The Mentawai Islands are every surfer’s dream destination. And rightfully so.
With crystal clear blue waters, warm tropical climate, perfect peeling reef breaks, and so many coconut trees (it’s actually unfathomable how many there are), it’s absolutely no wonder that this is the ultimate surf trip destination.
If Indonesia is the holy grail of perfect waves, the Mentawai is its beating heart.
This leads us to the age-old wonderment of whether to experience the Mentawai Islands via surf charter boat or a land camp, and which option is more suitable for you, a digital nomad surfer.
As a surf guide slash digital nomad living in the Mentawai, I’ll run through the pros and cons of each option with regards to Wi-Fi speed and connectivity, workspace availability, logistics, budget, and surf opportunities, which will all give you a clearer idea of what to expect when exploring and surfing the Mentawai Islands.
Thus, if you need to work or, at the very least, touch base throughout your surf trip, but really, really want to go to the Ments, then keep reading to find out how to choose between a floating surf safari and a remote island home.
Surf Camps: The Stable but Remote Home Base
Pros of staying at a surf camp in the Mentawai Islands as a digital nomad:
- Wi-Fi access (kind of): Some land camps offer a patchy but functional signal, some offer none, some only work when you walk up the nearest hill at a certain time of day, whilst more luxurious camps have reliable high-speed Starlink setups. So, depending on where you stay, this could be a huge pro or a huge con, so do your research beforehand!
- Comfort and routine: At any land lodging, you’re most likely to have a shared or private space, depending on the camp or resort. This means you’ll most likely have a private or semi-private work station, where you can set up your gear and settle more easily into a focused work and surf rhythm.
- Community: Land camps are a great place to meet other surf travellers and connect with local guides and staff, whilst also having your own space to detach and focus on work.
- Freedom of surf exploration: Land camps are usually located near a handful of breaks; this is great as you’ll have the freedom to choose your own surf spot within the vicinity.
Cons of staying at a surf camp in the Mentawai Islands as a digital nomad:
- Extra off-island costs: Most land surf camps offer boat services to take you to waves on other islands. Though this can equate to more freedom of wave choice, this can also mean extra costs (for some camps) and also eat into your day. It is not the most ideal option if you’re trying to maximise surf and work, whilst minimising travel time where you can’t do either!
- Surf limited to the waves in the area: If you didn’t know, the Mentawai Island regency is HUGE! It would take weeks, maybe even months, of travel to surf every wave and see every part. Thus, if you’re staying at a land camp or resort, this means your surf trip will be limited to one area of the Mentawai Islands, and you’ll likely be surfing the same waves multiple times. Although this could get a tad repetitive, it will be good practice to get comfortable and master a wave, and it is still not the worst thing in the world, as you will be in THE MENTAWAI!
- Surf guide information: Whilst most higher-end camps will have professional surf guides on hand to help with forecasting waves and finding the best spots to surf every day, more budget-friendly accommodation choices are likely to leave this planning up to you. If you’re seasoned in catching swells in foreign places, then a lack of guidance is no con. But if you’re a beginner/intermediate surfer who desires direction for surfing in a new environment, then this is a factor to consider when choosing where you will stay.
- Simcard/hotspot signal: This is pretty much nonexistent, whether you are on a boat or on land in the Mentawai.
Surf Charters: A Wave-Hungry Nomad’s Dream
Pros of staying on a surf charter in the Mentawai Islands as a digital nomad:
- Maximum surf coverage: If you’re travelling the Mentawai on a surf charter, you could wake up to a new world-class wave every day. This is the best way to see the most waves in the entire regency whilst maximising work during travel.
- In-house surf guide: You will have a guide on deck who will take care of all logistics for you in relation to surfing the best waves.
- Freedom to choose surf sessions: This is the perfect setup that allows you to avoid compromising surf sessions for work commitments. By living at each surf break you visit, you’ll have the freedom of hopping in and out of the water whenever you please so as to avoid crowded line ups, attend to your work schedule without having the worries of someone at a land camp who might have to consider things like “what time the boat will leave for a surf spot,” “how long the trip will take,” and “when will I get back?”
Cons of staying on a surf charter in the Mentawai Islands as a digital nomad:
- Internet connection: Some surf charters don’t have any Wi-Fi, whilst others do but may incur an extra charge, so check with your chosen surf charter before you book!
- Cramped quarters: When surfing the Mentawai islands via charter boat, your space is limited to the ship, and private quarters are generally cramped and shared. There will be communal tables and spaces to work, however, you will need a very strong will to do this if there are: a) lots of other guests on the ship, and b) lots of interesting people to interact with, which is generally the case on surf trips!
- Majority rules: If you’re on a boat with a bunch of friends, or other surfers who are of similar surf level and experience to yourself, then this will be less of a factor. However, if not, the main risk of booking a surf charter is the fact that you might be on a trip with people who are of very different skill levels, and who want to surf different waves than you. This can lead to conflict, or someone compromising. The good thing about the Mentawai is that there are so many waves located in a close vicinity, so you may always have more than one option for waves wherever you are moored. But keep this element in mind when booking a surf charter anywhere in the world!
What’s Worth Your Budget When Choosing Accomodation in the Mentawai?
If you’re a digital nomad travelling on a budget, then a land camp would probably be the most viable option for you. You can easily find accommodation ranging from $US 50 to $US 200 per night for the “cheaper” homestay options.
If you have a wider budget, all-inclusive land camps that are more “luxurious” (with guaranteed stable Wi-Fi, 3 meals a day, off-island boat trips included) offer set trip dates that usually range between $US 2,000 to $US 4,000 per 10-day trip.
In comparison, surf charters are generally more expensive and cannot usually be booked per night. By standard, they offer set trip dates that can cost approximately between $US 2,500 to $US 4,000 per person for about 10 days.
TIP: If you’re looking to get surfing content or just some fun videos of you surfing, check beforehand with your chosen surf camp or charter boat if that is a service they offer. This is because some will include this feature as a part of their package deal, whilst others will charge it as an add-on, or not have a photographer at all.
Verdict: Which Way of Travelling in the Mentawai Is Best for You?
At the end of the day, I think the answer is different for each individual.
If you have no trouble focusing in communal spaces and have a budget to play with, then a surf charter might be a good option for you, especially if you can round up a group of friends to book a whole boat out!
On the other hand, if you’re a solo traveller, a land camp might be a better choice for an individual surfer wanting to work remotely in the Mentawai Islands.
Whichever one you end up going with, make sure to check their Wi-Fi situation beforehand, based on the kind of work you’re planning on doing, and then go for it!
The Mentawai has something for everyone, and the waves are waiting with your name written all over them.
Interested in travelling to other parts of Indonesia? Read about the best places to surf and work remotely in the tropical wave rich country here.
