When it comes to epic surf trips a Mentawai surf camp has to be top of most surfers bucket list!
The Mentawai Islands are famed for their pumping surf, tropical vibes and stunningly clear waters, so we have no question as to why you’d want to be heading that way – it’s one of our teams favourite surf destinations too!
And if you’ve ever dreamed about kicking back on your own private tropical island and scoring the waves of your life then The Shadow Mentawais is exactly what you’ve been looking for.
This awesome Mentawai surf camp is owned and operated by local surfers – so you can expect top notch Indonesian hospitality and in the know, expert local surf knowledge about all the surf breaks on your doorstep!
In fact there are over 20 surf breaks within a short boat ride of the camp – from open, hollow barrels and fast walls to more friendly reef breaks. Spots like Ebays, Beng Bengs, Bank Vaults, Pitstops and Burgerworld all offer up Mentawai perfection so you’re spoilt for choice!
The camp itself is on Pulau Buasak – and with only Shadow Mentawai on the island, you’ll be sharing this palm tree lined beauty with a maximum of 13 guests.
With A/C rooms, hot showers, and plenty of space to chill and socialise (or in-house wifi if you prefer to check Facebook instead of the waves!) you can enjoy this tropical paradise in comfort.
But hang on, surely a Mentawai surf camp boasting it’s own tropical island is going to come with an epic price tag?!
Well actually no – and a quick look out our drop down package prices will show you it’s not the budget buster you might have expected!
And good news if you’re travelling in a group too – with prices starting at just £109 per day if you’re travelling with 8 or more. Just drop our surf experts and email if you’re totalling 4 or more people and we’ll hook you up with some awesome rates!
And of course the Shadow Mentawai surf packages come with everything you need to make the most of your time in the Mentawais – including all return transport from the airport to your hotel in Padang, onwards to Siberut via the fast ferry and then of course to the camp itself.
With a range of room types, in-house wifi, daily yoga/pilates classes, awesome meals and of course two daily boats to the best surf in the area you’ll be kicking back in paradise and surfing until your arms can take no more!
The only real question is when will you be heading out?!
Want to stay even longer or don’t have 7 days to spare? Chat to our team and customise the length of your stay!
Padang Airport (Sumatra), Indonesia
Best arrival day is Wednesday for the early fast ferry on Thursday (11:30am arrival at the camp)
The Mentawai Islands are famed for some of the best and most consistent surf breaks in the world – here are some of the spots that you’ll be a short walk or boat ride from…
Ebay – this is the surf camps home break, just 150m walk along the beach. A reeling left hander it can hold a variety of swell, even producing some barrel selections on the right conditions
Beng Beng – just a short boat trip from the camp in the next bay this left is super fun with a forgiving take off and long reeling lefts. One of our teams personal favourites.
Burger World – this long, reeling right hander is perhaps one of the most picturesque waves in the area – peeling off a beach filled with palm trees! Working in all conditions and suitable for all levels of surfer, if the wind and swell isn’t working at other spots Burger World will no doubt have a wave.
Good Times – one of the longest lefts in the area and often described as the mirror image of Burger World. When this spots working there’s plenty of space for big turns and even some cheeky cover ups.
Pit Stops – this wedgey right hander is just a 10 minute jungle or beach walk from the camp. Expect some barrel filled take off and long fun walls.
Bank Vaults – certainly one of the heavier and more advanced surf spots in the area expect big hollow barrels. It needs a bigger swell to start working, but when it does it can give you the ride of your life.
Nipussi – this fast and shallow right hander works in a variety of swell and wind making it a good alternative to Burger World. But given the right conditions this is also a super fun wave.
Welcome to Indonesia! You’ll be collected from the airport by our driver and dropped off at your accommodation of choice in Padang (not included) where they’ll also show you where the ATMs are and the pickup time for the morning
After a restful night in Padang it’s time to head out to the Mentawai Islands! Your driver will collect you from the hotel and make sure you board the ferry to Siberut. From there you’ll load up on the boat to head out to the surf camp and your base for the next few days of waves.
After checking in it’s time to get your boards ready and enjoy some epic waves!
During your stay at The Shadow Mentawai it’s eat, sleep, surf, repeat!
With 4 surf boats and 2 surf sessions per day you’ll hit up the best waves for your ability and the conditions.
In between sessions enjoy some epic home cooked meals and maybe a cheeky Bintang or two!
After an awesome stay in the Mentawai Islands you’ll head back to the mainland where our driver will collect you and drop you off at your hotel in Padang (not included).
Due to the ferry times you’ll need to fly the day after.
Can’t rate these guys high enough.
Did everything they could to get us to the best waves even when conditions weren’t ideal. The food was amazing and the vibe on the beautiful island was so relaxed. This is helped by the fact it’s owned and run by locals. Highly recommend
From arrival through to our departure we had such a sick time. Ade and all the boat guys & kitchen staff were amazing. Everyday the food was superb and we were taken to the best spots with the best wind and swell conditions.
Furthermore the camp/resort had a great international feel to it. We had people from multiple countries staying there, all super relaxed and just wanted to surf, hang out and have some bintangs!
The rooms are amazing, AC works really well, nice hot showers- can’t recommend this place enough! I’ll be going back for sure!
I stayed at the shadow for a week the staff were more than accommodating the moment i got off the plane in Padang. As it is a bit of a process getting to the Surf Camp they made me feel comftable the whole time. Accommodation was great, showers and ammenities great. Food was amazing and lots of it 🙂 When it came to surfing Zedri the surf guide always offered plenty of good times with his local knowledge.
You get a real feel for cultural living on there own secluded island. With plenty more to do than just surfing like snorkelling, island hopping, paddle boarding there is stuff for everyone here.
The worst part is having to leave to head home I can’t wait to get back to this magical place again.
Thanks again to all the staff, Ade, Zedri, Dodi and the girls…
How are ya bung
The Shadow Surfcamp will sublimate your trip in the Mentawai.
Expect super friendly, welcoming and professional local crew. You can rely on them for everything: all the transfers from the airport to the camp and back, help to prepare your trip, surf guiding, surf photography, always good vibes (on the boats, at the camp or in the water) and excellent food.
The fact that the camp is owned and run by local Mentawai people makes it very special in the good way. It felt very ethic and rewarding to stay with them and it’s an experience that very few places can offer. You can only be amazed by their smiles, kindness and stoke.
The camp itself is beautiful (like an upgraded surf camp). Many open air spaces, all in wood, clean and functional bathroom, nice garden, comfy beds…
The location? Private island in a tropical paradise infested by world class waves, including some less known spots with minimal crowds but as good as the Mentawai can get. The local surf guides will be delighted to share some sessions there with you! There are also villages and mangrove very close by that are worth a visit.
I brang my wife (non surfer) as well as our little boy (2,5 years old) and they absolutely loved it. It means that Shadow will fit for everyone and every kind of surf trip (with surfing friends or potentially non surfing family)
I hope that this place will always keep its spirit and that I will be able to come back in a near future!