Mentawai Surf Retreat
Nyang Nyang Island Nyang Nyang, West Sumatra Indonesia
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#1 of 4 B&Bs / Inns in Siberut
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Travellers' Choice
CHECK THE WAVES FROM YOUR BED! Each bungalow is just steps away from the surf. With Pitstops right out front, and E-Bay only a short paddle away, scoring perfect surf has never been easier. The Mentawai Surf Retreat consists of three comfortable, secure, and spacious oceanfront bungalows. Each handcrafted bungalow accommodates 2-4 guests, and is designed to soak in the ocean breeze to keep you cool. The Nayng Nyang Lounge: a restaurant, bar and lounge has amazing wave and ocean views. The best place to gather, eat, drink , share photos and watch videos. Over 25 Waves Nearby: No matter the conditions, there is always a wave working nearby. You will have access to some of the best surf in the world. Small Groups: Small resort with an intimate setting, providing the experience of scoring perfect waves with less crowds. Accommodating a maximum of 8-12 guests per stay.
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Paid wifi
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Beach
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Non-smoking hotel
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Ocean view
Non-smoking rooms
Family rooms
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Modern
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Full view
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Nyang Nyang Island Nyang Nyang, West Sumatra Indonesia
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179Reviews3Q+A21Room tips
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MSR provided an utterly fantastic trip! Zero complaints when the food is excellent, the rooms are comfy and clean, the staff are equally friendly and helpful and the surf stoke is unmatched! The journey is well worth it : )
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Date of stay: June 2022
Location
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Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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+1
I don't know how to tell you this, but if I find out you went to the North Mentawais and find out you stayed anywhere else, I will be very upset. Don't look further. These people are incredible, the place is incredible and there is simply not a better place to stay, eat, or surf. The crew here is incredible. Vere and Team run an amazing program across the board. Chef Destra crushes in the kitchen. It's a mix of western and Indonesian food, and all of it is delicious. Tom and Ruby are so amazing people and guides. If you're lucky enough to have Balint there, you'll get the same level of pics I got, which were literally world class. The bungalows are beautiful and airy, the restaurant/lounge is awesome, and you are literally ON Pitstops. You can go catch one wave if you want, it'll take you 5 minutes. You're a 10 minute max boat ride from some of the most famous breaks in the world. I traveled all around the world surfing this year, and this was #1. Run don't walk.…
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Date of stay: February 2022
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Room Tip: Doesn't Matter. They're all amazing.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Vere Dixon-Smith, General Manager at Mentawai Surf Retreat
Responded 25 Apr 2022
Wow!! Thanks heaps for the raving review. We were so stoked to be a part of your epic world tour and after all your travels, to be complimented like this. Thank you Cody. We're looking forward to your return and share the stoke with you again.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
My lifelong dream has been to surf the Mentawais and for years it seemed it would stay a dream until I found myself in Indonesia and took the plunge to write to MSR and see if they had any availability. From start to finish, the service from Vere, the owner and his whole crew was perfection! We didn't have to worry about getting from Padang to the resort - that was all taken care of and once there it was absolute paradise. Comfy beds, great bathrooms, the most delicious meals (Desta deserves a raise!) and then came the waves! The best selection for all different types of levels. I was able to longboard at Pitstops, Bikinis and 4Bobs while others on the boat could shortboard. Not once was there a day where different levels couldn't find waves together. Jakob, the boat driver was just the best barrel hunter and kept us all entertained with his music choices and I gained about 5 pounds from all the Beng Bengs and Bintangs I was consuming after such epics sessions! Worth every one of those 5 pounds! Loved it and cannot wait to go back this year!!!!! Thanks so much for everything Vere and team!…
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Date of stay: March 2021
Rooms
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Vere Dixon-Smith, General Manager at Mentawai Surf Retreat
Responded 8 Jul 2021
Zoe, thank you so much for such an awesome review! It was fun hosting you guys and we're stoked that you're stoked! You'll have to do even more surfing to stay on top of the Beng Bengs and Bintangs. I'm looking forward to hosting you on the trip this year.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
MSR is the best place to stay in the Mentawais. This is my third year visiting them (2018, 2019, 2021) and they offer the best blend of value, comfort, and local knowledge for the area. Vere and the team have all of the surf breaks dialed and will bring you to the best spots for your ability. The MSR team also helped immensely with the EVisa requirement and quarantine/transportation within Indonesia (which is a fluid situation and can change overnight). This most recent trip was the best ever and we scored uncrowded surf at a bunch of different waves for 14 days straight!
