About Us

Mark Loughran, joint founder of Macaronis Resort, is originally from NW coast of Tasmania where he was previously trained as a chef whilst also completing a diploma in Aquaculture. Mark moved to the Mentawai Islands in March 2001 where he originally worked as chef, surf guide and coxswain captain aboard charter boats Neptune 1, Huey 1 and Serene Dream. After working 3 full seasons doing approximately 36 x 11 night surf charters, Mark then decided to set up a surf resort on land at Macaronis.

Mark is now in his 10th season working and surfing in the Mentawai Islands, speaks fluent Bahasa Indonesian and is employed as Managing Director for the Company. Mark also plays a role as surf guide hosting surfers and their companions at Macaronis Resort.

Photo Above: Mark @ Macaronis 2009

Macaronis Resort Surf Guides

Tim 'Bootsy' Geyer, Damien Kennedy, Christian Jon Barton, Hazza and Nick are all keen surfers and will be happy to show you around. Our surf guides have years of experience surfing the Mentawais and especially at Macaronis. Their skill and local knowledge will assist to make your surfing experience one to remember.

Photo Above: Bootsy @ Macaronis 2009

Photo Above: Barts @ the Bush 2010

Photo Above: Barts @ Macas 2010

Surf Guide & Chef:

Sony Muchnizon who is a qualified chef also speaking fluent Indonesian and English languages. Sony has worked in the Mentawai Surf Charter business for over 15 years and the surf tourism trade in Indonesia for well over 20 years. Sony is a very valuable member of our team, and not only does he know his game well, but he is also a great bloke, who loves to have a joke with guests, ....and take you fishing to re-fill his fridge.

Photo Above: Sony on the right, about to prepare some Sachimi... not a bad catch!

Apart from our main hosts and surf guides, whilst at the resort you will also meet our other Indonesian staff who are all very friendly and dedicated to making your stay one to remember.

Here is some further information about us...

In 2004, Management agreed to contribute US$1.50 per guest / per day to assist in community projects in Silabu Village, focusing mainly on improving health and education standards.

Macaronis Resort contributed approximately US$5,000 toward completion of Silabu Church in year 2004, over US$2,000 for purchase of a new generator for the village in year 2005, and US$4,000 that was used mainly to provide electricity to each home in the village in 2006.

In 2007 Macaronis Resort offered further assistance to Silabu Village, mainly for earthquake relief, after village homes were damaged in 2007 after an earth quake struck the area (Macaronis Resort buildings were fortunately not damaged).

Apart from financial assistance along the way, it has been the resort development and day to day work opportunities, either at the resort or supplying it, that have given the most positive impact upon the local community.

Senior staff recruited from the mainland enable us to train local employees, while at the same time maintaining a high level of service for our guests. The resort currently employs approximately 20 staff members, approximately 50% Mentawaian and 50% from the mainland.

The recent introduction of the Mooring Buoy system at Macaronis whereby villagers charge Rp.300.000 per buoy / per day to charter boats, has further increased economic benefit from the surfing industry to the local community with income of up to Rp.18.000.000 per month (US$2,000).

The installation and licensing of the 5 moorings in Silabu were funded by Macaronis Resort, which has handed the moorings over to the village for them to manage, with Macaronis resort and its guests benefiting from a managed capacity of surfers in the bay each day.