• Snorkelling - with crystal clear water, colourful reefs and an abundance of fish, you’ll have tons of fun.

• (Spear)Fishing - the most popular activity after surfing. You can catch trevally, dog-tooth tuna, wahoo, spanish mackerel, barracuda, coral trout, yellowfin tuna, mahi mahi, rainbow runner, sharks and sailfish. Spear fishing is also a popular pastime.
  
  
• Hiking & exploring - with plenty of islands to explore, walking on the remote beaches and through tropical gardens will make you feel like you’re in island heaven.
  
  
• Yoga - there’s a yoga platform on Nyang Nyang island, and more than enough beautiful spots to get your zen on.
  
  
• Stargazing - without any light pollution, the stars really show off at night. Lie on the beach, listen to some music, and get lost in the wonders of the universe.
  
  
• Fires on the beach - have a romantic night on the beach with a fire. If you’re single (by choice obviously), it’s just as mesmerising.
  
  
• Watch the gorgeous sunsets. Have a few beers if you like.
  
  
• Take some epic photos - there are so many spots to capture photos that you’ll keep for a lifetime.
  
  
• The most important activity of all: Slow down. Unwind, chill, read, listen to music, listen to the waves, be at peace. You’ll return home feeling rejuvenated.

Surf charters vs land camps

You’ll be stoked with either option. It’s up to your personal preference, but here are some pros and cons to consider: 

Surf resort Pros: 

• Generally cheaper than surf charters 

• With a lot of non-surfing activities, this is more suitable for non-surfers and families. Activities on offer usually include swimming, snorkelling, fishing, SUPing, kayaking, hiking, jungle treks, restaurants, spa… 

• You’ll probably be more comfortable and have more privacy on land than in a boat (although the super fancy boats may disagree). 

Surf resort Cons:

• Less spots to surf as you’ll likely stay within one regionYou’ll stay within one region of the Mentawais.

• Crowd factor: If there are 20 people staying at your resort, with a couple surf charters parked outside, your nearest break might get really crowded. 

Surf charter Pros:

• If the point of your trip is to surf and only surf, this might be ideal for you. Due to ease of mobility, charters can travel overnight to be at the right spot at the right time. You’ll also get to see a lot more waves and regions. 

• If a spot is too crowded, you can simply move to another break. 

Surf charter Cons

• If you’re a non-surfer, there won’t be much for you to do!

• Try and join a group of surfers who are at a similar level as you. It’ll be annoying if you’re a pro and your friends all want beginner waves, or vice versa. 

• Generally the charters run on 10-day schedules, so if you only have a week, this won’t work for you.

• Sorry to be Captain Obvious, but charters aren’t ideal if you get seasick. Or if you don’t like boats.

What should I bring? 

• At least 2 surfboards (We also have rentals available upon request)

• Cash:

  • Rp 1 000 000 for Mentawai Surfer Tax, payable at your surf camp.

  • Rp 590 000 for Mentawai Fast ferry trip (Rp 295k one way)

  • Rp 200 000 - Rp 600 000 to buy souvenirs, the wooden Mentawai craftsmanship is pretty impressive (they also trade their goods for clothes if you want to clear your travel closet)

  • Everything elsa is payable via credit card or transfer.
    
    

• Credit cards (Visa or Mastercard)

• Ding repair kit

• Charger for phone/device and adapter

• Long sleeve t-shirt (1-2)

• Pants (1-2)

• Passport + 2 photocopies

• Travel insurance information

• Prescription medicine

• Sandals

• Sealable ziploc bags

• Personal toiletries

• Shoes

• Socks

• Sunglasses

• Flashlight/headlamp

• T-shirts (3-4)

• Shorts (2)

• Travel backpack (1)

• Waterproof windbreaker jacket

• Big wave leash

• Extra leashes (2)

• Boardshorts (3)

• Extra fins

• Fin key

• Long sleeve rash vest (easier to wear this than covering your body in sunblock) 

