SURF THE MENTAWAIS
When to surf.
On season
May - September
The on-season is the peak time for surfing, offering some of the best waves in the world. The weather is typically dry and sunny, and the surf conditions are optimal, with powerful and challenging waves that attract surfers from around the globe. With incredible surf spots and breathtaking scenery, the Mentawais is a must-visit destination for surfers looking for an unforgettable experience.
Off season
December - February
Off-season surfing in the Mentawai Islands offers a unique and rewarding experience. While there may be less consistent surf, there are still waves to be found, and fewer crowds mean more opportunities to explore and enjoy the stunning scenery. Despite the increased chance of rainfall and winds, the conditions can still provide great waves.
Shoulder season
March - April & October - November
The shoulder season offers a quieter surfing experience with smaller crowds compared to the peak season. While the weather and surf conditions may be more variable, there are still plenty of opportunities to score great waves. It's the perfect time to explore the stunning scenery, warm waters, and unique surfing spots of the Mentawais.
Who can surf.
That’s not for us to answer. It all comes down to your own judgement of ability and skills, and comfort levels. There will be no teachers here to push you into waves, and no soft boards to rent. In general the wave quality around Playgrounds area is fairly high and is not meant for beginners. That being said, even if there are the intimidating barrels around the neighbourhood there are also the mellower options available for cruising. To answer the question “who can surf”, well, yeah, what can we say?
The waves around Kaini Mentawai.
There is a multitude of waves around Kaini resort. The area in general is called playgrounds because of the many waves there are around. On Masokut island there are 7 waves within a walking distance from Kaini Mentawai, and an additional 20 waves (at least) within a boat-ride away. All the waves have unique characteristics and work differently depending on the winds, swell size and swell direction, and of course the tides. Here is a small introduction of the waves around Kaini.
Pitstops
Pitstop Wave is a dreamy right-hander just out front of our resort, offering a perfect ride for surfers of all levels. With an easy paddle out, it's just a stone's throw away from your room.
This playful right-hander offers a fun and forgiving wave. With its consistent barrels and playful walls, Pitstop is the perfect wave to practice your skills, have fun, and enjoy the natural beauty of the Mentawais.
E-Bay
Ebay wave is one of the most famous waves in the Mentawais and it's conveniently located just in front of our resort. This world-class left-hand reef break offers a long and hollow ride that can provide an unforgettable surfing experience. The wave is best surfed on a mid to high tide and is suitable for intermediate to advanced surfers. When the conditions are right, Ebay can produce some of the best barrels in the Mentawais, making it a dream destination for any surfer. One of the best things about Ebay wave is that you don't have to go far to get to it. It's just a short paddle out from our resort, so you can easily surf it multiple times a day.
PLAYGROUNDS
—
Mentawai Islands Surf Map
Within walking distance from Kaini Resort.
Nipussi
Called Nipussi. This wave is very exposed and almost always has a wave because of that. This right-hander works on all tides and behaves differently according to swell size and direction. When the west coast (Pit stops and E-Bay, for example) is on shore, Nipussi gets cross-off shore with some protection from the trees.
Nipussi can handle all kinds of sizes with different parts of the underlying reef, making it unique. When the swell is small the wave is breaking in the bay and it produces a fun wall to cruise and make turns on. On the bigger sets or when there is more size in the swell, the wave starts breaking close to a rock pool and can throw a barrel in the get-go before it produces a long shoulder with enough pocket to play in. These waves are, in general, shoulder high to overhead in size without overly intimidating power. When the waves get big (8ft+) the wave starts breaking on an outer reef and can produce long powerful barrels in the right conditions but I haven’t seen anybody surf that yet, as usually, the other big mamas attract the crowds.
Beng Beng
This left hander is a fairly consistent wave on the NW-coast of the island. Overlooking a picturesque beach with palm trees hanging over the coast, this wave is a favourite of many surfers in the area.
Beng Beng is a friendly wave that produces a long wall great for cruising and to make powerful turns on. It works on all tides and all sizes.
When it’s smaller it tends to work slightly better during low-mid tide as it gets a bit more hollow, whereas a high tide make the wave roll over any sections making it a bit too fat. Same thing happens when the size gets up to 8ft, the wave becomes quite fat and lazy with a big shoulder. Another go-to wave when nothing else seem to be working.
