Best Surf Spots
in the Mentawai Islands
The ocean is humming with energy, a warm offshore breeze sweeps through the coconut palms, and a flawless wave lines up just for you.
Welcome to the Mentawai Islands—one of the world’s most coveted surf destinations, where wave perfection meets tropical serenity.
At La Isla Mentawai, we believe the best surf trips are about more than just great waves—they’re about timing, knowledge, and the ease of it all. This guide lays it out simply: when to go, where to surf, and how to get the most from your time in the lineup.
Mentawai Best Surf Spots
Legendary Waves:
You Need to Know
7 Palms
On small days when the ocean is half-asleep, 7 Palm wakes up. A long, tapering left that hugs the reef and runs clean for up to 200 yards, it thrives on shoulder-high swells and lower energy.
The takeoff’s smooth, the wall lines up, and the sessions stretch into something meditative. Easy to reach, easy to love, and often uncrowded—even when everywhere else is packed.
Level: Intermediate
Location: North Sipura Island.
Best time: Year-round
Suicides
Suicides is exactly what it sounds like—a fast, heavy, freight-train barrel that’s not here to play. It only turns on under very specific conditions, and even then, most surfers pass it by for less intimidating options nearby.
But for those chasing raw, critical waves with no forgiveness, this right is as pure and punishing as it gets.
When it lines up, it’s stunning. When it doesn’t, it’s still a wave that demands respect. Only for the experienced—and even they tread carefully.
Level: Advanced
Location: North Sipura Island.
Best time: April – October
Scarecrows
While Telescopes hogs the spotlight, Scarecrows gets to work. It’s a solid, reliable left that handles crowds well thanks to multiple entry points and a long-running wall.
On the right tide, it offers rides of over 200 yards, often ending in the “Curry Bowl,” a spicy little barrel section to close out the run. It’s less dramatic than some Mentawai stars—but don’t underestimate its rhythm.
Scarecrows is the kind of break that wins you over slowly, then keeps you coming back.
Level: Intermediate
Location: North Sipura Island.
Best time: Year-round
Telescopes
World-class quality without world-class danger. Telescopes give you a clean, fast wall with a forgiving reef underneath.
Big drops, open barrels, and long rides up to 200m when it's on.
Level: Intermediate
Location: Northwest Sipura Island.
Best time: April – November
Icelands
The swell magnet. If there’s energy in the ocean, Icelands catches it.
West peak is mellow, south swell turns it into a fast, heavy beast with barrels and bowls.
Level: Advanced
Location: Northwest Sipora Island.
Best time: April – October
Ombak Tidur
Translating to “Sleeping Wave,” Ombak Tidur can roar to life with surprising power. Tucked just down the reef from Icelands, it’s a right-hander made of multiple shifting sections.
From afar, it might look like J-Bay firing—long walls peeling into the distance. Up close, though, it’s less predictable. Some sections barrel, others race, and the reef underneath plays favorites. If you pick the wrong line at the wrong time, you’ll be paddling for a while—this break doesn’t offer much forgiveness on the re-entry. Still, when it clicks, it’s electric.
Level: Intermediate
Location: North Sipura Island.
Best time: Year-round
Cocoa Reef (Hookers)
Hookers doesn’t show up often, but when it does, it’s unforgettable. Long, racing lefts roll across the reef, offering speed sections and tubes that can run for days. But it’s a moody setup—part science, part guesswork.
It prefers a west swell, doesn’t love attention, and asks for patience. Those who catch it right walk away with stories.
Those who don’t often paddle away wondering if it ever really worked at all.
Level: Advanced
Location: North Sipura Island.
Best time: April – October
Tikus
Around the corner from Aloita, Tikus is where rippable meets relaxed. A dependable left that rarely gets too big, even in high season, it’s the go-to when you want to keep things light.
Shoulder-high peelers line up over the reef, shaped clean by south winds and a forgiving tide. It’s ideal for learners, cruisers, or anyone who prefers their waves without elbows and drop-ins.
Level: Beginner
Location: North Sipura Island.
Best time: April - October
Services
Additional
At La Isla, we go beyond just providing world-class waves.
Enhance your surf experience with our range of additional services, including board rentals, expert surf coaching, and professional surf photography, ensuring every moment is unforgettable.
Surf Board Rental
We have a small but cool array of surfboards and wave ridding machines ranging from high performance shortboards, retro twin fins, twin pins, funboards, soft tops and longboards.
Half day > 20.00 Usd
Full day > 35.00 Usd
*Any damage to the rental surfboard will be charged separately
Surf Coaching
We always have 2 surf guides/coaches on location.
If you need any special one on one coaching sessions our trained professional staff will be happy to assist.
Surf coaching sessions and private surf lessons have an additional cost.
Surf Video & Photography Package
Surf video and photography packages are available with our team of professional surf images and footage hunters.
You can request it on site and also have an extra cost that varies depending on length of stay and quantity of material.
Every two or three days we will review the material in a cool evening happening.
Ultimate
Exploration
Surf
Vehicles
At La Isla we have a fleet of three aluminum boats designed and crafted by Etamax Sumatra.
A company with years of experience in the Mentawai Islands supplying the local surf industry with excellent quality boats crafted to engage on fun cruising and surf exploration.
Our two small aluminum boats, the 140L and 140L HD can take 2 - 6 passengers and our bigger aluminum craft, the 7.2 m Maxcraft, can take 4 -12 passengers to the surf with comfort, speed and style.
Surfboards
and
Gear
The surf in the area offers a wide range of possibilities, with wave setups changing significantly depending on the swell size, wind, and direction.
The ideal board size will vary based on your size and skill level.
We recommend a good all-around board for average days and a step-up or hybrid surfboard for the better days. If the swell gets serious, a proper gun is a smart choice.
On bigger days, extra volume is always appreciated—you don’t want to be under-gunned when the conditions heat up.
Board snaps are common here, so bringing a backup is always a wise idea.
Boardshorts
Surf shirt or jacket for sun protection
Proper Sun protection
Surf Cap
Sun glasses
SUGGESTED GEAR
A wet bag for your phone and gear
Rain jacket
Wax
Extra leashes
Fins Key
earthy and rooted
we are
OUR GOAL IS TO CREATE A SPACE FOR UNWINDING, RESETTING, AND RECONNECTING WITH THE OCEAN AND THE FOREST
Whether you're chasing your first green wave or looking to score the ride of your life, Mentawai delivers. And at La Isla, we make it effortless.
You bring the stoke—we'll handle the tides, the guides, and everything in between.
Ready to surf paradise?
