HTs Mentawai Surf Resort Guide: Staying Near Hollow Trees in Katiet
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Looking for an HTs Mentawai surf resort? HTs (Hollow Trees, also called Lance’s Right) breaks off Katiet village in southern Sipora, and several land-based options sit on the beach facing it, from basic surf camps and homestays to resort-style villas. Most guests reach Katiet via the Padang fast ferry to Tuapejat, then about two hours by road and boat.
HTs is one of the most photographed right-hand barrels in the world and the reason many surfers come to the Mentawai Islands at all. Unlike waves that are mostly reached by charter boat, HTs has a village and a beach right in front of it. That means you can wake up, look at the lineup from your room and paddle out. This guide explains what staying near HTs is actually like, how the main accommodation types differ, what to ask before booking, and how to get there. We are an independent guide and not affiliated with any property in Katiet.
What makes an HTs Mentawai surf resort different?
The main advantage is proximity. Some properties on Katiet beach advertise rooms directly in front of the break, and HTs can be a short paddle from the sand. Lance’s Left, the alternative wave around the point, is reachable by a short local transfer or boat. That pairing matters: HTs generally prefers light east to southeast or northeast winds, while Lance’s Left tolerates onshore conditions at HTs better, so a stay in Katiet gives you a wind-switch option without a long boat ride.
The trade-off is choice. A charter can move to whichever region has the best swell and wind that day. A Katiet base relies mainly on HTs, Lance’s Left and a handful of other South Sipora waves such as Bintangs, which suits surfers who love right-hand barrels and do not mind sharing them in peak season. For the wider island picture, see our Sipora Island surf resort guide.
Types of accommodation near HTs
Katiet has a mix of beachfront options. Names, standards and operating status change over time, so treat any list as a starting point and confirm directly.
| Type | What you typically get | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Local homestay or guesthouse | Simple rooms, shared facilities, local meals, minimal extras | Budget surfers who just want to be near the wave |
| Surf camp | Private or shared rooms, meals, sometimes a boat or scooter to nearby breaks, basic guiding | Surfers wanting structure without resort pricing |
| Resort or beachfront villas | Better rooms, more included services, boat access, guiding, transfers arranged | Couples, groups and surfers who value comfort and logistics |
Properties currently marketing beachfront stays facing HTs include Katiet Beach Resort, Hollow Tree’s Resort, HT’s Resort and Lance’s Surf Camp, alongside local homestays. We list these only so you can research them; we have not inspected them and make no ranking. Our Mentawai surf camp guide explains how camps and resorts differ more generally.
What to ask before you book near HTs
- Exact position. Is the property directly in front of HTs, or “near” it? Some Katiet listings are a walk or ride away.
- Access to Lance’s Left. Is there a boat, scooter or vehicle included, and how often does it run?
- Boat trips. Are trips to other South Sipora breaks included, extra or unavailable?
- Transfers. Are the ferry, road and boat legs from Padang included, and who handles boards?
- Meals and water. How many meals per day, and is drinking water provided?
- Power and internet. Is there 24-hour power, and is Wi-Fi reliable enough for your needs?
- Medical plan. What happens if someone is injured on the reef? Who arranges transfer to Tuapejat or Padang?
- Surf levy. Is the regency’s foreign-surfer levy included in the price or paid separately?
Surfing HTs from a land base
HTs is a powerful right that wraps over shallow reef and throws long barrels on solid south to southwest swell. It is an advanced wave when it is overhead, and the inside section can get very shallow at low tide. Staying in Katiet lets you pick your moments: dawn before the wind, mid-tide windows, and quieter sessions when the boats move on. For wave detail, read our Hollow Trees (HTs) surf break guide, and for the alternative around the point, our Lance’s Left guide.
Crowds at HTs
HTs is one of the busiest waves in the Mentawai. In June to August, published estimates put busy days at roughly 20 to 40 surfers when charter boats and land guests overlap. Shoulder months are generally quieter. Being on land helps: you can surf at first light and in the gaps between boat arrivals.
How to get to Katiet
| Leg | Typical approach | Approximate time |
|---|---|---|
| Fly to Padang | Minangkabau International Airport (PDG), usually via Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur or Singapore | Depends on origin |
| Padang to Tuapejat | Mentawai Fast ferry from Muara Harbour | About 3.5 hours |
| Tuapejat to Katiet | Road and boat transfer arranged by the property | About 2 hours, one property states |
| Alternative | Direct speedboat from Padang, where offered | About 3.5 to 4 hours |
Rokot Airport on Sipora has had limited and irregular scheduled flights, so do not plan around them unless the service is confirmed for your dates. The fast ferry usually runs several times a week, with early-morning departures, so arrive in Padang the day before. Fares were published in 2025 at around Rp280,000 to Rp350,000 one way, varying by channel and date.
Quick facts
- Location: Katiet village, southern Sipora, Mentawai Islands.
- Wave: HTs (Hollow Trees, Lance’s Right), a powerful right-hand reef barrel.
- Back-up wave: Lance’s Left, around the point.
- Accommodation: homestays, surf camps and resort-style villas on Katiet beach.
- Access: Padang, fast ferry to Tuapejat, then road and boat.
- Best season: roughly April to October, busiest June to August.
Frequently asked questions
Can you stay right in front of HTs?
Yes. Several Katiet properties advertise rooms directly facing the break. Confirm the exact location with each one, because “near HTs” can also mean a short ride away.
Is a Katiet resort better than a boat trip for HTs?
If HTs and Lance’s Left are your priority, a land base gives you more sessions there and easy dawn starts. If you want to surf many regions in one trip, a charter offers more variety across regions.
Is HTs suitable for intermediate surfers?
On smaller days a strong intermediate can enjoy it, but overhead HTs is an advanced wave over shallow reef. Discuss your level with the camp so they can steer you to the right sessions.
Do I need to pay a surf tax in Katiet?
The Mentawai regency charges foreign surfers a levy: IDR 2,000,000 per surfer for each 15-day period since February 2024, up from IDR 1,000,000 when it was introduced in 2016. Check whether your accommodation collects it.
How long does it take to get from Padang to HTs?
Allow most of a day: around three and a half hours on the fast ferry plus about two hours onward, or a direct speedboat where available.
For the bigger picture on regions and trip styles, see our Mentawai surf holiday homepage.
Plan your stay near HTs
We are an independent planning guide and do not own or operate any Katiet property. Tell us your dates, level and budget and we will help you shortlist options and the questions to ask. Message us on WhatsApp or email bd@juaraholding.com.
