Mentawai Islands Surf Guide: The Breaks Around Hidden Bay
North Mentawais is one of the world’s premier surf destinations. A chain of small islands facing every direction creates consistent waves year-round, from playful peelers to heavy reef barrels. Waves for every level, from your first reef break to your best barrel.
North Mentawais / Playgrounds
Mentawai Waves at a Glance
Every break below is within 15 minutes of Hidden Bay by speedboat.
| Wave | Direction | Level | Best conditions | Why surf it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hideaways | Left | Intermediate to advanced | SW to S swell, E/SE wind, mid to high tide | Closest wave, 5 min away, very consistent |
| Rifles | Right | Advanced | Rare, exposed to wind | 300 m+ of tubes on its day |
| Burgerworld | Right | All levels | Small days, W/NW wind | Always something when it’s flat elsewhere |
| Bankvaults | Right | Expert | Big swell | Heaviest wave in the region, Sunset-style power |
| Beng Beng | Left | Intermediate | Small SW swell, SE to E wind | Fun option on small days |
| Ebay | Left | Intermediate to advanced | Mid tide, sometimes low | Photogenic, tube after tube |
| Pitstops | Right | All levels | SW swell, offshore SE to E wind | Barrel on the drop, then long wall |
| Nipussi | Right | Intermediate | Small to medium days, offshore N wind | Fun, less crowded |
| No Kandui | Left | Expert | SW swell, offshore SE to E wind | The “Black Belt”: endless tubes |
| A-Frames | Right & left | All levels | S swell, N wind | Two sections, outside and inside |
| Four Bobs | Right | Beginner / longboard | Mid to high tide | Short, fun, over coral heads |
See Featured Trip dates → · Rates & what’s included · Chat on WhatsApp
Prime Surf Access in the Playgrounds, Mentawai Islands
Located in the renowned Playgrounds area, Hidden Bay sits in the middle of the highest diversity of world-class waves in the Mentawais. Every spot is within a 15-minute speedboat ride, and Hideaways, one of the best lefts in the whole region, is just 5 minutes away. Our wide swell window, from 240° SW to 165° SE, keeps the area fed by Indian Ocean swell all year, and we’re closer to mainland Sumatra than most Mentawai spots: less travel, more surf.
No Fixed Sessions
We don’t run the boat by the clock. We follow the forecast, the wind and over 12 years of local knowledge to put you on the right wave at the right time, with a protected, offshore option on almost any day.
Small Groups, More Waves
Featured Trips are limited to 16 surfers, with an average of 6 surfers per boat and never more than 8. With so many breaks nearby, including alternatives to the heavier waves, we can split groups by level so everyone surfs what suits them.
Boats and Video
Two comfortable speedboats and a smaller fiberglass boat for the closest breaks mean less time in transit and more time in the water. Our guides share tips on wave reading and positioning so you progress every time you paddle out. The surf video package, included on every Featured Trip, films your sessions from the boat or from land, followed by daily surf analysis in our TV room. Drone and underwater footage can be added on request, subject to availability, and personalized coaching sessions in and out of the water can be added to your stay.
When to Surf the Mentawai Islands
| Peak season | Low season | |
|---|---|---|
| Months | April – September | October – March |
| Waves | Most consistent, bigger and more powerful swells | Smaller, playful waves |
| Crowds | Busier lineups | Far fewer surfers in the water |
| Best for | Experienced surfers chasing size and barrels | Progressing, high wave counts, relaxed trips |
| At Hidden Bay | Sheltered alternatives on the biggest days | More space in every session |
Not sure which fits you? Message us on WhatsApp and we’ll tell you honestly.
Hidden Gems
Right in front of our bay breaks a quality right-hander that almost no one surfs but our guests. It only works in special conditions, but when it does, it’s a session to remember. Beyond the famous international spots, our zone also has secret and semi-secret breaks we keep for our guests.
After the Session
Every session ends back in our private bay. Rinse off, grab a smoothie at the Sikerei Restaurant, stretch with our trainer, and fall asleep in an ocean-facing room with AC and a hot shower. Raw waves by day, refined living by night.
