The Shadow Mentawai
Surf Trip Mentawai
Overview
The Shadow Mentawai is a surf camp located on a private island (Pulau Bauasak) in the middle of the Indian Ocean with 3 exclusive waves in front of home. It is one of the few remaining unpopulated islands and one of the three accommodations on Mentawai that does not share a location with anyone else, which means you can go around the island without running into anyone! Beaches and coral reefs just for you.
It is run and managed by a family of local surfers born and raised in Mentawai. The camp has been active since 2012. Whether you surf or just like to unwind in nature, this destination will not fail to surprise you and will be a truly unique and special place.
There are no neighbors, no more hotels, surf camps or houses on the island. You will only find coconut trees, white sand beaches, pristine reefs and crystal clear waters. You can surf, snorkel, walk through the jungle, relax, practice yoga, read, play the guitar.... In short, you will have time for yourself. That's why we offer three packages according to your tastes: Surfer pack, No Surfer & Relax.
Near our island (on the opposite island) there are several villages that are great to visit on a relaxing afternoon and get to know the 100% local culture. On Sundays they play soccer and volleyball and love to play against the visitors!
Capacity
The Surf House can accommodate 14 people in its five traditional bungalows: two double bungalows (16m2 + terrace with sea view), two triple bungalows (28m2 + terrace with sea view) and one quadruple bungalow (16m2 terrace with sea view). All rooms have large standard beds, air conditioning and private bathroom. In addition, you can enjoy a large garden area outside and areas with hammocks, poufs and sofas to have the most pleasant afternoon and relax after 2-3 sessions a day of surfing. All rooms include: - Terrace overlooking the sea. - Air conditioning, fans and mosquito nets (some on the windows and double bungalows on the bed). - Double bungalows for couples with private bathroom and hot water. - Triple and quadruple bungalows with 4 outdoor bathrooms with hot water. - Shelves and tables for leaving your belongings - Bedside table with personal lamps - Laundry bucket - Shampoo and soap - Bath towel and sheets (changed every 3-4 days) - Shower on the beach - Daily maid service (optional) - Newborn crib, crib up to 3 years old and extra mattresses at no extra cost.
Facilities
The restaurant is prepared for 20 people. You can enjoy a varied menu, in which the chef fuses Mediterranean and European food with exquisite local dishes. An example of a daily menu could be: Breakfast to choose from: pancakes (banana, apple or basic), French omelette, scrambled eggs, fried eggs, coconut bowl or bowl with fruit. All of them accompanied by 2 pieces of fruit, as much toast as you want, cereals, milk, syrup, honey, Sumatran coffee, juice and tea. Lunch: Nasii goreng with coconut milk, Mie goreng with prawns, spaghetti bolognese, carbonara with cheese sauce, with vegetables, Mexican tacos, burritos and quesadillas, pizza, nuggets... among others. Dinner: fish or vegetable risotto, shrimp, squid, cuttlefish, grilled lobster, Gado Gado, homemade bread hamburger with avocado, avocado and mango salad, potato omelet, red tuna tartar and tuna tataki... among others. We are vegan, vegetarian, gluten free and we have many menus (very varied) thanks to the fact that one of our team is vegan. At the bar you will find: cold beers, Coca-colas, Fantas, Sprites, tonics, juices and coconut water. Also board games such as parcheesi, oca, Uno, Spanish and American cards, dominoes, Janga...
Entertainment
The Surf Camp offers the possibility of a bilingual guide (English and Spanish). During the stay he will always be at the disposal of the clients in case of any unforeseen event. He will recommend and guide you, always looking for the best surfing option for each bath and the level of the group. The Shadow Mentawai is surrounded by waves and more waves. Probably the best in the world and within a radius of 35 minutes maximum we find more than 20 surfable waves for all levels such as Kandui, Good Times, Rifles, Pistols, 4 Bobs, Beng Beng, among others. Incluso lugares secretos locales que también querremos mostrarte. Meaning that the options are wide and the characteristics of each wave are different allowing you to choose which wave to go: left, right, ? both? for beginners, intermediate, advanced depending on the level of the group. For this we have 2 private boats equipped with two engines to make 2 trips a day, one for more advanced waves and one for more beginners/intermediate waves.
