The Mentawai Islands are a chain of about 70 islands and islets off the western coast of Sumatra in Indonesia. Siberut is the largest of the islands. The other major islands include Sipora, North Pagai (Pagai Utara) and South Pagai (Pagai Selatan). Approximately 150 km from the Sumatran coast across the Mentawai Strait. Our Journey starts from the port of Padang.
From April until October, Mentawai is hit by consistent groundswells that form off the coast of South Africa and travel over a week to arrive from either a South or SouthWest influence.
The Mentawai is located in the Interchangeable Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ). The large amount of solar radiation that arrives at the earth in this area causes intense heating of the land and ocean. This heating results in the rising of warm, moist air; low air pressure; cloudiness; high humidity; light, variable winds; and various forms of severe weather, such as thunderstorms and squalls. The doldrums are also noted for calms, periods when the winds disappear, trapping sailing vessels for days or weeks. The dream come true for a surfer of any level.
White sands, palm trees and 79˚F waters make up the perfect ground for the trip. Snorkel coral reefs with crystal clear waters right on the corner of rolling waves. All kind of passage fish can be caught trolling around.
