Tengirri
Tengirri Surf Charters
- Sleeps
- 6 to 8
- From
- AUD $4,500pp
- Length
- 46ft / 14m
- WiFi
- Starlink
Mentawai Islands · Indonesia
Mentawai Surf Charters and Boat Trips
Every charter boat running the chain, what they cost, who they sleep, and where to check open dates, each linked straight to the operator.
Best season
Mar–Nov
Peak June to August
Price per head
$3.25–5k
AUD, per person
Trip length
10–12
Days on the water
Boats listed
30
Across the chain
Booking type
Shared or whole boat
Buy a berth or take the lot
The Mentawai Islands hold the densest run of world-class waves anywhere, and a surf charter is how most crews actually score them. A Mentawai surf charter puts you on a liveaboard boat that moves with the swell, parking you in front of Lance's Right, Macaronis, and Rifles instead of committing you to one patch of reef.
Boats run as shared spots (one berth at a time) or whole-boat bookings (the lot, for your crew), usually over 10 to 12 days between March and November. Prices sit around AUD $3,250 to $5,000 per head, with food, surf guiding, and tender transfers normally included.
Below is a running list of Mentawai charter boats: what they cost and who they sleep. Each links straight to the operator's official site. Send your dates and we'll point your crew at the boats that fit.
The Boats
Every Mentawai Charter Boat Worth Knowing
Every boat we know running the chain. Specs come from operator sites and broker listings, checked June 2026. Each links straight to the operator. Where a boat publishes no price, it reads Enquire.
Sort
Switchfoot
Switchfoot Mentawai
- Sleeps
- Up to 10
- From
- AUD $4,150pp
- Length
- 52ft / 16m
- WiFi
- Starlink 24/7
Siloina I
Mentawai Surf Co
- Sleeps
- 12 (+2 berths)
- From
- Luxury, enquire
- Length
- 131ft / 40m
- WiFi
- Starlink
Siloina II
Mentawai Surf Co
- Sleeps
- 12 (+2 berths)
- From
- Luxury, enquire
- Length
- 131ft / 40m
- WiFi
- Starlink
Saraina
Saraina Surf Charters
- Sleeps
- 6 to 9
- From
- AUD $3,250pp
- Length
- 64ft / 19.5m
- WiFi
- Starlink, ~AUD $80pp
Budyadahri
Sumatran Surfariis
- Sleeps
- About 10
- From
- Enquire
- Length
- 80ft / 24m
- WiFi
- Verify
Mahogany
Sumatran Surfariis
- Sleeps
- 10 to 12
- From
- Enquire
- Length
- 85ft / 26m
- WiFi
- Verify
Moon Palikir
Moon Palikir
- Sleeps
- 8 to 12
- From
- AUD $4,392pp
- Length
- 115ft / 35m
- WiFi
- Verify
Nusa Dewata
Nusa Dewata
- Sleeps
- 5 to 7
- From
- AUD $3,100ppWhole boat ~AUD $22k
- Length
- 68ft / 20.7m
- WiFi
- Starlink
Jiwa
Tradewinds Adventures
- Sleeps
- 9 to 10
- From
- AUD $4,038pp
- Length
- 75ft / 23m
- WiFi
- Starlink
Asia
Asia Surf Charters Sumatra
- Sleeps
- 10 to 11
- From
- USD $2,400pp
- Length
- 70ft / 21.3m
- WiFi
- Verify
Bintang
Bintang Surf Charters
- Sleeps
- 10 to 14
- From
- USD $3,035pp
- Length
- 115ft / 35m
- WiFi
- Sat phone
Crystal Clear
Crystal Clear Surf Charters
- Sleeps
- About 10
- From
- USD $3,500pp
- Length
- 72ft / 22m
- WiFi
- Verify
King Millenium II
King Millenium
- Sleeps
- 10 to 12
- From
- USD $3,000pp
- Length
- 62ft / 19m
- WiFi
- Starlink
MV Addiction
Addiction Surfing
- Sleeps
- 10 (6 to 8 sweet spot)
- From
- USD $5,000pp
- Length
- 80ft / 24m
- WiFi
- Sat phone only
Orca Laut
Orca Laut Surf Charters
- Sleeps
- 6 to 8
- From
- USD $2,578pp
- Length
- 53ft / 16m
- WiFi
- Verify
Pelagic
Pelagic Surf Charters
- Sleeps
- 8
- From
- Enquire
- Length
- 65ft / 20m
- WiFi
- Starlink
Sibon Baru
Sibon Charters
- Sleeps
- 12
- From
- Enquire
- Length
- 62ft / 18.9m
- WiFi
- Starlink, USD $60pp
Sibon Jaya
Sibon Charters
- Sleeps
