Everything you need to know about planning your Mentawai Islands surf trip to Hollow Trees and beyond.
Hollow Trees is an advanced to expert level wave. You should be comfortable surfing powerful 6-8ft+ waves over shallow reef. The wave is fast, hollow, and breaks over sharp coral. Beginners should not attempt HT's. However, nearby breaks like Lance's Left, Thunders, and Pitstops are more forgiving for intermediates.
May through September is peak season with consistent 6-10ft swells and reliable offshore winds. March-April and October-November offer great value with good waves and fewer crowds. December-February is off-season with smaller swells but perfect for intermediates and budget travelers.
Hollow Trees can get crowded during peak season (June-August), especially with multiple resorts and boats accessing it. Expect 10-20+ surfers in the water during busy periods. Boat charters offer best chance at empty waves. Off-season and shoulder seasons are much less crowded. North Sipora resorts tend to be quieter than Playgrounds area.
YES! Reef booties are absolutely essential. The Mentawai reef is sharp coral and rock. Even experienced surfers wear booties. Cuts from reef can easily get infected in tropical environments. Bring 2-3 pairs in case one breaks.
Bring 3-4 boards if possible: (1) Your everyday shortboard, (2) A slightly bigger board for larger days (1-2 inches longer, more volume), (3) A step-up for big swells (6'6"-7'0"+), and (4) A backup in case of breakage. Boards for reef breaks should be slightly thicker and have more volume than your usual boards. Most surfers ride boards 5'8" to 6'4" depending on wave size and ability.
Land-based resorts: $150-450+ per person/night (all-inclusive)
Boat charters: $2,000-5,000 per person for 10-12 nights
Total budget (10 days): $3,000-7,000+ including flights, accommodation, meals, transfers, and surf tax. Budget travelers can do it for $2,500-3,500. Luxury trips can exceed $10,000.
Most packages are all-inclusive: accommodation, all meals, boat transfers to waves, surf guiding, airport transfers from Padang. NOT usually included: international flights, surf tax ($75), alcohol, spa/massage, fishing trips, personal expenses.
Peak season (June-Aug): Book 9-12 months ahead
Shoulder season: Book 4-6 months ahead
Off-season: 2-3 months (can even book last minute)
Popular resorts like La Belle HTs, Kandui, and WavePark book out early for peak dates.
Fly internationally to Jakarta (CGK) or Singapore (SIN). Take domestic flight to Padang (PDG) in West Sumatra. From Padang: (1) Mentawai Fast Ferry to Tua Pejat on Sipora (4 hours, 4 days/week), then speedboat to resort, OR (2) Private speedboat charter direct to resort (3-5 hours). Most resorts arrange all transfers as part of package.
Most nationalities get free 30-day visa on arrival. Some nationalities can extend to 60 days with Visa on Arrival ($35 USD). Check with Indonesian embassy for your specific country. Passport must be valid 6 months beyond travel dates.
Consult travel doctor 6-8 weeks before departure. Recommended: Hepatitis A & B, Typhoid, Tetanus. Malaria risk exists but is low - discuss prophylaxis with doctor. Japanese Encephalitis considered for extended stays. Yellow fever certificate required if coming from endemic countries.
Cell service is very limited to non-existent in Mentawais. Some resorts have WiFi (often Starlink satellite) but it may be slow or expensive. Most boat charters now have Starlink. Plan to be mostly disconnected. Download maps, books, and entertainment before arrival.
Resorts: More comfortable beds, consistent accommodation, good for families/non-surfers, better food, fixed location. Best if you want creature comforts and don't mind surfing same breaks.
Boat Charters: More flexibility to chase swells, access remote breaks, better for scoring empty waves, can surf 4+ different spots per day. Best for surfers wanting variety and empty lineups. Can feel cramped after 10+ days.
La Belle Hollow Trees is our #1 recommendation - directly at the wave with 12 properties, modern amenities, and great service. HT's Resort and Villa Onu are also directly at HT's. For Lance's Left, Kingfisher Resort is the only resort directly in front.
Most resorts have first aid and some have nurses/medical staff on site. Serious injuries require evacuation to Padang (3-5 hours by speedboat). Travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage is ESSENTIAL. Bring comprehensive first aid kit. Minor reef cuts are common - keep them clean and dry.
Main risks: Reef cuts (wear booties!), strong currents (surf with guide), shallow reef (know your limits), sea urchins (booties!), infections (keep cuts clean), sun exposure (use SPF 50+), dehydration (drink lots of water). Mentawai people are friendly and welcoming. Petty crime is rare. Biggest danger is overestimating your ability on powerful reef breaks.
YES! Absolutely essential. Get comprehensive travel insurance that specifically covers: surfing, medical evacuation, trip cancellation, lost luggage, board damage. Companies like World Nomads, Allianz, and IMG offer surf-specific policies. Medical evacuation from Mentawai can cost $10,000-50,000 without insurance.
Essential: 3-4 surfboards, reef booties (2-3 pairs), boardshorts (4-5), rash guards (2-3), wetsuit (optional), sunscreen (reef-safe SPF 50+), first aid kit, medications, insect repellent, headlamp, waterproof bag.
Recommended: Go-Pro/camera, extra fins and leashes, ding repair kit, wax (hard tropical), quick-dry towel, earplugs, water shoes, book/kindle.
See our complete packing guide for full list.
Some resorts have rental boards but selection is limited. Boards may not suit your riding style or be worn out. Highly recommended to bring your own boards. If boards are damaged in transit, some resorts can help arrange replacements from Padang, but this takes time.
Tropical climate: hot and humid year-round (28-32°C / 82-90°F). Dry season May-October has minimal rain. Wet season November-April has afternoon showers but mornings often clear. Water temperature 27-29°C (80-84°F) - no wetsuit needed.
Yes! Resorts like Aloita, Awera, Kandui Villas, and Macaronis cater to families and non-surfers with yoga, spa, snorkeling, fishing, island hopping, paddle boarding, and beautiful beaches. North Sipora resorts (Aloita, Awera) are best for non-surfers.
Bahasa Indonesia is official language. Mentawai people have their own indigenous language. Resort staff speak English well. Learning basic Indonesian phrases is helpful and appreciated: "Terima kasih" (thank you), "Selamat pagi" (good morning), "Bagus!" (good/awesome!).
Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). Most resort packages are prepaid, but bring cash for: tips ($100-200), alcohol, spa treatments, fishing trips, souvenirs. ATMs in Padang only - no ATMs in Mentawai Islands. Bring USD or EUR - easily exchanged. Credit cards rarely accepted.
Visit our contact page or reach out to our featured resort La Belle Hollow Trees for personalized trip planning assistance.