Mentawai Waves
The Mentawais are one of the greatest surf spots in the world, and Siloinak Resort is situated right in the middle of the highest breaks density in the Ments!
We have 12 first class waves situated 10 to 20 minutes speed-boat ride around Siloinak Resort. Such a choice guaranty good surf whatever the swell and wind, as the reefs face almost every direction.
And that's not all! We have another 18 "secret" waves, much lesser known but often deserted!
Some of the better known waves near Siloinak Resort:
4-Bobs,       Hideaway,
A-Frames,   Nokandui,
Bankvaults,   Rifles,
Beng-Beng,   Nipussi,
Burgerworld,   Pitstop.
E-Bay,      

What they say about our waves:

here are some comments from our guests or the internet.
" The waves aren't the dramatic, over-powered explosions of winter Hawaii, or the almost supernatural, curving menace of southwest Tahiti. They're silky, perfectly formed and balanced. They swing among the islands in a refracted dance around deepwater reefs and tidal channels, and bend into quick, delicate shapes. The water is 28ºC. It's probably the best surf in the world.
" The Mentawai islands Archipelago offers waves among "the planet's most perfectly shaped waves ever" and is "one of the most consistent surf destinations in the entire world". "More than a dozen worldclass reefbreaks exist making it one the most surf infested regions in the world". On a total of about 60 waves for the entire Archipelago, 30 situated 10 to 20 minutes speed-boat ride from Siloinak Resort.

4 Bobs
A right, fun, short and mellow wave for all surfers. Pretty mellow drop with the opportunity for one whack at the lip and then it mushes out into deep water. It can get a bit shallow at low tide so you need to watch yourself but all in all, it's one of the most rippable alternative's in the Mentawai's.
A Frame
A Frame is one of the most consistent lefts in the Mentawai Islands. The peaks at the top can be a bit shifty and require a fair amount of paddling around to find the right area while the inside section is more dependable and offers up a better wall to work with.
Bankvaults
A thick, tricky, shifty right with a fast and intense tube for experienced surfers only, near Nipussi. Think heavy steel doors, secret unlocking combinations and burly guards with smack-down attitude. Usually larger than most spots in the area. Watch out for clean-up sets.
Beng-Beng
A very consistent world class wave, an extremely rippable left. This spot is loads of fun and probably one of the easiest waves to surf in the Mentawai's. It's the deepest and safest wave in the area and also pick up a bit more swell than other locales. 5 more breaks in the area, including E-Bay and Pitstops. Nestled inside a small bay with one of the most scenic views imaginable all around you.
Burgerworld
The last possibility when the Ments are flat (it does happen, in spite of what says the legend! But, true, it's rare). A right hander with long rippable walls and many cutback sections. For intermediate surfers. Beautiful jungle.
E-Bay
A holow, fast, powerful left. A world class wave for experienced surfers. Watch out for the two rocks on the inside. Great barrels, and turns into a surfing paradise at 6 feet offshore. There is a heavy warble that hits as you are taking off. Make the drop and don't get thrown by that first warble and chances are you'll get a mean aqua blue barrel. The scenery alone will blow you away. Besides its aesthetic beauty, double overhead E-bay is a beast and forces to be reckon with.
Hideaways
One of the best waves in the Mentawai's when it's working, which doesn't happen everyday… This very hollow left-hand comes out of deep water, then unloads on a shallow section of reef before barreling towards the channel. Can get very shallow at low tides.
Kandui Left (Nokandui)
A long barrelling left, Incredibly fast and powerful. If you have watched the OP Billabong Pro 2001 video or any of the Taylor Steele flicks you have seen this place. Pretty epic, but really tough when it's bigger. An upgraded version of G-land. Advanced to Expert surfers only. One of the very rare crowded waves in the area.
Kandui Right (Rifles)
This right is considered by some to be the best waves in the Mentawai Islands, and sometimes the world, when ideal conditions prevail. This is a temperamental right-hander's, insanely hollow once it’s a few feet overhead, with multiple, violent barrel sections. Up to four to six hundred yard walls. You have to go as fast as you can go almost the whole way through the wave. You can take off anywhere down the line and still get the best wave imaginable. For Advanced to Expert surfers.
Nipussi
A shorter right that breaks down the point from Bank Vaults. Like Burgerworld, Nipussi always has waves. It's the most consistent spot around here. Easy and yet powerfull.. Beautiful location.
Pitstop
A playful high performance right, near E-Bay. Starts breaking over reef, with a tricky take-off, breaks over sand until a superb beach. One of the most photogenic waves in the world. Chances to meet film crew or professional photographer at work here.

