One of the most memorable trips I have ever made in my life is to visit the Mentawai islands, located just off the coast of West Sumatra. This group of islands is home to the Mentawai tribe, one of the few tribes in Indonesia that still maintains its unique way of life and traditions of animism and shamanism.
The best part is, you can go and live with them in the jungle and learn how they survive out there as I did for more than 5 days. If this isn't enough of a reason to visit the Mentawai Islands, the place also boasts some of the best surfing, snorkeling, and beach spots in Indonesia.
If you are looking for a REALLY off-the-beaten-path place to visit in Sumatra and do something wild like living in the jungle with a tribe, this travel guide is for you! From how to get to the island to a comprehensive list of things to do, here is a complete travel guide to the Mentawai Islands:
- Mentawai Things to Do Itinerary Map
- 7 Best Things to Do in Mentawai
- Where to Stay in Tua Pejat, Mentawai?
- How Many Days to Spend in Mentawai?
- Which Mentawai Island is the Best?
- Suggested Itinerary for Mentawai
- Sumatra Travel Video
- When is the Best Time to Visit Mentawai?
- How to Get to Mentawai?
- How to Get Around Mentawai?
- What to Pack for Mentawai?
- Further Reading for Indonesia
Mentawai Things to Do Itinerary Map
7 Best Things to Do in Mentawai
1. Live in the Jungle with the Mentawai Tribe
This is probably one of the most memorable and life-changing things you can do in your life, and I'm not even exaggerating. Going with the Mentawai tribe and living with them in the jungle for 5 days will really change you.
The Mentawai people have been the indigenous inhabitants of the Mentawai Islands long before the islands became a part of Indonesia. What's unique about them is their way of life, which emphasizes a cooperative lifestyle deeply connected to their natural surroundings.
Their spiritual beliefs are deeply rooted in animism, where they believe that all natural objects have spirits, and shamans play a crucial role in their society, conducting rituals and healing practices.
- Jelita Beach Mentawai (Budget)
- Crow's Nest (Mid-Range) 👍 Top Pick
- AWERA RESORT (High-End)
- Live with the Mentawai Tribe (5 days) 👍 Top Pick
They speak their own language, rely on hunting, gathering, and fishing for their food, and use makeshift equipment made from local materials like fish nets, bows, and arrows.
The best part is that they are very curious about the outside world, which is how you will be able to go into the jungle and live with them while observing their practices firsthand. It was incredible.
We took a canoe deep into the jungle, and trekked through the muddy forest to a communal longhouse called "uma", where the Mentawai people live. It is typically built on stilts and made from local materials such as wood, bamboo, and palm leaves.
We spent the next 3 days learning about their ways of life, making loincloths with a shaman, going fishing, digging tree barks for coconut worms for lunch, making poison arrows, and so much more.
We slept on the floor and went to the toilet wherever there was a bush high enough for us to squat behind. And then we would come back to the house, talk until dinner time, and go to bed. Huge shout out to my friend Ugnė from Lithuania, who made the trip awesome. I would be out of my mind if I were there alone for 5 days!
We were grouped together by the Mentawai Tribe tour company that I went with, and they helped me find the group to join as well as put me in contact with one of the Mentawai guides who took me into the jungle. Usually, each group will have between 2 to 6 people, which I think is perfect as it is not too crowded.
They also helped me organize transportation and everything I needed for the trip. I ended up spending 5 days in the jungle with the tribe and the cost was 360 EUR including a roundtrip ferry ticket between Padang and Siberut Island. If you are looking to experience the same, I highly recommend you reach out to them via email or WhatsApp.
2. Witness a Shaman Ceremony at Muntei Tourism Village
The Mentawai people usually live in two places: one in the jungle, where life goes much slower, and another in a village near a town where they conduct trade. Muntei Tourism Village is one such village, and whenever there is a chance to celebrate or mourn, the rituals often take place here.
If you are lucky enough to be there during such rituals, jump at the chance to attend one with your guide. I was able to witness a funeral ritual where a 1.5-year-old baby had just died of natural causes and the whole village gathered around one house to perform the ritual.
It was wild! There were people crying and screaming as the shamans summoned the baby spirits, and they performed their ritual dances around the house, driving the bad spirits away and blessing the attendants.
They then slaughter a live pig and chickens before cooking and feeding the whole village for the entire day. There were drums pounding, people screaming, and shamans dancing, it was WILD! I've never experienced anything quite like it.
My guide in Bukittinggi told me I was lucky to be able to witness it, as not many people have experienced it, so if you ever have a chance to be there during one of the rituals, do not miss the chance. Just make sure you buy them some cigarettes as a thank-you gift for allowing you to attend.
