nomadr
Go Back
Indonesia

Mentawai Islands

Boat-access-only, serious-surfer-only wave pilgrimage — genuinely remote, not for casual visitors.

In Mentawai Islands, a mid-range month runs about $6,665 (IDR 117,883,536) and there is low violent crime city-wide.

Compare Mentawai Islands with another cityFind places like Mentawai Islands

Ratings

Scores run from 1 to 10 and compare each place with every other destination on Nomadr. Higher is always better. Cost is shown as a level, from Very Low to Very High.

Cost (day-to-day)Very High

More expensive day to day than about 95% of cities

Internet1/10

Among the 1% slowest cities for internet

Visas4/10

Harder visas than about 75% of cities

Coworking2.8/10

Weaker coworking than about 80% of cities

English3/10

Among the 5% least English-friendly cities

Walkability1.1/10

Among the 5% hardest cities to get around

Gyms & Wellness3.6/10

Fewer wellness options than about 70% of cities

Getting There2.7/10

Harder to reach than about 80% of cities

Scores are built from researched data, with sources cited on the categories we have them for — open any category below to see them.

Everything we know

29 categories for Mentawai Islands, grouped for quick scanning — coverage varies from city to city. Open any row for the full detail and any cited sources.

Money

Work

Life

Outdoor activities

Practical

The Honest Downsides

The honest downsides

What we'd want to know before moving here.

Data last updated September 2026 · Verify anything important.

Other cities in Southeast Asia

  • Singapore, SingaporeWorld-class infrastructure, expensive but reliable regional base
  • Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaMalaysia's DE Rantau nomad pass, budget-airline hub, underrated infrastructure
  • Penang, MalaysiaUNESCO heritage and food capital of Malaysia, with real (if secondary) dive and freediving access.
  • Phuket, ThailandThailand's biggest island hub with dense long-stay and coworking infrastructure
  • Koh Phangan, ThailandWellness-and-coworking island scene, distinct from the Full Moon Party crowd
  • Koh Tao, ThailandThailand's world-renowned scuba and freediving-course hub, with real (if niche) surf and kite too.