Scarecrows
Scarecrows is an often-overlooked left reef break in North Sipora, Mentawai Islands, that picks up significant swell and delivers bowling waves with solid barrel sections. The wave offers big carving opportunities on the outside before transitioning into hollow inside sections. Its relatively low profile among the Mentawai lineup means fewer boats anchor here, providing a more peaceful session. Best surfed at mid to high tide with light easterly winds.
Scarecrows surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
Today's ConditionsToday's Conditions
Find FlightsLocation & Conditions
Hourly Forecast, Tide & Strike Windows
Tide times today
Strike Score Breakdown
Plan Your Strike
Return flights to PDG, departing today with a 5-day trip window.
Search Flights on SkyscannerLocation & Conditions
Know when Southeast Asia is about to fire
Get the best strike windows in Southeast Asia — and worldwide — in your inbox every Monday & Thursday. Live Strike Scores, the swell behind them, zero fluff.
Get the full Scarecrows trip window
Pro unlocks the 10-day forecast window, unlimited alerts, and custom spot tracking that help turn a good-looking surf report into a better travel decision.
10-day window
See the trip window before flights get expensive.
Unlimited alerts
Let the app watch your score threshold for you.
Custom spots
Track the breaks that actually matter to your travel plans.
Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SSW (200°)
- Direction range
- 180° - 220°
- Size range
- 1.2m - 3m
- Ideal size
- 2m - 2.6m
- Height multiplier
- 0.90×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
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
7/10
Crowd level
3/10
Access: Charter boat from Padang (~10hr) or speedboat (~4hr)
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Scarecrows?
Scarecrows is a reef break in North Sipora, Mentawai, Indonesia, that mostly breaks left.
What swell works best at Scarecrows?
Scarecrows picks up swell from the S round to the SW, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the SSW. That's a tight window, so it needs the swell direction to line up. It starts working at around 1.2m and handles up to about 3m, with the sweet spot around 2 to 2.6m. 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 Scarecrows?
An E wind is dead offshore at Scarecrows, 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 Scarecrows?
Scarecrows 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 Scarecrows?
The most reliable run of swell at Scarecrows 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 Scarecrows?
The water at Scarecrows 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 Scarecrows good for beginners?
Not really. It's rated 7/10 for difficulty and suits experienced surfers. The lineup is usually quiet (crowd 3/10). Things to watch for: sharp, shallow reef (booties help).
How do I get to Scarecrows?
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 Scarecrows?
The closest breaks we track are Seven Palms (0.5 km), Telescopes (1.0 km) and Icelands (2.1 km), handy when Scarecrows 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
Seven Palms
🌊 Overlooked Sipora right • Often surfed alone • Quality solitude
Telescopes
🔭 Long Mentawai left • Barrel to shoulder • Trade wind perfection
Icelands
🌋 Mentawai big wave • 20ft+ faces • Expert-only reef
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