The Mentawai Islands are a remote stretch of Islands strung across the swell barrage of the Indian Ocean. The equatorial Islands are a dream location for surfers possessing all but perfect reef bathymetry, sea floor level, and wavering winds. The Islands boldly claim to have “the best waves in the world” which is rarely disputed by surfers who have ridden there through the combination of en mass world class breaks and the flexibility when it comes to the varying swell and wind combinations.
The on season of the Islands lies between March to November with the biggest percentage of 5 star rated surf, biggest days and longest periods occurring during July and August. Much of the swell will be a S or SW swell at a regular size of 6-12ft potentially translating to triple overhead waves as the biggest wave but mostly averaging around head high to double overhead waves. During the off season the swells 5-6ft with 11-12 second periods making it much less spectacular but still pretty damn good for surfing. Selecting your surf charter boat can be a maker or a breaker of the trip, with the maintenance of the boats, charter operation overall and of course the experience of captain and crew. It is also recommended that you bring a quiver of 2-3 boards giving you spares if one breaks and also a choice in varying conditions, it is required as well that all you will need is brought as there are no surf shops on the island so no chance of getting any wax, fins, leases, etc.
Overall the Mentawai Islands are clearly must for surfers if the chance presents itself. The consistency of the conditions and the experience in itself should be enough to make anyone want to grab their board and head there now.
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