Indonesia is a real surfer’s paradise. The chain of islands offers up every kind of wave you can think of, from fun little runners to heaving squared-out barrels. Just off the western coast of Indonesia lies the Mentawai Islands, a chain of just over seventy islands, almost all of which hold some some kind of hidden perfection, no matter the conditions. The Indian Ocean and the Mentawais have found a perfect balance to create one of the most wave-filled places on the planet.
Of all of the places in the Mentawais, one stands out: Kandui. Sitting on Karamajet Island, Kandui has secured its spot among the best waves in the world, and for good reason. Seventy-five miles off Sumatra is an absolute surf mecca. The amount of world-class waves that are squeezed into such a small area is hard to believe. Of course, all of these are some of the best waves in the world… and all of them are within reach if you’re staying at Kandui Villas.
The Villas consist of twelve private bungalows, known as umas. And they’re right in front of Playgrounds, which means you’ll wake up, look out your door, and lay your eyes on the best waves in the world. There are much worse ways to wake up.
Where to surf:
Rifles – Sweet Jesus, Rifles is perfect. Want to get barreled for days? When the wind turns west and there’s a south swell, this is where you want to be. When it’s on, it is by far one of the best waves in the world. A super fast, super hollow right, Rifles serves up crystal clear leg-burners over a sharp, shallow reef.
Kandui Left – Want to go left, and go left fast? Kandui Lefts is one of the fastest barrels in the world. Punishments here are epic… but well worth it. Just one wave here, and you’ll be talking about it for the rest of your life.
Pistols – As the name suggests, Pistols is Rifles’ younger brother. A few hundred yards from the take off zone at Rifles, Pistols throws you from the pit to the barrel with no time to think about it. Set your line, keep your eyes open, and watch as you can’t help but get pitted.
Malibu Right – This little gem sits off a sand island crowned with one lone palm tree. It’s the stuff you see in paintings, only it’s real. Malibu Right is a short, rippable right that’s only about five minutes from the Villas.
There really isn’t enough room to describe each wave at Playgrounds. It’s literally that: a playground for surfers.
Kandui Villas was started up by the same guy that started up Kandui Resort. In a nutshell, he aimed on making a higher end place, one where traditional surf-trip slumming wasn’t necessary to get perfect Indonesian waves. And he pretty much nailed it. The umas are carved to themes inspired by the surroundings. It’s got the only infinity pool in Western Sumatra, a bar, a spa, an organic vegetable garden… pretty much anything you want if perfect waves aren’t enough. There’s even an art gallery.
What to do:
The best thing to do here, other than surf, is relax. Post up in a hammock, open up a book, and watch the days go by. The Villas at Kandui have pretty much everything you need to solidify your title as Most Relaxed Person. Beach volleyball, satellite television, bocce ball, billiards, ping pong, and the fastest internet connection in the Mentawai Islands. And if land lubbing isn’t your bag, the diving and fishing is almost out of this world.
What to eat:
Kandui Villas has you covered on the food front. After you burn all your calories scoring the best waves of your life, you can find everything from Italian, Japanese, Mexican, Thai, Chinese, American, and Indonesian food on their menu. Seafood is caught by villagers and guests, and all the vegetables come from a massive greenhouse, and are organically grown.
Now let’s talk about the bar: it’s huge, and it’s at the edge of a crystal clear pool. What better way to finish off a day with a good meal and a few poolside drinks in paradise?
Something weird to know:
Back in the day, females of the Mentawai Islands used to file their teeth down to points using a chisel. It was considered beautiful, and for some, still is.
