We sail from Padang to the Mentawai Islands, the Telos and the Banyaks. These are some of the waves on the way. The main swell season runs roughly from April to October, most consistent from May to September; December to February is smaller and quieter. The water is warm, around 28 to 30 C, so boardshorts and a rash vest are enough.
Conditions change every day: our crew picks the spots on board based on swell, wind and the group.
A cluster of small islands in the northern Mentawais, including Karangmajat, Masokut and Dodiki, with many breaks close together and short paddle-outs. It is more sheltered than other parts of the chain, so it works in smaller swells, with waves from friendly walls such as Beng Bengs and Pitstops to heavy barrels such as Kandui Left and Bank Vaults.
A long, fast, hollow right over shallow, sharp reef that can run for hundreds of metres when it lines up, but it is not consistent. Strong current and speed make wipeouts serious, so it is for experienced surfers only.
A fast, hollow left that wraps along the shallow reef of Karangmajat. It is one of the heaviest waves in the region, should only be surfed on a fuller tide and at least head high, and is strictly for experienced barrel riders.
A short, playful right peak near Rifles and Kandui. It is one of the friendlier options in the area, but coral heads (the four 'bobs') come close to the surface at low tide.
A powerful right that rarely goes flat and is usually bigger than nearby spots. It throws fast, thick barrels over shallow coral and can close out at the end, so it suits surfers used to heavy reef waves. Nipussi, inside the same bay, is the softer option.
A consistent right with long, rippable walls and the odd inside barrel, milder than heavier waves nearby such as Bank Vaults. It works in small to medium swells and is often surfed alongside other Playgrounds breaks the same day. The inside gets shallow at low tide.
A hollow left in a scenic bay that can produce long barrels when it lines up, but it is fickle. The coral is shallow and sharp, especially at low tide.
A playful right with the occasional barrel, best in smaller swells. It does not hold big swell well, and the reef is shallow on lower tides. One of the gentler waves in the Playgrounds.
A long, clean right point with a short, steep takeoff that opens into a long wall. It is a good small swell and off season wave, since bigger swells make it break wide and soft.
A forgiving left with fast walls that rarely barrels, often working when other spots are small. It is one of the best options for newer reef surfers, though the end of the wave runs onto dry reef at low tide.
Sipora has two surf zones: the Katiet area on the southern tip (HT's, Lance's Left, Bintangs) and the northwest coast (Telescopes, Scarecrows, Icelands).
A world famous right near Katiet with a long, hollow main section known as The Office and a very shallow end section called the Surgeon's Table. It gets crowded and is suited to experienced surfers, as the inside reef is exposed at lower tides.
A reef left across the bay from HT's, offering long walls with a barrel section and a softer shoulder. It handles big swells, and the channel gives an easy paddle back out. Watch the reef on lower tides and currents when it is big.
A fun right over shallow live coral with a steep start, a short barrel and a longer shoulder for turns. It is a useful option on northerly wind days and usually less crowded than its neighbours.
A left with a steep takeoff into a barrel that opens onto a clean shoulder of about 200 m. The coral shelf is a little deeper and more forgiving than some nearby waves, but expect currents and clean-up sets on big days.
A fast left that walls up over coral, with barrel sections and a quick inside. It is consistent and handles plenty of swell, and the reef gets shallow at low tide.
The southern end of the chain around North and South Pagai, home to Macaronis, Greenbush, Rags and Thunders. Several breaks here hold large swells.
A long left over coral reef on the outer edge of Pasongan Bay. It starts with a hollow section and runs into a long wall for turns. On small days it is approachable, while bigger swells bring steeper, more powerful barrel sections, and the reef gets shallow at low tide.
A thick, round left barrel over a shallow coral shelf in the southern Mentawais. It needs solid swell and a high tide, and the takeoff is technical, so it is only for surfers comfortable in heavy barrels.
A powerful, steep right over shallow coral off the south coast of South Pagai. It is remote and uncrowded, and suited to advanced surfers.
A hollow left with long rides over shallow coral, a few kilometres from Rags Right. Currents can be strong and the wave is powerful, so it is for advanced surfers.
A heavy left that holds more swell than most Mentawai waves, with a shifting lineup and strong currents. A bigger board helps, and it is rarely crowded.
A small archipelago between Nias to the north and the Mentawais to the south, with around 20 known breaks, most within an hour's boat ride of each other. Often described as a more relaxed alternative to the Mentawais.
A reliable left off Bojo Island that can run up to about 300 m and handles real size. The coral is live and sharp, and currents can be strong.
Described as the most consistent left in the Telos, with long wrapping walls and some hollow sections. It suits a wide range of levels, but the reef is sharp at lower tides.
A fast, hollow right over shallow coral in the north Telos, best for advanced surfers. Currents vary with swell and tide.
The main wave of the south Telos, a series of right-hand reef points known for consistency. It is playful at normal sizes and holds swell up to a solid 6 ft or so.
A fast, straight right with barrel sections in the south Telos. The coral is shallow and currents sweep around the outer reef.
A group of about 99 small islands off northwest Sumatra, north of Nias. Mostly right-hand reef waves, with Treasure Island the best known and the Bay of Plenty holding several lefts and rights.
The best known wave in the Banyaks, a long right that can peel for more than 200 m on a solid south swell. The reef is more forgiving than many in Indonesia but shallower at low tide, and currents pick up on big days.
A right point with two sections and short barrels, often called the most consistent wave in the area. A good choice on smaller swells, with the reef shallower on the inside.
A fast, long, hollow left point in the Bay of Plenty, with rides of more than 200 m. It needs a decent swell and is best for advanced surfers, though it is friendlier when small.
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