🇮🇩 WEST SUMATRA, INDONESIA

Mentawai Islands

The greatest concentration of perfect waves on the planet

SMALL

Live Conditions

Conditions Summary

Small 2.2ft surf — with 11s mixed swell — but swell direction is marginal for this spot — cross-onshore wind affecting quality

LOW CONFIDENCEModel-only forecast, no buoy nearby

Why it's SMALL

Swell Direction

Primary swell is 170° — 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

5mph cross-shore — not ideal but surfable if wind is light

Season

July is peak season for this spot

Data Confidence

Model-only forecast, no buoy nearby

At the Break

2.2ft

LOW CONFIDENCE

Model-only forecast, no buoy nearby

Period

11s

Mid-period

Wind

5mph

CROSS-SHORE

Water

86°F

Boardshorts

Swell Direction

55%

Wind Direction

60%

Primary Swell

2.6ft @ 9.1s

S 170°

Secondary Swell

1.8ft @ 11.7s

SW 214°

10 Day Outlook

1.2ft

TODAY

Jul 28

(16s)

1.4ft

TMRW

Jul 29

(15s)

1.6ft

THU

Jul 30

(19s)

1.8ft

FRI

Jul 31

(18s)

1.8ft

SAT

Aug 1

(16s)

1.9ft

SUN

Aug 2

(16s)

2.0ft

MON

Aug 3

(15s)

2.1ft

TUE

Aug 4

(16s)

2.8ft

WED

Aug 5

(18s)

3.1ft

THU

Aug 6

(18s)

Best this week: THU Jul 30 — 1.6ft

Best next week: WED Aug 5 — 2.8ft

Model Breakdown

ECMWF (45%)1.9ft

ICON (35%)3.3ft

GFS (20%)1.2ft

Model confidence45%

Updated every 30 mins · Open-Meteo ECMWF + ICON + GFS

About

The Mentawai Islands off the coast of Sumatra contain more world-class waves per square kilometre than anywhere else on earth. Hollow rights, perfect lefts, warm water, and virtually no crowds if you find the right spot.

The Break

HT's for perfect rights, Macaronis for playful lefts, Kandui for hollow barrels.

Ideal Conditions

SW swell 4-8ft, light E trades, all tides depending on the spot

Best Months

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Best months highlighted · Current: Jul

Trip Planner

Mentawai Boat Charter

Weekend · 3 Days

Friday

Fly into Padang (PDG), board your surf charter boat. Overnight sail to the islands.

Saturday

Full day surfing — your captain will chase the best conditions. Multiple sessions.

Sunday

Morning session, sail back to Padang, fly home.

Mentawai Week Charter

Full Week · 7 Days

Day 1

Arrive Padang, board the charter boat, sail overnight.

Day 2

HT's or Macaronis depending on swell. 3-4 sessions.

Day 3

Chase swell — your captain tracks the best waves daily.

Day 4

Kandui or Rifles if the swell is solid.

Day 5

Village visit — Mentawai culture is fascinating. Afternoon surf.

Day 6

Final full day — hit your favourite spot one more time.

Day 7

Sail back to Padang, fly home.

Local Knowledge

A surf charter is the best and really the only way to do the Mentawais properly.

Budget $200-400/day for a good charter split between 8-12 people — worth every cent.

Bring a fish — the waves are so good you will want boards for different conditions.

The water is warm (28-30°C) — boardshorts only, no wetsuit needed.

Bring reef boots for the shallower spots — some reefs are very sharp.

The Mentawais are remote — bring all medications, sunscreen, and any specialty items you need.