South Mentawai · Indonesia
Surfing Scarecrows
A left reef in South Mentawai, Indonesia, for advanced surfers.
Scarecrows is a shifty left peak in central Sipora. From the channel it looks easy, but the takeoffs wedge and the inside gets fast, and it catches out people who aren't paying attention.
For intermediate and advanced surfers it's a good wave: peaks that split both ways off the wedge, fast sections that force you to choose your line, and conditions that change a lot with the tide. It works at 3-8ft, and NE winds are fine.
When Telescopes is crowded and Iceland is too lumpy, it takes the overflow and often does better than expected, especially on medium swells. Everyday shortboard.
When to surf
Scarecrows
Scarecrows is at its best from April to October. Conditions it likes: SW swell, NE wind.
April to May: Good
Fewer boats and good swell
June to August: Prime
Peak season: maximum swell, maximum boats, book long ahead
September to October: Prime
Still good swell, fewer boats
November to March: Quiet
Small season: playful sizes, big discounts, empty lineups
The year across Mentawai Islands
Waves near Scarecrows
Telescopes
12 kmSouth Mentawai · Left Reef · Advanced
Iceland
15 kmSouth Mentawai · Left Reef · Advanced
Rifles
34 kmPlaygrounds (North) · Right Reef · Advanced / Pro
Straight-line distances. By road it is usually further.
Getting there
Where to stay: The south splits into two hubs: Katiet under Lance's Right/HT's, and Macaronis' resort-and-anchorage bay on Pagai. All stays are full-board with transfers arranged from Tuapejat's ferry. Cash only south of Tuapejat, bring more rupiah than you think you need. Known places: Hollow Tree's Resort sits on Katiet beach with Lance's Right (HT's) in front and Lance's Left a short walk away, and Macaronis Resort is on the bay at Macaronis on North Pagai.
Transport, costs, where to stay and the rest of the waves in the area are in the South Mentawai guide.
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