Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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In 2009 we are continuing a 12 day/13 night schedule, 20% longer than other boats. On all of our surf charter vessels with the exception of the Indies Trader IV, 8 people is the ideal number of people on each trip. All trips are available on a first come first served basis. Sample Itinerary: Indies Trader III Trip from Los Angeles
(1 stop flight)
Dates: August 9 - August 22, 2009
Route: Los Angeles > Singapore > Padang > Rokot > Kandui > Rokot > Padang > Jakarta > Singapore (Overnight) > Los Angeles
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Friday, August 7 @ 11:30am: Arrive at Airport
International flights require that you check in a full three hours before departure. We suggest you get there as early as possible to ensure that your boards make it on the flight without incident and you get the seat you want for the extended flight to Singapore. The procedure once you get to the airport dictates:
1. Check-in. Please make sure you have your passport and tickets handy. The Singapore Air portion is usually electronic now so all you need is to show your passport. The other flights will also be a combination of tickets/e-tickets,
2. After check-in take your bags/boards to get scanned. You have to wait in line but essentially once they take your bags they will give you the go-ahead and you can proceed to your gate.
3. Before you get to the gate you will have to go through a security checkpoint – this usually takes 20 minutes but can be longer – be prepared!
4. After you made it through your checkpoint go to your gate and wait for your flight. We recommend purchasing a pillow that wraps around your head and once you get on the flight an international converter for your electricity conversion along the way.
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Friday, August 7 @ 2:30pm: Plane Takes Off to Singapore
Singapore Air Flight SQ11 departs at 2:30pm and eventually arrives at 1:30am in Singapore – you lose one day in transit due to the time change. This flight has one stop in Narita, Japan. Once you arrive in Narita they will ask you to disembark the aircraft with all of your belongings – please make sure to not leave anything behind! Once you are off the aircraft they will give you a transit ticket and take you upstairs to go through a security checkpoint. This doesn’t just happen in Japan, it will happen on any of the layovers. Once you go through security proceed back to your gate quickly because the total layover will only be about 45 minutes.
Sunday, August 9 @ 1:30am: Arrive in Singapore Sunday, August 10 @ 8:00am: Sunday, August 10 @ 8:00am: Check-In for Singapore Air flight 956 departing at 10:00am Sunday, August 10 @ 10:00am: Plane takes off to Jakarta Sunday, August 10 @ 10:35am: Plane arrives in PadangThey will hang around looking for that tip and they are not really appreciative when they get it but that's just how they are. There is no need to give them more than 2 or 3 dollars, that is a ton of money for them and is a very generous gesture on your part. Once you've made it outside the customs area you will be need to collect your bags and make your way to your next flight at 5:00pm on Garuda Flight 164 to Padang.
A. What the swell and weather are supposed to do the next day. Saturday, August 22 @ 6:00pm: Leave the Mentawais Sunday, August 23 @ 8:30am: Plane leaves for Jakarta Sunday, August 23: Jakarta to Singapore: Flight options are shown below on Singapore Airlines: Monday, August 24: Singapore to Los Angeles: Flight options are shown below - most people will spend the night in Singapore and catch Singapore Airlines from Singapore to Los Angeles:
Singapore to LAX: SQ12 @9:45am > 12:50pm – 1 stop Narita Airport in Japan.
Singapore to LAX: SQ28 @5:05pm > 8:20pm – 1 stop Taipei, Taiwan.
Singapore to LAX: SQ38 @4:05pm > 5:25pm – Direct
Please feel to visit our "Contact information" page to go over the advantages and disadvantages of each flight listed above.
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Monday, August 24: Arrive in Los Angeles
You made it home! Going through customs will typically take about one hour. After you clear customs the easiest thing to do is grab a complimentary trolley cart, throw all of your things on there and head over to the "Oversized Baggage" area to collect your boards.
* Please Note: This itinerary is a sample itinerary - your actual trip might be different. Indies Trader Marine Adventures does everything in our power to make sure you have the most streamlined, efficient vacation possible but individual schedules and results will vary.
You do have the option to hang out in Singapore longer but we recommend getting on this particular flight in case something goes wrong, it will give you a buffer zone in Jakarta. Sunday, August 10 @ 3:00pm: Check-In for flight toPadang
The most reliable flight to use from Jakarta to Padang is on Garuda. Flight 164 leaves Jakarta at 5:00pm and arrives in Padang at 6:00pm.
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Sunday, August 10 @ 6:00pm: Arrive in Padang
Once you've collected your bags and made it outside the customs area you will be met by a representative from Indies Trader Marine Adventures. It's highly likely that your captain will be at the airport to greet you, introduce themselves, and give you the plan of attack. The next thing you need to do is get outside and into the air conditioned cars that are waiting for you.
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Sunday, August 10 @ 6:45pm: The Ride
Once you've made it outside and witnessed the hustle and bustle of Padang International Airport you're ready to get in one of our minivans and get taken to the boat. Before you leave the airport parking lot do a quick spot check to make sure all of your luggage has made it on to the designated transport vehicles. If your boat leaves that afternoon you will be taken straight to the harbor - if you have an overnight stay you will be taken to the Bumiminang Hotel where we will have a reservation made for you.
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Sunday, August 10 @ 8:00pm: Arrive at Harbor Sunday, August 10 @ 8:00pm: Leave for the Mentawais
You've waited long enough! Most trips will take off for the overnight haul out to the Mentawai's once you reach the boat. The crossing will take about 8 hours for everyone because travelling at night requires the boats to go slower. As you settle into your cabins and try to fall asleep you can be content with the fact that the next morning you will be having your first session of the trip and all of the time and effort required to get there will pay off the second you catch that first wave.
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Monday, August 11 @ 6:00am: Arrive in the Mentawai Islands Indies Trader Photo Galleries: Invite your friends on a boat trip with Indies Trader!