Mentawai Tourism
The Mentawai Government tourism department is responsible for the supervision and management of tourism in the Mentawai Islands.
Under the current legislation, Macaronis Resort is allocated 50% of the carrying capacity of 40 surfers at Macaronis decided by Regent Decree No.168 Year 2016 (English / Indonesian), visiting boats are allocated 30% (12 surfers), and “other” surfers are allocated 20% (8 surfers).
Macaronis Resort or visiting boats are permitted to use more than this capacity provided that 40 surfers is not exceeded. For example, when there are no “other” surfers; up to 2 boats can visit hosting 20 surfers using the 2 moorings provided, or up to 28 surfers staying at Macaronis Resort if there are only 12 other surfers’ in the vicinity, provided that Regent Decree No.168 is continued to be respected.
Noting that ‘other’ surfers are usually limited to local surfers, many of whom work at the resort, and only surf when there are fewer surfers in the area. Macaronis Resort is committed to respecting a maximum of 40 surfers at Macaronis by also offering day trips out for guests to surf the other surrounding Southern Mentawai breaks if this capacity is already full.
Relevant legislation:
- Regional Tourism Law No.2, Year 2015 (Indonesian / English) particularly in reference to Chapter 3, Part 2, Article 13, and Chapter 5, Article 18.
- Regent Decree No.168, 2016 (Indonesian / English).
Boat Operators can Reserve a Mooring by emailing the department of tourism at [email protected] or make contact using WattsApp +62 81291972325 (contact person Pak Tespi Hardi – see Circular Letter Year 2022 English / Indonesian).
Note: In the past, an effective policy for managing the use of moorings was boat operators being allowed to book 2 days per trip, and after visiting, they could book again for their next trip. This ensured, first of all, that boats had a trip with guests already booked before reserving a mooring, and secondly, it allowed the same opportunity for all boats to book and visit Macaronis each trip.
In 2022 the tourism department has allowed boats to book 2 visits per month, of 2 days duration, with the moorings booked up to 3 months in advance. Concerns have been raised this could lead to boats booking a mooring without having guests already booked, and this could lead to non-compliance from boats with guests already booked but are unable to reserve a mooring.
We’d like to clarify that the policy employed for managing the use of moorings is outside of the control of Macaronis Resort, as the Mentawai tourism department is responsible for all matters concerning tourism management, including policy making after having input from all of the licensed operators and from tourist visitors to Macaronis.
As we’ve just been through a global pandemic, it is understandable that with many operators having a backlog of bookings, the management policy employed may need to be adjusted over time, as things begin to settle and return to normal. The Mentawai tourism department states that it aims to provide a safe, orderly and comfortable experience for all visitors and welcomes visitor feedback by emailing [email protected]
Legislation & Public Notices:
– Mentawai Tourism Department – Circular Letter Year 2022 English / Indonesian
– Mentawai Tourism Department – Circular Letter Year 2016 (English & Indonesia)
– Regent Decree No.168, Year 2016 (Surfer Carrying Capacity – Desa Silabu / Macaronis) English / Indonesian
– Regional Tourism Law No. 02, Year 2015 (Surfing Tourism) English / Indonesian
– Regent Decree No. 13, Year 2016 (Surfing Tourism Management) English / Indonesian
– Regional Tourism Law No. 01, Year 2015 (Tourism – General) English / Indonesian
– Regional Tourism Law No. 08, Year 2015 (Collection of Tourism Retribution) English / Indonesian
– Regent Decree No. 14, year 2016 (Guidelines for Collection of Retribution) English / Indonesian
– Regent Decree No. 64, year 2015 (Licensing Registration for Tourism Companies) English / Indonesian
