Kandui Left
Kandui Left was first nicknamed "No Kandui" for how difficult and heavy it is—a fast, hollow left-hander that breaks over a razor-sharp reef in the Playgrounds region of the Mentawais. The wave is unforgiving, pitching over extreme shallow reef and offering no safe exit on wipeouts. The consequences of mistakes are severe. For expert tube riders only, Kandui Left is simultaneously one of the most beautiful and terrifying waves on Earth.
Kandui Left surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- WSW (247°)
- Direction range
- 225° - 270°
- Size range
- 1.5m - 4.5m
- Ideal size
- 2.8m - 3.8m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 16s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- E (90°)
- Offshore range
- 45° - 135°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- all
Difficulty
6/10
Crowd level
3/10
Access: Boat/resort
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Kandui Left?
Kandui Left is a reef break in Playgrounds, Mentawais, Indonesia, that mostly breaks left. It's on our list of the world's 100 best waves.
What's the story behind Kandui Left?
It was first called 'No Kandui' because of how difficult and heavy it is. It breaks off Karangmajat island, which has Rifles on its opposite side.
What swell works best at Kandui Left?
Kandui Left 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 1.5m and handles up to about 4.5m, with the sweet spot around 2.8 to 3.8m. Period matters too: aim for 16s or longer, as anything under 14s 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 Kandui Left?
An E wind is dead offshore at Kandui Left, and anything from the NE round to the SE 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 Kandui Left?
Kandui Left isn't especially fussy about tide and generally works through the cycle, so swell and wind matter more here. Big tides can still change how it breaks, so it's worth checking before you paddle out.
When is the best time of year to surf Kandui Left?
The most reliable run of swell at Kandui Left comes Apr to Oct. There's a second window in Mar and Nov too. Needs SW swell.
Is Kandui Left good for beginners?
It's more of an intermediate wave, rated 6/10 for difficulty, so newer surfers are best off sticking to the smaller days. The lineup is usually quiet (crowd 3/10). Things to watch for: shallow water at low tide and sharp, shallow reef (booties help).
How do I get to Kandui Left?
The nearest airport on our list is PDG. From there you need a boat to reach the break (we estimate around $250 USD, but confirm with an operator). Boat/resort.
What other surf spots are near Kandui Left?
The closest breaks we track are Hideaways (1.7 km), Burgerworld (2.4 km) and Pistols (3.5 km), handy when Kandui Left isn't working.
Best Season
Peak: Apr-Oct
Secondary: Mar, Nov
Needs SW swell
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Hideaways
🌊 Secret Mentawai left • Barrel opportunities • Less crowds
Burgerworld
🌊 Most exposed Mentawai • Low-season barrels • Sculpted right tubes
Pistols
🌊 Playgrounds right • Short barrels, nice turns • Fun warm-up wave
Nipussi
🌊 Siberut easy left • Great intermediate wave • Tropical backdrop
Rifles
🎯 Flawless rights • Precision swell angle • Mentawai crown jewel
4 Bobs
🌊 Playgrounds fun right • Almond barrels • Two-turn combos
Plan a trip around Kandui Left
Compare this break with other destinations in these surf guides.