Lighthouse is the southernmost surf break in the Mentawai Islands chain, located in South Pagai. It needs a solid south swell to light up but rewards with very long, rippable walls that allow for extended rides with numerous turn sections. The wave faces more south than other Mentawai spots, picking up S-SW swells that miss breaks further north. Less visited due to its remote location, offering a more solitary surf experience.
Return flights to PDG, departing today with a 5-day trip window.
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Water temp
28°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Difficulty
7/10
Crowd level
4/10
Access: Charter boat from Padang (~10hr) or speedboat (~4hr)
Lighthouse works best on a mid tide, ideally between 0.5m and 1.5m on the local tide chart. The tide chart above shows today’s strike window.
Offshore wind at Lighthouse blows from the E (90°). Anything in the 45° to 135° range grooms the faces; outside it, expect chop or bumpy conditions.
Lighthouse wants S swell (170° to 200°) between 1.5m and 3m, with a period of 14s or more for quality waves.
The main season at Lighthouse is Apr-Oct. A secondary window runs Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar. Best Apr-Oct (dry season, SE trades offshore). Swells year-round but wet season brings onshore winds.
Fly into PDG, then allow about 0 minutes by road, plus a boat transfer (around $200 USD). Charter boat from Padang (~10hr) or speedboat (~4hr)
Lighthouse is a reef break, a left-hander. Difficulty is rated 7/10.
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.
⛈️ Heavy Playgrounds barrel • Bowling lefts • Not for the timid
🌊 South Pagai perfection • Multi-section barrels • Super shallow
🍝 The consistent one • Works when others don't • User-friendly perfection
🌊 Emerald Mentawai barrel • Two rock sections • Heavy tube time
🌙 Spring tide slabs • Square barrels • Timing is everything
🎰 Playgrounds multi-section right • Linking walls • Mid-crowd escape