which at 5 - 6 ft is an experience you will never forget
Lighthouse Right and Left
Lighthouse is a right-hander located in the far south of the Mentawai Islands chain that works best in large swells breaking a bit like Sunset in Hawaii. Lighthouse offers an intense, steep wall that breaks about 150m down a reef / point set-up, where you can eventually jump off your board onto the sandy beach in front of the white lighthouse that the spot was named after. As this break is located so far south, not many boats head down this way, so crowds are usually minimal.
Moots
Moots is a playful left that breaks off the side of an incredibly tiny sandy island in the far south of the Mentawai Island chain. Generally the larger the swell, the better it gets, and at 4 foot or bigger it begins to show real class.
WHAT TO BRING (not all items are essential)
Bring ALL your surf equipment- 3 boards, 3 leashes
Booties, a Gath, thin rubber vest or rashie
Tropical wax, ding repair kit
Basic medical Aid Kit
Waterproof grab for valuables
US $ 300 cash (new $ 100 bills, exchange $ 150 at the airport in Padang)
Travel / evacuation insurance (essential)
Baggage insurance - household
Inoculation (Hep A, Typhoid, Tetanus)
Malaria prophylactics
Credit card, torch, binoculars, camera. 6 rolls film light weight towel, 2 sarongs, wide brimmed hat 2x
KANDUI VILLAS
Kandui Right / Rifles
Rifles is only six minutes from Kandui Villas. As per Jordan Heuer’s description: “Kandui Right (AKA Rifles) is the best right hander in the entire world. It can be up to 800+ yards long, with freight train tube after freight train tube from start to finish. Better than J-Bay, better than Sanur, or any other famous right handers in the world, and I have heard several top pros all say the same thing".
Kandui Left
AKA Kandui Left or Nokanduis = a startlingly fast, hollow perfect wave, known as the best left in the world, by any person and any top pro surfers who have surfed it on a good day. One of those rare things in the surfing world that lives up to the hype, and then some. Unless you grew up with Pipeline, Teahupoo, Grajagan, Cloudbreak or a NASCAR track in your front yard, few waves in the world are preparation for the length, depth and intensity of Kandui Left. Surfers from around the world come back to Kandui to figure it out and get it wired, and once they have caught one good wave there, they are hooked for life, and keep coming back to add minutes and hours of tube time to their life inventory. |
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