What’s included
Every Macaronis package is designed to keep things simple. Accommodation, all daily meals, surf boat transfers and full use of resort facilities are included from day one. A handful of optional extras are available to add on during your stay. Head to our Rates and Packages page for the full details.
Plan your perfect Mentawai surf trip. Everything you need in one place
Here you will find everything you need to plan your Mentawai surf trip to Macaronis Resort. From trip schedules and package rates to flights, transfers and what to pack, we have put it all together in one place.
Trip Schedule
Starting 30th October 2026, we will begin to use a new trip schedule that provides a mid-range optimal trip duration of 10 or 11 nights, with only one night needed in Padang at the beginning or end of your trip on Fridays.
We will be offering a Private Speedboat transfer MR-PDG-MR on every third Monday, combined with Friday Mentawai Fast to provide 10 and 11 night trips, allowing you to check in and check out on Mondays with ease, no longer needing a night in Padang on Monday arrivals or departures.
Please note: 7- and 14-night trips will no longer be available after this date, as we focus on optimizing guest experience with optimal trip durations for surfing and improving our operational efficiency with our updated schedule.
10 Night Trip Info
Check-in Day: Friday
Check-out Day: Monday (10 nights after check-in)
Trip Length: 10 nights only
Transfer Method: Mentawai Fast Ferry / Private Speed Boat
Padang Overnight (1 night) Required: Yes- you'll need one night in Padang before check-in. After check-out, you can fly out later that same day, provided your flight departs after 4:20 PM (Air Asia to KL and Garuda to Jakarta are available, among others).
11 Night Trip Info
Check-in Day: Monday
Check-out Day: Friday (11 nights after check-in)
Trip Length: 11 nights
Transfer Method: Private Speedboat / Mentawai Fast
Padang Overnight (1 night) Required: Yes — you can arrive in Padang the same day as check-in, provided your flight arrives before 11:20 AM (GA148 is the last flight, arriving at 11:15 AM; there is no flexibility due to the boat schedule). After check-out, you'll need one night in Padang before flying out the following day.
Arrival & departure
Arrival to Padang
When using the Mentawai Fast Ferry, you must arrive in Padang one day before your scheduled check-in day, as the ferry departs Padang on Friday at 6:00 AM.
Our driver will pick you up at the airport the day before your check-in date to take you to your Padang hotel. For transit nights in Padang, we recommend the 4-star Mercure Hotel, which has the most comfortable rooms with a quality early morning breakfast buffet (best booked 3 months in advance). Otherwise, Plan B or Budget Hotels are cheaper options in convenient locations.
You will be picked up from your hotel around 5.30 AM, and Mentawai Fast departs at 6.00 AM. Arrival at Sikakap Port in Mentawai is scheduled around 11.30 AM, followed by a one-hour speedboat transfer to Macaronis Resort, arriving around lunchtime.
Monday Transfers (From November 2026 onwards):
When using our private speedboat transfer, you can book your flight to arrive in Padang on the same date as your Macaronis check-in date. Your flight must arrive before 11:20 AM (GA148 is the last flight arriving at 11.15 am, there is no flexibility due to the boat schedule).
You will be picked up from the airport and taken directly to Padang Muara port, where our speedboat will depart at around 1:30 p.m, arriving at Macaronis Resort at around 6:00 PM.
Departure from Padang
Friday Transfers:
You will depart from Macaronis Resort to Sikakap port at around 11.00 AM. The Mentawai Fast is scheduled to depart from Sikakap Port at approximately 1:00 PM, with arrival in Padang scheduled at around 6:30 PM. Our driver will pick you up at the ferry port to take you to your hotel, where you must spend the night. He will coordinate the time of your pick-up from your hotel the next day, depending on your flight time.
We recommend a flight departure at 11:00 AM or later the next day, to allow for a good rest on the morning of your trip out of Padang.
Monday Transfers (From November 2026 only):
Your return transfer to Padang will be aboard our private speedboat, departing Macaronis Resort at approximately 7:00 AM and arriving in Padang at around 12:00 PM. This allows enough time to catch an afternoon or evening flight, provided it departs after 4:20 PM (Air Asia to KL and Garuda to Jakarta are available, among others), avoiding an extra night in Padang.
