Before Your Journey
How do I get to Indonesia?
We recommend that you travel to Padang in Sumatra (port of departure) via Jakarta. We can assist with bookings for your international flights, your Garuda air ticket to Padang, any additional domestic flights with in Indonesia, 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 speed boat.
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What do I do about my flight arrangement?
Kandui Villas® utilizes several travel agents worldwide including Water Ways Travel in the USA, Perfect Wave Travel and World Surfaris in Australia, Island Holidays in New Zealand, Turquoise Surf Travel in France, Clear Water Surf Travel in Holland, Line Up Explorers in Germany, and Nivana Travel in Brazil. Whether you have frequent flier miles you’d like to use or simply book your flight to the Mentawais or beyond, one of our travel partners near you is waiting to assist you.
WaterWays Surf Adventures – USA
Contact: Sean Murphy
waterways@waterwaystravel.com
ph: 888-669-SURF
ph: 310 584 9900
Where should I stay if I have extra night on land?
This answer depends on where you have to stay for that extra night. We suggest the following options:
Singapore: In Singapore we suggest using the Changi Crown Plaza Hotel. The Changi Crown Plaza Hotel is very nice, and comfortable, has excellent food, and best of all, it is located on the airport property, and accessible via tram from all terminals in the airport.
Jakarta: In Jakarta we recommend using the Jakarta Airport Anara Hotel located in Terminal 3, or the Sheraton Jakarta Soekarna Hatta Hotel. Both of these Hotels are nice, reasonably priced, and convenient. The Anara Hotel being located within a few minutes walk from the checkin counter of terminal 3, and the Sheraton is located within minutes from the Jakarta Airport.
Padang: In Padang we recommend using the Santika or Ocean Beach Hotels. These are the nicest Hotels in Padang and the meeting place for surfers all over the world. They offer decent accommodations, a hearty breakfast in the morning, and are reasonably priced.
We are more than happy to help you make your reservation in advance, and you pay for the hotel when you check out.
What do you suggest I pack for my trip?
The best advice when packing for a Kandui Villas® trip is to pack as light as possible.
The best advice we can offer regarding packing your bags for a Kandui Villas® trip is to pack as lightly as possible. The following list is divided into two categories: In the Water and Out of the Water. It was created to give you ideas and help you keep track of items you may or may not need to bring on your next Kandui Villas® adventure.
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In the Surf
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big wave leash (1)
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mid sized leash (3)
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leash ropes (6)
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board shorts (3)
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fin keys (2) best to use future fin keys, because they are stronger
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fin sets (2) for each surf board
snug fitting T-shirt for sun protection (2). T-shirts work better than rash guards because they retain water, which keeps you cool, and they also give less rash than a ‘rash guard’
reef booties are recommended for several of the surf spots. When choosing your reef booties, it is best to select a pair that is snug fitting, or they will inhibit your surfing
snorkeling gear (optional. rental gear will be available at Kandui Villas®)
surfboards (2). We will also have a wide range of rental surf boards available if you do not want to lug your boards around the world.
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surf hat (optional)
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sunblock
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surf board wax (5) The kind of wax that works best in Mentawai is Mr. Zoggs Quick Humps 6x tropical or base coat. Since the ocean is so hot here, Tropical Wax gets too soft, and slippery
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wax comb
What surf boards should I bring?
Mid sized boards are what gets used most, but best to bring whatever you are used to riding.
Don’t be surprised if you ding up your surf boards and maybe even break a few of them on your vacation. Last, but not least, a ding repair kit, or some sun cure resin for quick fixes is a must.
