ALL QUESTIONS YOU NEED TO KNOW
TO HAVE A SAFE TRIP AND ENJOY YOUR SURF TRIP
TO HAVE A SAFE TRIP AND ENJOY YOUR SURF TRIP
HOW DO I BOOK A TRIP:
Please contact us via email with your request for a charter.
HOW DO I MAKE A PAYMENT:
Once you have submitted your intended travel dates we will reply to you with our banking details so you can make payments. Payments can be made via bank transfer or using your credit card. Once any monies have been paid please confirm to us via email and we will acknowledge once payment has been received.
As of March 2004, nationals of United States, Australia, South Africa, Argentina, Brazil, Denmark, United Arab Emirates, Finland, Hungary, United Kingdom, Italy, Japan, Germany, Canada, South Korea, Norway, France, Poland, Switzerland, New Zealand, and Taiwan must pay $USD35 for on entry visa on arrival in Indonesia. The Visa on Arrival price was increased in 2014 from $USD25 TO $USD35.
HOW DO I GET TO PADANG:
Depending on where you’re coming from there are several different options you can use to get to Padang (for example you can fly to Padang via Singapore, via Kuala Lumpur, via Jakarta etc). For more details please contact us to work out what suits you best.
GETTING THERE:
FROM BALI:
Fly to Jakarta, then Padang, DPS to CGK to PDG.
FROM USA:
Your air carrier will route you through several different international transfer points: usually Japan, Hong Kong, or China. You will want to get to Jakarta CGK. Upon arrival in Jakarta, you will be issued your free 30 day visa (US passport holders – Australians still pay $35 USD), collect your bags at baggage claim, clear customs and then transfer to the domestic terminal. Make sure you allow at least two hours for the transfer as the process can be slow and the terminals are bus rides away. There are several airlines that can get you to Padang from Jakarta: Citilink, Lion Air, Garuda, and Air Asia. We recommend Garuda or Citilink.
FROM AUSTRALIA/EUROPE:
Your air carrier may take you through Kuala Lumpur (KUL). Air Asia flies to Padang (PDG) from Kuala Lumpur, however Air Asia flies out of a smaller airport about a 20 minute cab ride from the international airport.
WHAT INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES FLY TO JAKARTA?
EVA Airways- evaair.com
Cathay Pacific Airlines- cathaypacific.com
United Emirates- emirates.com
China Airlines- china-airlines.com
Garuda Airlines- garuda-indonesia.com
AirAsia- airasia.com
Jetstar – jetstar.com
Virgin Blue – virginaustralia.com
WHAT DOMESTIC AIRLINES FLY TO PADANG?
Citilink- citilink.co.id/en
Lion- lionair.co.id
Garuda- garuda-indonesia.com
Air Asia- airasia.com
WHAT TRAVEL INSURANCE IS MANDATORY?
It is mandatory for all passengers to be fully covered for Medivac insurance. Padang has limited medical facilities and severely injured passengers are not permitted on commercial aircraft for liability reasons. We strongly recommend your travel insurance also includes all accompanying baggage and trip cancellation and disruption. Travel insurance is relatively cheap and is readily available.
A few companies offering suitable products are:
Mondial (Australia)
Phone: 1800 010 078
Website: onlinetravelinsurance.com.au
ACE Insurance Limited (Australia)
Phone: 1800 628 020
Website: onlinetravelinsurance.com.au
SOS International
Phone (USA): 1-215-942-8226
Phone (Singapore): 65 6338 7800
Website: internationalsos.com/buymembership/
TravelSafe (USA)
Phone: 1-800-523-8020
Fax: 10800-303-6015 Offers
Website: travelsafe.com
InsurAmerica
(Refer to Product Number 007826-CT P1 11/03.)
24 Hour Emergency Assistance
Phone (USA): 1-800-826-8597
Phone (International): 715-345-0505
HOW MANY BOARDS SHOULD I BRING?
This is entirely up to how much excess baggage you are willing to pay for! We have storage for them all on board but check with your airline first. Most people bring 2-4 boards. Mid length boards and guns generally get used and occasionally the short boards get pulled out. If you are going to bring an extra board we would suggest a replacement for the board you will use the most as it is not uncommon to break boards. Remember to bring extra leg ropes and tropical surf wax.
WHAT DO YOU SUGGEST I PACK!
Besides yourself, we recommend that you at least try to bring the following items:
Surfboards, leashes, fins
Warm/tropical wax, solareze ding repair
Board shorts, t-shirts, rash guard, booties, short john wetsuit, helmet
Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses
Long sleeve t-shirt and pants for mosquito protection when on land
Cash, ATM card, Credit Card
Camera with spare memory cards and battery chargers
Ipod, external hard drive or USB stick for photos
Passport, and a photo copy of your passport, minimum 6 months validity
Emergency travel insurance policy information
Small first aid kit for reef cuts, headaches, stomach issues, etc…
Slippers, thongs, jandals, flip-flops – depending on where you’re from
WHAT ELSE CAN I DO APART FROM SURF DURING THE TRIP?
The Islands are beautiful and the clear water, you can make some unforgettable snorkelling, excellent fishing sessions, some land exploration or just relax and enjoy the nature.
Mentawai Islands offer waves for all levels of surfer. Of course the better prepare you are the most you will enjoy the trip. Also Manai Koat Surf Camp crew recommend you to get a fitness preparation to support the long surf sessions
Also Manai Koat Surf Camp crew advice is to pack as lightly as possible as you will spend most of your time in the water. Although here a few s things you should really consider bring apart from your essential luggage. Surf shirt or a light wet suit for sun and reef protection extra surfboard tropical surf wax surfboard repair kit extra leg hopes spare fins kit surf hat surf helmet reef booties personal first-aid kit sea sickness pills and basic medication (fever, flu, earache and headache) insect repellent thongs or sandals hat, sunglasses and eye drops sun block and after sun cream books, Mp3 player, video camera.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME OF THE YEAR TO VISIT THE MENTAWAI ISLANDS?
Mentawai Islands are one of the most consistent regions for surfing. The high season runs from April to October, where we have usually the biggest and most constant swells, but the most crowded time as well. The rest of the year the Mentawai still get perfect waves and if you lucky you can get the swell of the year with hardly anyone out!
What is not included on the Manai Koat Surf Camp package?
What is included on the Manai Koat Surf Camp package?
WHAT HEALTH PRECAUTIONS TO TAKE:
Talk to your doctor about any medication you may need or is recommended for travel in Indonesia, South-East Asia.
Malaria Protection
Malaria is present in Sumatra and the Mentawai Islands. Being on a boat away from mosquitoes and persons who may have contracted malaria does minimize the chance of infection. The majority of our passengers do not take malaria prophylactic drugs. Those who do generally take doxycycline or malarone.
If you are concerned contact your doctor to discuss the options of taking malaria prophylactics.
IS MOBILE PHONE SERVICE AVAILABLE:
Mobile phones have service in Padang and in some spots around the islands. You can purchase a Simpati sim card for your smart phone in Padang and have access to data and talk and text if needed while on the boat.
US/AUSTRALIAN CONSULATE INFORMATION:
US Consulate
Jakarta Phone: +62 21 3435 9000
Jakarta Website: http://jakarta.usembassy.gov/
Singapore Phone: +65 64 769 100
Singapore Website: http://singapore.usembassy.gov/
Australian Consulate
Jakarta Phone: +62 21 25505 55555
Jakarta Website:http://indonesia.embassy.gov.au/jakt/home.html
Singapore Phone: +65 68 364 100
Singapore Website:http://singapore.embassy.gov.au/sing/home.html
