Surf Spot Map of the Mentawai Islands off the coast of Sumatra. <div id="flag" style="float:right; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px"><img src="http://www.surfing-waves.com/travel/images/indonesia.jpg" alt="Surfing in the Mentawai"></div> <span class="subtitle"><b>Surf Mentawai</b> - Quick Facts</span> LOCATION: Indonesia, off the coast of Sumatra POPULATION: 10000 NATIONALITY: Indonesian LANGUAGE: Austronesian CURRENCY: Indonesian Rupiah The Mentawai Islands are a chain of about seventy islands and islets off the western coast of Sumatra in Indonesia, seperated by approx 150 km from the mainland by the Mentawai Strait. Siberut is the largest of the islands. The other major islands are Sipura, North Pagai (Pagai Utara) and South Pagai (Pagai Selatan).The indigenous inhabitants of the islands are known as the Mentawai people.

The South Indian Ocean produces the swells that have the islands pumping from March through to November at 6-12ft, and the cyclone swells keep the surf rolling in throughout the remainder of the year. There are consistent waves here and it is worth visiting throughout the year. You will need to prepare yourself for big surf and be confident enough to handle world class waves. A great way to see the waves here is on a boat charter - it's expensive but you will have a mad trip.

Bring all the equipment you need with you - there will be little chance of getting any replacements with you. This includes several boards, replacement fins, spare leashes, ding repair - you get the idea.