Where the only tourists are surfers
An archipelago of 70 pristine islands sits 150 km off the Sumatran coast in Indonesia.
Known as the Mentawai Islands this remote part of the world is well and truly off the tourist map, except for one hardy group of travellers – surfers.
In 1989 a Kiwi salvage diver and surfer Martin Daly discovered the regions' surf potential, which for the last 20 years has been widely regarded as having the best waves on the planet.
The swell season runs for a 30 week period with surfers chartering boats and travelling from all corners of the globe.
In fact 63,000 surfers visit each season – more than double the number that visit Antarctica – creating $18.9 million
in revenue for the boat owners, but how much reaches the local economy is another matter.
In 2010 the islands were obliterated by the tsunami killing hundreds and flattening entire villages.
However the annual influx of rich surfers softened the financial blow and has led to the construction of an airstrip on Sipora, and a new air service direct from Singapore.
The Perfect Wave offers trips from $2300.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
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