Indies Trader Marine Adventures ::: Mentawai Islands, Indonesia ::: Before Your Trip

Jakarta: In Jakarta we recommend using the Sheraton Bandara Hotel. Just three kilometers from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, the Sheraton Bandara Hotel offers a unique, five-star, resort-style experience. We’re in the heart of the thriving, cultural metropolis of Indonesia, just a short drive from Jakarta’s central business district. The city’s energy is close by, but the tranquil countryside that surrounds us makes it feel miles away.

Blending an international ambience with local contemporary culture, our décor combines modern and traditional wooden furniture with soft colored fabrics and a wide selection of arts and crafts. Our 220 fully soundproof guest rooms provide wonderful views of the garden or lake as well as High Speed Internet Access.

For under $100/night you can stay at a very upscale hotel, 5 minutes from the airport... best of all they pick you up at your gate upon arrival to eliminate any confusion.

Click here to find out more information about the Sheraton Bandara.

5. What do you suggest I pack for my trip? The best advice when packing for a surf trip is to pack as light as possible. This fundamental rule of travel is especially true on a surf charter through the Mentawai Islands- when most of your time is spent in the water. Please click here to view our "Travel Information" page where you will find our list of "Essentials" - an extremely helpful checklist you should use for your trip.

6. What kind and how many boards should I take? Most people bring 2-4 boards. Most people will ride their standard shortboards most of the time but a good idea to follow is to track the swell forecast before your trip and plan accordingly. Most people bring 4 surfboards - two shortboards (6'2"), one mid sized board for when it gets a little bigger (6'5"), and one gun for the biggest days (6'10"). 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.

7. What types of services and amenities are available onboard? We offer a first class surf experience, on all of the boats we have diving gear, games, and other activities but of course our main emphasis is on surfing!

8. What type of health precautions should I take? A. Most travelers usually update their tetanus and hepatitis shots before traveling to any remote region of the world. B. Malaria is a reality in some parts of Indonesia including the Mentawai Islands; consult your doctor for more information. C. If you take a prescription medication make sure you bring the necessary paperwork that goes with it in case of an emergency. D. If you are prone to seasickness please bring something to counteract its effects such as dramamine or bonine. E. For more information please consult your doctor.

9. Should I be concerned about malaria? It is a matter of personal choice whether to take anti- malarial medication. Malaria is endemic in some of the places you will be visiting. The best policy is to avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes so wearing a light long sleeved shirt and spray at night is recommended.

10. Do I need travel insurance? Travel Insurance is reccomended for your personal safety. A decent travel insurance package will provide coverage for the following: trip cancellation and interruption, baggage delay, baggage coverage, travel delay, emergency medical and dental, emergency, medical transport and evacuation, and travel accident insurance. Feel free to Contact us for reccomendations.

11. What documents do I need to take? Citizens of the United States need a passport with at least six months of validity left and one other form of identification.

Indies Trader requires that you send us your passport information including the number, date of issue, and place of issue prior to your departure so we can arrange the necessary harbor permits for your travel through the Mentawais. In case you misplace any vital documents you should also carry a back-up photocopy of your passport, id, and airline ticket with you at all times. It doesn't hurt to leave another copy at home as well.

When you are in Indonesia you will be issued an immigration form that you must keep until your departure. When you leave they will ask to see it to determine how long you were in Indonesia. Please take care of that form once they give it to you.

The most important thing to remember on this list is to make sure that you have an updated passport and a valid VISA. You will not be permitted to enter Indonesia if your passport is going to expire within six months of your departure or if you are from a country that requires a special VISA to enter. Most people can take care of their VISA upon entering Indonesia including citizens of the United States and Australia but before you purchase your airline tickets please check with your local authorities to make sure you're covered...

12. How long can I stay in Indonesia? Most travelers coming from the US, Australia, and Europe are issued tourist visas upon arrival, but if you carry a passport from other countries it is worthwhile checking to see if you need a visa. The standard tourist VISA is applicable for up to 30 days. If you plan on staying longer in Indonesia you must apply for an extended stay VISA at your local Indonesian Embassy prior to departure or in Singapore.

