Live-aboard
Family-run, all-inclusive surf boat trips through the Mentawai Islands. Two boats, one crew, and the freedom to chase the best waves on earth.
Why charter
A surf boat trip is the purest way to surf the Mentawais. Instead of waiting for one reef to turn on, the boat sails to the wave that is already firing, so you surf the best conditions with the fewest people on them, day after day.
Both our boats run all-inclusive 11-night trips with 10 full days of surfing. You wake up anchored beside the lineup, a guide reads the swell with you, and every transfer, meal and cold drink is taken care of. All you bring is your board bag.
The boats
MENTAWAI ISLANDS · 1°57'S 99°35'E
LIVE-ABOARD CHARTER
Live at sea. Chase swell. Wake up in the lineup.
Eleven nights on the water with up to ten of your crew. The boat moves with the swell. You surf where it’s best, then fall asleep anchored beside tomorrow’s first wave.
MENTAWAI · TELLO · HINAKO ISLANDS
CATAMARAN CHARTER
Ride world-class waves. Sleep like a dream. Share the stoke.
A 46-foot catamaran purpose-built for surf. Eight guests, en-suite cabins, an on-board surf pro, and the stability only two hulls can give you after a three-session day.
Choosing between them
Ombak Kabau if
Odyssey Mentawai if
We are not going to tell you one is the best Mentawai surf charter, because the honest answer is that it depends on your crew. If you are weighing it up, read our straight comparison of Ombak Kabau and Odyssey Mentawai, including where people most often get the choice wrong.
Charter FAQ
A live-aboard surf charter is a boat trip where you sleep, eat and live on board while a crew moves the boat to the best waves each day. It is the classic way to surf the Mentawai Islands, giving you access to more waves and fewer crowds than a fixed base.
Our charters run 11 nights on board with 10 full days of surfing. That length gives the boat time to chase swell across the archipelago and all but guarantees you score good waves during your trip.
Ombak Kabau takes up to 10 guests and is one of the most affordable, surf-focused charters in the Mentawais, ideal for a full crew of mates. Odyssey Mentawai is a 46ft catamaran for up to 8 guests with en-suite cabins and an on-board surf pro, a smoother, more comfortable ride for groups who want a little more space.
There is no single best boat, only the one that fits your group, and any operator telling you otherwise is selling. Ombak Kabau takes up to 10 guests and is the better-value boat trip, particularly if you book the whole boat with a crew of mates. Odyssey Mentawai takes 8 in en-suite cabins, sits flatter at anchor and carries a surf pro. Send us your group size and dates and we will tell you honestly which one we would put you on.
Cost depends on the boat, the season and whether you book the whole boat or individual berths. Both our charters are all-inclusive. Send us your dates and group size and we will return tailored pricing the same day.
Airport transfers from Padang, the boat crossing and all on-water transport, accommodation on board, three meals a day, snacks and drinks, surf guiding, and a crate of beer per person. Flights and the regional Mentawai surf tax are the main extras.
April to October is prime season, with the biggest swell from June to August. Charters run year-round; see our guide on the best time to surf the Mentawais for a month-by-month breakdown.
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