- 12
- From
- Enquire
- Length
- 70ft / 21.3m
- WiFi
- Starlink, USD $60pp
Star Koat 2
Mentawai Surf Charters
- Sleeps
- 12
- From
- Enquire
- Length
- 115ft / 35m
- WiFi
- Verify
Ombak Kabau
Ombak Kabau Surf Charters
- Sleeps
- 10
- From
- Enquire
- Length
- 82ft / 25.3m
- WiFi
- Starlink
Showing 30 of 30 boats
The Waves
The Waves You'll Surf From the Boat
A charter works the zones the swell and wind favour that week, not a fixed list. These are the waves that show up on most itineraries, each linked to its full spot guide.
Lance's Right (HTs)
Read the full Mentawais region guide →Hollow right over shallow reef, the wave most crews fly for. Advanced.
Lance's LeftLong walling left that handles size. Intermediate and up.
MacaronisMechanical left, maybe the most rippable wave in Indo. Intermediate and up.
RiflesLong draining right barrel. Advanced, more so with size.
TelescopesWalled-up left with long workable sections. Intermediate and up.
BankvaultsThick right with a steep takeoff. Advanced.
GreenbushShallow left barrel. Experts only.
KanduiFast hollow left, one of the longer barrels in the chain. Advanced.
BurgerworldSofter right bowl, the reliable intermediate option.
E-BayHollow left over flat reef. Intermediate to advanced.
ThundersSwell magnet left that works when everything else is small. Intermediate and up.
RoxiesMellower option in the southern chain for the smaller days. Intermediate.
When To Go
When To Book a Mentawai Boat Trip
The season runs March to November. June to August is winter in the south Indian Ocean, which means the biggest swell and the fullest boats.
| Month | Swell size | Crowds | Price band | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March | Building, 3-6ft typical | Light | Shoulder | Early-season window, first boats start their runs |
| April | Consistent, 3-6ft | Light to moderate | Shoulder | Good waves without peak crowds or peak rates |
| May | Solid, 4-8ft | Moderate | Mid | The swell machine warms up, lineups still workable |
| June | Big and consistent | Busy | Peak | Peak season opens, the biggest south swells arrive |
| July | Big and consistent | Busiest | Peak | Prime everything, boats book out a year ahead |
| August | Big and consistent | Busy | Peak | Still pumping, trades steady, last of the peak rates |
| September | Solid, 4-8ft | Moderate | Mid | Swell tapers, fewer boats out, often underrated |
| October | Smaller, 3-6ft | Light | Shoulder | Cleaner and quieter, suits mid-level crews |
| November | Varies | Light | Shoulder | Last runs of the season, some boats still find windows |
The Honest Comparison
Boat or Land Camp?
The Mentawais run two ways. You live on a boat that follows the swell, or you base at a land camp and surf what is in front of you. Neither is wrong, they suit different crews.
Take the Boat If
- You surf intermediate to advanced and want wave count over comfort
- You want to move with the conditions instead of waiting on them
- Your crew is set on scoring, not settling
- You are fine with cabin bunks and deck life for 10 to 12 days
Take a Land Camp If
- You travel with non-surf partners or kids
- Your budget is fixed and you want a known nightly rate
- You want a real bed, routine, and room to spread out
- You would rather keep logistics to one boat ride in and out
Prices and What's Included
Per head sits around AUD $3,250 to $5,000 for a 10 to 12 day trip. Whole-boat bookings start around AUD $22k and climb with vessel size and season. Treat every number on this page as a starting point. Operators set final pricing.
