Telescopes
Telescopes is a Mentawai gem—a long, wrapping left-hander that offers 200+ meter rides through multiple barrel sections. The wave starts with a steep, hollow drop before transitioning into workable shoulder sections that allow for endless speed generation. Located in North Sipora, it thrives on W-SW swells and the typical SE trade winds. It's one of the most user-friendly quality waves in the Mentawais, making it popular with intermediate-advanced surfers looking for tropical perfection.
Telescopes 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
- 0.9m - 3m
- Ideal size
- 1.8m - 2.5m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 16s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- ESE (112°)
- Offshore range
- 67° - 157°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- all
Difficulty
6/10
Crowd level
3/10
Access: Boat/resort
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Telescopes?
Telescopes is a reef break in North Sipora, Mentawais, Indonesia, that mostly breaks left. It's on our list of the world's 100 best waves.
What's the story behind Telescopes?
Telescopes breaks off northwest Sipora alongside Iceland and Scarecrows. Sipora is also home to Tuapejat, the regency capital of the Mentawai Islands.
What swell works best at Telescopes?
Telescopes 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 0.9m and handles up to about 3m, with the sweet spot around 1.8 to 2.5m. 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 Telescopes?
An ESE wind is dead offshore at Telescopes, and anything from the ENE round to the SSE 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 Telescopes?
Telescopes 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 Telescopes?
The most reliable run of swell at Telescopes comes Apr to Oct. There's a second window in Mar and Nov too. 74% July clean.
Is Telescopes 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 Telescopes?
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 Telescopes?
The closest breaks we track are Seven Palms (0.6 km), Scarecrows (1.0 km) and Icelands (1.1 km), handy when Telescopes isn't working.
Best Season
Peak: Apr-Oct
Secondary: Mar, Nov
74% July clean
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Seven Palms
🌊 Overlooked Sipora right • Often surfed alone • Quality solitude
Scarecrows
🌊 Hidden Mentawai gem • Bowling barrels • Uncrowded lineup
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
Plan a trip around Telescopes
Compare this break with other destinations in these surf guides.