HTs Mentawai Surf Break Guide: Hollow Trees and Lance’s Right
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HTs, also called Hollow Trees or Lance’s Right, is a fast, hollow right-hand reef break in front of Katiet village on the southern tip of Sipora in the Mentawai Islands. It works best on mid to high tide with a south-west swell, is at its most reliable from about May to October, and suits confident intermediate to advanced surfers.
Few waves in Indonesia are as recognisable as HTs. It is one wave with two names: surfers and charter crews call it Lance’s Right, while the “HTs” name comes from Hollow Trees, a tree that reportedly once stood near the point. This guide covers where it is, how it breaks, the conditions that suit it, the hazards, and how surfers usually reach it. Wave behaviour changes with swell, tide and wind, so treat the details as a typical picture.
Mentawai Surf Holiday is an independent planning guide. We don’t own resorts or boats; we help travellers plan and connect with independent operators.
Where HTs breaks
HTs breaks over a coral shelf at Katiet, on the southern end of Sipora, the middle of the four main Mentawai islands. It is named Lance’s Right after Australian surfer Lance Knight, who is credited with surfing it and the nearby left in the early 1990s. Lance’s Left, a separate and generally heavier wave, sits a short boat ride away around Katiet bay. The nearest port is Tuapejat, about 3.5 to 5 hours from Padang by fast ferry, followed by a road or boat transfer south.
What the wave is like
The take-off is a steep, fast drop into a right that quickly throws a barrel down the reef. On a good day the wave runs through several makeable tube sections before reaching the inside. That inside section is the shallow part of the reef known as the Surgeon’s Table, and it is where most injuries happen, especially on lower tides. Good HTs is mechanical and predictable, which is why it is so popular; the price is very little water over the coral.
| Factor | Typical picture |
|---|---|
| Wave type | Right-hand coral reef break, hollow and fast |
| Best tide | Mid to high; low tide exposes the shallow inside |
| Best swell direction | South-west to west; south-south-west groundswell also works |
| Size range | Starts to work around 4 ft; about 6–8 ft is often called ideal |
| Best wind | Light winds or offshore trades, often cleanest early |
| Season | About May to October; June is often singled out |
| Level | Confident intermediate on small days; advanced at size |
Best season and conditions
HTs needs a solid groundswell with a good amount of south-west in it, which arrives most reliably from about May to October. June to August brings the most consistent swells and also the biggest crowds. The shoulder months of April, May and September often deliver good surf with fewer boats. In the wet season from November to March, swell is less reliable and winds more variable, so HTs works less often, though it can still turn on.
Tide matters as much as swell. On a dropping low tide the inside reef becomes very shallow and the wave gets heavier and more dangerous. Many experienced surfers time their sessions around the middle and top of the tide.
Hazards and how to manage them
- Shallow reef: the Surgeon’s Table on the inside is the main danger. Kick out before the end section if you are unsure.
- Coral cuts: clean every cut thoroughly the same day and keep it covered; infections are common in the tropics.
- Crowds: in peak season, resort guests, charters and visiting surfers can share a small take-off zone. Respect priority and don’t drop in.
- Currents: on bigger days water moves across the reef; know your exit before you paddle out.
- Remoteness: serious medical care is on the mainland, so travel with insurance that covers surfing and evacuation.
For a broader look at in-water risks across the islands, see our guide on whether Mentawai surfing is safe.
How to reach HTs
There are three common ways to surf HTs:
- Stay nearby on land. A small number of resorts and camps operate around Katiet, putting the wave on your doorstep. Space is limited, and HTs frontage does not mean exclusive access, as the wave is open to everyone. Our guide to the HTs Mentawai surf resort options covers staying there.
- Visit by boat from another Sipora base. Resorts elsewhere on Sipora may run trips south when conditions suit.
- Arrive on a charter. Many charter boats include HTs on their route when the swell is right.
Tips for surfing HTs
- Surf smaller days first to learn the take-off and where the reef shallows.
- Watch a full set cycle from the channel before paddling into the line-up.
- Bring a board with a little extra length for late drops on bigger days.
- Paddle out early; the first session of the day is often the cleanest and least crowded.
- Wear reef booties if you are nervous about the inside on lower tides.
- Have an alternative ready. Lance’s Left or other Sipora waves may suit a swell or wind that doesn’t favour HTs.
A typical day at HTs
On a good swell, the day usually starts before sunrise. Surfers staying nearby check the wave from shore, while boats from further away time their arrival for first light, when the wind is lightest. The first session runs until the trade wind starts to affect the face or the tide drops too far for comfort. Midday is for food, rest and treating any reef cuts. If the tide comes back in during the afternoon and the wind eases, there is often a second session, sometimes with fewer people than the morning. On days when HTs is too small, too big or wrong for the wind, guides switch to nearby options such as Lance’s Left or other Sipora reefs.
What to pack for HTs
- A shortboard you trust in the barrel, plus a step-up for bigger days
- Spare leashes and fins; the reef and the lip break both regularly
- Reef booties and a helmet if you want extra protection on the inside
- Antiseptic, dressings and tape for coral cuts
- A rash vest and reef-safe sunscreen for long sessions in strong sun
HTs compared with other headline waves
HTs is a right and Macaronis, on North Pagai, is a left, so many surfers’ first question is which suits them. In general, HTs is shorter, hollower and more consequential on the inside, while Macaronis offers longer rides with more open-face sections. Goofy-footers and regular-footers will see them very differently. Our HTs vs Macaronis comparison goes deeper.
Quick facts
- Names: HTs, Hollow Trees, Lance’s Right
- Location: Katiet, southern Sipora, Mentawai Islands
- Wave: right-hand coral reef, hollow
- Best tide: mid to high
- Best swell: south-west to west
- Season: about May to October
- Main hazard: the shallow inside section (Surgeon’s Table)
- Nearest port: Tuapejat, Sipora
Frequently asked questions
Are HTs and Lance’s Right the same wave?
Yes. HTs, Hollow Trees and Lance’s Right are three names for the same right-hander at Katiet on south Sipora.
Is HTs suitable for intermediate surfers?
On small, clean days with enough tide, confident intermediates can surf it with a guide. At size or on low tide it is an advanced wave.
What is the best tide for HTs?
Mid to high tide is usually best. Low tide exposes the shallow inside reef and makes the wave heavier.
When is the best time of year to surf HTs?
From about May to October, with June to August the most consistent and crowded months.
How crowded does HTs get?
It can be busy in peak season when several boats arrive at once. Early sessions and shoulder months help.
Plan a trip around HTs
Tell us your dates and level and we’ll help you work out the best way to surf HTs on your Mentawai surfing trip. Message us on WhatsApp or email bd@juaraholding.com.