3. Get a Mentawai Tribal Tattoo
While at the Muntei Tourism Village, you can also get a tattoo which the Mentawai people are famous for. Their shamans are covered in some of the best-looking tattoos I've seen and many have spiritual meanings behind them, which I think is pretty cool.
Their tattoos often come in a minimalistic form, consisting mostly of line art, with each one having its meaning deeply rooted in animism. My guide, Lugi, happened to be a tattoo artist as well, so he showed me all the patterns and explained some of the meanings behind them.
They do not use any machinery to assist in the tattoo process. They do it by hand with a jar of ink, a pin tied to one stick, and another stick to poke the pin in quick succession.
I didn't get a tattoo myself, but I met a guy from Spain who did. He said it was painful at first, especially near the collarbones, but it became quite therapeutic as he got used to it. The rhythm as my guide stuck and poked the guy helped him through the process, he told me.
So if you are looking to get a tattoo from the Mentawai people, be sure to ask your guide to take you to Lugi to get one. The cost of getting a tattoo varies depending on the size of the tattoo and the tattoo artist, so be sure to ask your guide before you commit to it.
4. Enjoy the Pristine Beach of Tuapejat
One of the best reasons to visit Tuapejat is to enjoy its incredible beach and crystal clear water. The best beach, which is right by the accommodation I recommended under the Where to Stay section, is Jati Beach and it runs along the west coast of the island starting from Tuapejat Port all the way down to Mapaddegat and beyond.
I stayed at Crow's Nest when I was in Tuapejat, and the beach is right in front of the homestay. I often jumped into the water every morning and swam around before breakfast; it was incredible. I highly recommend staying there or at Jelita Beach Resort for direct access to the beach anytime.
The sunset from Jati Beach is also incredible, and I would stroll along the beach every evening after dinner and sit and watch as the sky turns purple. During the weekend, you will also find many locals enjoying the beach in the evening, which is always good to see.
If you are looking for a more relaxing vacation in Mentawai, Tuapejat and Jati Beach are where you will want to be. Be sure to book the beachside accommodation in advance as there aren't many options on the island and it can get booked out pretty fast.
5. Go Snorkeling in Tuapejat
Tuapejat coastline is blessed with some of the most accessible coral reefs out there, with many of them found in the shallow water right by Jati Beach. From your guest house, you can borrow snorkeling gear and go snorkeling anytime you like.
The best snorkeling area is right in front of Crow's Nest homestay, and you will find many small coral reefs running along the shallow area just before the drop-off, with plenty of fish to see.
The coral reef here is not the best I've seen; that reward goes to the Atauro Island in Timor Leste, but it is very easy to get to and doesn't require you to charter a boat out to see. Just make sure that the water visibility is good before you head out there as you won't see anything if the water is murky. I found the morning to be the best time to go snorkeling as the sun is often out, the current is stable, and the water is clear.
6. Go Island Hopping Around Mentawai Islands
If you want to spend half a day or an entire day relaxing at beaches and snorkeling in different spots around Mentawai, you can also charter a boat and go on an island-hopping tour.
There are three main islands just off the coast of Tuapejat: Pototoga, Silabok, and Siburu. This is where many of the expensive surf camps are located, offering some of the most pristine beaches in the area. Thanks to its exotic location, you can often have these beaches all to yourself.
There are also several snorkeling spots around these islands, and your boat operator should be able to take you there. To charter a boat, you can contact your homestay the day before, and they will be able to organize one for you. The price is 600,000 IDR per boat for 4 hours and 1,000,000 IDR per boat for a full-day trip.
7. Surf at Some of the Best Surf Spots in the World
Last but not least, the Mentawai Islands have some of the most consistent waves in Indonesia, and if you want to surf at one of the best surfing spots out there, here is your chance.
You can either stay at one of the many luxury surf camps like Awera Resort which has many daily activities you can enjoy, or you can charter a boat out from Tuapejat for 600,000 IDR for half a day or 1,000,000 IDR for a full-day surfing trip.
I do not surf myself, but I met a French couple who chartered one of the local boats and went surfing for a day, and they seemed to really enjoy the experience. If you want to do some surfing in Indonesia, Mentawai is the place to be.
Where to Stay in Tua Pejat, Mentawai?
How Many Days to Spend in Mentawai?
This will depend entirely on what you want to do in Mentawai and the available ferry schedule as each route runs on different days. If you just want to relax on the beach, go snorkeling, and surfing, then 2 - 4 days in Tuapejat should be enough.
If you want to do the Mentawai Tribe tour, then 3 - 5 days is what I would recommend. For those who want to do both as I did, I would dedicate at least a week for the trip.
