Mentawai Islands Travel Guide: Where to Stay & What to Expect

The Mentawai Islands are a remote archipelago made up of more than 70 islands off the west coast of Sumatra in Indonesia. The four main inhabited islands are Siberut, Sipora, North Pagai and South Pagai, with smaller islands and islets scattered throughout the surrounding waters. 

They have long been synonymous with world-class surfing, although there is so much more to this remote corner of Indonesia than simply chasing the perfect wave.

The Mentawai Islands are wild, beautiful and wonderfully removed from the pace of everyday life. Days revolve around the ocean, good food, adventure and simply being somewhere that still feels raw and remote. Of course, where you stay can make a big difference to how you experience the islands.

Cordelia recently spent two and a half weeks in Sipora, exploring three distinct properties: La Belle HT’s, Awera Resort, and Solid Surf House. Each offers a unique style of travel, from a secluded luxurious private-island escape, to a relaxed surf house where you immediately feel like family. 

If you're considering a trip to the Mentawai Islands, here is our firsthand guide on what to expect and where we would recommend staying.

Getting to the Mentawais

Part of what makes the Mentawais so special is that they aren't the easiest place to reach – but that is also part of the adventure!

Most journeys begin by flying into Padang in West Sumatra. We recommend allowing a night in Padang before heading onwards to the islands. From there, a fast ferry takes approximately three to four hours to reach the archipelago, depending on sea conditions. 

For a fast and more seamless transfer, charter flights are also available. Susi Air also operates limited flights directly to the Mentawais Islands for those who prefer to fly.

The journey is certainly something to factor into your planning, particularly if you are used to arriving at an international airport and being at your resort within an hour or two. However, the moment you arrive, the sense of being somewhere truly remote is precisely what makes the journey so rewarding.

What are the Mentawais actually like?

The region is best known for its world-class Mentawai surf breaks, particularly around the islands of Sipora and the Mentawai chain further south. For surfers, the Mentawais are legendary. But you don't need to be a serious surfer to enjoy being here.

There are beautiful beaches, snorkelling, diving, boat trips, jungle, incredible sunsets and plenty of opportunities to simply slow down. The pace is wonderfully uncomplicated. Days can be spent in the water, followed by long lunches, afternoon naps and sunset drinks with very little reason to check your phone.

It is remote and rustic in places. This isn't a destination you come to for nightlife, shopping or a huge choice of restaurants. You come for the ocean, nature, adventure and the feeling of being somewhere a little removed from the rest of the world. That said, we were actually very impressed by the standard of dining across the Mentawai’s. All properties offered an exceptional level of culinary quality, something rarely found in such isolated destinations.

Where to Stay in the Mentawais

La Belle HT’s

Best for: Travellers seeking a relaxed beach escape with a little more happening around them

Situated in the Katiet area on the southern coast of Sipora, La Belle is an ideal choice for guests who want a balance of island serenity and local accessibility.

The HT's area has a slightly livelier feel than some of the more remote parts of the islands. You can hire a scooter and explore the surrounding area, with a handful of other resorts and restaurants nearby.

La Belle sits directly on the beach, positioned right in front of the world-famous HT's wave. You can watch the surf from the restaurant, the pool, or simply from a deck chair on the sand. The food was also another highlight, delivering impressive variety and excellent quality for a remote beach lodge.

Accommodation options are highly versatile at La Belle, ranging from huge two-bedroom villas equipped with private pools, living areas, and kitchens ideal for families, to comfortable twin and double rooms catering to couples and friends.

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Our take: La Belle is a great all-rounder. We'd recommend it for families, couples or groups who want the beautiful beach and surf experience of the Mentawais alongside the freedom to explore nearby.

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Awera Resort

Best for: travellers looking for a luxurious and immersive Mentawais experience

If you're looking for a luxury island experience in the Mentawais, Awera is the stand-out Mentawai resort. Located on its own private island, Awera combines the elegance of a luxury island resort with the wild, unique beauty of the Mentawais.

With just ten beautiful villas, the resort captures an intimate feel alongside it’s spectacular setting. Owned by the same team behind La Belle, Awera offers exceptional dining that makes food another highlight of the stay.

For surfers, they offer a dedicated surf programme with daily boat excursions to different waves. However, one of the things we particularly loved about Awera is that surfing isn't the only focus. The resort features an on-site spa, along with endless other activities including snorkelling, kayaking, stand-up paddling, trips to the mangrove and waterfall, private picnics, and more. 

Awera has also just recently developed a diving programme, making them the premier Mentawai resort option for divers and adventure travellers. The team has been actively exploring and mapping dive sites around Awera Island, Siburu Island and Sipora Island, uncovering several beautiful spots that are likely to be a real draw for divers looking to explore a less-travelled part of Indonesia.

Our take: If you want the adventure and remoteness of the Mentawai Islands without compromising on high-end accommodation, excellent food and an elevated resort experience, Awera would be our pick.

Solid Surf House

Best for: Surfers, groups of friends, couples and travellers who love a more social experience

Located in the north of the island in Tua Pejat and close to Awera, Solid Surf House offers a wonderfully warm, welcoming atmosphere with a strong sense of community. Rather than feeling like a traditional resort, staying at Solid feels more like being invited into a beautifully designed home, where guests quickly settle into the relaxed rhythm of island life.