13. How much money do I need to take? Once you get to the boat all you have to focus on is getting as many good waves as possible. Most of our guests bring extra money for the following reasons: A. Traveling Money: $150US B. Souvenir money: $50US C. VISA money: $25US D. Money for tipping the staff: $75 - $?

Please bring crisp, new bills if you plan to use spending money inside Indonesia.

14. Is there a photographer available for my trip? Please contact us for details about adding a photographer to your trip and updated availability. We recommend contacting Dave Collyer at mentawaisurfphotos.com first.

15. Can I recharge my video camera etc..on the boat? Boats voltage is 240V AC 50 Hertz so make sure any battery chargers etc you have are suitable. Electrical sockets on board Indies Trader II are the 3 pin English type and Indies Trader III the 3 pin Australian type. We have some adapters on board but bring your own if you want to be sure.

16. Do you have fishing and/or diving gear on the boats? We have some fishing equipment at the resort, but if you are a keen fisherman bring some of your own lures and maybe your own casting rod.

If you'd like to snorkel please bring your own equipment for sanitary reasons.

If you must bring a spear gun there is a risk of it being confiscated by customs. We suggest you break it into it's components and separate them in your baggage.

17. Can I be contacted while I'm on the boat? Our boats currently use a variety of ways to stay in touch with the outside world. We offer a shared e-mail account onboard as well as two satellite phones and a fax machine. We do not have an internet connection.

18. Can I check my e-mails on the boat? Is internet available?
Each boat is equipped with a shared e-mail account but the internet is not available onboard:

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M.V. Indies Trader I
+870 761 342 257
Fax: +870 761 342 258
Iridium : + 8816 214 11011
Indies.trader1@astmail.net

M.V. Indies Trader II
+870 762 483 181
Fax: +870 762 483 182
Aces +62 86811 701 102
indies.trader2@astmail.net

M.V. Indies Trader III
+870 761 333 031
Fax:+ 870 761 333 032
Aces: +62 86811 700 032
indiestrader3@astmail.net

M.V. Indies Trader IV
+870 763 655 561
Fax: +870 764 146 484
+62 812 102 9602
Iridium: + 8816 214 62929
admin.trader4@astmail.net

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19. What is your policy on illegal substances? Our operation is drug free. We have already been searched by Indonesian authorities upon the basis of an unfounded allegation. If drugs had of been found in passengers cabins or baggage we could have lost the vessel and faced imprisonment, along with the passenger. It's just not worth it!

20. Can I celebrate a special occasion on the boat? Hopefully with enough advanced notice we can accommodate any and all requests.

22. What happens if my flight is delayed or my boards don't make it? Fortunately we rarely encounter problems with our guests boards. In the rare instance that your boards do not make it we still send the trip out on schedule and make arrangements with one of our boats or another boat to rendezvous with you and drop off your boards.

If your flight is delayed we react accordingly but since most of our groups are whole group charters if one person is delayed, the whole groups is delayed and it makes everything that much easier to cope with. Whatever time you arrive in Padang we'll be there to pick you up at the airport and take you to the boat.

23. What happens when I arrive in Padang? This is one question we hear most frequently. Perhaps the best way to answer it is to show you step by step in our special "Travel Itinerary" section.

Why are Indies Trader boats the best alternative?

1. Our trips are 20% longer than the other boats.

2. We go further and travel more in search of the best, uncrowded waves. Everyone knows fuel is expensive now - the price doubled last year and this year it has doubled again. We make sure we have enough margin to concentrate on getting the best waves no matter how many miles we have to travel.

3. We have better food prepared by western chefs and all drinks are included. We feel that the last thing you need to do on a surf trip is worry about the small stuff so we decided to just throw everything in for one price. Check whether you’re going to end up with a large bar tab when comparing prices.

