Global Surfers surf travel spot guide with wave swell forecasts

Type

Hollow barreling 

Direction

left hand 

Suitable for

Expert 

Lenght of ride

50-100 meters lenght 

Crowds

an empty line-up 

Localism

Not found here 

Best wind direction

south ,south-east  

Tide

all 

Hazards

 

Description

The Hole is an extremely heavy wave found in the southern end of the Mentawai Islands chain. The waves here are one of a kind as approaching swells wrap themselves around a circular-shaped island and onto a reef that faces due north. Waves here erupt over a shallow reef with incredible force and magnitude. Interestingly enough, the higher the tide gets the shallower it becomes as the wave races along a new section of reef. The Hole is notorious for its end section which contorts and bends the wave towards shore making a clean exit, especially backside, a difficult proposition at best. Watch out for the sets that swing wide as these tend to hit the deadly end section every time, making a safe exit almost impossible. The best advice when surfing The Hole is to catch the medium-sized waves in between sets that break off the top of the reef; not only do these waves offer wide-open barrels, they often aren't affected by the wicked, inside death bowl. Most surfers who catch The Hole good claim that it's the best barrel in the Mentawai's.