🇮🇩 MENTAWAI ISLANDS, INDONESIA
Lance's Left
The perfect left — machine-like consistency in the Mentawais
FAIR
Live Conditions
Conditions Summary
3ft waves — with 11s mixed swell — but swell direction is marginal for this spot — Clean 4mph offshore winds grooming the surface
LOW CONFIDENCEModel-only forecast, no buoy nearby
Why it's FAIR
Swell Direction
Primary swell is 168° — close to but not perfectly aligned with ideal 225°. Spot will work but not at its best.
Swell Period
11s — solid groundswell. Waves will have real energy and organization.
Wind
4mph offshore — clean, grooming the wave face
Season
July is peak season for this spot
Data Confidence
Model-only forecast, no buoy nearby
At the Break
3.1ft
LOW CONFIDENCE
Model-only forecast, no buoy nearby
Period
11s
Mid-period
Wind
4mph
SE
OFFSHORE
Water
86°F
Boardshorts
Swell Direction
55%
Wind Direction
100%
Primary Swell
3.6ft @ 7.5s
SSE 168°
Secondary Swell
1.9ft @ 13.7s
SSW 210°
10 Day Outlook
4.1ft
TODAY
Jul 28
(16s)
4.1ft
TMRW
Jul 29
(15s)
4.7ft
THU
Jul 30
(19s)
4.8ft
FRI
Jul 31
(18s)
4.8ft
SAT
Aug 1
(16s)
5.1ft
SUN
Aug 2
(16s)
5.3ft
MON
Aug 3
(15s)
5.5ft
TUE
Aug 4
(16s)
6.2ft
WED
Aug 5
(19s)
7.1ft
THU
Aug 6
(18s)
Best this week: FRI Jul 31 — 4.8ft
Best next week: THU Aug 6 — 7.1ft
Model Breakdown
ECMWF (45%)1.8ft
ICON (35%)4.1ft
GFS (20%)4.1ft
Model confidence45%
Updated every 30 mins · Open-Meteo ECMWF + ICON + GFS
About
Lance's Left (HT's) is the companion wave to Lance's Right and widely considered one of the top five waves in the world. A long, mechanical left-hander that produces perfect tubes from takeoff through multiple sections. The Mentawais deliver swell more consistently than almost anywhere else on Earth.
The Break
HT's left — the main peak, machine-like lefts that barrel through multiple sections.
Ideal Conditions
4-8ft SW groundswell, SE trades, incoming tide
Best Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best months highlighted · Current: Jul
Trip Planner
Mentawai Surf Trip
Weekend · 3 Days
Day 1
Fly into Padang (PDG). Overnight charter or fast boat to the Mentawais.
Day 2
Full day surfing Lance's Left and nearby waves.
Day 3
Evening boat back to Padang. Fly home.
Mentawai Boat Charter
Full Week · 7 Days
Day 1
Arrive Padang, board charter boat, sail to the islands.
Day 2
Lance's Left all day — case study in perfection.
Day 3
Explore nearby waves — Rifles, Lances Right, Macaronis.
Day 4
North through the islands to Macaronis if swell is right direction.
Day 5
Back to the main zone, afternoon surf at E-Bay.
Day 6
Last full day — hit whatever is best on the forecast.
Day 7
Sail back to Padang, fly home.
Local Knowledge
01
Boat charter is the best way — gives you flexibility to chase the best waves by location.
02
The Mentawais have so many world-class waves that even during a busy swell there's always somewhere uncrowded.
03
April to October is peak season — SW groundswells from the Indian Ocean.
04
Water is warm year-round — boardshorts and rash vest only.
05
Respect the locals and the islands — this is their home, not a surf theme park.
Best Window
Day 10 · Aug 6
7.1ft @ 18s
FIRING
Trip Cost Estimate
Flights from NYC~$1100
Hotel per night~$120
Weekend est.~$1460
5 day est.~$1700
Week est.~$1940