Indonesia Traveling Guide

For surfers 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.

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.

They consist of 4 main islands with many smaller islands scattered throughout. From north to south, the main islands are Siberut, Sipora, North Pagi, and South Pagi. These islands block most swells from reaching the mainland on Sumatra, but they offer some of the most perfect surf in the world. There are swells year round and always good waves to be found for all skill levels, from pro to amateur. There is also good fishing, diving, and trekking.

The waves are consistent year-round, with the best featuring two- to four-meter swells from March through November. The main waves to look out for are Lance's Left and Lance's Right, Bankvaults, Macaronis, and Gilligan's. The latter is good for those with less surf experience.

Minangkabau International Airport in Padang is the main entry point for the Mentawai Islands. Flights come in from all over the region and the airport is 1 hour, 30 minutes from Jakarta by air. Ferries and yacht charters run to the islands from Padang harbor.