South Mentawai · Indonesia
Surfing Lance's Left
A reef break in South Mentawai, Indonesia, for advanced surfers.
- TypeReef Break
- LevelAdvanced
- Size3-10 ft
- Best monthsApr-Oct
- Crowd3/5
The wave
Lance's Left is on the other side of the peninsula from Lance's Right, on Sipora. It's less famous but handles more size and more wind, with long, lined-up walls, and many people surf it more than the Right.
You take off on a shifting peak, link three or four sections and finish deep in the bay. At 4-8ft it's fine for advanced surfers; above 10ft it's the main big-wave option in the south. It works in NE-E winds, which blow out the Right, so the two waves cover each other.
There are several takeoff spots, so the crowd spreads out. It sometimes barrels, but mostly it's a wave for turns. Bring a step-up with good paddle.
-2.38, 99.83 · SW swell, NE-E wind · Open in Google Maps
When to surf Lance's Left
Lance's Left is at its best from April to October. Conditions it likes: SW swell, NE-E wind. This is how the year looks across Mentawai Islands:
| Months | Verdict | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Waves near Lance's Left
| Wave | Area | Type | Level | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lance's Right (HT's) | South Mentawai | Reef Break | Advanced / Pro | 2 km |
| Telescopes | South Mentawai | Reef Break | Advanced | 30 km |
| Scarecrows | South Mentawai | Reef Break | Advanced | 30 km |
| Iceland | South Mentawai | Reef Break | Advanced | 30 km |
| Macaronis | South Mentawai | Reef Break | Intermediate / Advanced / Pro | 52 km |
| Greenbush | South Mentawai | Reef Break | Pro | 83 km |
Straight-line distances. By road it is usually further.
Getting there and staying around South Mentawai
Transport, costs and the rest of the waves in the area are in the South Mentawai surf guide →
A week here costs from about $1,040 with flights from Europe, or around $2,195 travelling comfortably. See other surf trips under $1,500 →
Lance's Left: common questions
When is the best time to surf Lance's Left?
Lance's Left works best from April to October. Ideal conditions: SW swell, NE-E wind.
Is Lance's Left good for beginners?
No. Lance's Left is a wave for advanced surfers.
How crowded is Lance's Left?
Lance's Left is usually moderate: 3 out of 5 on our crowd scale.
Where is Lance's Left?
Lance's Left is in South Mentawai, in the Mentawai Islands region of Indonesia (-2.38, 99.83). The nearest wave we cover is Lance's Right (HT's), about 2 km away.
Last updated October 2026. Seasons, costs and conditions change, so check the details before you book.
One strange surf spot a week
The Lineup: one strange surf spot each week, from hippos on the beach in Gabon to lefts under the volcanoes of Kamchatka. Free, and nothing else lands in your inbox.