Mentawai Islands in Indonesia is the premier surfing paradise destination in Asia. This group of island offers the best surf in the world. The waters of Mentawai group of islands offers excellent waves with a height of 3 to 4 meters. Many tourist especially surfers come to Mentawai group of islands in Indonesia to experience the surfing adventure since it offers one of the highest waves in the world. Surfers will be challenged by this magnifecent challenging waves that the waters of Mentawai islands is offering. Many surfers around the world said that you should not call yourself a surfer if you haven’t ride the Mentawais waves.
The Mentawai Islands is very popular and famous worldwide because this group of islands are one of the consistent surf destinations in the world. The magnificent waves of the Mentawai Islands are very consistent because of the southern Indian Ocean. Surfers can surf in the Mentawai Islands all year round but the best and ideal time to surf in Mentawai island is in the month of March to November. In this season, there are many experience and professional surfer from all over the world come to visit to surf.
The Mentawai Islands and islets is located in the middle of Indian Ocean, 150 km west coast of Sumatra in Indonesia. The largest island of the Mentawai group of islands and islets is Siberut. Other major island of the Mentawai Islands are Sipura, North Pagai (Pagai Utara) and South Pagai (Pagai Selatan). The Mentawai Islands boasts for its beautiful landscape with natural beauty where it is the islands’ attraction to tourist. It offers magnificant waves to surfers. The beautiful islands and islets of Mentawai has a natural habitat which is the home of some 17 endemic mammal species. It has a natural vegetation provides a tropical lowland rain forest. Some of these species are considered endangered such as the Snub-nosed/Simakobu monkey (simias concolor-eat leaf as primary food), Joja or Lutung Mentawai (Presbytis potenziani), Bokkoi atau Beruk Mentawai (Macaca pagensis) and Kloss Gibbon/Bilou or Siamang Kerdil (Hylobates klossii).
Mentawai Islands is also blessed with beautiful beaches. Some of the beaches offers the best and world class surfer site in the world. The beaches gives marvelous waves up to 3 or 4 meters in height for experienced surfers who are craving for more challenge in surfing. The waves in Mentawai Islands is one of the highest in the world.
The Mentawai Islands is not only a surfers paradise destination but also a diving destination. It has stunning dive sites and spots. The waters of Mentawai Islands offers a magnificent marine life which has a vast diversity of sea creatures. The unspoiled dive sites and spots are waiting to be explored by you. Experienced or novice scuba divers can explore the waters of Mentawai Islands to discover the wonders of the underwater life. There are four incredible diving spots in Mentawai Islands and these are Siberut, Sipora, Pagai Utara (north Pagai) and Pagai Selatan (south Pagai).
There are lots of things to do while you are in Mentawai Islands. First of all, this groups of islands is full of scenic view and beautiful natural tourist attraction. It has a rainforest where you can trek and have some ecotourism activities. The Mentawai islands has world-class dive spots were you can do scuba dive and snorkeling. Since Mentawai Islands is known to be one of the best surf detination in the world, then you can try surfing to experience the magnificent waves.
There are some tourists and visitors who are seeking for cultural activities, then Mentawai Islands has it. Since Mentawai is one of the place in Indonesia that has the oldest oldest tribe, the people of Mentawai have a strong believe in nature spirits. The life of the people in Mentawai is strongly affected by nature. Tourists and visitors can learn how to perform the Traditional dances of the Mentawai people. The Traditional dances are the war dance and gratitude to nature. Tourists and visitors can also experience the Tradition ceremonies that is performed by the Mentawai people.
Accommodation in Mentawai Islands is not a problem because there are some budget and affordable hotels. Most tourists who have visited Mentawai said that its best to stay is in the house of local people. It offers a distinctive way of living in a unique architecture and experience interacting with local people. Other wise you could stay in a budget hotel in Siberut.
Getting There to Mentawai Islands
* Take flight from Sukarno Hatta air port, Jakarta to Tabing air port, Padang-west Sumatra (flight served every day)
* Trip from Teluk Bayur port, Padang to Mentawai island by Ferry