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Out of the Surf
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airline tickets
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airline tickets (copy)
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binoculars (optional)
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cash (crisp, new bills)
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comb or brush (optional)
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credit cards
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ding repair kit / sun cure resin
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driver’s license
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driver’s license (copy)
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220 volt-110 volt electricity adapter (optional)
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sunglasses
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long sleeve t-shirt
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malaria medication (optional)
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moisturizer (optional)
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mosquito repellent (optional)
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surf board coffin travel bag
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nail clippers (optional)
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pain medicine (optional)
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light weight pants (2)
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passport
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passport (copy)
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prescription medicine (optional)
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sandals
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sealable ziploc bags for cameras, etc on the surfing excursions
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shaving cream
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shaving kit
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shoes
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walking shorts (2)
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silica gel (for inside ziploc bags)
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socks (3)
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t-shirts (4-5)
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toothbrush
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toothpaste
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travel backpack
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visa (if necessary)
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visa (copy)
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waterproof jacket (optional)
The most important thing to remember on this list is to make sure that you have an updated passport and a valid VISA for entering Indonesia, and you will not be permitted to enter Indonesia if your passport is going to expire within six months from the time of your departure. 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. If you have additional questions related to packing or traveling throughout the Mentawai Islands, then please visit the other sections of our website. If you have any other questions about packing, or any other aspect of your journey, then we are always happy to help answer your questions via e-mail, or directly in the United States at 1 (805) 222-4150, or via skype: aii_jordan.
What kind and how many boards should I take?
Mid length boards generally get used and only occasionally do the short boards and guns get used in extreme small, or big conditions, but it is best to pack whatever you feel most comfortable surfing on. If riding traditional fiberglass boards, then be prepared to ding up your boards and possibly break a few of them on your trip.
Most people bring 2-4 boards in one board bag, but this is entirely up to you. If you do not want to hassle with buying a quiver of boards, and hauling them half way around the world, Kandui Villas offers a wide range of high quality Resin 8, and few Fire Wire rental surf boards which are very reasonably priced. Lastly, a good ding repair kit is important, or at least bring some sort of sun cure resin for quick fixes.
What type of service and amenities are available?
Kandui Villas® has extremely nice, and comfortable luxury Uma accommodations, spa/massage facilities, a massive infinity edge swimming pool, a massive 2 story restaurant overlooking the swimming pool area, connected with a massive wrap around outdoor wooden deck around the pool, connecting to our pool side game room, and pool side bar, palapa, gym, and yoga studio. Kandui Villas® also boasts the fastest Internet connection in the Mentawai islands, with WiFi throughout the entire resort grounds. We have a PC in the office which can be used in an emergency, but we recommend bringing your own laptops, ipads, and smart phones. We also have a host of other activities including surfing, stand up paddle boarding, kayaking, exercising in the gym, yoga, beach volley ball, billiards, ping pong, snorkeling, and board games.
What type of health precaution should I take?
Malaria is a reality in some parts of Indonesia including the Mentawai Islands; consult your doctor before coming. If you take a prescription medication make sure you bring the necessary paperwork that goes with it in case of an emergency. If you are prone to seasickness please bring something to counteract its effects such as Dramamine or bonine, but most people experiencing sea sickness adjust within a day. For more information please consult your doctor.
Should I be concerned about malaria?
It is a matter of personal choice whether to take anti- malarial medications, and you should always consult a professional doctor about risks, and what medications you should or should not take prior to traveling to remote locations.
Kandui Villas® does take the up most care to prevent malaria outbreaks, by screening all of our workers with rapid diagnostic tests anytime they show any flu like symptoms. Since there is no local village on our island, and thus no endemic malaria here, the chances are very small, and to date we have never had a single malaria case in our original Kandui Resort, nor at Kandui Villas®. We live at Kandui Villas® year round, and have never contracted Malaria. So far so good, but the best policy is to avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes, and to follow your doctors’ advice.
Do I need travel Insurance?
Travel Insurance is mandatory for your personal safety and proof of Travel Insurance is required for any guest staying at Kandui Villas®. The easiest way for United States customers to acquire travel insurance is through our travel partner, Sean Murphy at Water Ways Travel. 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.
What documents do I need to take?
Citizens of all different countries who are entering Indonesia need a passport with at least six months of validity left and one other form of identification. Kandui Villas® requires that you send us your passport information including the number, date of issue, and place of issue prior to your departure at the same time that you pay your deposit, so we can arrange the necessary police permits for your travel to the Mentawai Islands. 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 and don’t lose it!
* 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 Indonesia.
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 different type of visa. The standard tourist VISA is applicable for up to 30 days. If you plan on staying longer in Indonesia you must apply for a visa extension at the nearest Indonesian immigration office. The extended stay tourist visas are easy and cheap to obtain and give you a full 60 days in Indonesia instead of only 30 days.