Kandui
Also known as: Kandui Left, Nokandui, No-Kandui
A world-famous, expert-only freight-train left - the cluster's ultimate barrel, with Baby Kandui alongside as the mixed-group escape valve.
Best time to surf
Apr-Oct (May-Oct dry-season peak)
Shoulder season: Low-to-moderate - needs solid SW groundswell; quieter/smaller Nov-Mar
The wave
Break type: Reef break
Bottom: Reef (coral) - long, shallow reef fringing Karangmajat
Wave direction: Left
Typical wave length: Very long - freight-train left with multiple barrel sections; among the longest, cleanest tubes anywhere; many sets close out the end
Ideal swell: SW groundswell; head-high up to triple overhead (more makeable on bigger swell with a longer board)
Ideal wind: Light offshore SE / E (best-effort; not stated by a primary source)
Working tide: Fuller / higher tide only (too consequential on lower tides)
Difficulty & skill
Difficulty (1-5): 5 (one of the most dangerous waves in Indonesia - fast, hollow, shallow, hard to out-run)
Skill level: Expert - a high-speed technical drop then a shallow freight-train; only for confident tube riders
Options for a mixed group: Baby Kandui (5-min paddle down the reef, far less consequence, intermediate+), Four Bobs, Bikinis / Karambat Left, Pitstops
Safety & hazards
Very shallow sharp reef, heavy lip, high-speed drop, closeout end sections, hold-downs - one of Indonesia's most consequential waves
Resort first-aid / sat / Starlink; Tuapejat clinic; boat evacuation to Padang then flight from Minangkabau Intl
Crowd, access & conditions
Crowd & localism: 10-30 when on; overlooked by Kandui Villas; no resident locals, resort/charter crowd; heavy-wave etiquette
Access & parking: Boat access only; Kandui Villas overlooks it, Umata Village ~5 min, Kandui Resort ~6 min
Surf schools & rental: No school (expert wave); guided by Kandui Villas, Kandui Resort, Umata Village, Playground Surf Resort; charters Mentawai Surf Charters / World Surfaris / Perfect Wave
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; facilities at Karangmajat/Playgrounds resorts and charter boats
For non-surfers: Snorkeling, fishing, island visits, SUP, spa/massage (Kandui Villas)
Location
Nearest hub: Mentawai Islands (North Sipora / Playgrounds)
-1.4370, 99.5530 (approximate) (NE coast of Pulau Karangmajat)
Live conditions
Today's swell, wind and tide are a runtime layer - check the live sources: Surfline / Surf-Forecast (Kandui-Left) / Windguru / Windy spot pages
This profile is desk research, compiled from public sources - not a first-hand surf report. Coordinates are approximate.