Mentawai Surf Trip Packing List 2026

Your primary board for HTs and Rifles. Bring something you know well — this is not the place to test new shapes.

For bigger swells at Lance's Right, Rifles, and Macaronis. Mentawai gets overhead+ on good days.

Dings happen daily at reef breaks. A third board as backup prevents a ruined trip.

Carries up to 3 boards. Double wrap nose and tail with old towels. Padded dividers between boards.

Essential for HTs and Rifles. Sharp coral at low tide. 2mm gives more protection than 1mm without losing too much feel.

Solar resin, fibreglass cloth (1m), sandpaper, UV torch, mixing sticks. The nearest real surf shop is in Padang. This kit will save your trip.

Bring more wax than you think you need. Long liveaboard trips mean 10+ sessions. Tropical wax only — water is 27–29°C.

Bring spare leashes for a 10-day trip. Leashes snap on heavy wipeouts at hollow breaks.

Pack two full spare sets. Fin box damage and lost fins happen on charter boats.

Full coverage for Mentawai's intense equatorial sun. Long-sleeve protects arms and shoulders from reef rash on wipeouts.

Consult your GP before travel. Doxycycline or Malarone are common options. Start before departure as directed. Non-negotiable for Mentawai.

Apply every evening. Mentawai jungle mosquitoes are active at dusk. Dengue is also present alongside malaria.

For land camps and bungalow accommodation. Charter boats usually have nets — confirm with your operator.

Spray on clothing and gear to repel insects. Effective for multiple washes.

Reef cuts at HTs and Rifles are deep and common. Betadine iodine prevents tropical infection. Pack more antiseptic than you think you need.

Ask your travel doctor for a course of antibiotics for infected reef cuts. Tropical reef injuries can worsen fast without treatment.

Daily surf sessions in warm water. Use after every session without fail.

Equatorial heat + multiple sessions per day = dehydration risk. Pack 20+ sachets.

Medical evacuation from Mentawai to Padang is expensive. Get insurance with remote evacuation coverage. World Nomads or EKTA surf-specific plans cover this.

Bring more sunscreen than you expect to use. Mentawai equatorial UV is extreme. Reapply every 90 min. Reef-safe formula required.

Full zinc oxide for multiple-session days. Tinted zinc stays on better than sunscreen in the water.

For recovery between sessions. Equatorial sun burns are severe.

You may surf 3–4 sessions per day on a charter. Rotate boardshorts between sessions to dry.

For evenings on the boat or camp — cover up against mosquitoes after dark.

Evening mosquito protection. Light cotton or linen — not jeans.

For the boat deck and around camp.

Quick-dry microfibre towels dry between sessions on a boat. Regular towels stay damp in humidity.

Charter boats have limited power. A large bank keeps camera, phone, and drone charged for a 10-day trip.

Supplement charging from the boat's generator. Ideal for remote land camps with unreliable power.

Mentawai delivers world-class barrel footage. Chest mount and board mount covers all angles.

For camera gear, phone, and passport on the boat. Spray comes over the deck constantly.

Connectivity is poor in Mentawai — useful for the ferry and Padang portions of the trip.

No ATMs in the Mentawai Islands. Bring all cash from Padang. Typical 10-day charter costs $1,500–$3,000 — most require cash or bank transfer.

Your passport must stay dry on a boat. A waterproof holder prevents sweat and spray damage.

Charter boats have limited lighting. A headlamp is essential for night movement and early dawn sessions.

The fast ferry from Padang to Sipora is rough in swell. Many surfers get seasick. Take tablets before boarding.