You can catch the ferry from Padang to Tuapejat on a Friday, spend 3 nights there, and then catch a ferry from Tuapejat to Siberut on a Monday. Spend 5 nights with the tribe before catching the 2:30 PM ferry back to Padang on a Saturday. That way, you get the best of both worlds.
Which Mentawai Island is the Best?
This is going to depend on what you want to do in Mentawai. If you want a relaxing beach destination to snorkel or surf, Tuapejat is where you will find it. The beaches here have crystal-clear water and many of the coral reefs are right by the beach, which makes it really easy to snorkel.
You can also charter a local boat to take you island-hopping and surfing, as Tuapejat has the best tourism infrastructure (though don't expect much) in Mentawai.
That said, if you are looking to visit the Mentawai Tribe and live with them in the jungle, Siberut Island is where you should go. Most of the Mentawai tribe people live on this island, and most tours will begin from here.
The tour company you went with should include a round-trip ticket between Padang and Siberut, and they will help organize the connection for you. Be sure to reach out to them before your trip. I went with Mentawai Tribe Company, and they were responsive and helped me get to the island on time for the tour.
Suggested Itinerary for Mentawai
- Day 0: Arrive in Padang, stay get the ferry ticket to Tuapejat, and spend the night.
- Day 1-2: Travel to Tuapejat and spend 3 nights there. Go snorkeling, swimming, island-hopping, or surfing.
- Day 3: Travel to Siberut Island, and ask the Mentawai Tribe Company to find you an accommodation there (there is none available to book online).
- Day 4-7: Spend the next 5 days with the Mentawai tribe in the jungle.
- Day 8: Travel back from the jungle and take the 2:30 PM ferry back to Padang.
- Day 9: Fly out of Padang.
When is the Best Time to Visit Mentawai?
The best time to visit Mentawai is between May and September when the weather is relatively dry, which makes for a great island experience and the surf conditions are excellent.
If you are going to live with the Mentawai tribe, the trails in the jungle will also be less slippery (mind you, it's still muddy as hell), which will make it much easier to explore.
That said, since you are on an island, the weather can be unpredictable at times with rain showers occurring at random intervals, so be sure to pack a rain jacket even if you are visiting during the dry season.
Also, the ferry may get canceled due to unpredictable weather even during the dry season, so be sure to consult Mentawai Fast Ferry official Facebook page before your trip.
How to Get to Mentawai?
To get to Mentawai, you will first have to fly into Padang, the capital city of West Sumatra. There is an international airport there, but you can only fly there via Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia or via Medan in North Sumatra.
Your best bet is to fly into Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia and then catch an AirAsia flight to Padang. Once you arrive in Padang, you can then hail a Grab taxi to get to your accommodation or catch the DAMRI Airport Bus to town. The taxi should cost about 120,000 IDR while the bus should cost 35,000 IDR per person.
To get from Padang to Mentawai, you will first have to see which Mentawai island you will be going to because the ferry to some of the islands does not run every day.
If you want to spend some time at the beach and go surfing, Tuapejat is where you will likely be heading whereas for the tribe, Siberut is where you should go, so make sure you consult the schedule shown above or look out for updates at Mentawai Fast Ferry official Facebook page.
The ticket price for Padang to Tuapejat/Siberut is 350,000 IDR per person and it should take about 3.5 hours, while the ticket for Tuapejat to Siberut is 175,000 IDR per person and it should take you about 2 hours.
If you align your visit carefully, such as going to Padang to Tuapejat on a Friday, spending 3 nights there, and then catching a ferry from Tuapejat to Siberut on a Monday, you will be able to have time to enjoy the beach, go snorkeling/surfing, and visit the Mentawai Tribe all in one go. That's how I did it, and I was able to spend 5 nights with the tribe before catching the 2:30 PM ferry back to Padang on a Saturday.
How to Get Around Mentawai?
By Walking: There are not many options for transportation within Tuapejat and Siberut, as most locals get around by scooter. You are likely to be bound to where you stay and will need to walk to nearby places.
You can try asking your homestay if they can rent a scooter for you, but not every homestay has them readily available. It's best to book your accommodation near a nice beach, so you don't have to walk far to get there.
By Chartered Boat: For day trips around Tuapejat, you can charter a local boat to take you island-hopping or surfing for around 600,000 IDR per boat for 3 - 4 hours or 1,000,000 IDR for a full-day trip. You can ask your accommodation to organize this for you.
By Fast Ferry: To get around each island, such as from Siberut to Tuapejat, you will have to rely on the Mentawai Fast Ferry service. The schedule can be found on their official Facebook page and the price should be around 175,000 IDR to travel between each island.
