Your Mentawai Islands Surf Charter: General Info
What our charter includes
- 10 days / 11 nights of luxury accommodation on-board Kaimana
- Airport transfers - to and from Kaimana
- Food - 3 daily gourmet meals
- Snacks - including fresh fruit, nuts, biscuits and chocolate bars
- Drinks - freshly brewed Sumatran coffee, tea, purified water, soft drinks & juice
- 3 icy cold beers a day
- Use of all on-board equipment including fishing and snorkelling gear
- Government and Harbour permits
- Mentawai Government Tax
Itinerary
Once you have arrived in Padang, a Surging Waters representative will meet you at the airport and transport you to the boat. If you arrive early you will be taken to a transit hotel where you can meet all the other passengers. Here you can freshen up with a free shower, relax and watch TV, and buy food and drinks.
Kaimana departs Padang harbour late in the afternoon/evening or once all passengers have arrived.
The next morning you wake up at your first surf spot to surf and video the best waves of your life for the next 10 full days!
You arrive back into Padang harbour early in the morning. A Surging Waters representative will transport you to the airport for your departure.
Food and Drinks
We supply 3 gourmet meals a day, specially prepared by our top chef. There are plenty of snacks including fresh fruit, nuts, biscuits and chocolate bars. If you have any special dietary requirements please advise at time of booking.
We also provide 3 icy cold beers a day, but if you need more we can buy them for you in Padang upon request. There is also purified water, soft drinks, juice, and not forgetting freshly brewed coffee and tea.
Entertainment
On board we have a huge flat screen TV with DVD and stereo player. We also have a wide range of DVD's, however you are also welcome to bring along your favourite movies or surf videos.
Other things you may want to bring:
- Camera / Video camera
- Mobile (we can get some mobile coverage at certain surf spots)
- Books
- iPod
- Laptop
You can charge all your equipment on board. Power points are in every cabin so you can keep your belongings safe. We also have a few 12 volt inverters to charge sensitive equipment like laptops.
Mosquitoes
Mosquito nets are a good idea, especially if you plan to trek or visit other parts of Sumatra. All our rooms are equipped with air conditioning but feel free to use a net if you like sleeping under the stars on deck. Generally we anchor well way from land and mosquitoes but we recommend that you play it safe. Malaria and other mosquito borne diseases are a problem in most tropical countries.
Baggage handlers
At the airport in Padang be prepared for hustling baggage handlers. If you use their service please pay Rp. 10.000. If you don't need them to help you, please say TIDAK (NO) and do not let them carry your baggage.
Money
It is best to bring cash or exchange to Rupiah in KL/Singapore/Jakarta or Bali before arriving as Padang rates are always lower.
Major credit cards are accepted in Padang.
Trading on the islands requires small Rupiah denominations, try to bring Rp 1000, Rp. 5000 and Rp. 10.000 notes. Average Tip is Rp 10,000.
Imported wine and spirits are very difficult to find or are very expensive so buy duty free before arriving in Padang.
Best time for surf
The biggest and most consistent surf hits the islands from March to November. Biggest months are usually May, June, July and August. But intense storms in the Southern Indian Ocean can send big swell to the area as early as March and as late as November.
Wind and Weather
Winds are light and variable most of the year. During April to October SE to SW winds favour the left hand breaks and NW to W winds for the remainder of the year favour the rights. E to SE winds are strongest from June till September but expect lots of calm glassy days, especially early morning and afternoon.
Expect occasional small days for up to 3 or 4 days. Since the Indian Ocean is running the show there is not much we can do, however there are some special spots that break in the slightest ground swell so bring a short board for mini barrels in crystal clear water.
Also expect some thunderstorms with squalls for short periods of time, followed by calm. Take a break and have a warm rain shower.
Surf Experience
We will do our best to find you and your friends the best waves on the day to suit your level, raw beginners may find themselves watching the group from the shoulder but if you are serious about improving your surfing you will be rewarded.
Things to do other than surf
Snorkel over great coral reef, trawl for fish from the boat or dinghy, lie under a palm tree and read a book, or just watch the Mentawai coastline slip by.
I’ve been on 5 surf charter boats now and this one had everything I valued in each one. Great rooms and individual aircon, cold cold beer, Awesome local food and enough familiar food to keep the fussy blokes happy, Great trustworthy crew with a good attitude, not cheap on the inclusions, an experienced surf guide who you can talk to and understand and the best value out there. Thanks Guys, I’ll be back!
Connor Brown Australia, June 10