Indonesia Travel Guide

Mentawai Island is on the west of Padang province. The beaches of this island are very famous around the world as a surfing paradise with the most beautiful panorama as an extra plus. Mentawai Island has shoreline 758 kilometers. The most interesting of Mentawai Island is the wave. It is very roughly amazing wave for surfing. The wave was found by Australian surfers who found it when they visited this island in 90th. Then they announced it into the world, even they build some resorts to serve the foreign tourist who interested in surfing. It becomes the starting point of Mentawai Island as The World Surfing Paradise.

Geographically, Mentawai Island directly facing Indian Ocean has consistent wave year-round. Usually on April-August is the best time for surfing because the wave can reach till six meters high. It’s the favourite ekstreme wave for the surfer. It is also the same time with summer holiday in Europe. So, that is why the most tourists are from Europe on that months.

Mentawai Island has 400 surfing spot wave who is usually enjoyed by the surfer. From 400 spots, there are 23 spots that have international standard wave for surfing. The spot wave areas are in Nyang Nyang, Karang Bajat, Karoniki, Pananggelat, Mainuk (Siberut Island), Katiet Basua (Sipoira Island), Mentawai City, and Pagai Utara (Sikakap Usland).

International appreciation of Mentawai’s wave as the best for surfing can be seen in the World Champion Surfing Series that usually be held on August. Based on 2001 date, more than 3000 foreign tourists visit this event. It consists 60% Australian tourist, 39% American tourist, and the rests are from Europe and Asian.

The significant facility is determined 60 exlclusive wave spot for surfing, each spot is determined maximum for 10 surfer. It is for avoiding the crash among the surfers when they are in action. There are also many resorts have been built, such as Makaroni in Silabu Island, Kandui in Nyang Nyang Island, Saraina in Mentawai City, Alloyta in Simakakang Island, and Surfing Ground in Katiet. The resorts serve hotel, restaurant, and bar that having special Mentawai design.

How to get mentawai Island can be accessed by two lanes, sea lane and air lines. The simplest way to do this is by flying to Minangkabau International Airport, and that will ease your entry into West Sumatra greatly. Minangkabau International Airport is the main gateway to West Sumatera and is servised by Garuda Indonesia Airlines. Then Mentawai Island can be reach by plane from Minangkabau Airport – Rokot Airport that need 35 minutes every Tuesday and Thursday by Sabang Merauke Air Charter.

For sea lane, Mentawai island can be reached from Minangkabau International Airport for about 4 hours by speedboat or 10 hours by ferry. There are 46 yachts also that is ready to be rent in Mentawai Island.

So, if you are really true surfer, please find your paradise in Mentawai Island, The World Surfing Paradise in Sumatera – Indonesia.

By Lia Widyastuti