Rather than feeling like you're staying at a traditional resort, it feels more like you've been invited to stay in a beautifully designed home with a strong sense of community. Dining is communal and all-inclusive, creating an easy, sociable rhythm to each day, while the food itself is a real highlight. Each evening brings a different culinary theme, with the chef taking the time to introduce the menu and talk guests through the dishes, turning dinner into a fun and engaging part of the experience. The kitchen is also highly accommodating, with all dietary requirements catered for thoughtfully, ensuring everyone can enjoy the same exceptional dining experience without feeling like an afterthought.

Accommodation is boutique and beautifully designed, with high-standard rooms that balance comfort and a relaxed atmosphere. For those looking for a greater sense of privacy, Solid is also expanding its accommodation offering with private two-bedroom pool villas.

Surfing is at the heart of the experience, with daily boat trips complemented by structured coaching programmes, small-group tuition, theory and video analysis designed to help guests progress. It’s a particularly appealing option for surfers who want to combine a high-quality boutique stay with a more immersive and development-focused surf experience.

We think it would work brilliantly for groups of friends, couples or anyone who enjoys a more social style of travel. The team are incredibly welcoming and make you feel at home very quickly!

Our take: If you're looking for a surf-focused trip where you'll meet people, share meals, improve your surfing and feel part of a little community, Solid is a fantastic choice.

Choosing Your Mentawais Experience

There really isn't one "best" place to stay. It depends entirely on what you want from your trip.

Private villas: an option worth knowing about

Beyond the standard Mentawai resorts and surf houses, the Mentawai Islands also have a growing selection of beautiful private villas available for rent.

A private villa can be an incredibly special style of Mentawai Islands accommodation, offering greater privacy and the flexibility to build your stay around what you actually want to do - whether that's surfing every day, arranging private boat trips, spending time with family or simply enjoying long, slow days by the water.

Private villas cater to a wide spectrum of budgets and service levels. We can match the right property for your group and handle everything from fast-ferry transfers to private surf charters and other activities.

For families or groups travelling together, this can also provide better value compared to booking multiple rooms at a resort.

Surf Charters: A Different Way to Experience the Mentawais

For surfers who want to explore more of the Mentawais rather than staying in one location, surf charters are another incredibly popular way to experience the islands.

Instead of being based at a resort or surf house, you’ll live aboard a dedicated surf boat and move between the islands in search of the best conditions. It gives you the freedom to chase the swell and access some of the more remote breaks that can be difficult to reach from land-based resorts.

Surf charters range from comfortable and beautifully appointed boats, through to more relaxed and traditional options. They can be tailored to different group sizes, surfing abilities and budgets, with itineraries often built around the conditions and the waves you most want to surf.

For experienced surfers in particular, a charter can be an incredible way to maximise your time in the Mentawais. Wake up somewhere new each morning, surf different breaks throughout the trip and spend your evenings anchored in secluded bays with little more than the ocean and jungle around you.

Our LaTrove take: If surfing is the main reason for your trip and you want the freedom to explore as much of the Mentawais as possible, a private surf charter is absolutely worth considering. At LaTrove, we can help you find the right boat for your group and take care of the logistics from transfers and accommodation before and after your charter to creating the perfect itinerary around your time on the water.

Who are the Mentawais best suited to?

The Mentawais offer an unforgettable retreat for travellers who enjoy adventure and want to embrace remote exploration.

• Surfers:  Whether you're an experienced surfer chasing some of the world's best waves or an intermediate looking to improve, there are different ways to experience the Mentawai surf, from dedicated coaching and progression-focused stays to more relaxed surf escapes.
• Couples: The Mentawais are ideal for couples seeking a romantic island escape, with beautiful accommodation, exceptional food, incredible surf and plenty of opportunities for privacy and relaxation.
• Families: For adventurous families, the islands offer spacious accommodation, beautiful beaches, warm hospitality and plenty of activities to enjoy together, both in and out of the water.
• Groups of Friends: Ideal for groups wanting shared adventure, great food, and time together by the ocean.

Who might not love the Mentawais?

If you're looking for a destination with lots of restaurants, nightlife, shopping and easy transport, the Mentawais probably aren't for you.

This is a destination where the luxury comes from the setting, space, nature and the feeling of being somewhere genuinely remote. Experiencing the Mentawais means embracing a slower pace where things don't always operate on a strict schedule.

For the right traveller, that is precisely the appeal.

Our LaTrove Take

What impressed us most during our time in the Mentawais is how varied the experience can be depending on where you stay.

La Belle offers a wonderful balance of comfort, excellent food, and local exploration. Awera elevates the experience with its private-island setting, beautiful villas, fine dining and impressive range of wellness experiences. Solid Surf House provides a wonderfully warm, communal energy that makes you feel at home almost immediately.

There isn't one "best" property. There is simply the right property for the way you want to travel.

For travellers looking beyond the usual Indonesian island escapes, this is somewhere that still feels wild, adventurous and deeply special. It takes a little extra effort to get there, but as the sun dips below the horizon and the sound of the ocean takes over, the experience speaks for itself.

Thinking about a trip to the Mentawai’s?

At LaTrove, our guidance is built on firsthand knowledge and experience. 

We understand that navigating a remote destination like the Mentawai Islands can be tricky, which is why we make the process seamless. From matching you with your ideal stay to coordinating all logistics, we handle every detail so you can experience an effortless, unforgettable retreat.

Tell us what you want from your Indonesian adventure and our team will design an itinerary tailored entirely to you. 

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