Mentawai, A Great Surfing Destination

Indonesia and Hawaii are the 2 best locations in the world for surfing, with a combination of big waves, variation of conditions and miles of coastline. Bali itself has to be the single best island in the world for surfers to visit due its combination of warm weather, low prices, great surfing, easy of access, selection of food and drink, not to mention plenty of pretty girls for when the surf is not up. For surfers visiting Bali, who want to go on a adventure inside Indonesia, one of the absolute best surf locations is the Mentawai Islands, situated off of the west coast of Sumatra. Area districts Mentawai is 6011.35 square Kilometers. With a population of 38,300 people (2000).

Mentawai Islands history

The theory of pleistocene glaciation, Mentawai islands separated from Sumatra by the increase due to surface water is estimated to have been sea. Mentawai islands add have 200 and 500 of SM.migration north through Siberut Island and moving toward to south and Sipora Island pagai.Austronesia language, customs and habits of life is very different from the West Sumatra province as a mother. In the early 17th century the Portuguese Mentawai make a map with the name ‘Mintaon’ map is made year 1606. On August tahun1792 an employee British East India Company, John Crisp visit Pagai (Poggy) to learn about the Mentawai people mentawai.article loaded in crisp 1799.John is the first person to introduce the literature on the Mentawai west. On 10 July 1864 to become part of the Dutch East Indies.

Mentawai Islands Surf Destinations

The Mentawai Islands are one of the most consistent surf destinations in the entire world. It’s broad exposure towards the vast, southern Indian Ocean provides these majestic islands with remarkable consistency and quality. There are great waves in this area YEAR-ROUND. However, the most ideal time to surf in the Mentawai’s is during the dry season, late March to early November, the southern hemisphere’s winter, when the Indian Ocean is an ultra-active, groundswell producing machine. The reasons why the Mentawai Islands are a great surfing destination are:

1. They get good swell moving in from the Indian Ocean
2. They are spread out enough to feature many breaks
3. They are in a very remote part of the country
4. There is no industry on shore, so conditions are pristine

Negatives about the Mentawai Islands as a surfing destination are:

1. They are in a part of the country prone to earthquakes and tsunamis
2. They are hard to get to unless to arrange a live-aboard boat
3. There are few facilities onshore.
4. Malaria is rampant in the Mentawai’s and Nias
5. There is an increasing number of boat operators in the area
6. More expensive than surfing Kuta Beach

Preparation:

Surfing in a remote location such as the Mentawai Islands means you will have to think ahead regarding what’s needed to bring along. Extra boards, leg ropes, wax, plenty of sunblock, reef boots, a knife will all be used most likely. You might also want to pack your own lightweight first aid kit. These are available from camping stores, but you can easily assemble one here in Bali for a lower price. You might take a selection of BandAids in various sizes, scissors, a roll of gauze tape, gauze pads, Betadine, tweezers, ibuprofen, aspirin, insect repellent. Pack that all in a waterproof lunch box that you can get in Bintang supermarket and you’re good to go. There are small neon-blue octopuses in the islands which local have advised are poisonous if stepped on. Reef boots might be a good idea. How do I plan a trip to Mentawai islands? The following list will help guide you through the entire planning process from A to Z:

1. Money (for souvenirs, photos, beer and tips) As for tipping, it is not compulsory. We suggest 10 USD per staff. You will be personally served by 5 staff members.
2. Schedule and Rates
3. Flight Information
4. Travel Itinerary
5. Life at the Resort
6. Resort Features
7. Surf Report
8. Latest News
9. Contact Information

What to Bring? (For surfers)

1. Money (for souvenirs, photos, beer and tips) As for tipping, it is not compulsory. We suggest 10 USD per staff. You will be personally served by 5 staff members.
2. Board size: usually ‘fun’ size boards as well as a longer board for bigger days (6’4″-7’4″)
3. Leg ropes and spares, Tropical wax,  Board bag,  Ding repair kit,  Hat & sunscreen
4. Board shorts,  Walk shorts,  T-shirt, Long sleeves shirts, Trousers
5. First aid kit,  Books & travel games,  Beach towels
6. Rash Vest, Booties, Casual shoes,  Tropical insect repellent, Anti-malarial treatment, Sunglasses , Diving mask and fins.
7. i-pod / Discman, Video / Camera, Personal toiletries

What to Bring? (For non surfers)

1. Money (for souvenirs, photos, beer and tips)  As for tipping, it is not compulsory. We suggest 10 USD per staff. You will be personally served by 5 staff members.
2. Hat & sunscreen, Tropical insect repellent, Sunglasses, Tropical insect repellent, Anti-mlarial treatment, Personal toiletries
3. Walk shorts, Trousers, T-shirts, Long sleeves shirts
4. First aid kit, Books & travel games, Beach towels
5. Casual shoes, Sandals, Diving mask and fins.
6. i-pod / Discman, Video / Camera, Personal toiletries

How to get Mentawai Islands

The simplest way to do this is by flying to Minangkabau International Airport, and that will ease your entry into West Sumatra greatly. Minangkabau International Airport is the main gateway to West Sumatra and is serviced by Garuda Indonesia Airlines.

Here are the best flight from Jakarta to Padang:

From Padang airport (Minangkabau International Airport), you can go to mentwai island with Ferry. This is the schedules: Schedules