4. Reliability: We maintain a fully staffed office in Padang, our own workshop and warehouse, our own repair facility and wharf. We have ex-pat engineers and shipwrights. Our boats are better maintained and if something does go wrong we have someone that can fix it, have the spare parts on hand, and have the logistical ability to solve problems that would end your trip with other operators. We don’t cancel trips, we don’t leave people stranded, we always come through...

5. Safety: Our vessels are insured and surveyed. If you get hurt we will get you out of there and into professional care faster than anyone else. We provide Medivac insurance that works. We carry the most extensive first aid and medical kits.

6. Staff: Our qualified Captains, Chefs, Engineers, and Crew are the highest paid in the Industry. You get what you pay for! Many of our staff have been with us over 10 years some as long as 20.

Why does Indies Trader do longer trips than other boats? Our trips are 12 days to make sure you have great surf on your trip! It is a matter of odds! The swell cycle in the Indian Ocean is 3 to 4 on, 3 to 4 off, 3 to 4 on. We learnt this in the days before there was internet surf forecasting. What this means is that if you spend 10 days out there you can get skunked if you get a whole swell off cycle and a dropping and rising part of a new cycle. If you spend 12 days you are guaranteed at least one swell and generally get two on your trip. On a 10 day trip, worst case, you can arrive as the swell is peaking, then dropping for 3 days, then deal with a 4 day flat spell. Why risk flying to the other side of the world for a surf trip and not stack the odds of scoring in your favor?

Other companies claim they have faster boats... Isn’t faster better? Faster is sometimes better if you can afford it. The reality is with today’s fuel prices no one is cruising faster than 10 knots even if their boats are capable of going faster. There are a lot of exaggerated claims. For example on one of our competitor's website they claim a 2,000 mile range at 26 knots. Truth? The boat did 24 knots once when new and unloaded, it actually has a range of less than 500 nm. Spends most of the time doing 8 knots and can maintain a max speed of 14 knots loaded. You are better off with a bigger more comfortable boat that can do 10 knots all the time than a smaller lighter boat designed to plane that is only doing eight to ten knots. Remember the boat is essentially a floating hotel, the actual quality of accommodation and personal space onboard is more important than than saving half an hour getting between breaks.

There are a ton of things to consider prior to your departure but overall the trip is almost as simple as showing up in Padang, getting on the boat, and finding good waves. Please click the image above or any of the questions below to read more about how to prepare for your boat trip with Indies Trader:

1. How do I get to Indonesia? We recommend that you travel to Padang in Sumatra (port of departure) via Singapore.

We can assist with bookings for your international flights, your air ticket to Padang, and any necessary overnight accommodations.

Our crew and ground staff will meet you at the airport in Padang on arrival and make arrangements to transfer you to the boat.

2. How do I get home? Please contact a local travel agent to assist you with flights.

3. For advice and up to date information on the best way to get to Padang, feel free to contact us:

Main: +61 8 9286 1474
Mobile: +61 417 970 411
Indies Trader Marine Adventures Ltd.
indiestrader@indiestrader.com
martin@indiestrader.com
Skype: martindaly1
Contact: Martin & Lee Daly

4. Where should I stay if I have an extra night on land? In Singapore? In Padang? In Jakarta? This answer depends on where you have to stay for that extra night. Quite simply we suggest the following options:

Singapore: In Singapore we recommend using the Grand Mercure Roxy Hotel - "The Roxy". The Grand Mercure Roxy Hotel is a world away from Singapore's hustle, yet just 10 minutes from key locations such as the city centre, Changi International Airport and Singapore Expo, It is located on the East Coast of Singapore on Marine Parade Road Road, opposite Parkway Parade Shopping Centre and within walking distance to East Coast Recreation Park.

Pricing available on their website.

If you don't have enough time to leave the airport there is a "Transit hotel" inside the airport that works quite well.

http://www.airport-hotel.com.sg/

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Padang: Due to the recent earthquake and devastation in Padang we are currently not recommending anyone to stay overnight in Padang. Indies Trader will be happy to help coordinate your trip to eliminate the need to stay in Padang and if an overnight stay is required we will make it in Jakarta or best yet, Singapore. Thank you for your understanding.