From Padang, travelers can also reach the Mentawai Island. These islands are quite far off the Sumatra coast and are also quite large. At the close of the last century, little more than 10,000 people inhabited these island. Today, although recent exploratory efforts have effected these islands primary rain forest still covers most of the land. From the ocean, the Mentawai Islands give the impression of being totally unpolluted jungle areas, villages are located a few kilometers inland, often near river mouths. On the largest island of Siberut, ancient semi primitive customs are still practiced as the people of Siberut retain their highly unique culture and belief systems. Very few places have electricity outside the major port of Muara Siberut and the staple food is sago not the rice of the mainland.

These are just a few indicators that a visit to the Mentawai Islands would be unforgettable. The Siberut National Grand Park is 195,500 hectares located in Siberut Island. The conservation of Siberut island started in 1976. Expeditions to the interior of Siberut have become quite popular with many European tourists. A trip to these island offers genuine jungle trekking as landscaped trail do not exist in this still largely untouched environment. The rain forest with its fast disappearing primitive life style would enthrall one when visiting the Mentawai islands. Siberut also offer a perfect place for surfing as it faces the Indian Ocean with its huge waves. Boats leave three times regularly a week from Padang (Muara Harbor) or 6 hours by hired speedboat.