The Islands of Mentawai in Indonesia is one of the most beautiful surfing destination in the world.

Located in the west part of Sumatera, the Southern Indian Ocean provides these islands the best wave quality and consistency for surfing year around, but the best time for surfing is during the dry season from early March to late November.

Mentawai Islands is a chain of around seventy islands on Indian Ocean. Before the wave in Mentawai was found by one Australian surfer in mid 1990, Mentawai Islands was an isolated place from the outside world. Since then Mentawai became the best surfing destination and the islands have developed for tourism rapidly.

The best biggest wave swells likely almost to occur between June to September. During that period the surf ranged from head-high to double over-head, with larger swells at times. If you look for less intense wave with more option, you should come in the early and late season where the surf is usually chest-high to couple feet overhead on average.

Surfer should take malaria precaution before the visit, also prevention to avoid mosquitoes bites needed.

Diving is another interesting activity you can do in the Islands of Mentawai, and it could be arranged by the local hotel or travel agent.

The biggest island is Siberut, and is the most populated island . You can reach Mentawai in 10 hours – 14 hours by motorboat, from the port of Padang in West Sumatera. Padang is a 2 hours flight from Jakarta.

The unique type of flora and fauna in Mentawai are Mentawai leaf monkey and snub-nosed monkey.

The islanders of Mentawai live in hunter lifestyle, and characterized by heavy spirituality, body painting and art, and see that sharpening their teeth are their standard of aesthetic.

They live in a long house with wood plank floor, weaved bamboo wall ans grass roof.

Their clothing is very simple, a loin cloth for men with necklace. The women wear the same thing, but put flowers in their hand and another piece of cloth around the waist.

Mentawai people treat pigs, monkeys, chicken as pets. Men hunt pigs and deers, women and children gather wild yam and small animals.

The earthquake on October 2010 has led to tsunami in villages of the south part of Mentawai Islands. It had slow down the visit of the tourist for almost a year after the disaster. After a year tourist are back again to enjoy the surfing in the best place in the world.