Scarecrows
- Shortboard, Advanced riders
- Best for
- Intermediate to Advanced
- Skill Level
- Swell, Ocean
- Spot Type
- Moderate
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Scarecrows is a world-class left-hand reef break in the Mentawai Islands, delivering fast, peeling sections and very consistent performances. Surf is primarily reef-based with sharp coral and rocks, creating a high-performance wave that can become hollow and challenging on larger swell days. Rides are commonly long, with reports of sessions delivering over 200 yards (about 180m) and, under favorable conditions, long multi-section rides that can extend roughly 200–300m. The inside portion is described as “The Curry Bowl,” adding to the wave’s barrel potential as swell and tide line up. Timing matters: sources consistently favor mid to high tide, and specifically note that conditions are best around high tide when the tide is falling. Low tide can be extremely shallow on the reef and increases risk, so plan your window accordingly and be ready for quick changes in water depth. Access is by boat only from the Sumatra mainland area (for example via Padang), and the coast is remote—rescue is limited and serious injuries may require boat transport to Padang. Because the break is exposed and reef hazards are prominent, prioritize protective gear and avoid rushing launches or walking/kicking off sections without proper foot protection.
- Very consistent left-hand reef break
- Long rides (often over 200 yards / ~180m)
- Fast peeling walls with inside barrel sections
- Best around mid to high tide (often when falling)
- Extremely consistent, world-class left-hand reef break.
- Long rides reported (often over 200 yards / ~180m; on good days up to 200–300m).
- Works across a broad swell range and can develop hollow, barrel-like sections on larger sets.
- Best season typically April to October.
- Reef and sharp coral hazards; low tide can be very shallow and dangerous.
- Remote access and limited rescue availability; serious injuries may require transport to Padang.
- Sometimes crowded on big swells.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- E, ENE, NE
- Offshore directions
- E, ENE, NE
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Southeast trade winds
- Reliability
- high
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Reported as steady
- Best Months
- April, May, June, July, August, September, October
- Shadow Zones
- Sensitive to wind changes compared to some other Mentawai breaks.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Ocean
- Beach
- Reef — Reef-coral with sharp coral and rocks
- Beach Size
- Tidal
- Waves
- Big — Starts working under 1m and can hold up to 3m+; can be very large
- Launch
- Small — Launch from boats/charters; surfers jump directly into the water from transport
- Launch Difficulty
- Difficult — Moderate launch difficulty reported, but reef exposure and remote setup make the session itself challenging.
Through the year
Moderate in peak season (Apr–Oct); quiet off-season.
November–March
By sport
What to expect for each.
World-class left-hand reef break with fast peeling sections and long rides. Performs across smaller-to-bigger swell ranges with the inside segment described as 'The Curry Bowl'.
- Wave Direction
- Left
- Optimal Swell
- SW, S, SE
- Swell Height
- 0.5–3.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid, High, All tides — Mid to high tide is favored; sources also note it works on rising/falling tides, with low tide often shallow on the reef.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed open-ocean reef break
- Wind Effect
- Best with light offshore winds from the East or Southeast; can become messy with stronger West or Northwest winds.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds size well and can become significantly more hollow and challenging; can transform into an advanced ride with powerful, barrel-like sections.
- Wave Quality
- World class — World-class quality
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Hollow, fast, powerful; can be very powerful on larger days
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Fast peeling walls with potential inside barrel sections
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Fast peeling sections
- Ride Length
- Medium — Long rides reported over 200 yards; commonly ~180m and can reach 200–300m on good days
- Typical Ride Length
- 150–300 m
- Ride Length Details
- Over 200 yards (about 180m) can be achieved; on good days rides can run roughly 200–300m with multiple sections.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Scarecrows in the full forecast view.
Scarecrows wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 4–8 ktsGusts 16 kts
- Direction
- SSE152°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 248 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.4–1.1 m11s period
- Temperature
- 25–30 °C
Over the next 7 days, Scarecrows is forecast for daytime winds of 4–8 kts, peaking around 8 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 16 kts. The prevailing direction is SSE. Waves run 0.4–1.1 m with a period of about 11s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- rocks
- sharp coral reef
- reef
- sharp coral
- strong currents
- shallow water at low tide
- remote location
- large swell power
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue is limited and typically relies on private surf operators/charters; no centralized public coastguard rescue service.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest major medical facilities are in Padang (Serious injuries may require boat transport to Padang).
- Localism / Vibe
- None — No strong localism indicated; one source notes mild localism.
Rules of the spot
Use respect on lineup; avoid rocks and the reef/low-water shallow sections.
- By boat only
- Watch rocks and reef; low tide can be very shallow and dangerous on the reef.
- Best conditions are typically around mid to high tide (especially when the tide is falling).
- Wait for mid-tide to avoid the shallowest sections of the reef.
- Booties recommended due to sharp coral if you have to walk/kick off.
- Bring a backup board; reef and power can cause breakages.
- Sometimes crowded on big swells.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Padang
- Nearest Town
- Mentawai Islands (Sipora)
- Parking
- Parking available at embarkation point in Padang before boat transfer.
- Access
- Special Access: By boat only. Boat from Padang (Sumatra mainland) or via Togat Nusa/Aloita Resorts on nearby islands.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Indonesian
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Accommodation is mainly centered around specialized surf resorts and luxury charter boats (accessed via boat).
- Food & Drink
- Restaurants and cafes nearby through resort access; food/drink provided by surf charters or resorts (no immediate shore facilities).
- Equipment Rental:
- Limited equipment rental at high-end resorts; many surfers bring their own gear.
- Gear Storage
- Gear storage available on charter boats or at resorts.
- Gear Repair
- Basic repair kits usually available on charter boats; limited repair support noted generally.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A stunning chain of islands known for tropical beauty and reef breaks.
Indigenous Mentawai culture, including traditional tattooing and communal longhouses (Uma).
Guided treks through the tropical rainforests of Sipura and Siberut islands.
Most dining options are located within private resorts.
Exploring vibrant coral reefs in calmer lagoon areas between swell sets.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Scarecrows?
The best overall months at Scarecrows are April, May, June, July, August, September, October.
Which wind directions work at Scarecrows?
Scarecrows works with E, ENE, NE winds. Offshore directions are E, ENE, NE.
What skill level is Scarecrows suitable for?
Scarecrows suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate to Expert.