Travel Guide
Here is some information to help your holiday run smoother. We are located on a remote island 150km away from mainland Indonesia.
Getting Here
You need to travel to the port city of Padang, central Sumatra in Indonesia. You will spend one night in Padang and then the next morning travel to Tuapejat Mentawai by fast ferry and then by car to Jala Villas. Our team can help you with arranging your transport here and are happy to answer any questions.
Fly to Padang
You can fly to Padang daily from Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, or Medan. The airport in Padang is called Minangkabau International Airport (PDG).
Night in Padang and Hotels
Because the fast ferry leaves in the morning you must spend ONE NIGHT in Padang before getting on the fast ferry to Mentawai. You will also need to spend ONE NIGHT in Padang on the return trip because the ferry arrives back in Padang late.
We recommend staying at the Oxville Hotel in Padang. Ask for airport pickup and transport to the fast ferry terminal (the following morning) when making your reservation. Rooms cost between Rp500,000 to Rp700,000 and the hotel has a pool and room service. They also provide free breakfast and can provide a packed takeaway breakfast for you to take on the morning of your departure to the ferry if you request it the evening before. Contact details for Oxville Hotel: WhatsApp number: +6282140023597, email:reservation.oxville@gmail.com , address Jl. Kp. Sebelah No.28, Berok Nipah, Kec.Padang Bar., Kota Padang, Sumatera Barat, Indonesia.
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Alternatively we recommend staying at The Budget Hotel By The Harbour in Padang. It is cheaper accomodation than the Orville Hotel and doesn't have a pool or room service but is conveniently located directly opposite the Fast Ferry terminal - you can walk across the road to the ferry. Rooms cost around Rp350,000 and are air-conditioned and have ensuites. This hotel does not do airport pickup but there is a BlueBird taxi stand outside the front door of the Padang airport that have metered taxis. Contact details for The Budget Hotel By The Harbour: WhatsApp number: +62811661687, email: bhbythebarbour@gmail.com , address Jl Batang Area No.88 Blok B 11/12.
Padang to Tuapejat Mentawai
The Padang to Tuapejat (return) fast ferry schedule is Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 7am and Sundays at 10am. You must arrive in Padang THE DAY BEFORE. When making your booking at the hotel in Padang ask them to include transport to the fast ferry terminal on the morning of your departure. We recommend arriving at the fast ferry terminal 45 mins prior to ferry departure. Tickets do not need to be pre-booked and can be purchased at the fast ferry terminal prior to getting on the ferry. Approximate cost is Rp350,000 per person and Rp250,000 per board bag depending on the weight. Tuapejat is the capital of Mentawai and is where you will disembark the ferry.
Return: The Fast Ferry returns to Padang on the same days ie Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays at 3pm. On the day of your departure you will leave Jala Villas at 10:30am.
Tuapejat to Jala Estate
Once you arrive in Mentawai on the fast ferry our driver will be waiting for you holding a 'Jala Villas' sign. The journey takes approximately 2 hours and is in an air-conditioned car. The trip costs between 1 and 1.3 juta depending on the number of people.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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Why do I need to spend the night in Padang? This is avoid the risk of missing your ferry because very limited flights arrive in Padang on the morning of ferry departure as it leaves early. The ferry arrives back in Padang at around 7pm but there may be delays so we recommend you stay one night in Padang on return also.
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What about food?
Daily breakfast is included in our rates*. All our Bungalows have their own private kitchen (except if you book only Room 2 of Mattaoi Bungalow). With your own kitchen you have the option of cooking for yourself or dining out at one of the nearby restaurants or local warungs. Katiet is quite well equipped these days and you can buy your food supplies in the village even including ice-cream and cheese! We are still a remote island so expect less variety and supply than a western country or bigger town but enough to keep you fueled with healthy meals for happy surfing days. With prior ordering, door delivery is available for most supplies. We will be happy to use our extensive local knowledge to point you in the right direction to keep a well stocked kitchen for the duration of your stay.
*Note if booking through Airbnb your rates do not include breakfast. Renting Villa Alei does not include daily breakfast and instead includes your own private cook.
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Restaurants?
There are a few western restaurants and local warungs in the area. HTs Resort, La’Belle and Katiet Beach Resort all have restaurants that are open to the public (card payment accepted). There is a locally run restaurant just on the corner after the dog leg between the walls when you are heading into the village of Katiet called Katerai’s Restaurant, they serve both western and Indonesian meals. There are also a few local warung style restaurants further along the main road including quite a big one in Monga Bosua (the next village after Katiet 5 mins away).
