5 Best Mentawai Surf Camps Compared (2026): Which is Right for You?
The Mentawai Islands are one of the most consistent surf destinations in the world.
But choosing the right surf camp isn’t just about waves — it’s about:
- what’s actually included
- how your surf sessions are structured
- the real total price
- and the overall experience
In this guide, we compare:
- Hollow Trees (HT’s)
- Aloita Resort
- Awera Resort
- Playgrounds resorts (Kandui, Driftwood, etc.)
- Solid Surf Camp Resort
| Per Person / Per Day | Solid Surf Camp Resort | Hollow Trees (HT’s) | Aloita Resort | Awera Resort | Playgrounds Resorts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base Price | €145 – €185 | €250 – €350+ | €220 – €300 | €280 – €400+ | €200 – €350+ |
| Mentawai Surf Tax (~€90) | ✅ Included | ❌ + ~€90 | ❌ + ~€90 | ❌ + ~€90 | ❌ + ~€90 |
| Real Total Price | ✅ €145 – €185 | €265 – €440+ | €235 – €390 | €295 – €490+ | €215 – €440+ |
| All Meals | ✅ 3 meals + snacks | ✅ 3 meals | ✅ 3 meals | ✅ 3 meals | ✅ 3 meals |
| Surf Sessions by Boat (Guiding Included) | ✅ Structured & level-based | ❌ Extra charge | ❌ Extra charge | ❌ Extra charge | ❌ Extra charge |
| South Sipora Surf Trips (HT, Bintang, Lances) |
✅ Included | ❌ Extra charge | ❌ Extra charge | ❌ Extra charge | ❌ Extra charge |
| Beginner Coaching (L1–L2) | ✅ Included | ❌ Extra charge | ❌ Extra charge | ❌ Extra charge | ❌ Extra charge |
| Intermediate Coaching (L3) | ✅ Included | ❌ Extra charge | ❌ Extra charge | ❌ Extra charge | ❌ Extra charge |
| Board Rental | ✅ Included | ❌ Extra | ❌ Extra | ❌ Extra | ❌ Extra |
| Video Analysis & Theory | ✅ Included | ❌ Not included | ❌ Not included | ❌ Not included | ❌ Not included |
| Yoga & Activities | ✅ Included | ❌ Not included | ⚠️ Limited | ✅ Included | ❌ Minimal |
| Crowd / Session Planning | ✅ Level-based | ❌ No structure | ❌ No structure | ❌ No structure | ❌ No structure |
| Accommodation Style | ✅ Boutique social luxury | Wave-focused stay | Relaxed resort | Luxury resort | Hardcore surf stay |
| Room Features | ✅ Ocean view rooms, bathtubs, couples showers | ⚠️ Functional / varies | ✅ Comfortable resort rooms | ✅ High-end luxury rooms | ⚠️ Varies by property |
| Social Atmosphere | ✅ Shared dining, one table, deep-seat lounge, connected guest experience | ❌ Limited | ⚠️ Moderate | ❌ More private resort style | ⚠️ Surf-focused, less boutique |
| Extra Facilities | ✅ Surf skate bowl, ice bath | ❌ Minimal | ⚠️ Some | ✅ Resort facilities | ❌ Minimal |
| Value for Money | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
💡 Hidden Cost Most People Miss
The Mentawai Surf Tax (~IDR 1.5M / ~€90 per person) is mandatory.
- Most resorts → paid on arrival
- Solid → already included
👉 No surprises. No hidden costs.
🌴 What Makes Solid Different
💥 Boutique Social Surf Resort
Most Mentawai options fall into two categories:
- Resorts → private, less social
- Surf camps → social, but basic
👉 Solid is both:
- Social like a surf camp
- Comfortable like a resort
- Structured like a coaching retreat
🍽️ One Table Dining (Big Difference)
At most resorts:
- private tables
- limited interaction
At Solid:
- one shared dining table
- everyone eats together
👉 creates:
- connection
- atmosphere
- real surf trip energy
🛋️ Designed for Social Flow
- central lounge
- deep seating
- shared spaces
👉 not spread-out villas
👉 but a connected experience
🛁 Real Comfort (Resort Level)
- ocean view rooms
- bathtubs
- couples showers
- high-end bathrooms
👉 easily competing with Awera / Aloita
🌊 Built for Surfers
- surf skate bowl
- ice bath
- structured coaching system
- progression-focused setup
👉 not just a place to sleep
👉 but built around surfing
🍽️ Food That Competes with Resorts
- high quality
- varied
- designed for surf days
👉 not “camp food”
👉 proper dining experience
⚔️ Competitor Breakdown
🏝️ Hollow Trees (HT’s)
- iconic wave
- advanced surfers
- limited flexibility
👉 best for: wave specialists
🌴 Aloita Resort
- relaxed
- comfortable
- less structured
👉 best for: surf + chill
🌊 Awera Resort
- luxury
- premium pricing
- less surf structure
👉 best for: luxury travelers
🌊 Playgrounds (Kandui, Driftwood, etc.)
high wave density
advanced surf
crowded
👉 best for: experienced surfers
🧠 The Real Different
Most camps:
👉 give access to waves
👉 Solid:
Gives structure, progression, and a better overall experience
⚖️ Which One Should You Choose?
- Want resort style luxury and privacy only → Awera or Aloita
- Want one wave → HT’s Hollow Tree Resort
- Want advanced-only surf → Playgrounds Resorts
- Want quality surf, boutique comfort, a social atmosphere, and structured progression → Solid Surf Camp
🚀 Final Thought
You don’t go to Mentawai just to surf.
You go for:
- the experience
- the progression
- the people
👉 And that’s where Solid stands out.
👉 READY PLAN YOUR TRIP?