7.MENTAWAI ( THE ISLANDS WITH THE
WORLD’S BEST WAVES)
The Mentawai Island consists of 4 big islands: Siberut,
Sipora ,North Pagai and South Pagai, in addition to countless small islands spread in the Indian Ocean. The
shape of its bay’s curve and the presence of waves rolling among islands make
it possible for the group of islands off West Sumatra to have more than a dozen
types, out of hundreds of types of waves available in the world. The islands
are located around 100 miles from the west coast of Sumatra.
The Mentawai Islands have at least 40 surf spots with the
world’s best waves. This place is also famous for the presence of fractions of
shallow waves that slide fast. There are also a variety of types of waves
starting from heavy waves to
intimidating thunderous ones.
Although a 7.7 magnitude earthquake destroyed houses and
infrastructure in Mentawai on 25 October, 2010, the islands have recovered fast
to stand again as the world’s surf destination.Even a surfing competition,
Ripcurl Pro Mentawai Surfing Competition 2012, was held in May.
There are several surf spots in Mentawai: in Nyanyang ,
Karang Bajat and Karonik beached, as we beach
as Penanggelat Mainut beach in South Siberut. People can aslo surf in
Katiet Bosua and South beaches in Sipora, as well as in West beah in North
Pagai.
You can use a motor boat or small airplane to get to those
surf spots. There are also guides to help you. Accommodation is available along
beached on the Mentawai Islands for those spend a night or more. It is
suggested that renting a boat is the most reasonable way to go to Mentawai.
Mentawai waves come in different sizes, including the
extreme ones. People usually surf between April and October, when Mentawai
waves reach their peak. Surfers can try the might of Mentawai waves that roll
violently. The island’s waves are not that high and not quite challenging from
November to March.
The ideal surfing board is the one that can give you speed
without making you lose your ability to maneuver. It is not uncommon for
surfers to surf eight foot (2.5 meter) waves and paddle into the barrel. You
would better bring as much equipment as possible, especially spare legropes ,
because it is difficult to find a surf shop there.
LOGISTIC
The easiest access to Mentawai is from Padang, West Sumatra;
Minangkabau International Airport every day sees flights by Garuda Indonesia ,
Mandala,Lion Air, Sriwijaya Air and Batavia Air from Jakarta; Mandala from
Medan; Garuda and Silk Air from Singapore and Air Asia from Malaysia.
You can also take a KM Ambu-Ambu ship that serves the Padang
Sipora route every Monday and the Padang Sikakap route. Apart from regular
ships,private sea operators also provide chartered ones. There is no land
transportation available in Mentawai, especially on Siberut Island, except
motorcycles that operate with tariffs based on the distance.
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