Promises
IntermediateSurf report
| Time | Surf | Swell | Wind | Tide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 AM | 1.2 m | 1.1m 11s S | 7 km/h off | 0.5m |
| 9 AM | 1.1 m | 1.0m 11s S | 6 km/h cross | 0.5m |
| 12 PM | 1.1 m | 1.0m 12s S | 7 km/h off | 0.8m |
| 3 PM | 1.1 m | 1.0m 12s S | 2 km/h off | 0.6m |
| 6 PM | 1.1 m | 1.1m 12s S | 3 km/h off | 0.3m |
| Time | Surf | Swell | Wind | Tide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 AM | 1.4 m | 1.3m 12s S | 1 km/h off | 0.5m |
| 9 AM | 1.5 m | 1.5m 13s S | 8 km/h on | 0.4m |
| 12 PM | 1.6 m | 1.6m 13s S | 9 km/h on | 0.7m |
| 3 PM | 1.6 m | 1.6m 13s S | 9 km/h on | 0.7m |
| 6 PM | 1.7 m | 1.7m 13s S | 4 km/h on | 0.4m |
| Time | Surf | Swell | Wind | Tide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 AM | 1.7 m | 1.7m 12s S | 4 km/h on | 0.6m |
| 9 AM | 1.7 m | 1.7m 12s S | 7 km/h cross | 0.3m |
| 12 PM | 1.6 m | 1.6m 12s S | 10 km/h cross | 0.5m |
| 3 PM | 1.6 m | 1.6m 12s S | 9 km/h on | 0.7m |
| 6 PM | 1.6 m | 1.5m 12s S | 10 km/h on | 0.4m |
| Time | Surf | Swell | Wind | Tide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 AM | 1.4 m | 1.3m 11s S | 11 km/h on | 0.8m |
| 9 AM | 1.4 m | 1.3m 11s S | 8 km/h on | 0.3m |
| 12 PM | 1.4 m | 1.2m 11s S | 6 km/h cross | 0.3m |
| 3 PM | 1.3 m | 1.2m 11s S | 5 km/h on | 0.7m |
| 6 PM | 1.3 m | 1.1m 11s S | 7 km/h on | 0.6m |
Next 24 hours
Wind
Tide
7-day outlook
Best days Hourly detail
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| Time | Wave | Swell | Period | Wind | Tide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 AM | 1.2m | 1.1m S | 11s | 6 WNW off | 0.5m |
| 6 AM | 1.2m | 1.1m S | 11s | 7 NNW off | 0.5m |
| 7 AM | 1.1m | 1.1m S | 11s | 9 NNW off | 0.5m |
| 8 AM | 1.1m | 1.1m S | 11s | 9 NW off | 0.5m |
| 9 AM | 1.1m | 1.0m S | 11s | 6 WNW cross | 0.5m |
| 10 AM | 1.1m | 1.0m S | 11s | 4 WNW cross | 0.6m |
| 11 AM | 1.1m | 1.0m S | 11s | 4 NW off | 0.7m |
| 12 PM | 1.1m | 1.0m S | 12s | 7 N off | 0.8m |
| 1 PM | 1.1m | 1.0m S | 12s | 6 N off | 0.8m |
| 2 PM | 1.1m | 1.0m S | 12s | 4 N off | 0.7m |
| 3 PM | 1.1m | 1.0m S | 12s | 2 N off | 0.6m |
| 4 PM | 1.1m | 1.1m S | 11s | 1 N off | 0.5m |
| 5 PM | 1.1m | 1.1m S | 11s | 2 NNE off | 0.4m |
| 6 PM | 1.1m | 1.1m S | 12s | 3 ENE off | 0.3m |
| 7 PM | 1.2m | 1.1m S | 12s | 4 NE off | 0.3m |
| 8 PM | 1.2m | 1.1m S | 12s | 3 ENE off | 0.3m |
| 9 PM | 1.2m | 1.1m S | 12s | 4 ENE cross | 0.4m |
| 10 PM | 1.2m | 1.2m S | 12s | 4 E cross | 0.5m |
| 11 PM | 1.2m | 1.2m S | 12s | 3 E cross | 0.6m |
| 12 AM | 1.2m | 1.2m S | 12s | 4 E cross | 0.8m |
| 1 AM | 1.3m | 1.2m S | 12s | 2 NNE off | 0.8m |
| 2 AM | 1.3m | 1.3m S | 12s | 1 NE off | 0.9m |
| 3 AM | 1.3m | 1.3m S | 12s | 2 ESE cross | 0.8m |
| 4 AM | 1.3m | 1.3m S | 12s | 1 E cross | 0.8m |
About Promises
Promises is a smooth, inviting Mentawai reef break that offers intermediate surfers well-shaped walls and a relatively forgiving character. The wave builds predictably and gives riders time to set up turns, making it a solid choice for those progressing their surfing in a reef environment. On its best days it delivers long, satisfying rides with the potential for open barrel sections. A wave that consistently delivers on its name.
Local knowledge
Despite its forgiving reputation, Promises breaks over a live coral reef that becomes dangerously shallow at low tide — wipeouts can result in serious reef rash and lacerations, and sea urchins lurk in the cracks. A persistent cross-current can push surfers off the peak and complicate exits, particularly on bigger swells. Boat traffic from passing charters and water taxis is a real hazard in the channel, so stay alert when paddling out and across.
Promises is boat-access only — you'll be anchored or moored on a liveaboard or staying at a nearby surf camp on the Mentawais, with a short tender/zodiac ride to the lineup. Paddle out via the deep-water channel on the inside edge of the break to avoid the reef crest; the channel is your safest exit too, so keep it in mind after your ride. There are no warungs or land-based facilities here — sort water and wax before you leave the boat.
A versatile shortboard in the 6'0"–6'4" range suits the wave well on its typical chest-to-overhead days, giving you enough volume to catch the smooth walls early while still feeling responsive through your turns. On smaller, mushier days step down to a fish or mid-length to generate speed; if a solid swell pushes it overhead-plus, a slightly stepped-up board with a bit more length and entry rocker will help you handle the faster sections and any barrel opportunities.
mellow — relaxed vibe.
Where to go now
Promises vs. nearby, live| Spot | Surf | Swell | Wind | Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Promises this spot | 1.2m | 1.1m 11s | 6 off | Good |
| 1 km away | 1.2m | 1.1m 11s | 6 off | Good |
| 3 km away | 1.2m | 1.1m 11s | 14 off | Fair |
| Burgerworld Best now 3 km away | 1.5m | 1.4m 11s | 14 off | Epic |
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Surfing in Mentawai
Full Mentawai surf guide →If there's one name that makes surfers go quiet and start saving, it's the Mentawai. This remote archipelago of more than 70 islands sits off the west coast of Sumatra, fully exposed to raw Indian Ocean swell, and it has earned its reputation as one of the most concentrated, high-quality wave zones on Earth.
✈️Getting there
All routes run through Padang, the port city in West Sumatra. Fly into Padang's Minangkabau International Airport (PDG), usually via Jakarta, or via Kuala Lumpur or Singapore on regional carriers.
🛵Getting around
The Mentawai are about boats, not roads. Once you arrive, your daily transport to the waves is by boat — either the liveaboard itself or the resort's tenders and speedboats running surfers out to the breaks.
🌤️Climate & season
The Mentawai are equatorial, hot and humid year-round, with water warm enough for boardshorts or a thin top (roughly 27–29°C). There's no real winter — just wetter and drier patterns.