Macaronis Resort - Mentawai Islands

The Mentawai Islands off the coast of West Sumatra offer some of the best waves to surf on the planet. Five surf resorts and one surf camp are located in the Northern region closest to Padang while Macaronis Resort is the only surf resort operational in the southern region located central to Thunders (Mentawais most consistent wave) and Lances Right (one of the world's best right hand tubes) with a dozen other quality breaks in between..

Unlike other Mentawai surf resorts, Macaronis Resort also offers inclusive over-night surf charters aboard our privately owned charter boat, the Indies Explorer. This allows guests the option of splitting up and enjoying a few days each week visiting surrounding islands by boat and surfing a variety of other legendary Mentawai waves.

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Ambu Ambu Ferry is the most reliable and cost effective transport available between Padang and the Mentawai Islands. As the Ferry travels at night arriving in the early morning, this means little surfing time is lost and guests get to sleep while they travel.
Ambu Ambu offers 8 VIP air-conditioned cabins that are often booked up when traveling to the Mentawai capital of Tuapejat. Fortunately traveling to Sikakap cabins are readily available and for the 2009 season Macaronis Resort has reserved all 8 VIP cabins exclusively for use of Macaronis Resort guests.

The Northern region of the Mentawais offers 5 surf resorts and 1 surf camp, namely Kandui Resort, Wave Park Resort, Siloinak Resort (Mentawai Adventure), Pitstop Hill Resort, Aloita Resort and Coconuts Mentawai Surf Camp. Surf charter boats also regularly visit Playgrounds surfing area being one of the closest points of the Mentawai Islands to Padang.

Lances Right: One of the best waves in the Mentawais but also one of the heaviest, a favorite of natural footers. Don't worry it is not always this big!!

Lances Left: One of the most user friendly waves in the Mentawais, allows crowds to spread out with long rides and can hold size.
Bintangs: A good option in North winds; a short right hand barrel that can be super fun on its day located just accross the bay from Lances Left.

Bat Cave: A favorite for older guys or intermediate surfers looking for something fun but not too deadly. Can be good fun for all levels of surfing, not too critical and a very scenic area with the wave breaking off a tiny deserted island in front of the bat cave which also has high cliffs for those into cliff jumping.

Silabu Left: A good option to get away and just surf with a couple of friends. Silabu rarely gets crowded as it is a B grade wave and mostly ignored as most boat visitors prefer to surf nearby Macaronis. But on its day Silabu can provide steep take offs and fun wally sections with the occasional barrel, holding up to 6 feet in size.
Macas Right: Located just across the bay from Macaronis, but often ignored as most boat visitors are looking to surf at Macaronis. In North winds Macas Right is an excellent option for those wanting to surf a right hander on their own, can offer long rides offering plenty of opportunity for turns and various maneuvers. Under-rated, definitely a fun wave on its day, but needs off-shore winds and a mid to high tide to be worth your while.

Macaronis: Macaronis is the Mentawais most mechanical wave breaking in all tides and ridable in almost any wind conditions. Excellent for maneuvers, long barrels and arguable the best on-shore wave to surf in the world. At 2 - 4 feet Macas is best described as fun and can offer perfect cylindrical tubes. Over 4-5 feet Macas can become a dredging barrel perfect for those accustomed to late take offs and spending a lot of time in the green room.

Greenbush: An excellent left hand barrel on its day. Provides a forceful take off and in larger swells can lock you into the barrel which can fill you with adrenalin until you either pull out a safe exit at the end or get nailed on the end section. On the take off not to shallow, but if you fall the power behind the wave can knock the wind out of you. An excellent alternative to more user friendly Macaronis, good in medium swells, but winds need to be off-shore to make it worth your while.

Thunders: The swell magnet of the Mentawais, when the swell drops out usually there will still be a wave at Thunders. Handles crowds well and is off-shore in SE trade winds. Apart from the main break, some nice waves also break further up the point that can be enjoyed between you and just a few friends. Good up to 6 feet, but any bigger the wave becomes a little washy and it is then time to move on to some of the other nearby breaks that work better in a larger swell.
Rag's Right: A serious Right hand tube. Need a certain swell direction for the wave to be working, and preferably a high tide, as it is very shallow. Not surfed that often, but when it turns on it is a classic right hander with long tubes and a challenging take off, but more suited to experienced surfers.

