Shoulder season in Mentawai
Road to 2025 with this year shoulder season
Mentawai is await!!
As the title suggests this post is about the shoulder season in Mentawai, the term coined for small-wave season. Shoulder season takes place around October-November and March-April in general, and is weather-wise similar to the wet season in Bali, meaning scattered rain showers throughout the day. Although the name indicates shoulder-high waves on average there is always the possibility that a bigger storm would produce enough energy resulting in a decent swell for Mentawai.
How are the waves during shoulder season in Mentawai?
During shoulder season there are still many spots to be surfed, as long as the winds are favourable and the spots will also work with 2-4ft swells. Shoulder season is generally more user friendly and tends to favour slightly bigger boards or grovellers, that will carry the surfer in smaller and less powerful waves. It is a great time for intermediate surfers to enjoy the waves of Mentawai without the fear of getting absolutely worked on by a 6ft+ strong wave, although that is also possible at times as there might be the occasional big swell arriving uninvited but very welcome.
How is the weather during shoulder season in Mentawai?
As mentioned earlier, shoulder season in Mentawai is similar to the wet-season in Bali. It is not considered “wet-season” per se but there is more rain during shoulder season on average than there is during peak season (June-August). The water temperature doesn’t change during shoulder season in Mentawai. It’s always comfortable enough to surf in board shorts and/or bikinis, and no wet-suit tops are really needed for warmth. Be sure to wear enough sunscreen and sun protection in general if you are going to surf anywhere between 9 am to 3pm because the sun is very strong all year round. The Mentawai islands are, after all, located just south of the equator where the sun is shining straight from above.
Which boards should one bring on a surf trip to Mentawai during shoulder season?
First and foremost it is always good to have a groveller/hybrid or an “all-rounder” that will have the float and volume to carry one through flat sections and weaker/mushier surf. A fish board is always a good option as it can be surfed in many different conditions. Not that all the waves are gonna be fat and powerless but it might be more enjoyable to cruise effortlessly than having to struggle with that high-performance short board. That being said, a high-performance short board is also good to have for when there is powerful surf and rippable/barreling waves. Mentawai is not exactly known for long boarding but during shoulder season (and high tides) there are spots that have so little energy that shortboards are useless. As usual, it’s up to the surfer and their quiver but the general recommendation is to at least bring a groveller or a fish.
