South Mentawai · Indonesia
Surfing Thunders
A reef break in South Mentawai, Indonesia, for advanced surfers.
- TypeReef Break
- LevelAdvanced
- Size4-10 ft
- Best monthsApr-Oct
- Crowd2/5
The wave
Thunders is a heavy left on the South Pagai reef. From the boat you can hear the sets break, and on the wave you get long, powerful walls that need a lot of stamina.
It picks up more swell than anywhere else in the south. When other spots are small, Thunders is often still overhead. Sections keep coming, with room for turns and barrels when the tide is right. NE winds clean it up, and it works from 4ft to 10ft.
You can only reach it by boat, so the lineup is usually just the people on your boat and one or two others. Bring a step-up.
-3.05, 100.2 · S-SW swell, NE wind · Open in Google Maps
When to surf Thunders
Thunders is at its best from April to October. Conditions it likes: S-SW swell, NE 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 Thunders
| Wave | Area | Type | Level | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenbush | South Mentawai | Reef Break | Pro | 8 km |
| Macaronis | South Mentawai | Reef Break | Intermediate / Advanced / Pro | 33 km |
| Lance's Right (HT's) | South Mentawai | Reef Break | Advanced / Pro | 85 km |
| Lance's Left | South Mentawai | Reef Break | Advanced | 85 km |
| Scarecrows | South Mentawai | Reef Break | Advanced | 110 km |
| Iceland | South Mentawai | Reef Break | Advanced | 112 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 →
Thunders: common questions
When is the best time to surf Thunders?
Thunders works best from April to October. Ideal conditions: S-SW swell, NE wind.
Is Thunders good for beginners?
No. Thunders is a wave for advanced surfers.
How crowded is Thunders?
Thunders is usually quiet: 2 out of 5 on our crowd scale.
Where is Thunders?
Thunders is in South Mentawai, in the Mentawai Islands region of Indonesia (-3.05, 100.2). The nearest wave we cover is Greenbush, about 8 km away.
Last updated October 2026. Seasons, costs and conditions change, so check the details before you book.
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