Rag's Left: When the swell picks up from the SW and winds are SE then Rag's can turn on. Need to consider swell direction and tides, but when everything falls into place Rag's Left can be one of the most epic barrels in the Mentawais. Big walls and long sections can offer a good opportunity to pull out one of your larger boards if the place is really on fire.

'Macas Resort, a place of relaxation, friendly staff and incredible surf'...

Macaronis Surf Resort is situated over picturesque Silabu salt water lagoon, just across the bay from the legendary Macaronis wave. Tidal movement keeps the lagoon clean and cool to swim in, with an abundance of marine life viewable from your villa balcony, and magnificent sunsets that occure over the lagoon at the end of each day.

Above: View of Macaronis Resort at dusk heading back in from a surf in the evening

Macaronis wave is the Mentawais most consistent and perfect wave breaking perfectly in all tides and ridable in almost any wind conditions. It's no wonder it has previously been officially voted the 'funnest wave to surf in the world'.

In fact in this survey an amazing 76% of all professional surfers and industry figure heads surveyed choose Macaronis as the 'funnest wave they had ever surfed' (refer to Waves Magazine December 2003).

Above: Dan Fassett in the tube at Macaronis

The Laut India more commonly known as 'Indies Explorer' operates as a mobile extension of Macaronis Resort. During season 2009 and 2010, Indies Explorer continues to offer 2-3 day surf excursions north or south from Macaronis (inclusive in the package price), allowing guests to spread out and surf a wide variety of other perfect waves asides from Macaronis and local breaks.

Above: Macaronis Resort's privately owned surf charter vessel, the 'Indies Explorer, with 13 cabins and capable of sleeping up to 30 passengers, she is one of the largest charter vessels operating in the Mentawai Islands. Photo taken April 2009.

Villa Accommodation ....

Accommodation at Macaronis Surf Resort is in family sized thatched villas situated over magnificent Silabu salt water lagoon. Swim from your villa balcony or just sit back, read a book and enjoy the breeze and magnificent surroundings.

Above: Macaronis Surf Resort Luxury Villas - Right on the lagoon !!

Or indoors chill out in air-conditioned comfort and catch up on world news or International sporting events shown on Sat TV, surf the net using the wireless hot spot internet connection (speed up to 512kbps) or check Macas wave shown live on TV, meaning you don't even have to get out of bed to check the surf !!

Above: Macaronis Surf Resort Villa interior

Macaronis Wave.... 5 min by speedboat from your own private villa !!

Macaronis is surfable on large or small swells, in all tides and almost any wind conditions. It has a reputation as being the best on-shore wave to surf in the world and is popular with both intermediate and experienced surfers. On large swells Macas can offer some of the most epic tube riding conditions around and in smaller swells it is a perfectly shaped peeling left hander, great for all levels of surfing.

Above: Nice tube sequence Robbie Page surfing at Macaronis in 2008

Above: If it's not to busy, you can be picked up or dropped off at your villa after surfing, our speedboats are just a phone call away..!!

Above: An empty early morning barrel at Macas, only 3 crew surfing !!

Macaronis Resort is located centrally to a range of other classy Mentawai waves like Lances Left, Lances Right, Bintangs, Roxies, Rag's Right, Rag's Left and Thunders, all accessible on Indies Explorer. Alternatively, closer by waves such as Silabu Left, Macas Right, Greenbush, Bowls' Right and Bat Cave are all accessible by resort speedboats.

Above: Lances Right and Green bush are also visited on a regular basis either by speedboat or on Indies Explorer

Above: If the swell drops out or if you no longer feel like surfing, fishing trips are always a favorite past time

Above: Departing Macas Resort Cafe & small jetty, heading out for a surf at Macas

In 2010 Macaronis Resort continues to offer 8 day / 9 night OR 15 day / 16 night surfing holiday packages including 2 nights traveling to and from the Mentawai Islands on Ambu Ambu Ferry. We hope to see you at Macaronis Resort in late 2009 or 2010 and make your dreams of perfect waves become reality !!!

All photos by Stewart Allen and Stick Man