Mentawai, The Islands with the world’s best waves.
The Mentawai Island consist of four big islands; Siberut, Sipora, North Pagai and South Pagai, in addition to countless small islands spread in the Indian Ocean.
The shape of its bay’s curve and the presence of waves rolling among islands make it possible for the group of island off West Sumatra to have more than a dozen types, out of hundreds of types of waves available in the world. The islands are located around 100 miles from the west coast of Sumatra.
The Mentawai Islands have at least 40 surf spots with the world’s best waves. This place is also famous for the presence of fractions of shallow waves that slide fast. There also a variety of types of waves starting from heavy waves to intimidating thunderous ones.
Although a 7.7-magnitude earthquake destroyed houses and infrastructure in Mentawai on Oct. 25, 2010, the islands have recovered fast to stand again as the world’s surf destination. Even a surfing competition, Ripcurl Pro Mentawai Surfing Competition 2012, was held in May. It was the same competition held in the previous year.
Mentawai, The Islands with the world’s best waves.
There are several surf sport in Mentawai: in Nyangnyang, Karang Bajat and Karonik beaches, as well as Pananggelat Mainut beach in South Siberut. People can also surf in Katiet Bosua and South beaches in Sipora, as well as in West beach in North Pagai.
You can use a motor boat or a small airplane to get to those surf spots. There are also guides to help you. Accommodation is available along beaches on the Mentawai Islands for those who spend a night or more. It is suggested that renting a boat is the most reasonable way to go to Mentawai.
Mentawai waves come in different sizes, including the extreme ones. People usually surf between April and October, when Mentawai waves reach their peak. Surfer can try the might of Mentawai waves that high and not quite challenging from November to March.
The ideal surfing board is the one that can give you speed without making you lose your ability to maneuver. It is not uncommon for surfers to surf eight-foot (2,5 meter) waves, and paddle into the barrel. You’d better bring as much equipment as possible, especially spare leg ropes, because it is difficult to find a surf shop there.
The easiest access to Mentawai
to Mentawai is from Padang, West Sumatra. Minangkabau International Airport every day sees flights by Garuda Indonesia, Mandala, Lion Air, Sriwijaya Air and Batavia Air from Jakarta; Mandala from Medan; Garuda and Silk Air from Singapore; and Air Asia from Malaysia.
Going To Mentawai By sea
You can also take a KM Ambu-ambu ship that serves tha Padang-Sipora route every Monday and the Padang-Sikakap rpute on Wednesday and Fridays. KM Sumber Rejeki Baru operates the Padang-Muara Siberut route on Mondays and Wednesdays, the Padang-Sipora route every Wednesday and the Bungus-Sipora route every Saturday. All ships depart from Muara Padang between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Apart from regular ships, private sea operators also provide chartered ones. There is no land transportation available in Mentawai. Especially on Siberut Island, expect for motorcycles that operate with tariffs based on the distance.