Pistols, Mentawai
Mentawai surf guide › Pistols
Pistols is a series of three slabs just past Rifles, where the swell is always a little bigger. Each peak throws fun barrels and manoeuvrable waves, and it works on small, medium and big days. It is an incredible wave: fun on small days and very challenging on big ones. It is about 20 minutes by boat from Hidden Bay.
How Pistols breaks
Pistols is made of three slabs, and you can choose which of the three peaks to surf. Each one gives you great barrels and waves you can also turn on. It works very well on small, medium and big days, and it picks up more swell than Rifles next door.
The best swell is south, though southwest also gets in. The best tide is mid, on the rise. The best wind is northwest, and sometimes it works well with a north wind too.
Who Pistols is for
On small days Pistols is fun for confident intermediates who already surf reef on their own. On big days it becomes a very challenging wave for experienced surfers. Our guides choose the peak and the moment to match your level.
Read our month-by-month guide: best time to surf Mentawai.
Local tips for Pistols
Pistols is not a hard wave, but it throws really good barrels, and with three slabs you can always find your own peak.
- Follow the line. On any of the three slabs, try to follow the line of the wave.
- Spread out. With three distinct peaks, sit where you see fewer people. All three work very well.
- Skip the dropping tide. The current gets very strong and spoils the shape of the waves.
- Watch the shallow tides. On lower tides the reef gets very shallow.
Watch Pistols
Pistols wave guide
More sessions on our YouTube channel.
Surfing Pistols from Hidden Bay
We don’t run the boat by the clock. Our guides follow the forecast, the wind and more than 12 years of local knowledge to put you on Pistols when it’s at its best, and on another wave when it isn’t. Featured Trips average 6 surfers per boat, never more than 8, and with so many breaks close by we can split groups by level.
Every session ends back in our private bay: a chef’s kitchen, ocean-facing rooms with AC and hot water, and a gym with a physical trainer. With the surf video package, we film your sessions, so you can watch your waves at Pistols the same evening.
Other waves near Hidden Bay
★★★★★ 4.9 on Google, from 213 reviews
Pistols FAQ
Where is Pistols?
Just past Rifles in the northern Mentawai Islands, about 20 minutes by boat from Hidden Bay Resort.
What are the best conditions for Pistols?
A south swell (southwest also gets in), mid tide on the rise, and a northwest wind. Sometimes it works well with a north wind too. It breaks on small, medium and big days.
How many peaks does Pistols have?
Three slabs, each with its own peak. Each one gives fun barrels and manoeuvrable waves.
Is Pistols dangerous at low tide?
Yes. At low tide it gets very shallow. Surf it from mid tide on the rise.
Is Pistols for intermediate surfers?
On small days it can be fun for confident intermediates. On big days it is a very challenging wave for experienced surfers.
Surf Pistols with us
See the next Featured Trip dates, or message us on WhatsApp and we’ll tell you honestly when Pistols is at its best for your level.
See trip datesChat on WhatsApp