South Mentawai · Indonesia
Surfing Telescopes
A left reef in South Mentawai, Indonesia, for advanced surfers.
Telescopes is a left in central Sipora that runs down the reef in a very regular way: from the takeoff you can see the next three sections lining up ahead of you.
It's one of the best lefts in the islands for turns, with barrels at the top and on the inside, and it's predictable enough to plan your next move. It works at 3-8ft on SE-E winds, and mid tide makes more waves makeable.
It's well known and there's only one takeoff, so it gets crowded. Go early or time your sessions between charter groups. Bring a fast shortboard.
When to surf
Telescopes
Telescopes is at its best from April to October. Conditions it likes: SW swell, SE-E 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 Telescopes
Iceland
3 kmSouth Mentawai · Left Reef · Advanced
Scarecrows
12 kmSouth Mentawai · Left Reef · Advanced
Rifles
28 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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