Our driver will take care of your transfer from the port to the airport, depending on your flight time.
Can I travel on the Overnight Ferry?
Subject to room availability, guests can request an extension to instead depart the resort on Sunday or Thursday overnight ferry, or Friday Mentawai Fast, if wanting to stay longer. Guests can also request to depart Padang to the resort on the overnight ferry, or Mentawai Fast (outside of our scheduled departures) , subject to there being last-minute room availability. We prioritize transfers aboard the Mentawai Fast Ferry which is the faster and more comfortable option.
Flights & Transit
Domestic Airports & Airlines
Domestic Airports with direct flights to Padang (Indonesia)
Jakarta (CGK – Soekarno-Hatta International Airport)
Batam (BTH – Hang Nadim International Airport) (45 min ferry ride from Singapore)
Medan (KNO – Kualanamu International Airport)
Yogyakarta (YIA – Yogyakarta International Airport)
Domestic Airlines with Direct Flights to Padang (PDG):
Lion Air
Routes: Jakarta (CGK & HLP), Batam, Medan, Yogyakarta
Website: lionair.co.idSuper Air Jet
Routes: Jakarta (CGK), Medan, Batam
Website: superairjet.comBatik Air
Routes: Jakarta (CGK), Yogyakarta, Medan
Website: batikair.comCitilink
Routes: Jakarta (CGK), Batam
Website: citilink.co.idGaruda Indonesia
Routes: Jakarta (CGK), Medan
Website: garuda-indonesia.com
International Airports & Airlines
International Airports with direct flights to Padang (Indonesia)
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (KUL – Kuala Lumpur International Airport)
Singapore (SIN – Changi Airport)
International Airlines with Direct Flights to Padang:
AirAsia
Route: Kuala Lumpur (KUL) → Padang
Website: airasia.comScoot
Route: Singapore (SIN) → Padang (seasonal/limited service)
Website: flyscoot.com
Surfboard Allowance
International Airlines
AirAsia
Fee: Varies by route (Free on Australia routes; fee elsewhere)
Max Length: 277 cm
Notes: One surfboard up to 15 kg is free on AU routes. Must be in a surfboard bag. Must be booked as sports baggage.Scoot
Fee: Included in checked baggage allowance
Max Length: 230 cm
Notes: Counts toward purchased baggage. Max 32 kg per item.
Domestic Airlines
Lion Air
Fee: IDR 200,000 per board, per segment
Max Length: 230 cm (jets), 200 cm (propeller aircraft)
Notes: Not included in free or prepaid baggage. Must be paid separately.Super Air Jet
Fee: IDR 200,000 per board
Max Length: 230 cm
Notes: Max 23 kg per boardbag. Not part of free baggage allowance.Batik Air
Fee: IDR 200,000 per board
Max Length: 230 cm (jets), 200 cm (props)
Notes: Same policy as Lion Air. Special baggage form may be required.Citilink
Fee: Based on weight (approx. IDR 277K–333K)
Max Length: 227 cm
Notes: Must be booked as sports baggage. Not included in free allowance.Garuda Indonesia
Fee: Free (up to 23 kg)
Max Length: 300 cm (jets), 160 cm (props)
Notes: Included as special baggage. Subject to space availability.
Key Tips:
Garuda Indonesia is the most surfboard-friendly, offering free carriage on most domestic routes.
Lion Air Group airlines (Lion, Batik, Super Air Jet) charge per board and do not include surfboards in free or prepaid baggage.
Wings Air, often used for remote connections, has stricter limits (200 cm max) and higher fees (IDR 1,000,000 per board).
Always book sports baggage in advance where possible to avoid higher airport fees.
Check aircraft type—propeller planes have stricter size limits.
Travel Requirements
Arrival Requirements
Friday Transfers:
When using the Mentawai Fast Ferry, you must arrive in Padang one day before your scheduled check-in day, as the ferry departs Padang on Friday at 6:00 AM.
Our driver will pick you up at the airport the day before your check-in date to take you to your Padang hotel. For transit nights in Padang, we recommend the 4-star Mercure Hotel, which has the most comfortable rooms with a quality early morning breakfast buffet (best booked 3 months in advance). Otherwise, Plan B or Budget Hotels are cheaper options in convenient locations.