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Vere Dixon-Smith, General Manager at Mentawai Surf Retreat
Responded 28 Jun 2021
Matt, it was so awesome hosting you again!! It's always a pleasure to host our guests who travel from so far abroad. Glad to see that the stoke levels keep growing. We're already looking forward to your next trip with your mates! Thank you so much for the review.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I couldn't surf any more if I tried. My surfing has gone through the roof. Great personal service. Both my wife and I are super stoked with this holiday. (ok Tripadvisor, I really want to stop typing but you say miniumum 200 charactrers... I think someone should give you a bad review).
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Vere Dixon-Smith, General Manager at Mentawai Surf Retreat
Responded 28 Jun 2021
Haha! Go easy on the TripAdvisor boys ;) Thank you Masiak for the review. Hosting you and your wife was a pleasure and so great to watch both your surfing levels improve. Watching your wife get out there and go for it was awesome. So glad you're both stoked! Looking forward to hosting you both again next year.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Our stay with Mentawai Surf Retreat was one for the ages. The idea of traveling across the world, into a country with Covid restrictions and limited access was daunting to say the least. MSR’s owner Vere was involved in successfully coordinating every step of the process to get us from point A to B. Once you get to MSR, it quickly begins to feel like a home away from home, and their entire staff becomes like family. The menu is outstanding, always presenting multiple hot and cold options for breakfast, with healthy lunch & dinners. I don’t think we ate the same meal twice for dinner during our two weeks. Finally, the surf. Vere is 100% committed to getting you the best waves available every day. There were several times where we’d pull up to a break, happy with what was there when Vere would tell us we could find better. Sometimes checking three or four breaks for the best wind/swell combo. Vere found the best waves, with the smallest crowds for us every day. He also was a great asset to have with us in the water, detailing the swell direction, channels for paddling and reef sections to be aware of. And was just a great guy to have in your lineup. I’ve got to mention our surfing boat driver/music DJ, Jacob. That guy puts a smile on everyone’s face and is another buddy you’ll have waiting for you there. We studied other resorts, saw them and their owners while we were there, and all agreed that we got lucky in choosing MSR. Can’t find one thing to say that anyone else does better. If your going to the Ments for a surf trip, you cannot lose with MSR. Looking forward to our return trip!…
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Vere Dixon-Smith, General Manager at Mentawai Surf Retreat
Responded 20 Jun 2021
Wow! Thank you so much for the very kind words. Yeah it's true, we love what we do and it's easy to see why surf stoke lives here! It was great hosting you and your friends and even more rewarding that you had such a good time. I'm looking forward to round number 2!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The cozy wooden bungalows with an incredible view from the terasse are right in front of a fun wave - surf from dawn till dusk right on the doorstep is unbeatable. The other waves in the area are short boatrides away (between 5 to 20 minutes). Vere and his Son have huge experience regarding weather, water, waves and conditions - you don't have to be worried about being at the best spot to the right time and beat the crowds :-). With the daily "surfcalls" you always know whats up and next. Surfcoaching and foto/video-packages are highly recommended. The local staff is doing a fantastic job in all matters always with a big smile. The variety of healthy surfer meals are a big plus - MSR has the best chef in Mentawais! The dreamy island is beautiful and safe (incl. regarding Covid). Cant wait to be back at this happy place and surf epic waves everyday! Aloha…
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Vere Dixon-Smith, General Manager at Mentawai Surf Retreat
Responded 20 Jun 2021
What a pleasure to host you again Sarah! Staying with us for more than 5 weeks is a huge compliment, and of course, now you're like part of the family! I'm looking forward to hosting you again.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
