What Should I Pack for a Mentawai Surf Holiday? Full Checklist
On this page
- What should I pack for a Mentawai surf holiday? The checklist
- Do I need a wetsuit for Mentawai surfing?
- Surf gear
- Health and first aid
- Sun protection
- Clothing
- Money, connectivity and power
- Documents and insurance
- Luggage limits on the ferry
- What to leave at home
- Quick facts
- Frequently asked questions
- Plan your trip
What should I pack for a Mentawai surf holiday? Boards and spares, a long-sleeve rash vest, reef booties, plenty of reef-safe SPF 50 sunscreen, strong mosquito repellent, a reef-cut first-aid kit, personal medication, light quick-dry clothes, a rain shell, a power bank, a Type C/F adapter and enough Indonesian rupiah cash. You will not need a wetsuit: water is about 27 to 29°C.
The Mentawai Islands are remote. Once you leave Padang, shops are few, ATMs are unreliable and replacing a lost leash or the right sunscreen can be difficult or impossible. Packing well is therefore part of planning a safe, enjoyable trip. This checklist covers surf gear, health, clothing, money, power and documents, and explains what you can safely leave at home.
What should I pack for a Mentawai surf holiday? The checklist
| Category | Essentials | Nice to have |
|---|---|---|
| Surf gear | Boards, spare leashes, spare fins, fin key, tropical wax, ding kit | Surf helmet for heavy reef days |
| Sun and reef protection | Long-sleeve rash vest, reef booties, SPF 50 sunscreen, zinc, lip balm | Surf cap, polarised sunglasses |
| Health | Reef-cut first-aid kit, personal medication, repellent, rehydration salts | Spare prescription glasses or contact lenses |
| Clothing | Boardshorts or swimwear, light quick-dry clothes, rain shell, warm layer for boats | Modest clothes for village visits |
| Electronics | Power bank, Type C/F adapter, dry bag or waterproof phone pouch | Headlamp, GoPro or camera |
| Money and documents | Passport, insurance details, Indonesian rupiah cash | Printed copies of bookings |
Do I need a wetsuit for Mentawai surfing?
No. Sea temperature in the Mentawai stays roughly 27 to 29°C year-round, so a wetsuit is unnecessary for almost everyone. What you do need is sun and reef protection:
- Long-sleeve rash vest: protects against sunburn and board rash over long sessions.
- Spring suit or 1 mm vest: optional, if you feel the cold on long or windy sessions.
- Reef booties: recommended at shallow, sharp reef breaks and when getting in and out over coral.
- Surf helmet: worth considering for heavy, shallow waves on bigger swells.
Surf gear
Most surfers bring two to four boards: an everyday shortboard, a step-up a few inches longer for powerful days and, depending on the season, a groveler. Pack at least two leashes per board size, spare fins and keys, warm-water wax and a solar-cure ding repair kit. Our detailed guide to what surfboards to take to the Mentawais covers sizing, board bags and airline rules.
Health and first aid
Reef cuts are the most common injury, and the warm, humid climate means they can get infected quickly. Pack a kit that lets you clean and dress wounds properly every day:
- Sterile saline or a clean wound-wash
- Antiseptic such as povidone-iodine or chlorhexidine
- Gauze, plasters, waterproof dressings and medical tape
- Tweezers for coral fragments
- Elastic bandage and pain relief
- Disposable gloves
- Oral rehydration salts
Bring all personal medication with copies of prescriptions. See a travel-medicine clinic well before departure: the US CDC lists malaria as a risk in rural Sumatra, which includes the islands, and dengue is present across Indonesia. Pack repellent containing DEET or picaridin and use it at dawn and dusk. Our guide to whether Mentawai surfing is safe covers health and evacuation planning in more depth.
Sun protection
The sun near the equator is strong, and you will spend hours on the water and on boats. Bring more sunscreen than you think you need, because supplies on the islands can be limited. Choose a broad-spectrum SPF 50 that is labelled reef-friendly, plus a zinc or mineral stick for your face, SPF lip balm, a hat, sunglasses and after-sun lotion.
Clothing
- Two or three pairs of boardshorts or swimwear, so one is always dry.
- Light, quick-dry shirts and shorts.
- A light rain shell; tropical showers are common, especially from about November to March.
- A warm layer for early-morning boat rides and windy evenings.
- Modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees for village visits.
- Sandals or flip-flops, plus closed shoes if you plan to trek in Siberut.
Money, connectivity and power
Cash
Carry enough Indonesian rupiah for the whole trip plus an emergency reserve. ATM access in the islands is limited and unreliable, so withdraw cash in Padang before the ferry. Ask your operator in advance which costs are paid locally in cash, such as tips, extra boat trips, drinks or the regency’s surf levy if it is not included.
Phone and internet
Coverage is uneven. Tuapejat and larger settlements usually have better signal; remote camps and boat routes may have weak or no service, and accommodation Wi-Fi is not guaranteed. Download maps, booking confirmations and emergency contacts before leaving Padang. A local SIM or eSIM can help where there is coverage.
Power
Indonesia uses Type C and Type F plugs at 230 V, 50 Hz. Bring an adapter and a power bank, because power interruptions can happen at remote camps.
Documents and insurance
- Passport valid well beyond your travel dates, plus a photocopy or digital copy.
- Travel insurance that explicitly covers surfing, reef injuries and emergency evacuation from the islands.
- Your operator’s emergency contact number and the insurer’s assistance line.
- Booking confirmations for flights, hotel in Padang, ferry and accommodation.
Luggage limits on the ferry
The fast ferry from Padang to Tuapejat has its own luggage rules, which vary by operator and ticket. One published allowance is 15 kg of standard luggage plus one board bag up to 25 kg; other schedules charge board fees by weight. Confirm before you travel, especially if you carry several boards. Many resort and charter packages handle transfers and luggage for you. Our all inclusive Mentawai surf resort guide explains what is typically covered, and travellers from Australia can see our Mentawai surf from Australia guide for flight connections.
What to leave at home
- Wetsuits thicker than a 1 mm vest or spring suit.
- Expensive jewellery and valuables you do not need.
- Heavy cotton clothing that never dries in the humidity.
- Excess single-use plastic; bring a refillable bottle instead.
Quick facts
- Water temperature: about 27 to 29°C all year; no wetsuit needed.
- Must-haves: rash vest, reef booties, SPF 50, repellent, reef-cut first aid.
- Cash: bring rupiah from Padang; island ATMs are unreliable.
- Plugs: Type C and F, 230 V.
- Signal: patchy outside Tuapejat.
- Ferry luggage: rules vary; check board allowances.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need reef booties in the Mentawai?
They are strongly recommended for shallow reef breaks and getting in and out over coral, though not essential at every wave.
Can I buy sunscreen and surf gear in the islands?
Supplies are limited and may not include the brands or SPF you want. Buy what you need before you leave home or in Padang.
How much cash should I bring?
It depends on what your package includes. Ask your operator which costs are paid locally in cash, then bring that amount plus a reserve.
Is there internet at Mentawai surf camps?
Some have Wi-Fi, but speed and reliability vary. Expect to be partly offline and plan accordingly.
What should non-surfers pack?
The same health, sun and clothing basics, plus snorkel gear, books and good walking shoes for treks.
For an overview of seasons, regions and trip formats, visit our Mentawai surf holidays homepage.
Plan your trip
We are an independent planning guide and do not own resorts or boats. Send us your dates and plans and we will help you work out what is included, what to bring and which operators suit you. Message us on WhatsApp or email bd@juaraholding.com.