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What time will I arrive at Jala Villas? Depending on the day of your arrival you will arrive at Jala Villas between 1 and 4 pm.
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Travel Insurance? Advised. Responsibility of the guest. Please do your own research to find an insurance company that suits you.
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Visas? Indonesia has a 30 day visa on arrival for citizens of most countries. Obtaining visas is the responsibility of the guest. You can also obtain a 30 or 60 day visa online prior to your arrival by visiting the offical Indonesian e-Visa Website. If you have any questions regarding visas don't hesitate to ask us.
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Is the place family friendly? Definitely. We are a family ourselves and one of the most common things people say to us is "this is the most amazing place for kids to grow up". We have a beautiful blue swimming lagoon straight out the front that is perfect for the kids. Enjoy snorkelling, beach walking, kid friendly waves, shell collecting, rock-pool investigating and jungle walk adventures. There is also a slide, a stand-up paddle board and small traditional canoe on site for guests to use free of charge.
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Do you rent surfboards? We hire soft top surfboards at Rp250.000 per day. We do not rent normal surfboards.
Can I buy new surfboards there? With our partnership with Sumatran Surf Supplies we can have brand new Channel Island or Christenson surfboards waiting here for your arrival. Free delivery. Contact us for more information.
What about surfing lessons? We provide surfing lessons with an English speaking guide. Cost is Rp500.000 for a two hour session per person or Rp700.000 including soft top surfboard hire.​
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What about motorbikes? Can I hire one so I can get around? We have a fleet of scooters for guests to rent. Cost is Rp120,000 per day for a scooter. There are several waves close by accessible by scooter.
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What happens if I ding my board is there ding repair? Your host happens to be a professional surfboard repair technician with over 12 years experience in surfboard ding repair so we have you covered.
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Is there a photographer there? Yes we can arrange a photographer for you if you would like to book one in advance.
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Can I use my credit card there? No you must bring cash. The nearest atm machine is in Tuapejat. A couple of the restaurants do accept card.
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Do you have WIFI? Yes, all our guests enjoy unlimited Starlink wifi.
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What about the Mentawai surf tax?
When you arrive in Tuapejat it is likely that government officials will ask you to pay the Mentawai Government’s surfers tax. The tax is for surfers only not for non-surfers and is only paid if you have surfboards with you. If you are bringing surfboards for someone else who is already here and you do not surf then you do not need to pay the surf tax. If you are a temporary or permanent resident of Indonesia or an Indonesian Citizen you do not need to pay surf tax. The price is Rp2.000.000 per person (per surfer). The surf tax is run by the Mentawai government and has nothing to do with us.
What about Laundry and Room Cleaning?
Your housekeeper/cleaner will take care of all your dirty laundry and clean your villa daily.
What about babysitting and child care?
We can arrange a babysitter for you just let us know in advance.
Click here to view: GENERAL 2 to 4 surfboards, big wave leash, small wave leash, fin keys, fins (min 2 sets), spare grub screws, wax (warm/tropical water) boardshorts/bathers/swimsuit/rashvest (we are generally surfing in boardshorts and rashvest or a onepeice longarm swimsuit). People who feel the cold easily may want to bring a 1 or 2mm wetsuit vest booties (optional, good for less experienced surfers, all the waves except the Beach Break are over sharp coral reef) helmet (optional good for less experienced surfers or kids) Good quality zinc and sunscreen Sunglasses and a broad rimmed hat Snorkelling gear optional but recommended Spearfishing gear optional. Fishing rod and takle optional Camera and usb stick/harddrive Light cotton long pants and long-sleeved shirt for mosquito protection in the evenings ​​ MEDICAL ESSENTIALS general antibiotics for skin infections, if you are allergic to penicillin please bring antibiotics suitable to you antiseptic powder - this is particularly useful to dry cuts out antiseptic cream and or betadine heavy-duty bandaids and wound dressing/padding travel sickness tablets if needed aqua-ear alcohol drops for ears, antibiotic ear drops ​ TRAVEL DOCUMENTS/CASH Passport and copy Visa (if required) and copy Airline tickets printed out recommended Padang hotel booking confirmation printed out recommended. Address of the Hotel in Padang written down. Copy of travel insurance printed out. Enough cash in Indonesian Rupiah for the duration of your stay (there is no ATM machine at Katiet)