Here is a list of the best known swell and weather forecast websites covering the Mentawai Islands.
Wavewatch
Wind and swell forecast for Sumatra.
Buoyweather
Accurate wind information and weather forecast.
NOAA Wave Height Animation
Indian Ocean forecast. The reference.
NOAA Wave Period Animation

Same, but for the swell. The longer the wave period the best the surf in the Mentawai.
Wetsand

Indonesian surf reports on the internet. Wave height, period, wind, and tide.
METEOSAT-5: Enhanced Satellite Image

Practically the same animation as above but in an easier to read enhanced color format. This satellite enables you to see clouds and precipitation a lot easier than the original.

And the most complete one !!!
Stormsurf
In his Stormsurf website, Mark Sponsler has put together a nearly exhaustive list of swell and weather websites links for the Indian Ocean region.

Current Weather

    Indian Ocean Powerview
  Antarctic Infrared Image with Surface Pressure and Wind Overlay,
  Global MRF 500 mb Heights and Surface Level Pressure,
  QuikSCAT Surface Winds Ascending & Descending,
  QuikSCAT Winds for the South Indian Ocean (Ascending Orbit)
  QuikSCAT Winds for the South Indian Ocean (Descending Orbit)
  ERS-2 Indian Ocean Sea Height Altimetry
  Indian Ocean WW3 Sea Heights & Period,

Current Satellite Imagery

    Infrared Global Composite (SSEC).
A good starting place for current Indian Ocean overview. Small sized, quick download, and has good coverage clear down to Antartica.
INDOEX images of the Indian Ocean
Great full globe infrared image with grid overlay
INDOEX Images of the Indian Ocean (NOAA)
Quick loading infrared and visible images.
Indian Ocean Infrared Image Gridded/Flat (INSAT)
Good quick loading image with gridlines. Also available in enhanced infrared.
INDOEX images of the Indian Ocean
Great real-time geostationary satellite images available in all frequencies (Visible, Infrared, Watervapor), various sizes and with or without grid overlays. Requires user ID and password, which can be obtained free and fast by just filling out a questionnaire on the page provided with the link.
Western Australia/Indian Ocean Satellite Images and Wind Analysis
(CIMSS/SSEC) Good tropical analysis data source.
North Indian Ocean PC Movies and Static Images (CIMSS SSEC)
Great time lapse imagery in either Visible, Infrared or Water Vapor spectrums from METEOSAT focusing mainly on the tropics. No focus on swell generating areas of the South Indian Ocean though.
Continental Australia Infrared Satellite Image
(Australia Bureau of Meterorology/Japan Meteorological Agency) Has some Southern Hemi coverage
Western Australia GMS-5 Infrared Satellite Image (CIMMS SSEC)

Southern Hemisphere Imagery
    Polar View Infrared Image (NESDIS)
Polar View Infrared Image (SSEC)

Satellite observed waves (ERS-2) and Modeled Imagery
    Indian Ocean ERS-2 Sea Heights 00Z , 06Z , 12Z , 18Z Confirmed sea height readings (in ft) from the JASON/ERS-2/GFO satellite overlayed on FNMOC Wave Models (NPMOC)
Indian Ocean Sea Height and Period (NOAA OMB) This is a good source to verify seas heights within a storm and to observe approaching swell fronts. Seas heights and period/swell fronts are modeled using the Wavewatch III Wave Model driven by the AVN atmopsheric model.
Indian Ocean Sea Height and Period (Scripps Research Institute) Driven by the Wavewatch III Wave Model and the AVN Atmospheric Model.
TOPEX/POSEIDON Satellite Global Sea Heights (NASA Jet Propulsion Lab). Select "Latest 8 hr Quick Look Images - Significant Sea Heights". This is a good backup to the ERS-2 satellite data (available above). Similar data also available from the Naval Oceanographic Office, but here you can zoom in by global location and select one of 4 satellites (ERS-2, TOPEX, POSEIDON, or GFO).
Oceanweather Inc. 24 hour old ERS-2 global sea height data

Satellite observed winds (QuikSCAT, ERS-2 & SSM/I)
    QuikSCAT Winds (OPPT) Total global ocean coverage. The images depict wind speed. Click on any part of the image for a close-up view with wind barbs (speed and direction).
QuikSCAT Winds (NASA) The latest surface wind analysis technology. Images at the top of the page provide a time-lapse view/movie. Navigate down to the bottom of the page to see a more detailed view of the latest data superimposed over an Infrared satellite image.
Merged SSM/I and ERS-2 Pacific Ocean Winds (OPPT) This is the official source for confirming wind speeds in open ocean storms. Click on top of individual storms to get up-close view with wind barbs (speed and direction). Data is about 12 hrs old.
SSM/I Winds (OPPT) Same as above but no wind barbs.
ERS-2 Winds (OPPT) Only displays wind barbs within ERS-2 polar orbit scanning width.


 
 
 

 

Mentawai islands adventure surf and trek travel agency, operating a surf resort and trekkings in the Mentawai archipelago. Ecotourism,shamanism, sustainable development