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Surf Camp
The Shadow Mentawai
📍 The Mentawais, Indonesia
Camp Score
Good60/100
Based on reviews, coaching quality, value, and local ownership.
🏄
Surf Level
Intermediate, Advanced
📅
Best Season
Apr – Oct
Starting from $1,560/week
About
A locally-owned surf camp on a private island in the Playgrounds area of the Mentawai Islands. Run by local Mentawai brothers Ade and Dodi since 2004, The Shadow offers twice-daily speedboat trips to 20+ waves, traditional bungalows, and 3 secret home breaks just steps from the camp.
The Shadow Mentawai sits on Pulau Buasak, a private island in the heart of the Mentawai's Playgrounds zone. Founded by local brothers Ade (known as "Ade Mentawai") and Dodi (a 10-time Sumatran surf champion), this is the only surf camp in the area owned and operated entirely by Mentawai locals.
The camp started in 2004 as a speedboat operation, with the team spending years building relationships with the local breaks before constructing the surf camp in 2010. Today, guests enjoy traditional Mentawai Uma bungalows with air conditioning, hot showers, and beachfront terraces. The property includes a pool built from recycled materials over three years, a restaurant serving Indonesian and international cuisine, and direct beach access.
Twice-daily speedboat trips run to 20+ waves within 30 minutes including Kandui, E-Bay, Rifles, Beng Beng, Burgerworld, and Hideaways. The camp also has 3 secret home breaks accessible by paddling. With a maximum capacity of 14 guests and 2-3 speedboats, crowds are never an issue. The team caters to all skill levels, from beginners on mellow waves to advanced surfers chasing barrels at Bankvaults.
