MENTAWAI BEACH, PARADISE FOR THE PROFESSIONAL SURFERS

         

           Mentawai Islands is an archipelago located on western of the Sumatra Island and surrounded by the Indian Ocean. Mentawai Islands are part of a series of non-volcanic islands and archipelagoes that the peaks of an underwater ridge. The Mentawai district consists of four main island groups that inhabited which is the island of Siberut, Sipora Island, North Pagai and South Pagai island. In addition, there are several small islands are uninhabited and mostly just another island planted with palm trees. Mentawai tribe as the main population in the district and generally the public did not have a clear picture of their origins, although any of them know some of the mythology that sometimes a little vague and unbelievable. Local people call their country by the name of Bumi Sikerei. Most of the inhabitants of the islands in the Mentawai Islands district comes from the island of Siberut. Mentawai tribe society physically has a culture that is mostly like an archaic neolithic era where the public is not familiar with the technology of metalworking, as well as planting and the art of weaving.  District population half of which are animists, then mostly Christians and Muslims. After the independence of the people in this district has been mingle with other tribes in Indonesia, especially after the district became one of the transmigration destination.

The Mentawai Beach - The Surfing Paradise

         Mentawai Islands in West Sumatra has a gorgeous stretch beaches. The Beach with white sand blends with the blue water. Mentawai has great waves that are well known among surfers the world as a surfing paradise, and that's why the Mentawai waves is being positioned at the fourth great waves on surfing in the world. There are many stunning beaches in Mentawai, call it Turkish Mapaddegat, Tuapeijat, Makakang in North Sipora, Simatalu in West Siberut and Sipora Katiet in the South. Besides beaches mentioned earlier, here are many other beaches spread over 10 districts in Mentawai. In addition Mentawai Islands also became one of the adventure tourism and cultural destination. Madobak village, Ugai village, and the village Matotonan are some cultural villages that are worth visiting. 

        To reach these villages, you have to travel about 5-6 hours through the river and the trail through the route of Muara Siberut Rokdok-Madobak-Ugai-Matotonan. The village is famous due to a waterfall Madobak Kulu Kubuk as high as 70 meters consisting of 2 levels.

Beside to the village Madobak, you can also visit Lake Rua Oinan which is shaped estuary surrounded by a large tree, which is located in the middle of the woods in the hamlet Saumanganyak.

           In addition to presenting the charm of beautiful beaches, Mentawai also become the central gathering endemic animals such as Mentawai macaque, pig tailed macaque monkeys, squirrels musk, Sipora flying squirrels, flying squirrels siberut and much more. Which would further spoil your travel and can be one of educational travel for your children in the region of West Sumatra. When you come to Mentawai, do not forget to taste the typical food Mentawai, taro chips derived from the taro plant, only to be found in the tourist attractions of West Sumatra.

Trip Information

           To get to the Mentawai islands, sea transport is still the mainstay. Using a motor boat that operates twice a week on Sunday night by Sumber Rezeki Baru Boat and Thursday night by Simasini Boat through the Bungus Port. Bungus Port takes around 50 Minutes from Minangkabau International Airport. Due to the location is  quite far away from the city of Padang, a trip would take in 1 day. This ship which became the main transport also when returning to the field that is departing on Tuesday and Friday nights at a cost of Rp. 125,000 per once trip. You can also use air transport departing from Minangkabau International Airport and then rent a small plane such as Tiger Air or SMAC up to Tuapejat in Sipora Island. Shorter journey time of around 3-4 hours to reach the mouth of Siberut. Several tour packages that exist in West Sumatra travel also provides packages including lodging, round trip transportation and take pictures with tribal facilities Mentawai and tour guide with a price range of Rp. 1,500,000 - Rp. 2,500,000.

           Well for those of you who are interested to venture Mentawai Islands district, you do not have to worry about where to stay if the price of lodging does not match your pocket. Several islands in the southern districts and the North Pagai siberut provide homestay. Hospitality of the population is already well known by tourists so that they would be happy to welcome you to stay and stopped at their residence.