Fun size surf, mostly rights, low crowds and great vibes.
The Kandui Shoulder-Season (Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb) has had the biggest misconception for years. Flat surf, onshore winds, tons of rain and not the time to visit the archipelago. While most of the Mentawai faces west and turns onshore from Nov-Feb, the playground area has countless reef passes that remain offshore. While you will not see the large SW swells that result in massive Kandui or Bank Vaults, you will see countless days of overhead surf with winds that favor the rights. You do see a bit more rain than our Regular and Goofy Seasons, but with the Mentawai being located on the equator, it's removed from the rest of Indonesia's heavy wet season so you see plenty of sun as well. A favorite season of everyone that lives in the Mentawai, the Kandui Shoulder-Season results in fun overhead surf in a very friendly environment. Throw in light crowds and offshore conditions, you have the "Mentawai's Best Kept Secret".
The Kandui Shoulder-Season is my favorite time of the year. This time of the year, my kids and I froth out of our skin! Overhead, fun right-handers, offshore winds and substantially less surfers than our Regular and Goofy-Seasons. While it's rare to see the triple-overhead Bank Vaults or double-overhead Rifles swells, you will see overhead surf virtually every day and the kind of surf that is enjoyable, not scary. Every year, I see so many guests during our Regular and Goofy-Seasons looking for exactly this! It's super frustrating to see this since I know in my heart that Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb are the months that the majority of our guests would enjoy. If you're looking for Shoulder high to slightly overhead surf, fun barrels and turns, offshore conditions and light crowds, I would love to see you out here with me in Shoulder-Season. - Ray
Rifles, Bank Vaults, Pistols and Indonesia's most consistent surf zone for pumping right-hand barrels.
The Kandui Regular-Season (March, April, May, June) is a Regular-Foot's dream. Once high pressure breaks in the Indian Ocean, solid winter storms start marching from Africa to Indonesia and do not stop until late October. During the Regular-Season, the surf rarely drops below head high and during a standard Regular-Season trip, guests can expect 1-2 swells to really get the blood flowing. Historically the Regular-Season has pumping swells, winds that favor the rights and is the best opportunity to score the best right-hand barrel of your life. While you do see plenty of fun size surf as well, the Regular-Season is the time to visit if you're hunting solid right-hand barrels.
The Kandui Regular-Season is the time of the year that I've scored the best waves of my life. As a frothing regular-foot that loves rights, the Regular-Season year after year gives me the best waves of my year. Once the flood gates open up in March, you see a steady stream of long period swells and winds the favor the rights which translates into pumping Rifles, Bank Vaults and countless other right-hand barrels. While you do see fun size surf as well, unless your hunting right-hand pits, we always suggest visiting during our Shoulder-Season for the fun size stuff with less surfers.
PT Pulau Ombak Indah (DBA Kandui Resort)
Street: Jalan Bandes NO. 38F
Citizen Association: TR003 RW. 002
District: Keluarahan Batang Kabung Ganting Kecamatan
City: Padang
Providence/Country/Zip: Sumatera Barat, Indonesia, 25171
