The Mentawai Islands get surf all year, so the best time to surf Mentawai depends less on if there will be waves and more on what kind of waves you want: big, heavy and consistent, or fun, uncrowded and forgiving. This guide breaks the year down month by month, so you can pick the trip that fits your level.
We run Hidden Bay, a Mentawai surf resort in a private bay in the northern Mentawais, and we have surfed these waves every season for 12 years. This is what we see from the lineup.
The best time to surf Mentawai: the short answer
| Season | Months | Waves | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main season | April to September | Bigger, more consistent swells from the Southern Ocean | Experienced surfers who want size and barrels |
| Shoulder months | March and October | Good swells, often lighter winds | Most levels: the sweet spot many regulars choose |
| Low season | November to February | Smaller, fun waves, fewer boats | Intermediates, progression trips, couples and families |
Water is warm all year (boardshorts or a bikini, no wetsuit), and there are waves for every level in every month. What changes is size, consistency and how many people are in the water.
Month by month
The weather in one line: from mid-January to May and June there is usually less rain and the winds are lighter. June, July and August are very good months, still without many storms. From September and October through December and early January the rainy season brings more storms, frequent wind changes and stronger winds. That doesn’t mean it rains all day, but squalls are more common.
January. Low season. Smaller, playful swells and fewer boats around. From mid-January the weather usually settles, with less rain and lighter winds. When the wind comes from the west and north-west, spots that like those winds, like Burgerworld, come into their own.
February. One of the calmest months for weather: less rain and soft winds, with fun waves and quiet lineups. Ideal for intermediate surfers and for anyone who prefers space over size.
March. The year starts to wake up. Swells build, rain is low and winds are often light and variable, which can mean glassy mornings across many spots.
April. The main season begins. Consistent swells, light winds and drier weather, and the big-name waves start to break properly.
May. Reliable swells and settled weather with lighter winds. One of the most consistent months of the year.
June and July. Peak season and very good months: the biggest and most frequent swells, still without many storms. The busiest months in the region, when heavy waves like Bank Vaults and NoKandui come to life. Best for experienced surfers.
August. Still peak swell and still few storms. South-east trade winds are common, which suits the waves that face away from them. A resort surrounded by many waves makes the biggest difference now, because you can always find the clean one.
September. The end of the main season, often with the same swell quality and slightly fewer people. The rainier months start to arrive, with more squalls and wind changes.
October. Shoulder month. Swells are still regular and the crowds thin out. Expect more rain showers and stronger, more changeable winds; with many waves nearby, there is almost always a clean option.
November. The start of the low season. Smaller swells and very few boats, in one of the rainier months: more storms and wind changes, but rarely rain all day.
December. Low season with fun, smaller waves and rainy-season weather. Hidden Bay is closed for maintenance from 19 December 2026 to early January 2027.
Which season is right for your level?
- Intermediate surfers: November to March. Smaller, cleaner waves, more waves per session and room to make mistakes. With filmed sessions you see your progress every evening.
- Advanced surfers: March to October, with June to August for the biggest swells.
- Mixed groups and couples: any month, as long as you stay somewhere with many waves nearby. Guides can split the group by level and send each surfer to the wave that suits them.
Two Mentawai myths worth busting
Myth 1: “The Mentawais are only for advanced surfers.” Not true. Even on the biggest days, there are spots around the islands that are more sheltered from the swell, with smaller, friendlier waves. With the right guides and many waves nearby, intermediate surfers score every day while the chargers go to the heavy reefs.
Myth 2: “There are only waves in the main season.” Also not true. In the low season there are fewer swells and the waves are smaller, so most of the time we go to the spots that are more open and exposed to the swell, and the waves are still great. Big swells do arrive in the low season too: they are not as intense as in the main season and they last less time. That means fewer big days, not fewer waves.
Why location matters more than the month
In any month, the wind and swell direction decide which waves are good. A camp in front of one or two waves depends on them working. Hidden Bay sits in the middle of more than 24 waves, most of them 10 to 20 minutes away by boat, with Hideaways just 5 minutes from the resort. Our sessions have no fixed schedule: we plan each day the night before, around swell, tide and wind, and change the plan in the morning if the wind shifts.
Plan your trip
- Low season offer, January–February 2027: 10 nights from US$2,520 + 10% government tax, everything included (room, chef’s meals, Surf Pack, Padang transfer, surf video and Mentawai surf tax).
- 2027 main season early bird, March–October: 10 nights from US$2,820 + tax with the same inclusions, for the first 4 rooms of each trip booked by 31 December.
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Want to compare resorts first? Read our guide on how to choose a Mentawai surf resort.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to surf the Mentawais?
For size and consistency, June to August. For good waves with fewer people, March, September and October. For fun, smaller waves, November to February.
Can beginners surf the Mentawais?
The Mentawais are best for surfers who can already ride green waves on their own. Intermediates do best in the low season.
Is the low season worth it?
Yes, if you want uncrowded, fun waves and better prices. Many surfers progress faster in the low season than in the peak months.
When is Hidden Bay closed?
From 19 December 2026 to early January 2027, for maintenance.
