Thunders
Thunders earns its ominous name when solid south swells pour into the Playgrounds zone—a heavy, bowling left that detonates over shallow reef with serious intent. This is where the Mentawai experience steps up in intensity, demanding committed takeoffs and fast tube navigation. The wave jacks up dramatically on the takeoff before pitching into thick, grinding barrels that seem to thunder with each impact. It's not for the faint-hearted, but for surfers ready to match its power, Thunders delivers some of the most satisfying tubes in the island chain.
Thunders surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SW (215°)
- Direction range
- 195° - 245°
- Size range
- 1.2m - 3.5m
- Ideal size
- 2.2m - 2.9m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 16s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- ESE (115°)
- Offshore range
- 75° - 155°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid to high
- Optimal range
- 0.6m - 1.6m
- Danger below
- 0.3m
Water temp
28°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Difficulty
8/10
Crowd level
2/10
Access: Boat charter from Padang. Playgrounds area.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Thunders?
Thunders is a reef break in Mentawai, Indonesia, that mostly breaks left.
What swell works best at Thunders?
Thunders picks up swell from the SSW round to the WSW, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the SW. It starts working at around 1.2m and handles up to about 3.5m, with the sweet spot around 2.2 to 2.9m. Period matters too: aim for 16s or longer, as anything under 12s 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 Thunders?
An ESE wind is dead offshore at Thunders, and anything from the ENE round to the SSE keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 6am to 11am. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Thunders?
Thunders is at its best around the mid to high tide, roughly 0.6m to 1.6m on the local chart. Below 0.3m it gets dangerously shallow.
When is the best time of year to surf Thunders?
The most reliable run of swell at Thunders comes Apr to Oct. April-October. Needs solid swell to work properly.
How cold is the water at Thunders?
The water at Thunders 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 Thunders good for beginners?
Not really. It's rated 8/10 for difficulty and suits experienced surfers. The lineup is usually quiet (crowd 2/10). Heavy wave. Shallow reef. For experienced surfers.
How do I get to Thunders?
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). Boat charter from Padang. Playgrounds area.
What other surf spots are near Thunders?
The closest breaks we track are Rags Right (5.8 km), Lighthouse (29 km) and Macaronis (37 km), handy when Thunders isn't working. We track 7 spots around Mentawai in total.
Best Season
Peak: Apr-Oct
April-October. Needs solid swell to work properly.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Rags Right
🌊 South Pagai perfection • Multi-section barrels • Super shallow
Lighthouse
🌊 Southernmost Mentawai • Long rippable walls • Remote solitude
Macaronis
🍝 The consistent one • Works when others don't • User-friendly perfection
E-Bay
🌊 Emerald Mentawai barrel • Two rock sections • Heavy tube time
Greenbush
🌙 Spring tide slabs • Square barrels • Timing is everything
Bankvaults
🎰 Playgrounds multi-section right • Linking walls • Mid-crowd escape