The waves
Most people come for HT’s, and it breaks forty metres from the house. Thirteen named breaks sit along this coast, plus four small beginner peaks right next door.
When to come
This stretch of coast sits open to the Indian Ocean and picks up swell in every month of the year. The question is rarely whether there will be surf — it is what size it is running, and how many people are on it. Tell us when you can travel and we’ll tell you what this coast tends to do then.
Rights
One of the best rights in the world, known for its speed and its barrels. It breaks over reef, so it rewards intermediate and advanced surfers, though on a small swell and a high tide it opens up for less experienced surfers too.
Lefts
One of the best lefts in the Mentawais, and a gift for goofy footers. Long rides, shaped walls and barrel sections that keep going.
Rights
The inside section of Lance’s Right, and a long, open wall that rewards intermediate and advanced surfers. On the right swell the sections join up and a wave will run end to end, from the top of Lance’s Right all the way through.
Rights
A short right that throws proper barrels on a medium swell. When it drops, it turns into a mellow, cruisy wave.
Lefts and rights
Clear water, with left and right peaks over sand. Gentle waves and no reef underneath, so this is the place to learn.
Lefts and rights
A small reef break five minutes' walk from the house, with peaks going both ways. Mellow enough for beginners and fun on a longboard.
The rest of the lineup
The six above are the ones we have photographed. Here is the whole coast, grouped the way you reach it — out the front, on foot down the beach, or a few minutes on the boat.
The reef the house looks at. Lance’s Right is the front yard, and The Point goes off the same paddle out.
Mini HT’s is five minutes on foot, and four more small breaks sit along the same stretch. The beach break is a short bike ride, sand the whole way down. Soft, forgiving, and where a first week gets spent.
Reef again, and the pick of it for goofy footers. Lance’s Left is one of the best lefts in the Mentawais; Cobras breaks along the same stretch.
No reef underneath. Left and right peaks on the beach break, the rivermouth beside it, and a second beach break further along.
Bintangs throws proper barrels on a medium swell and turns cruisy when it drops. Four more breaks share the same run of coast.
And further out
That is what you can reach on foot, on a bike or in a few minutes on the boat. We can arrange a longer trip if you want to explore further, including a day out at Macaronis.
Plan your trip with us