Kandui Left Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty, and I’ve been combing through the charts for Kandui Left. Let me tell you, this is a classic Mentawai setup – a world-class left-hander that’s known for its long, grinding barrels. But the next 16 days are a mixed bag, so we’ve got to be picky.

We start off on a bit of a downer. From Saturday the 22nd right through to Wednesday the 26th, the surf is there but it’s messy. The wind is mostly cross or cross-on, and the combo energy is moderate to strong, but the wind just keeps it ragged. There’s a bit of a pulse with 8ft from the SSW early on, but that cross-shore wind is ruining the party. Definitely a “wait and see” period.

Then things get interesting. Thursday morning, the 27th, there’s a moment of magic. The wind drops to glassy, and we’ve got a solid 5ft of SSW swell with a very long 19-second period. The energy is strong. That’s a proper groundswell, and with glassy conditions, Kandui Left will be offering up some clean, long barrels. This is for the experienced crew though – the long period will make the take-off a bit more critical, but the reward is there.

But the real standout? It’s towards the end of the month. Monday the 31st of August through to Tuesday the 1st of September is the pick of the whole forecast. Monday afternoon ticks both boxes: near-perfect 8ft SSW groundswell (18-second period) and glassy conditions. The energy is very strong. That’s a stacking swell. Then Tuesday the 1st of September morning goes even bigger: 10ft from the SW, 18-second period, light offshore ESE wind, and a massive energy reading. This is big, powerful, and clean. It’s expert territory for sure, but for those who can handle it, this is the session to circle. The water is warm at 85°F, which is about average for this time of year, so no wetsuit needed.

After that, the swell fades through the second week, dropping to 4ft to 5ft from the SW by Friday the 4th and Saturday the 5th of September. The wind looks cleaner, with a few glassy mornings, but the energy is weak. The period drops to 9 seconds on the 5th, so it’s more of a windswell than a proper groundswell. It’s a small, less exciting finish to the period.

Keep in mind, Kandui Left is a reef break, so it really needs that clean, offshore wind to shine. It’s fairly consistent, so when the conditions align, it’s one of the best on the planet. The crowds are listed as “always,” so expect company, especially on the days that look good.

Rusty.

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