MSR distinguishes themselves from the other resorts in the area by providing the best service, value, and experience, and they do it all in a way that makes you feel like family. From the location with a wave right out front and the expert local knowledge of the other waves in the area, to the food, accommodations and friendly staff, MSR has it dialed. And it's not just while you're at the resort. Any questions I had or tips I needed for any aspect of my travel between my home half a world away and MSR, and Vere was there helping me along, making sure I had what I needed. There may be other resorts in the area but for me, there is no other choice.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Vere Dixon-Smith, General Manager at Mentawai Surf Retreat
Responded 20 Jun 2021
Paul, what a pleasure to have you returning for your 4th tour with us. Thanks again for choosing us as your surf destination, and thank you for the kind words in your review. See you again soon!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I can't say enough great things about Vere and his crew. Even before our arrival, Vere took the time to help us book travel arrangements and help us iron out the details since we were traveling around the world during COVID. Upon arrival, this place exceeded my expectations...by far. MSR is idyllic and the wave out front is one of the funnest in the Mentawai's. What more could you ask for? The location is perfect. You are a short boat trip away from the Playgrounds area and a short boat trip away from Burgerworld. You are literally right in the middle of some of the best surf on the planet. The most impressive thing I found during my stay was the work that Vere and crew put into making sure that you are on the best waves, during the right conditions each and every day. The first hunch wasn't always correct (most of the time it was), but they were not afraid of running the boat all over the place to key in on the right wave for the conditions. We NEVER felt that we didn't score. We kept asking ourselves, how can they out-do this day...and the next day, they would. The food is simply amazing. Lots of thought and preparation went into every meal and we didn't have the same meal twice. The only time I took my phone out of the room the entire trip was to take pictures of the food each day. It's top notch quality and you couldn't ask for anything better. The slogan of MSR is "surf stoke lives here" and they all embody it. Everyone from the kitchen staff to the boat guys, especially "small but spicy" Yacob, made the trip such an excellent experience and I would never stay anywhere else in the Mentawai's. Looking forward to a return trip soon. …
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Vere Dixon-Smith, General Manager at Mentawai Surf Retreat
Responded 19 May 2021
WOW Jimmy!! Thank you so much for the raving review! I'm humbled by your words and super stoked that you had a good time with us. It was awesome scoring so many great waves and epic sessions and of course watching you all froth on it added to the good vibes. Thanks for acknowledging my crew too - I could never do this without them and they love what they do just as much as I do! I look forward to hosting you again soon!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
If your going to indo to surf then you have pick the correct place to stay. Vere and his son Tom, know every break there is. Plus with Pitstops right out front you end up surfing even more. Surf out front at sun up. Then get on the boat for a 3 hour session. Then surf at lunch out front. Then get on the boat again. Come back before dark and surf out front again. The food was also amazing!!! Can’t wait to go back.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Vere Dixon-Smith, General Manager at Mentawai Surf Retreat
Responded 15 May 2021
Thanks for the review Chris! I think you ARE our grom frother for 2021!! It was such a pleasure hosting you boys all the way from Florida and I'm sure you set the new record for hours surfed on any of our trips. Looking forward to hosting you again soon!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
LOCATION
IndonesiaSumatraWest SumatraMentawai IslandsSiberut
NUMBER OF ROOMS
3
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Claim Your Listing Frequently Asked Questions about Mentawai Surf Retreat
What are some of the property amenities at Mentawai Surf Retreat?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include an on-site restaurant, a lounge, and airport transportation.
What food & drink options are available at Mentawai Surf Retreat?
Guests can enjoy an on-site restaurant and a lounge during their stay.
Does Mentawai Surf Retreat have airport transportation?
Yes, Mentawai Surf Retreat offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Does Mentawai Surf Retreat have any great views?
Yes, guests often enjoy the ocean view available here.