Frequently Asked Questions

1. WHERE IS MACARONIS RESORT - SOME INFORMATION ABOUT THE AREA?

Macaronis Resort is located on North Pagai Island in the southern region of the Mentawai Islands. We are located central to Katieit on South Sipora (Lances surfing area) and Sibegau Island nearby South Pagai (Thunders surfing area). Macaronis is remotely located 120 Nm from Padang and 5 km from Silabu Village which is located 3 km in-land on the edge of a an arterial river system.

Silabu Village has approximately 300 indigenous inhabitants and is located about 20km from Sikakap, only connected by walking track that can also be crossed on a motor bike taking about 1.5 hours. The village is mainly traditional due to its remote location. The only reason the villagers have had any contact with the outside world is through Christian missionaries that converted them in the early 1900's, and more recently due to the Mentawai waves and their popularity among visiting surfers.

Salt water crocodiles (known locally as Buaya) still inhabit the area but are timid of humans and can usually only be seen in the interior river systems and swamp lands, but sometimes in the ocean as well. Guests still swim in the lagoon and ocean regardless, and we have been informed by the villagers that although several dogs have been taken over the years, no humans have been known to be taken by crocodiles in the area. There are also some of the largest snakes in the world living in the jungle, including reticulated pythons that grow as thick as a tree trunk, king cobra and green tree vipers. Water Dragons (similar to goannas and known locally as Buayak) are also common growing up to 2 meters in length.

In the jungle there is wild bore, and on our island there is a family of endangered Pagai monkeys with black fure and white faces. Various other species of Monkey exist including the Mentawai Leaf Monkey, Macaques and another two species that inhabit the area. There are also flying squirils (called 'Tupai') on our island and Macaronis is home to the Crested Serpant Eagle that lives high in the hollowed out rotting tree trunks around Macaronis Point and on Silabu Island.

Silabu lagoon has a variety of fish species including squid, various crab species including mud crab, giant trevally, octopus, sea snails, mangrove jack, red snapper, mullet, yellow tipped Trevally, blue tipped trevally and Scorpion fish. Trawling in the ocean one can catch Giant Trevally, King Mackral / Tengirri, Mahi Mahi, Sail Fish and sometimes even Black Marlin. The forests and ocean is abandant with nature. In the forest there are also wild black spotted deer, land tortois, ardvark (yes those armoured creatures that roll up into a ball), and who knows what else can be found in there; a surprise is always around the corner.

2. HOW MUCH ARE EXTRAS LIKE MASSAGES, LAUNDRY AND DRINKS OVER THE BAR?

Basic spirits or a large bottle of Bintang Beer costs Rp.45.000 (about US$5.00) and a Bintang or Heinikan Can costs Rp.30.000 (about US$3.50). Guests are also welcome to bring along their duty free purchases of spirits. Massages cost Rp.125.000 for one hour, Rp.75.000 for half an hour and laundry is very inexpencive, handled by our room boys.

Apart from that, the only other spare cash you might need is for buying a few souveniers from the locals.

3. HOW RELIABLE IS THE AMBU AMBU FERRY?

Ambu Ambu Ferry is contracted by the Indonesian government to operate minimum 45 return trips to Sikakap annually (port closest to Macaronis) over 48 weeks of the year. The ferry service must complete this minimum service level to obtain its subsidy supplied by the Indonesian Government (therefore minimum reliability is 45/48 x 100 = approx. 94 %). Macaronis Resort has successfully used the Ambu Ambu Ferry during seasons 2008, 2009 and 2010.

Further Information about Ambu Ambu Ferry:

Total Certified Crew: 21
Jakarta docking times (not in service): The full month of November in 2010
Main engines: 2
Back up engines: 2
Twin share air-conditioned cabins: 5
Quad Share air-conditioned cabins: 3
Safety Equipment: International Standard - life rafts (viewable in photo below), life jackets, fire fighting equipment / interior sprinklers etc.
VIP airconditioned seating lounge: 60+ reclining seats
Facilities: Canteen serving cold drinks, snacks, tea and coffee, cold beer

Over-all an enjoyable cultural experience, also having the opportunity to mingle with locals.

