Mentawai Islands – Famous for its stunning nature and diverse culture, every inch of area in Indonesia has its own uniqueness. Like Mentawai Islands, for example, one of the prides of Sumatra.
Consisting of seventy islands that are stretched on the west coast of Sumatra, some of you might know the Mentawai Islands as one of the best surfing destinations in the world. But, they actually have a lot more of their alluring vista and interesting culture.
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Exploring the Exotic Nature of Mentawai Islands
Who would’ve thought that Mentawai Islands stored a lot of untouched scenery? Well, if you’re already curious to know about these exotic islands, keep on reading!
1. Masokut Island
Known as the holy grail for surfers, Masokut Island offers one of the best waves that’s suited for those who are fond of water sport. Not to mention, they also provide cozy little surf camps that will accommodate your stay here.
How to get here: use the fast boat service from Muaro Port at Padang Old Town.
Price: starts from 250,000 IDR/person*
Address: Kepulauan Mentawai, West Sumatra (Check on Google Maps)
2. Sikakap Island
Want to feel like you have your own private beach? Then, visiting Sikakap Island might be the one for you. Despite having a great panorama, this island is still considered to be empty.
With clear turquoise waters, you can swim and snorkel in between the beautiful corals underwater. Of course, surfing through the waves will also be a fun activity to do here at Sikakap Island.
Bonus tip: come by when it’s close to sunset hours. You’ll be welcomed with the warm golden light of the sun while you sit back and relax.
How to get here: use the fast boat service from Muaro Port at Padang Old Town.
Price: starts from 160,000 IDR/person*
Address: Kepulauan Mentawai, West Sumatra (Check on Google Maps)
3. Sipora Island
Who doesn’t know about Sipura Island? This picturesque land is even internationally recognized because of their surfing waves. How cool is that?
Compared to the other islands in Mentawai, Sipura Island has a smaller size. But, at least 15 percent of it is covered in rainforest, so you don’t have to worry because you’ll still have an exciting journey in nature.
If you’re planning to pay this island a visit, we advise you to come around April or October, the waves are usually the best during those months. After a tiring surfing session, you can explore their local foods like subbet, a snack made of cassava and coconut, that surely will complete your vacation.
How to get here: use the fast boat service from Muaro Port at Padang Old Town.
Price: starts from 250,000 IDR/person*
Address: Kepulauan Mentawai, West Sumatra (Check on Google Maps)
4. Awera Island
Surrounded by tropical forest and nifty waves, Awera Islands will take your breath away with their natural beauty. How can it not? With their clean white sands and unique corals, your eyes will constantly spoil.
Once you set foot on this island, the first thing you have to do is head to the beach. Luckily, this island is still hidden from the tourists’ radar. So you can have a quiet tanning and surfing session all day!
How to get here: use the fast boat or ferry from Muaro Port at Padang Old Town.
Price:
- Fast boat: starts from 250,000 IDR/person*
- Ferry: starts from 135,000 IDR/person*
Address: Kepulauan Mentawai, West Sumatra (Check on Google Maps)
5. Siberut Island
Last on our list of recommended islands in Mentawai is Siberut Island with its astonishing scenery. A little fun fact, Siberut Island is the largest island in Mentawai with a whopping 3,838 square kilometers!
As it has more surface area, there are so many things you can do here other than sightseeing by the beach. There is a National Park you can visit where you can see primates and other conserved species of the West Sumatra. Or you can also explore the island and learn about the way of life of the Mentawai Tribe. Sounds interesting right, t-mates?
How to get here: use the local boat service from Pejat Old Town
Address: Tuapejat, Sipora Utara, Kepulauan Mentawai, West Sumatrat 25932 (Check on Google Maps)
Additional information: temporarily closed due to COVID-19*
Learn More About The Culture of Mentawai Islands
Aside from their out-of-the-world realm, the culture of Mentawai Island is still deeply rooted in their daily lives. Let’s take a look at some of it, shall we?
1. The Native of Mentawai Islands
First thing you have to do when learning about the culture of the Mentawai Islands is to get to know their natives. Yes, the native tribe of Mentawai Islands is none other than Mentawai Tribe. Oh, and did you know that Mentawai Tribe is actually one of the oldest tribes in the world?
Most of the time, their life is still dependent on nature. They also live peacefully side by side in the wild. It is common knowledge that they are the ones that responsible for keeping nature in the Mentawai Islands as beautiful as it is today.
One of the things that will catch your attention is their traditional piece of clothing. The males, they wear loincloths while the females wear skirts made from tree bark and banana leaves.
2. Tattoos are Actually a Tradition
In the city, people usually use tattoos as a way to express themselves. But here at the Mentawai Islands, tattoos are actually a tradition from their ancestors. The ink used by them is also different as it is made from the burnt residue of wood charcoal. Making it 100 percent natural!
Another fun fact, the symbol drawn as their tattoos is their way of letting people know about their identity. Therefore, you can know someone’s social status or even hunting skills just by learning about their tattoos.
3. Uma, the Traditional House of Mentawai Islands
Now you know who inhabits the islands, what they wear, and what’s their tradition, it’s time to learn about where they live. The house is called Uma and it has an elongated shape that can accommodate up to 10 people.
What’s even more interesting is that Uma, despite being built with wood and leaves, doesn’t use any nails! Not only that, the occupants usually showcase the skulls of the animals they hunt in the front of their house.
Plan Your Trip to Mentawai Islands with tiket.com
So, how’s it t-mates? If just by taking a glimpse of Mentawai Islands in this article already fascinates you, imagine how awesome it will be if you actually go there? That’s why you should start planning your trip with tiket.com!
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*The information is valid at the time of writing. Price and other policies are subject to change at any time without prior notice.