By Tour: To get to the Mentawai jungle and live with the tribe, you will have to go on an organized tour. I went with Mentawai Tribe and they helped organize the entire trip for me from boat connection to places to stay in Siberut, and more. They were great and I highly recommend you do the tour with them.
What to Pack for Mentawai?
As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Mentawai, Indonesia:
- Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
- Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
- Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
- Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
- Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
- Swim Suits: A swim trunk is a must-pack item if you are planning to visit Mentawai, Indonesia in the summer, just in case there is a body of water you can jump in.
- Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
- Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
- Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
- Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
- Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
- Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
- Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.
For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:
Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Further Reading for Indonesia
I hope this travel guide will help you plan your trip to Indonesia. I have visited Indonesia more times than I could count, and I have written many articles about the country.
If you are looking for more articles about Indonesia, here are a selection of articles that might help you plan your trip to Indonesia even more.
- For a complete itinerary to Sumatra, check out: One Month Backpacking Sumatra Itinerary.
- Being the largest volcanic lake in the world, you can't visit Sumatra without visiting Lake Toba. Here are the 10 Awesome Things to do in Lake Toba, Sumatra.
- Want to travel to Lake Toba from Medan, but not sure how? Here's a guide for you: How To Get From Medan To Lake Toba.
- Want to see orangutans in the wild in Indonesia? The best place is Bukit Lawang and here's A Complete Guide to Orangutan Trekking in Bukit Lawang.
- For West Sumatra, your journey will likely begin in Padang, the capital city of the province, with a ton of things to do. Here are the 8 Best Things to Do in Padang.
- Get off the beaten path in Sumatra and visit Bukittinggi, the old capital of the Pagaruyung Kingdom, and explore the highlands with this guide: 12 Best Things to Do in Bukittinggi.
- Want to visit Bukittinggi? Here are all the best ways you can travel there: How to Get to Bukittinggi: A Complete Guide
- If you want to visit and live with the Mentawai Tribe in the jungle for a few days, this guide is for you: Visiting the Mentawai Tribe: A Complete Guide.
- Not sure how to get to the Mentawai Islands? Here is all the information you need from ferry schedules, costs, and more: How to Get to Mentawai: A Complete Guide
- Looking for a complete itinerary and travel guide for Indonesia? One Month Itinerary for Indonesia.
- Are you planning to travel to Indonesia as part of a big Southeast Asia trip? Check out our 3-month backpacking itinerary for Southeast Asia.
- If you are visiting Bali for the first time, here is a travel guide to get you started: 10 BEST Places To Visit In Bali.
- Jakarta is a massive city unlike any other, and there are quite a lot to do here if you know where to look. Here are the 8 Best Things To Do in Jakarta.
- Yogyakarta is a great cultural and historical place to visit in Indonesia, and there are plenty of things to see and do there. Here are the 9 Best Things To Do in Yogyakarta.
- Did you know that there is an island in Indonesia that is free of tourists? One of them is Karimunjawa, a true hidden gem island of Java. Here's a complete guide on how to travel to Karimunjawa island.
- Looking for an article that summarizes a trip through the Java island? Check out my photo essay of Java, Indonesia.
- Lombok is now gaining in popularity, but one of the best things you can do on the island is to trek Mount Rinjani, a volcano on a lake in another volcano on an island. Here's a complete guide on how to trek Mount Rinjani.
- Gili Trawangan is one of the most popular Gili islands in Lombok, and even though it's crowded, you can often find solitude if you know where to look. Plus, it's cheap. Here's an article about exploring Gili Trawangan.
- Komodo Island is one of the most unique experiences you can never experience anywhere. Here's a backpacking travel guide on how to explore the Komodo Islands (what to do, which cruise to pick and more).
- Want to visit Kelimutu lakes? Here's a complete travel guide on how to get to Kelimutu lakes in Flores.
- Flores is another great island that deserves way more credit than it receives. There's the Komodo islands, Kelimutu tri-colored lakes, and so much more. Here is a 10-day travel guide for Flores and Komodo Island.
- Watch a travel video I made about Bali, Lombok, and Flores here: Nusantara, a journey through Bali, Lombok, and Flores, Indonesia.
- Not convinced by my words about Indonesia and Southeast Asia? Check out my photographic journey through the subcontinent: 64 photos that will inspire you to visit Southeast Asia.
- Wondering where you want to go next? How about Timor Leste? Visit Timor Leste Travel Guide page for more information about traveling to Timor Leste.
- To see all articles about Indonesia, visit the Indonesia Travel Guide page.
- Looking for more travel guides for Southeast Asia? You can find more on my Southeast Asia Travel Guide page.
- For more of my travel guides, visit my Destinations page.
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