Pitstops
Pitstops is a playful right-hander with a sand and reef bottom in the Playgrounds zone of the Mentawai Islands. The wave is more accessible and forgiving than its neighbours like Kandui and Rifles, making it a great option for intermediate surfers looking for fun tropical waves. It offers rippable walls with occasional tube sections and works well on smaller to medium swells. The Playgrounds area is one of the most wave-rich zones in all of Indonesia.
Pitstops surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SW (230°)
- Direction range
- 210° - 250°
- Size range
- 0.9m - 1.8m
- Ideal size
- 1.3m - 1.6m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- ESE (112°)
- Offshore range
- 82° - 142°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid to high
- Optimal range
- 0.7m - 1.8m
Water temp
28°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Difficulty
5/10
Crowd level
4/10
Access: Charter boat from Padang (~10hr) or speedboat (~4hr)
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Pitstops?
Pitstops is a reef break in Playgrounds, Mentawai, Indonesia, that mostly breaks right.
What swell works best at Pitstops?
Pitstops picks up swell from the SSW round to the WSW, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the SW. That's a tight window, so it needs the swell direction to line up. It starts working at around 0.9m and handles up to about 1.8m, with the sweet spot around 1.3 to 1.6m. Period matters too: aim for 14s or longer, as anything under 10s 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 Pitstops?
An ESE wind is dead offshore at Pitstops, and anything from the E 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 Pitstops?
Pitstops 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 Pitstops?
The most reliable run of swell at Pitstops 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 Pitstops?
The water at Pitstops 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 Pitstops good for beginners?
It's more of an intermediate wave, rated 5/10 for difficulty, so newer surfers are best off sticking to the smaller days. Expect a moderate crowd (4/10) when it's on. Things to watch for: strong rips, sharp, shallow reef (booties help) and a long walk or paddle in.
How do I get to Pitstops?
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 Pitstops?
The closest breaks we track are 4 Bobs (0.3 km), Playgrounds Left (0.5 km) and Rifles (0.9 km), handy when Pitstops isn't working. We track 6 spots around Playgrounds, Mentawai in total.
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
4 Bobs
🌊 Playgrounds fun right • Almond barrels • Two-turn combos
Playgrounds Left
🌊 Many names, one zone • Playgrounds barrels • Mentawai spectacle
Rifles
🎯 Flawless rights • Precision swell angle • Mentawai crown jewel
Pistols
🌊 Playgrounds right • Short barrels, nice turns • Fun warm-up wave
Burgerworld
🌊 Most exposed Mentawai • Low-season barrels • Sculpted right tubes
Hideaways
🌊 Secret Mentawai left • Barrel opportunities • Less crowds