Overview
No-Kandui is one of the most demanding lefts in the Mentawai, a cylindrical barrel that peels along a fringing reef down the west coast of Karangmajat Island. The line-up is featureless, so working out exactly where to sit is half the battle, and the wave rarely backs off enough to let you turn. This is a tube from start to finish, spinning down a straight 500 m stretch of reef with cavernous sections the whole way. To make it, you need an air-drop straight to full tilt and a hard speed pump to stay in the barrel.
When It Works
The reef draws swell from south through west, with southwest the optimal direction. It works from 1.8 m / 6 ft to 4.6 m / 15 ft, but it really wants size: the reef is unforgiving when the swell is small, and the wave only comes into its own on bigger faces. It is not the most consistent spot either, so expect to wait for the right pulse to line up.
Wind and Tide
Look for a light east offshore wind. The reef breaks on mid to high tide, with a rising tide generally the better call.
Local Tips
This is strictly an expert's wave. It breaks over live coral and rewards nothing but full commitment, so it is not for everyone. The lineup rarely gets crowded when it is on.
