Overview

Location

The surf charter boats leave from Padang which is on the west coast of Sumatra. Padang has an International airport and there are many flights daily from Singapore and Jakarta. There are also connecting flights from Bali via Jakarta daily. Flights from Bali are a lot cheaper. Adam Air, Batavia Air, Air Asia and Garuda all service this route while Garuda, Air Asia and Tiger Airways service the Singapore route. Air Asia also has a daily flight out of Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. Cheap airlines are www.airasia.com and www.tigerairways.com. Note that these are budget airlines and have weight restrictions so be prepared to pay twenty or thirty dollars extra for boards. Luggage will also have to be re-checked. More expensive, but very reliable and good with boards, flexible as well, concerning change of flight:www.garuda-indonesia.com

Transfers to and from the boat are included in the price but there is a 3 US-$ /day Mentawai Tax payable in Padang to the agents there. This money is paid by all guests traveling to the islands and goes toward the local community. This can be paid in US or Aussie dollars and of course Indonesian Rupiah.

You'll be met at the airport by a member of The Charter Boat's crew, with transportation provided either to a local hotel, ( 2 Star to 4 Star ), for you to unwind overnight, or alternatively, directly to the boat. The boat normally leaves the harbor between 4pm-8pm.
The cost of the hotel is not included in the daily charter fee, but local rates are relatively inexpensive.

The Surf

There are 4 large Mentawai islands and many smaller islands scattered throughout. The most northerly is Siberut which contains an amazing area of world class in a five mile radius. Also to the North there are the Tellos Islands and the island of Nias.

From North to South (some of the surfspots to give you an idea....):
Burgerworld - This is a mushy pointbreak righthander. Can offer barrels at times, but usually long rippable walls with many cutback sections.
E-Bay - This is a hollow left that barrels off the take-off with a short wall down the line. A great option when a lot of swell is hitting.
Pit Stops - This is the right off the peak at E-Bay. A playful right that can offer some cover-ups off the take-off, but mostly a high performance wave with air sections at the end. Ends in a sandy channel.
Bank Vaults - A heavy righthander that barrels and spits. Usually larger than most spots in the area. Watch out for clean-up sets.
Nipussi - A shorter right that breaks down the point from Bank Vaults. Definitely fun and rippable. Usually has fairly deep water from the takeoff to the inside. Ends in a riptide that sucks all the water back out to sea. A good option when there's not much swell, and usually the most consistent spot in the area.
Hideaways - A very hollow left that can be very shallow at low tides. The waves comes out of deep water, then unloads on a shallow section of reef before barreling towards the channel.
No Kanduis - A long barrelling left that wraps around a small island. Usually very sectiony, but can line up on the largest of swells. Many barrels on offer, but usually only makeable for one or two sections before closing out.
.... only to name a few...

Your experienced charter captain will get you to the waves at the right times to maximize your surfing experience.

Accommodation

Enjoy a 12 nights mentawais surfing trip on the 65 feet Navistar. Airport/hotel transfers and all meals, bottled water, hot drinks, sodas included.

This boat comfortably sleeps 8 guests ( min 6 ) plus crew, in spacious air-conditioned accommodation. the deck is spacious too with a seating area for 10.

Facilities includes TV, VCR, a VCD home entertainment center and fishing gear from trolling rods ,spinning rods, hand lines to spear guns to catch those big fish for sport and fun.

She is powered by a V8 300hp turbo charged Detroit diesel engine which will go anywhere any time. There are plenty of nice roomy areas to hang out at all over the vessel - inside or out.

Navistar has a 14 foot dingy to drop offs and pick ups to and from the Mentawais surf.

Schedule

SCHEDULE 2009

Sept 24 – Oct 6
Oct 8 – Oct 20
Oct 26- Nov 10

SCHEDULE 2010

March 18 - April 01 - phuket to mentawai's
April 06 - April 27  - 21 nights !
June 10 - June 22
June 24 - July 06
July 08 - July 20
July 22 - Aug 03
Aug 05 - Aug 17
Aug 19 - Aug 31
Sep 02 - Sep14
Sep 16 - Sep28
Sep 30- Oct 12
Oct 14 - Oct 26

Good to know

Passports
All visitors must have minimum 6 months passport validity from date of arrival.

Visas
Visitors from most countries can get a 30 day tourist visa on arrival for 25 US$. Other options are to apply to the Indonesian embassy in your country for a 60 day tourist visa. A 60 day visa is applicable if your nationality does not allow you to get a visa on arrival, or you want to stay more than 30 days.

Malaria
Bali is considered safe for malaria. All other Indonesian islands have higher risk of malaria and precautions are very necessary on dry land although boats offshore are considered safe. If you leave Bali for other Indonesian islands - be prepared, be safe.

Insurance
Appropriate travel insurance is an absolute necessity for travelling in Bali and to other Indonesian islands. Travel insurance is compulsory, and must include a MedEvac option / lost charter days due to unforeseen circumstances or emergencies.

Surfboards
You are allowed to import 3 surfboards into Bali for personal use. Additional boards will be considered as imports and customs will exact a toll. The price is negotiable - cheap if you are good at haggling the price, expensive if not.

Medical
A comprehensive first-aid kit including medication is available onboard.

Rates

US$ 2580 per person for a 12 night charter trip
Full Boat Cost: $ 18,800 ( Max 8 )

US$ 750 deposit required to guarantee individual bookings.
US$ 6,000 deposit required to guarantee group bookings.
Final payment due 90 days prior to sailing.

Charter includes:
- Padang airport transfers
- 12 nights onboard Navistar
- bottled water, hot drinks, sodas, 3 meals a day, and use of all Navistar onboard equipment and facilities: skin diving, fishing rods & reels, TV, DVD home entertainment center and a loud stereo system.
Not included:
- 3 US$ / day Mentawai Holiday tax
- Alcoholic beverages; onboard available @ modest, regional prices
- Visa fee for Indonesia

Digital camera shots and videos of the trip can be purchased at the end of the charter.