The Cobra
Also known as: -
An overlooked left 50-100m off Lance's Left that on occasion links into it for one of the Mentawai's longest lefts.
Best time to surf
Apr-Oct
Shoulder season: Viable - works on smaller swells, so shoulder months and small days are rideable when marquee breaks are flat
The wave
Break type: Reef break
Bottom: Reef (coral)
Wave direction: Left
Typical wave length: Short-to-medium; many sections shut down after 50-100m, but occasional ones link into Lance's Left for a very long left
Ideal swell: S / SW; works on smaller swells; best barrels on a clean S swell
Ideal wind: Light E / SE
Working tide: Mid-to-high (regional; unconfirmed for this peak)
Difficulty & skill
Difficulty (1-5): 4
Skill level: Intermediate-to-advanced
Options for a mixed group: Sits beside Lance's Left (intermediate) and a short boat hop from HTs / Bintangs - mixed groups split across peaks
Safety & hazards
Shallow coral, sections that close out, currents, reef-cut risk
Nearest clinic Tuapejat (Puskesmas) ~1.5h boat; serious cases evac to Padang (~3.5h ferry or charter/speedboat) then hospital/air; no local recompression chamber
Crowd, access & conditions
Crowd & localism: Low - 0-10 surfers; most crowd heads to Lance's Left or HTs; no reported localism
Access & parking: Boat access only; nearest Kingfisher Resort (Katiet, fronts Lance's Left), HTs Resort / Lances Surf Camp at Katiet
Surf schools & rental: Guided via Kingfisher Resort speedboat sessions and Katiet camps/charters; no standalone school
Water temp & wetsuit: ~28-29 C year-round; boardshorts / rashguard, no wetsuit (thin reef top for sun/coral)
Crowds, access and local conditions change - confirm locally before you paddle out.
Around the break
Facilities: None at the break; food/lodging/guiding at Kingfisher, HTs Resort, Lances Surf Camp
For non-surfers: Yoga, fishing, massage, jungle/waterfall hikes, snorkeling, kayak, SUP, Mentawai village visits (via Katiet resorts)
Location
Nearest hub: Mentawai Islands (Katiet / Sipora)
-2.3570, 99.7550 (approximate) (Katiet/HTs zone, ~50-100m from Lance's Left)
Live conditions
Today's swell, wind and tide are a runtime layer - check the live sources: Kingfisher Resort waves list; Surf Camp Sumatra (Cobra spot guide)
This profile is desk research, compiled from public sources - not a first-hand surf report. Coordinates are approximate.