You will be picked up from your hotel around 5.30 AM, and Mentawai Fast departs at 6.00 AM. Arrival at Sikakap Port in Mentawai is scheduled around 11.30 AM, followed by a one-hour speedboat transfer to Macaronis Resort, arriving around lunchtime.
Monday Transfers (From November 2026 onwards):
When using our private transfer speedboat, you can book your flight to arrive in Padang on the same date as your Macaronis check-in date before 11:20 AM (GA148 arriving at 11.15 am is the last flight, there is no flexibility due to the boat schedule).
You will be picked up from the airport and taken directly to Padang Muara port, where our speedboat will depart at around 1:30 p.m, arriving at Macaronis Resort at around 6:00 PM.
Departure Requirements
Friday Transfers:
You will depart from Macaronis Resort to Sikakap port at around 11.00 AM. The Mentawai Fast is scheduled to depart from Sikakap Port at approximately 1:00 PM, with arrival in Padang scheduled at around 6:30 PM. Our driver will pick you up at the ferry port to take you to your hotel, where you can spend the night. He will coordinate the time of your pick-up from your hotel the next day, depending on your flight time.
We recommend a flight departure at 11:00 AM or later the next day is best, to allow for a good rest on the morning of your trip out of Padang.
Monday Transfers (From November 2026 only):
Your return transfer to Padang will be aboard our private speedboat, departing Macaronis Resort at approximately 7:00 AM and arriving in Padang at around 12:00 PM. This allows enough time to catch an afternoon or evening flight, provided it departs after 4:20 PM (Air Asia to KL and Garuda to Jakarta are available, among others), avoiding an extra night in Padang.
Our driver will take care of your transfer from the port to the airport, depending on your flight time.
Visa Requirements
Most tourists visiting Indonesia can apply for a Visa on Arrival (VOA) or Electronic Visa on Arrival (eVOA), valid for 30 days and extendable once. Travel insurance and onward tickets are required.
Here’s a breakdown of the current tourist visa options and requirements for Indonesia as of 2025:
Visa Options for Tourists
Visa Exemption:
Citizens of ASEAN countries and Timor Leste can enter Indonesia visa-free for up to 30 days (non-extendable).Visa on Arrival (VOA) / Electronic VOA (eVOA):
Available to citizens of 87+ countries, including most of Europe, the Americas, Australia, and Japan.Validity: 30 days
Extension: Once, for another 30 days
Application:
VOA: Pay on arrival at designated entry points
eVOA: Apply online via Indonesia’s official eVisa portal
Tourist Single-Entry Visitor Visa (C1):
For longer stays or those not eligible for VOA/eVOAValidity: 60 days
Extension: Up to two times
Application: Online or at an Indonesian embassy
Entry Requirements
Passport: Must be valid for at least 6 months from arrival date
Onward/Return Ticket: Required for entry
Arrival Card: Must be submitted online within 3 days prior to arrival
Travel Insurance: Strongly recommended—and mandatory for guests of Macaronis Resort—to cover delays, cancellations, and medical emergencies
What to Bring for Your Stay in the Mentawai Islands
Macaronis is located in a remote tropical environment, so packing the right essentials helps make your stay more comfortable both in and out of the water.
Clothing & Personal Items
Lightweight tropical clothing is recommended throughout the year.
Useful items include:
Swimwear and lightweight clothing
Sun protection and reef-safe sunscreen
Personal medication and toiletries
Hats, sunglasses, and sandals
Surf Essentials
Guests are encouraged to bring:
Surfboards suited to expected conditions
Reef booties if preferred
Rash guards and surf accessories
Spare fins, leashes, and repair items
Travel Insurance
Travel Insurance is Mandatory When Visiting Macaronis Resort
Any changes made to your booking less than 90 days before commencement would normally result in a change fee (See Clause 4 and 5).
Travel insurance should be taken out 90 days before booking commencement in case there is an unforeseen need to reschedule your trip (Eg. illness, injury, or family emergency).
For the safety of our guests and readiness of our staff
• You must have travel insurance that covers surfing (if applicable) & remote medical evacuation.
• You must bring with you a printed copy of your travel insurance certificate including an emergency contact phone number & policy identification details.
