Kandui Left Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let's talk about the Mentawais, and more specifically, Kandui Left.

This is a classic reef setup, and it’s exposed to any swell heading its way. Over the next 16 days, we’ve got a solid run of SW groundswell, but the wind is going to be the main character in this story. For the first week or so, a persistent SSE breeze is going to keep things pretty messy. The water is sitting at a warm 85°, which is spot on for this time of year, so you won't be needing a wetsuit.

We start off slow. Sunday the 6th and Monday the 7th are a write-off. The wind is howling from the SSE at 16 to 19 mph, either cross or cross-on, and the waves are a chop-fest. You’ll see some swell there, 4 ft to 5 ft, but it’s not worth paddling out for. The combined energy is moderate, but it’s all wind-slapped.

The middle of the week, from Tuesday the 8th through Friday the 11th, is a tease. The swell ticks up a bit, with the 9th seeing a 7 ft SSW groundswell, but that SSE wind just won't quit. It’s cross-on or cross-off, and the word "choppy" keeps popping up. It’s marginal at best. You might get a few, but it’ll be a battle.

Now, the first real standout comes on Saturday the 12th. The morning is looking magic. The wind finally drops and swings ESE, giving us a clean, cross-off breeze. The swell is a solid 5 ft from the SW, with a long 19 second period. That’s a proper groundswell. The combined energy is strong, and the report says "excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers." This is your window. It won’t be a beginner wave at that size, and because it’s a reef, those long-period sets will be lining up perfectly. It’s a point break, so the long period is a bonus, not a curse. Expect crowds, as this spot is always busy.

Sunday the 13th is still game-on, but the wind shifts back onshore, making it messier. 7 ft to 8 ft SW swell, but the quality drops.

The next real highlight is a full week away, on Wednesday the 16th of September. The morning is glassy. Zero wind. The swell is 6 ft from the SSW, with a 14-second period. The energy is solid, and the conditions are described as "excellent." That glassy, clean surface on a reef like Kandui Left is about as good as it gets. The afternoon is glassy again. This is a standout session for the smooth, clean lines.

The 17th and 18th continue the trend of cleaner winds, but the swell drops a bit. On Friday the 18th, we get another clean, offshore morning with a 5 ft SSW swell, and a 14-second period. The afternoon sees the swell period stretch back to 19 seconds, with a 4 ft SSW swell and clean conditions. The energy is moderate, but the quality is high.

The final weekend, the 19th and 20th, sees a pulse of bigger swell, 7 ft to 8 ft, but the SE wind comes back, putting a cross-chop on the face. It’s big, but it’s not clean. The energy is strong, but it’s not the best session.

So, to sum it up: the absolute best on offer is Saturday the 12th morning for the clean, cross-off wind and long-period groundswell, and Wednesday the 16th for the totally glassy, clean conditions. Get on those.

- Rusty

Read more