Above: Ambu Ambu Passenger Ferry operated by ASDP Ferry Indonesia

* Please Note: Macaronis Resort does not recommend use of any other Mentawai ferries available that have proven unreliable in the past.

4. HOW DO I BOOK?

To secure your booking at Macaronis Resort, firstly you need to inquire about availability by emailing mark@macaronisresort.com

Upon confirming available dates, you then need to fill out our Booking Form, also making a non-refundable deposit of AU$600 for each week booked to stay at Macaronis Resort and balance payment is required 60 days prior to the commencement of your booking. Payment can be made with Visa or Master Card, or by Telegraphic Transfer upon request.

If paying by credit card, no merchant fees apply, however if paying from outside Australia your Bank may levy your credit card with a nominal International transaction fee. Please note that credit card details are protected by SSL certified 128 bit data encryption, offered by Commonwealth Bank of Australia.

Here are our Terms and Conditions, make sure you read these at the time of making your booking.

5. DO I REQUIRE CASH WHILST AT THE RESORT?

Additional funds are required for beverages or snacks ordered from the public bar, purchase of souvenirs or any other extras. Macaronis Resort offers a money changing service accepting United States dollars (new notes only please), Australian dollars and Euro Dollars changing to Indonesian Rupiah.

As of October 2010, Macaronis Resort now accepts Visa and Master Card payments for guests staying at Macaronis Resort. Transactions can be made online paying in to our bank account through the Commonwealth Bank of Australia. No Credit Card fees apply.

6. WHAT ABOUT MALARIA?

The risk of contracting Malaria in the Mentawai Islands is no different to the risks associated with visiting the island of Nias, the Hinako Islands, Simeulue, G-Land, Lakey Peak, Desert Point, Sumba and various other remote areas in Indonesia. Any remote area has the potential for an outbreak of Malaria, depending on controlling factors such as rainfall, potential mosquito breeding areas and awareness of the local community.

Over the past 6 years since the construction of Macaronis Resort over 1000 guests have visited and no guest to our knowledge has ever been unlucky enough to have contracted Malaria.

Given the fact that all accommodation and entertainment facilities at Macaronis Resort are either fan cooled, screened and / or air-conditioned, the chances of contracting mosquito bites are very remote given that proper caution is taken. We recommend that all guests take anti-malarial medication as an added precaution (we recommend doxicyclin).

7. IS EMERGENCY EVACUATION AVAILABLE?

Emergency evacuation to Padang is available by speedboat if a situation is considered serious, or in some circumstances by helicopter (you must consult with your travel insurance company to qualify) or by plane from Rokot airstrip on Sipora Island 60 miles to the north. Emergency evacuation to Padang can cost many thousands of dollars and this is why we maintain that travel insurance when traveling to Macaronis Resort is obligatory.

8. WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT?

Traditionally, March through to November is regarded as the best time to surf Macaronis, when the swell is most consistent. However perfect glassy surf in the 3 - 4 ft range can also be found with less crowds from December to February, an ideal time for less experienced surfers or those surfers who want fun waves but prefer to avoid crowds.

As the Mentawai Islands are located only 1 degree south of the equator, weather conditions are generally similar all year round (tropical, humid, sunny weather), however August is known to sometimes produce less stable weather, with occasional localised storms and stronger winds.

The months of December to February are generally fairly stable with respect to wind, but these months can be more humid creating additional rainfall usually in the afternoons and of an evening. That's certainly not to say that during these months there aren't perfect unridden barrels passing through most of the islands in the Mentawais.....(well most of them unridden!!)...

In 2010 Macaronis Resort will be opening from mid February until mid November. Please inquire now for exact dates.

9. HOW MANY SURF BOARDS AND HOW MUCH LUGGAGE CAN I BRING?

Bring as many boards as you like. But keep in mind that there will be luggage restrictions on your international and domestic flights. But when it comes to Ambu Ambu Ferry, there is plenty of room for all of your luggage and surfboards that you would like to bring. Surf boards can also be left at the resort in storage for those that return annually.