The Main Waves Near Hidden Bay
Hideaways · left
The closest wave to the resort, 5 minutes by boat. A very consistent left that works on southwest swells and even on south swells. Best with east and southeast winds, and at mid to high tide. At low tide on a big swell it gets excellent, but the inside becomes very dangerous.
Rifles · right
Considered one of the best right-handers in Indonesia. It is rare and exposed to the wind, but on its day it delivers more than 300 metres of tubes that challenge any surfer.
Burgerworld · right
The wave where you will always find something. It breaks well when every other spot is too small, so it is the right call on small days. Works well with west and northwest winds.
Bankvaults · right
The heaviest wave in the whole region, often compared to Sunset Beach in Hawaii for its volume and power.
Beng Beng · left
The go-to alternative when the swell is small, and a lot of fun. Works well with southwest swells and southeast to east winds.
Ebay · left
One of the most photogenic waves in the region: an incredible left that breaks in front of two rocks and throws tube after tube, mainly at mid tide and sometimes even at low tide.
Pitstops · right
A famous right, made famous by Mick Fanning. Very good and very fun, with a tube on the drop and then plenty of wall for manoeuvres all the way to the sand. Works with southwest swells and offshore southeast to east winds, and suits all levels.
Nipussi · right
A right that breaks well on small to medium days, with offshore north winds. Not the most famous wave in the region, but it has its days and it is a lot of fun.
No Kandui · left
Nicknamed the “Black Belt”: the most challenging wave in the region, with tube after tube for as long as you can make it, hence the name. Works best with southwest swells and offshore southeast to east winds.
A-Frames · right and left
A very fun right and a left that runs towards the channel, with two well-defined sections, one outside and one inside. Works well with south swells and north winds, and is fun for all levels.
Four Bobs · right
A short, very fun right that breaks over several coral heads. Ideal for beginners and longboarders, and best at mid to high tide.
Mentawai Surf Resort or Boat Charter?
A boat trip is the dream many of us grew up with in surf films, and it has real advantages. The boat stays in the lineup all day, so you can surf more sessions and pick the best hour, and it can travel to the central and southern Mentawais.
But life on board has its trade-offs. You often share a small space for the whole trip with a group you don’t know, with little privacy, quiet or comfort, even on the best boats with great food. And with mixed surf levels on one boat, it’s hard to keep everyone happy: the whole group goes where the boat goes.
Why surfers choose Hidden Bay:
- Right in the middle of the waves: 24+ breaks in the northern Mentawais, all within 15 minutes, Hideaways 5 minutes away.
- Guides who know when to go: 12 years of local knowledge to time every session for the best conditions.
- Every level surfs what suits them: two boats and waves close together, so beginners, intermediates and chargers can split up and all score.
- Privacy and comfort: your own ocean-facing room with AC and hot water, chef-led meals, a gym with a physical trainer. Solo travellers get a private room.
- Rest days in paradise: not feeling it? Stay back and enjoy the bay, the jacuzzi or a massage while the others surf.
See Featured Trip dates → · Rates & what’s included · Chat on WhatsApp
Mentawai Surfing FAQ
When is the best time to surf the Mentawais?
April to September brings the most consistent and powerful swells. October to March is smaller and more playful, with far fewer surfers in the water.
Is surfing in the Mentawais only for advanced surfers?
No. The Playgrounds has the widest variety of waves in the Mentawais, from playful peelers to heavy reef barrels, and we split groups by level. If you already surf on your own, there is a wave here for you.
How far are the waves from Hidden Bay?
Every spot is within a 15-minute speedboat ride, and Hideaways is just 5 minutes away.
How many surfers are on each boat?
An average of 6 surfers per boat, never more than 8.
How do I get to Hidden Bay?
Everything starts in Padang, Sumatra. Featured Trips include the transfer from Padang (a direct speedboat from January 2027). On your own dates, you take the public fast boat to Siberut and our speedboat picks you up. How to get here.