Included services
- Stay in traditional Umas with air conditioning, fans and hot showers. - Boat 2 times a day to surf the best waves of the day or go to visit paradisiacal islands with the best captain of Mentawai. - Full board with drinks and snacks on the boat daily. - Limited use of WI-FI (very basic). -Limited use of canoe, Stand up paddle, snorkel equipment, ping pong table, slackline, etc. - Unlimited use of drinking water, tea and Sumatran coffee. - All transportation and transfers (private car in padang, round trip ferry ticket, transfers from Siberut to the island on the first and last day). All this on a private island supporting the local economy and local Mentawai surfers.
Services NOT included
Surf taxes (Surftax) Alcohol and extra drinks at the bar Fee for surfboards at the ferry Hotels/accommodation in Padang Airline tickets Optional photography/video
Price Packs
SURFER PACK
Includes everything described above.
Price: from 155 euros/day.
NO SURFER PACK (non surfer is the one who accompanies a surfer, he/she can even go with him/her in the boat, but does not surf).
It includes all the above mentioned.
Price: 90 euros/day.
RELAX (you don’t have to accompany any surfer. Example: 2 people who do not surf and want to come to spend a few days on the island).
Includes all the above mentioned, except: The boat from Siberut to the island is not included. The ferry is not included.
Price: 90 euros/night.
Frequently Asked Questions
It all depends on what you are looking for: Type of trip, size of the waves, surf level, Snorkeling…etc. From late March to early November is the best season for surfing in Mentawai, being the dry season and winter of the southern hemisphere. With average temperatures of 27°C, minimal rainfall and frequent swells. This is the most popular time to surf in Mentawai.
If you travel between December and February, it is the season of high rainfall and smaller waves (0.5 to 1.5 meters) but with less people.
Our recommendation for beginners and intermediate level would be to travel between April, May, June and September. Good temperature, little rain, constant waves for all kinds of tastes and colors and few people!
Surfing in the Mentawai Islands is mainly suitable for intermediate and advanced surfers, as there are proportionally more waves for experienced surfers than for beginners or those who have never tried it. The average wave size is 6 feet (1.5 to 2 meters), so you need to have experience surfing waves of that size, as well as strong paddling skills.
However there are spots that are suitable for beginners or people who have never tried it! Specifically, there is a sandy spot wave right in front of our surf camp that is perfect for learning to surf.
Apart from this wave, we have another wave (with dead coral, so surfers need booties) that works better than the sand wave. It is also perfect for beginner surfers.
In case you know how to stand up and need more than foams, we know 5 waves (albeit reef waves) so soft, easy and deep enough to take you and improve your surfing level there.
What is the best time for beginners
Any time should be fine to learn in the sandy beach, but if you want to make sure you surf every day we recommend you to come from January to June, as the waves are not yet very big and there are more options (for beginners or for people who have never tried it before). Even the surf in the sandy area should be fine in July, August, September or October which usually coincides with the big swells.
However, if you already know how to stand up and want to surf gentle waves: any month should be fine. There are many options for beginners, even in the months of the big swells (although we can’t be sure how the waves will be, as it always depends on nature, the ocean, the wind…). It must be said that all those who have tried it have been delighted with the conditions.
We recommend to advanced surfers or pro surfers looking for big swells (between 3 and 4.5 meters) the months of June, July and August. Also during these months you can find spots with smaller waves for other levels.
The Surfhouse is far from any stores (even in Padang it is difficult to get some things). So that you bring everything you need and don’t forget any belongings, check the following list:
Surfboards
Swimsuit, bikinis or wetsuit shorts.
Leggings
Keels and keel wrenches.
Leashes (spares)
Sun protection
Aftersun
Warm Wax (28 degrees)
Pen drive +8Gb for photos
Sunglasses
Mosquito repellent
Poncho/beach towel
Waterproof bag
Personal accessories (make sure you bring everything with you because there are no stores in the surrounding area!)
Money (for extras and souvenirs (USD,AUD,EURO or RUPIAH))