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1
What are your
rates?
Please
email Chantal
for schedule
and rates.
2
Where are the
Mentawai
Islands?
Off the west
coast of
Sumatra, East
Indian Ocean and governed by
Indonesia. See
the
map
of the area.
3
What port do we
leave from?
The port of
Padang is our
home port
situated on the
west coast of
Sumatra. Padang
has an
international
airport serviced
by Singapore
Airlines and
Malaysian
Airlines.
4
How do I get to
Padang?
Fly from your
home city to
Singapore, from
Singapore it is
a one hour
flight to Padang.
Our schedule is
designed to fit
with the airline
flight schedules
from Singapore
to Padang.
5
Do I need a
visa?
You must contact
your nearest
Consulate in
this regard, the
Indonesian
government
recently made
some new laws.
6
When is the best
time to go?
Anytime from
March to
October, with
the most swell
but most crowds
between June and
August and
smaller swell
but lower crowds
during March -
May and Sept –
October.
7
When is the
rainy
season/cyclone
season/windy
season?
The Mentawais
lie in the Inter
Tropical
Convergence Zone
(doldrums),
which means no
cyclones and no
specific seasons
although it can
be dryer during
May/June. Every
year the weather
is different and
it is impossible
to predict or
plan for it.
8
Airport
transfers? We
collect you from
Padang airport
and take you to
no extra cost to
you.
9
Can I book as an
individual?
Yes, you can
book as an
individual or as
a group.
10
How do I book? By
paying a 25%
deposit into the
Indies Explorer
account. Email
Chantal for
details.
11
Are
there waves for
beginners?
Yes there are
many
opportunities
for beginner and
intermediate
surfers, check
out the
description of
the surf spots
elsewhere on the
site.
12
Is
it a worthwhile
vacation for non
surfers?
Yes, there are
plenty of other
activities like
snorkeling,
gamefishing,
kayaking and
island
exploring.
13
Should
I bring my wife?
Many passengers
have come with
their
girlfriends or
wives and they
have all had a
great time, we
have special
cabins with
double bed for
couples.
14
Do
you have
airconditioning?
Yes we have.
15
What
do I need to
bring? See
our “what to
bring list”
elsewhere on the
site. Bring your
own wine and
spirits.
16
What
other expenses
will I have?
We do your
airport
transfers and
all food on
board is
included. Your
only extra
expenses are $45
Mentawai
Government Tax,
a US $40
Indonesian crew
tip, US $25 Surf
Aid donation and
US $140 for “all
you can drink”
on board which
includes
Heineken,
Bintang, Coke,
Sprite, Tonic,
Soda water,
juices, bottled
water and so
forth. The total
extra amount is
therefore US
$250, which you
should bring to
the boat in US
dollars cash.
17
What about
spending money?
You may want to
buy a few
carvings, bring
about US $150,
which you should
change into
Rupee AT THE
AIRPORT UPON
ARRIVAL.
18
Do
you have a
Satellite phone
on board?
Yes we do. Our
rates are US
$5.00/minute for
outgoing calls
and US $2.50 for
incoming calls,
payable on
board.
19
What
about getting
seasick?
Passengers
rarely get
seasick, the
Indies Explorer
is a big boat
with a very
comfortable,
slow roll. Bring
seasick tablets
as a precaution.
20
Is
Malaria a
problem?
The risk is very
low on board as
we are mostly
out of range of
the Malaria
mosquitoes. You
may want to take
precautionary
medicine such as
Larium, consult
your doctor.
21
Travel
and evacuation
insurance?
This is
compulsory. |