Usually included
- All meals cooked on board
- Tender transfers to the lineup
- Surf guiding and zone calls
- Fuel and movement between zones
Often separate or varies
- The mandatory Mentawai marine-park and surf tax, in force since 2016. Confirm the current amount with the operator
- Alcohol
- Airport and hotel transfers in Padang
- Crew tips and board fees
Life On Board
What Liveaboard Life Is Actually Like
Cabins are twin or shared bunks on most boats, and the larger vessels run a couple of private doubles. Aircon is common in the cabins but not universal, some boats run fans below deck. Per-boat specifics change between refits, so verify with the operator.
Food is cooked on board and it is usually the trip's quiet highlight, three meals a day plus whatever the crew pulls out of the water. You surf off tenders, small boats that drop you on the peak and pick you up when you wave an arm. Between sessions you live on deck.
Starlink is increasingly common across the fleet but coverage and cost vary boat to boat. If staying reachable matters for work or family, treat connectivity as a question for the operator, not an assumption.
Get Matched
Not Sure Which Boat Fits Your Crew?
Send your dates, crew size, surf level, and budget. We'll point you at the boats that actually make sense.
Before You Book
Are Mentawai Charters Safe?
Mostly yes, but standards vary boat to boat, so ask before you book. Charters operate under regulations that tightened after 2016, and the established operators run professional programs. The variance sits in the details.
- Life rafts and life jackets for everyone on board, not just the crew
- A working radio and EPIRB
- A qualified skipper and crew with time in these waters
- The operator's insurance, ask to see it
- Your own travel and medical evacuation cover. The Mentawais are remote and the nearest hospital is in Padang
The waves carry their own risk. These are reef breaks with sharp coral and shallow takeoffs, and help is hours away, not minutes. Surf within your level and let the guide make the calls on the heavy days.
FAQs
Mentawai Charter Questions, Answered Straight
What is the best month for a Mentawai surf charter?
June to August is peak, with the biggest and most consistent swell. March to May and September to November run smaller but cleaner and quieter, and prices ease at the edges of the season.
How much does a Mentawai surf charter cost?
Most boats sit around AUD $3,250 to $5,000 per head for a 10 to 12 day trip, with food, guiding, and tender transfers included. Whole-boat bookings start around AUD $22k. Confirm exact pricing with the operator.
Should I book a shared spot or the whole boat?
Shared spots suit solo travellers and pairs, you buy a berth and join a crew. Whole-boat bookings suit groups of 6 to 10 who want the schedule and the lineup calls to themselves.
Are Mentawai charters good for intermediates?
Yes, with the right boat. The chain has plenty of mid-level waves like Macaronis, Burgerworld, and Telescopes, and a good guide will steer you away from the heavy reefs. Tell the operator your level honestly.
What is usually included in the price?
Food, surf guiding, tender transfers, and fuel for zone moves. Alcohol, Padang transfers, tips, and board fees are usually separate. Ask for the full list before you pay a deposit.
Is there a surf tax in the Mentawais?
Yes. A marine park and surf access fee has been in force since 2016. The amount and how it is collected varies, so confirm the current figure with your operator before you fly.
How do I check a boat's open dates?
Every boat in our list links to the operator's official site, which is the only source worth trusting. Send your dates through the enquiry form and we'll point you at the boats that fit.
Do the boats have Starlink or WiFi?
Increasingly yes, Starlink is spreading through the fleet, but coverage and cost vary boat to boat. If staying connected matters, verify it with the operator before booking.
What happens if the forecast is bad?
The boat is the hedge. Captains move zones to find the swell and wind window, which is the whole case for a charter over a land camp. Flat spells happen, but a 10 to 12 day trip almost always finds waves.
Are Mentawai charters safe?
Standards vary boat to boat, so ask before you book. Check for life rafts and jackets for everyone, a working radio and EPIRB, a qualified skipper, and the operator's insurance. Carry your own travel and medical evacuation cover, the nearest hospital is in Padang.