Icelands
Icelands (also known as Omak Tidur) is the premier big-wave location in the Mentawai Islands, capable of handling swells up to 20+ feet. Located in North Sipora, this powerful left reef break only wakes up on the largest W-SW swells and rewards expert surfers with massive, hollow waves. The wave is strictly for experienced big-wave riders, as wipeouts are extremely consequential on the deep-water reef. One of the most awe-inspiring waves in all of Indonesia when conditions align.
Icelands surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- WSW (245°)
- Direction range
- 230° - 260°
- Size range
- 2.4m - 6.1m
- Ideal size
- 4.1m - 5.2m
- Height multiplier
- 1.08×
- Ideal period
- 16s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- E (90°)
- Offshore range
- 60° - 120°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid to high
- Optimal range
- 0.7m - 1.8m
Water temp
28°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Difficulty
9/10
Crowd level
4/10
Access: Charter boat from Padang (~10hr) or speedboat (~4hr)
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Icelands?
Icelands is a reef break in North Sipora, Mentawai, Indonesia, that mostly breaks left.
What swell works best at Icelands?
Icelands picks up swell from the SW round to the W, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the WSW. That's a tight window, so it needs the swell direction to line up. It starts working at around 2.4m and handles up to about 6.1m, with the sweet spot around 4.1 to 5.2m. Period matters too: aim for 16s or longer, as anything under 12s tends to be weak. These are the numbers our scoring uses, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise.
What wind is offshore at Icelands?
An E wind is dead offshore at Icelands, and anything from the ENE round to the ESE keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 6am to midday. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Icelands?
Icelands is at its best around the mid to high tide, roughly 0.7m to 1.8m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Icelands?
The most reliable run of swell at Icelands comes Apr to Oct. There's a second window in Nov to Mar too. Best Apr-Oct (dry season, SE trades offshore). Swells year-round but wet season brings onshore winds.
How cold is the water at Icelands?
The water at Icelands averages around 28°C, so boardshorts or a rashguard will do. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Icelands good for beginners?
No. At 9/10 for difficulty, it's strictly for experts. Expect a moderate crowd (4/10) when it's on. Things to watch for: sharp, shallow reef (booties help).
How do I get to Icelands?
The nearest airport on our list is PDG. From there you need a boat to reach the break (we estimate around $200 USD, but confirm with an operator). Charter boat from Padang (~10hr) or speedboat (~4hr).
What other surf spots are near Icelands?
The closest breaks we track are Telescopes (1.1 km), Seven Palms (1.7 km) and Scarecrows (2.1 km), handy when Icelands isn't working.
Best Season
Peak: Apr-Oct
Secondary: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Best Apr-Oct (dry season, SE trades offshore). Swells year-round but wet season brings onshore winds.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Telescopes
🔭 Long Mentawai left • Barrel to shoulder • Trade wind perfection
Seven Palms
🌊 Overlooked Sipora right • Often surfed alone • Quality solitude
Scarecrows
🌊 Hidden Mentawai gem • Bowling barrels • Uncrowded lineup
Cobra
💥 Near HT's • Short hollow slab • Quick intense barrels
Suicides Right
💥 Near HT's • Fast shallow barrel • Expert-only commitment
Bintangs
💥 Shallow Mentawai slab • Technical tube ride • Expert barrels