The Telo Islands sit just north of the Mentawais off the coast of Sumatra in Indonesia — sharing the same swell path, the same reef break quality, and a similar density of world-class waves.
The difference is what you won’t find here: the charter boat convoys, the busy lineups, the booking windows that close six months out.
The Telos have stayed genuinely off the radar. And it’s well worth the visit.
Peak: June – September
Beginner-friendly breaks to elite big-wave lineups
Private Island Resorts & Surf Charters
The Telos are still a destination most surfers haven’t discovered — and right now, the best way to experience them is through a single property that does everything properly.
Tanah Mympi is a private island resort built for surfers who want the complete picture: world-class waves guided by the people who know them best, premium villa accommodation on a private island, gourmet food, a 53-foot mothership, and a private charter flight from Padang that handles the logistics from the moment you land in Sumatra.
It’s the Mentawais without the crowds. The Maldives with better waves. And something entirely its own beyond both comparisons.
Getting to the Telo Islands takes a little extra effort — and that commitment is exactly why you won’t be finding the crowds there.
Three stages: an international flight into Indonesia, Malaysia or Singapore, a domestic connection to Padang, and a boat directly to the Telo Islands.
International connections run through Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta or Denpasar into Padang Minangkabau Airport (PDG). From Padang, a one-hour private charter flight or 4.5 hour speedboat delivers you to the islands.
For guests staying at Tanah Mympi, everything from your arrival in Padang and back is included in the package.
The journey is part of what makes the Telos feel like a genuine escape. By the time you land on the island, the rest of the world feels very far away.
