Hideaways (Mentawi Islands) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here, and I’ve got the goods on what’s shaping up for the Mentawi Islands. We’re looking at a ripper of a window, but you’ve gotta pick your days – there’s a solid run of quality surf, then a nasty stretch of weather, and a late reprieve.

First up, the main event is Hideaways (Mentawi Islands). This reef break is a consistent performer, and it’s ready to fire. We’re starting with a build right now. The water’s sitting at around 81°F, which is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

The first real standout kicks off Saturday morning, August 1st. We’ve got a solid 5ft SSW groundswell humming in at a long 17 seconds, and with a gentle offshore breeze, it’s going to be clean as a whistle. The energy is strong (1543), so expect some proper push. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers – it’s a bit heavy for the beginners, but for the crew who know what they’re doing, it’s game on. That afternoon holds up with 5ft SSW and a gentle cross-off, still clean.

Sunday August 2nd is a gem, especially the afternoon. The wind goes glassy, dead calm, and you’ve got 4ft SSW swell with an incredible 18-second period. The combined energy is still very strong (1272), and that long period means the waves will have real shape and power, but the sets will be a bit more spread out. Ideal for Hideaways’ reef setup.

Monday August 3rd keeps the love going. Both the morning and afternoon are glassy, with 6ft and 5ft SSW swell, periods around 14-15 seconds. The energy is moderate to strong (1145, 996). It’s clean, it’s punchy, it’s a joy.

Tuesday August 4th is the absolute high point of this first run. The swell is 6ft SSW, period at 16 seconds, and the wind is glassy. The combined energy is a massive 1586 – that’s a lot of power. This is excellent surf for the experienced. It’s a standout. If you’ve got a window, this is the day to be in the water.

Then the wheels fall off. From Wednesday August 5th through to Sunday August 10th, the wind swings onshore and howls. We’re talking 20-30 km/h (12-18 mph) cross-on winds, turning the surf into a lumpy, choppy mess. The swell jumps up, hitting 8ft to 10ft, but the conditions are poor. This is a gap of about 5 days where you’d be better off doing something else. The energy is sky-high (4494 at one point), but with that wind, it’s a kite-surfing show, not a paddle session.

We get a bit of a lull on Monday August 10th and Tuesday August 11th, with tiny 1ft SW swell. Not worth suiting up.

Now, the second highlight. The forecast looks promising again from Thursday August 13th. The morning kicks off with a build: 2ft SSW swell, but the period is a staggering 26 seconds. That’s a very long groundswell, and with glassy conditions, the energy is already moderate (671). It’s a whisper, but it’s a clean one.

The real standout of this second run is Friday August 14th. Morning has 5ft SSW swell, 20-second period, and a light offshore breeze. The energy is strong (2326). The afternoon is even better, glassy with 6ft SSW swell at 19 seconds, energy at 2573. This is another excellent window for the experienced crew. Saturday August 15th also holds with 7ft SSW swell, glassy in the morning, clean in the afternoon. It’s big, so only for the experts.

So, the two true standouts are Tuesday August 4th and Friday August 14th. Both offer excellent, powerful SSW swell with clean conditions at Hideaways. The first week is the most reliable, but the second week has some serious potential if the long-range charts hold up. Get it while it’s good.

Rusty.

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