Macaronis Resort - Overview

The main benefit of staying at Macaronis Resort in comparison to a charter boat is you get more comfort, more privacy and also the resort is more suitable for any non-surfing partner companions with access to more facilities and activities.

For the surfer, the major advantage is that you have every day access to the most consistent and talked about left hander in the Mentawais; unlike being on a charter boat where you can only expect at best 2-3 days surfing at Macaronis before moving on to a new surf destination. This is why Macaronis Resort really is for those die hard surfers who aim to score Macaronis at its best at some point during their stay, with a managed number of surfers in the area, it is likely that you will score Macas perfection with only a handfull of people in the water.

Of course, the downside of staying at Macaronis Resort is that the breaks you can surf are more limited than if you were on a boat trip. But the good news is that Macaronis Resort offers surf excursions away on its speedboats. From five to forty five minutes’ speedboat ride away you’ll find Green Bush (left), Roxies (right), Thunders (left), Rednuht (right), Rags (left and right) among others. If you’ve seen any Indo surf DVDs, you’re likely to have seen a few of these waves. While there is no official surf instructor or surf board hire at Macas Resort, beginners can surf Fish Fingers (a right hand beach break that breaks only when the swell is big) while Silabu Left and Bat Cave can be tame introductory reef breaks to surf when small, but really this isn’t a learn-to-surf destination.

Your home at Macaronis Resort is a private suite elevated 9m abvove sea level with views over Silabu lagoon, the lagoon style swimming pool or Macaronis Bay. The 16 suite bedrooms each have a private ensuite bathroom, Queen sized bed plus 4 meter wide veranda with partitions offering privacy from neighbors. All suites include 32 inch flat screen TV + live footage of Macaronis wave, DVD player, work desk with Wifi internet access, wardrobe, split air-conditioner and hot water system. Specific focus has been made to ensure maximal thermal and accustic insulation (in floors, walls and ceiling); keeping rooms cool with as little energy requirement as possible, whilst also keeping exterior noise to an absolute minimum.

In the communal complex downstairs you will find the restaurant and bar, where you can eat, drink, watch international sport, surf DVDs and footage of the day’s session on the big screen, or chill out on the second floor lounge area where there is book library with wifi and kitchenette, also a fine place to relax. On the third floor 15m above sea level there is a look out over Macaronis Bay and the surrounding coastline. Only a few steps from your bedroom to check the surf.

Like a charter boat, everything you need is included in the package once you arrive in Padang (choose either a 1 or 2 week package). The first night is spent relaxing at the new Mercure Hotel in Padang, where you can recouperate in preparation for the surfing the next day; meanwhile your boards are being transferred over night on Ambu Ambu Ferry to Macaronis Resort (in the case of a large group of 13 or 14). Transfers to the Resort are aboard Surf Air's Amphibian Twin Otter seaplane, taking just 55 minutes from Padang to Silabu Island anchorage, just 10 min from Macaronis Resort.

Also included in the package price is all boat transfers to and from the various waves. You’ll get three meals daily served either at the Resort or as a packed lunch on the boat and complimentary use of the Resort recreational equipment (snorkeling gear, spear guns, sea kayaks, stand up paddle board and fishing equipment). The only things not included in the package price are drinks purchased from the bar, deep tissue massages (heaven after a surf); laundry service (but you won’t be wearing much in the tropical climate and boardies are semi-clean after a surf, aren’t they?), and satellite telephone use; although internet and skype use is more common. The fast internet even allows some frequent visitors to continue operating their businesses between surfs, whilst on their annual extended stay at Macaronis Resort.

Mark Loughran the founder from Tasmania accompanied by the likes of Christian 'Barts', 'Damo' Kennedy and other Aussie surf guides, are living the dream lifestyle – it’s hard not to get jealous – but they are doing it with care for the village and environment, so the villagers too are benefitting from the presence of the resort. One of the major issues facing Indonesia is poverty, which is spread across its 17,000 plus islands, and existence of these remote island resorts are important in the fight against it. Macaronis Resort not only donates a fixed amount of $$ per guest per night to the local village, but also employs the villagers to work at the resort, purchases fresh produce from them and also contributes toward local community projects. Mark has been in the Mentawai Islands since March 2001, this is his 12th year working in the region. He worked as a chef and surf guide on charter boats for three years before leaving to establish a land-based resort nearby his favorite wave.

Macaronis Resort was built in 2004 and 2005, officially opening in 2006. Mark is employed as Director and Marketing Manager, and has kept up his part time role as surf guide preferring the early season with help from other experienced Indo surf guides who travel to Indo every year to get their share of mezmeriziing waves. So don’t let all those years of experience of the local conditions go to waste. You’ll get to know the team pretty well during your stay. They provide a really personalized and friendly service and make sure you get what you want out of your holiday, whether you want to surf for nine hours a day or catch up on some R and R as well.

Contributing Writer: Megan Piper from X-Trips