• Reef booties 

• Sunblock (recommend zinc or other waterproof sun lotion) 

• Tropical surf wax (2 – 3)

• Wax comb

• Surf hat

• Surf bag

• Mosquito repellent 

• Beach towels 

• Energy bars

• Medical kit

  • Any personal medication along with medication for anything you’re susceptible to, for example: ear and/or sinus infection, allergies, UTIs, asthma, stomach/digestive ailments, skin ailments

  • Anti-Inflammatory Pills

  • Motion Sickness Remedy

  • Pain Killers

  • New toothbrush for scrubbing wounds

  • Antiseptic treatment (e.g. Alcohol antiseptic or 3% hydrogen peroxide)

  • Adhesive wound dressing (e.g. Primapore)  

  • Sterile cotton gauze squares 

  • Antiseptic ointment (bacitracin, Bactroban)

How gnarly are the reefs?

The reefs in the Mentawais are infamous for blessing surfers with gnarly reef cuts. There’s even a reef that’s earned its name of “The Surgeon’s Table”. There’s no need to be overly stressed though. If you aren’t riding 10 ft barrels on shallow reef you’ll be fine. There are plenty of waves that don’t break over shallow reefs (e.g Beng Bengs, 4-Bobs). Take the following preventive measures: 

• Wear reef booties (first prize is to wear them no matter what. But if you start getting comfortable at a spot, you can risk being barefoot). 

• Don’t surf waves you don’t feel comfortable on. Especially if the waves are massive and breaking over shallow reef. Ask experienced surfers for their opinion of the conditions before getting in. 

• Keep track of the tides. Lower tides present an increased chance of a reef cut. 

That being said, most surfers won’t listen to the above advice and will charge on waves outside of their comfort zone. When you get cut, here are some tips. 

Bring: 

• New toothbrush for scrubbing wounds

• Antiseptic treatment (e.g. Alcohol antiseptic or 3% hydrogen peroxide)

• Wound dressing (e.g. Primapore)  

• Sterile cotton gauze squares 

• Antiseptic ointment (bacitracin, Bactroban)

What to do: 

Coral contains a range of very nasty and sometimes unusual bacteria and toxins. The first major rule for coral cuts is thorough, extended cleaning. For longer than what most surfers would describe as adequate — a full 10 minutes. Don’t commit the cardinal sin: “Oh, that’s long enough and good enough.” It’s probably not. Do it all again. Yes, we know, it hurts. But you’ll be grateful later. 

Remove all dead skin with a sharp, clean pair of scissors that have been boiled to kill bacteria. Clean it with soap and clean water and a soft, sterile brush. Scrub hard. Flush with clean water. Apply antiseptic treatment (alcohol/ hydrogen peroxide). Once dry, apply antiseptic ointment (Bactroban). Cover with wound dressing. 

Clean and rinse the cut daily with antiseptic treatment and apply antibiotic ointment three times per day. 

If a coral-induced laceration is severe, it should be closed with adhesive strips rather than sutures (stitches) if possible, as sutures themselves act as foreign bodies and harbour bacteria.

Watch out for infection indicated by red spreading edges of the wounds. If you’re infected, you’ll need to take antibiotics and seek proper medical help. Don’t try be brave (stupid?), infected reef cuts can be extremely serious.   

When can I go surfing again? 

When the wound has fully sealed and healed. If the surf is too good for you to stay out of the water, make sure you repeat the process above each time you get out.

Shops & ATMs in the Mentawais?

There are no ATMs. There's a tiny local shop on Nyang Nyang island (where E-Bay and Pitstops is) selling some basic cookies & smokes. If you need any more supplies the resorts usually do a run to Siberut every week.

Is there wifi?

Yes, you’ll be able to find reasonably priced wifi deals on most islands.
We have high-speed internet included in our packages!

Are there lots of Tinder users?

No.