{"id":78,"date":"2026-07-09T19:37:59","date_gmt":"2026-07-09T19:37:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mentawaiadventure.com\/index.php\/2026\/07\/09\/hollow-trees-vs-lance-s-left-in-mentawai-which-tube-ride-is\/"},"modified":"2026-10-31T09:56:55","modified_gmt":"2026-10-31T09:56:55","slug":"hollow-trees-vs-lance-s-left-in-mentawai-which-tube-ride-is","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mentawaiadventure.com\/index.php\/2026\/07\/09\/hollow-trees-vs-lance-s-left-in-mentawai-which-tube-ride-is\/","title":{"rendered":"Hollow Trees vs Lance\u2019s Left in Mentawai: Which Tube Ride is Right for Intermediate Surfers in 2027?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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For most intermediate surfers, Lance’s Left is the more realistic choice. It is a left-hander and generally more forgiving than Hollow Trees (HT’s), the fast, shallow right-hander across the bay near Katiet on south Sipora. HT’s suits advanced surfers. Intermediates should only try it on small, clean days with a guide.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Hollow Trees and Lance’s Left face each other across the same bay at the southern end of Sipora, near the village of Katiet. On a map they look like two sides of one decision. In the water they are very different waves, and choosing the wrong one for your level is the quickest way to lose a session, or a fin and some skin. This guide compares the two honestly for surfers who can already ride green waves confidently but are still building barrel experience.<\/p>\n

We are an independent planning guide. We do not run boats or camps in Sipora. The aim here is to help you work out which wave matches your surfing and how to plan a trip around it.<\/p>\n

Hollow Trees (HT’s): the right-hander<\/h2>\n

HT’s, also called Lance’s Right, is one of the most photographed waves in the Mentawais. It is a fast, hollow right that breaks over shallow reef, with a steep take-off and a barrel section that punishes hesitation. On a good swell it is a high-performance wave for advanced and expert surfers, and it is often busy because of its reputation.<\/p>\n

For an intermediate surfer, the honest advice is that HT’s is a wave to watch, study and only try on small days with clean conditions, low crowds and someone local who knows the reef. The inside section gets shallow at lower tides, and a wipeout there can mean reef cuts. If you want to read more about planning a trip around this wave, see our HT’s surf trip planning page<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Lance’s Left: the left-hander<\/h2>\n

Lance’s Left breaks on the other side of the channel. It is a separate wave, not a section of HT’s. It is a left-hand reef break that tends to offer longer walls and a bit more room to set up, and on the right swell and tide it can still barrel. Compared with HT’s it is usually seen as more forgiving, which makes it a better match for confident intermediates on small to medium days.<\/p>\n

More forgiving does not mean soft. It is still a reef wave in open ocean swell, it can get heavy as the size builds, and it can be crowded when boats anchor in the bay. Treat it with the same respect as any Mentawai reef.<\/p>\n

Side-by-side comparison<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Factor<\/th>\nHollow Trees (HT’s)<\/th>\nLance’s Left<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Direction<\/td>\nRight<\/td>\nLeft<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Character<\/td>\nFast, hollow, steep take-off<\/td>\nLonger walls, generally more forgiving<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Best suited to<\/td>\nAdvanced to expert<\/td>\nConfident intermediate to advanced<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Main hazards<\/td>\nShallow inside reef, crowds, speed<\/td>\nReef, size jumps on bigger swells<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Intermediate approach<\/td>\nSmall, clean days only, with local guidance<\/td>\nSmall to medium days, choose tide carefully<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

How to tell which one suits you<\/h2>\n

Ask yourself three questions. First, can you take off late and steep without hesitating? HT’s demands it. Second, are you more comfortable going frontside or backside? Regular-footers face HT’s and goofy-footers face Lance’s Left, and that changes how both feel. Third, how much reef experience do you have? If most of your surfing is on beach breaks, start on the more forgiving option and build up.<\/p>\n

Our Mentawai trip guide for intermediate surfers<\/a> covers more waves that suit this level, and the skill-level guide<\/a> explains how to rate yourself honestly before you book.<\/p>\n

When to go<\/h2>\n

The Mentawai surf season runs roughly from April to October. The most consistent and powerful swells usually arrive from June to August, which is when both waves are at their best and busiest. For intermediates, the shoulder months of April, May, September and October can be a better match because swells are often smaller and line-ups quieter, though the conditions are less predictable.<\/p>\n

Getting to south Sipora<\/h2>\n

Most surfers fly Jakarta to Padang, which takes about 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours. From Minangkabau International Airport it is roughly 1 to 2 hours by road to the departure port, depending on traffic and harbor. The public fast ferry to Tuapejat on Sipora is usually quoted at about 3.5 hours and runs on set days, and camps or charters near Katiet arrange their own boat transfers. Many travelers spend a night in Padang before crossing. Our Sipora island surf trip guide<\/a> covers the island in more detail.<\/p>\n

Costs: what to budget for<\/h2>\n

Prices for camps, boat access and guides vary by operator, season and group size, and they change from year to year. Rather than relying on a figure from a web page, ask operators for a dated written quote that shows nightly rates, surf boat use, transfers and any fuel or local fees. Add travel insurance that covers surfing and reef injuries, board bags and a basic reef-cut first aid kit.<\/p>\n

Quick facts<\/h2>\n