travel information

Frequently Asked Questions
How to get to Padang?
***For travel restrictions and further information on what is required to travel towards us, please contact us.

You would need to take a flight to Padang in Sumatra (Minangkabau International Airport) either via Kuala Lumpur, Singapore or Jakarta. Below are airline options to above destinations:
  • Air Asia
  • Sriwijaya Air
  • Garuda
  • Lion Air
  • Citilink Air
  • BatikAir
Once you get to the airport our resort representative will be waiting for you holding the sign “Hollow Tree’s Resort” - you then will be transfered to your accommodation in Padang.
Why do I need to stay overnight in Padang?
Depending on which travel option you choose (see the answer to question 3.) - if you choose option 1, you would need to spend two nights in Padang - one night on arrival and one night on return. As there are no flights connecting with the ferry schedules, the ferry only departs 4 times a week and once a day - at 7.00 am Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and at 10.00 am on Sundays.
How to get to the resort from Padang?
There are 2 options to get to the resort.

Option 1: Ferry to Tuapejat
Price: $320 USD per person (roundtrip)

This is recommended for solo travellers, couples or a couple of friends. If you choose this option, you will need to arrive in Padang the night before the day of the ferry departure. Please view our "itinerary" for clear detailed instructions. Or email us!
Once you arrive at the ferry terminal there will be a speedboat to deliver you to the resort.

TRAVEL TIME
  • From Padang to Tuapejat 3.30 hours
  • Tuapejat to Resort: 1.15 - 1.30 hours
Option 2: Private speedboat service straight to the resort ($5,000 USD - roundtrip) 
This option can be arranged for big groups (up to 14 people). This is the most convenient option and can be arranged to suit any connecting flight schedules to/from Padang - arriving in Padang before mid-day.

* The transfers might be rescheduled depending on the weather conditions.
What's the ferry like?
The ferry provides AC, toilets, snacks and water. There is also an outdoor seating area, if you want to get some fresh air. It is still in a very good condition and very clean.
Where should I stay in Padang?
We recommend staying at Mercure hotel, Oxville hotel, The ZHM Premier Padang or Santika Hotel. We advise to booking through booking.com or other available booking sites.

Our driver will pick you up from your hotel at 6am (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) or 9 am (Sunday) and take you directly to the Mentawai Fast. 
Do I need travel insurance?
Travel insurance is mandatory according to the resort policy. We advise getting travel insurance that covers travel delay, baggage delay, emergency medical and dental, emergency, medical transport and evacuation, and travel accident insurance. You can never know what might happen to you. - During a surf session, flight delays, covid relates issues or personal health. We recommend:  Safety Wings, G1G Travel insuranceSurf Travel insuranceCover MoreIndo Surf.


How long can I stay in Indonesia?
If you get the Visa On Arrival this will grant you up to 30 days which can be extended by another 30 days via immigration (maximum 60 days on this visa). If you are flying into Jakarta (Soekarno-Hatta Airport) or Bali (Ngurah Rai Airport) you can apply for your VOA online before your arrival. You can do this here. Or you can just get your visa when you arrive at the airport.

The VOA is a single-entry visa. If you purchase an e-VOA online, you must enter Indonesia within 90 days of purchasing it and all the information must be exactly the same as the information on your passport, it cannot be changed after it's processed. As of the 20th of December 2022, there are 86 counties eligible for the e-VOA. 

The current requirements and conditions for obtaining a Visa On Arrival in Indonesia are as follows:
  • Passport validity minimum 6 months
  • Proof of flight ticket leaving Indonesia
  • Proof of COVID-19 vaccination (at least 2 shots or 1 shot Johnson & Johnson) or a certified medical exemption
What happens if my flight or my boards didn’t make it through?
If you have a delay, there will still be someone waiting for you at the airport. Our driver tracks the flights via the flight number you provide so he stays up to date with any delays.

If you lose your board bags in transit (this rarely happens), make sure you file a lost luggage report at the airport, then continue with your travel as planned. When you get to Padang, give all the flight info and report to our representative, he will help locate the luggage and send it on the next ferry to the resort. 

Health & safety

What type of health precautions should I take?
  • Most travelers usually update their tetanus and hepatitis shots before traveling to any remote region of the world.
  • Malaria is a reality in some parts of Indonesia including some Mentawai Islands (however not Sipora, the island we're located on), we advise consulting your doctor for more information.
  • If you take a prescription medication make sure you bring the necessary paperwork that goes with it in case of an emergency.
  • If you are prone to seasickness please bring something to counteract its effects such as Dramamine.
  • For more information, please consult your doctor.
Should I be concerned about malaria?
Malaria has been eradicated in the area, but there is always a slight risk. At the resort we provide mosquito nets in the rooms, and mosquito repellent, we also advise guests at night time to wear long clothing to protect themselves from getting bitten. It is a matter of personal choice whether to take anti-malarial medication. The best policy is to avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes.
Do you have any Tsunami warnings or an evacuation plan?
There is an evacuation route behind the resort in to the Hills. The village has a siren tower to warn in case of tsunami warning.
Should I be concerned about the Tsunami?
We are located on the east coast so the risk of Tsunami is much lower.
Is the location child friendly?
Yes, the area is very child friendly. The resort provides its own private dip pool (approx. 1.20m deep) in front of every villa where the child can swim under supervision of their parents. We are surrounded by jungle, ocean and nature. You can swim in the ocean in the calm lagoon that is located directly in front of the resort, literally a stones throw away. We can also provide a cot for children under 4 years old - if requested.

Surf related & other services

What kind and how many boards should I bring?
On average you should bring at least 2-4 boards on a surf trip. In case you break or damage one. Most people bring 2 standard short boards and 1 bigger board for when the swell gets big, it’s always a good idea to check the swell forecast before you plan a surf trip.
Do you provide any board rentals at the resort?
Yes, we do! You can find more information on our 'Rent a board' page.
Can I buy a surf board at the resort?
Yes, you can! We have a surf shop where you can purchase brand new surfboards, or secondhand surfboards, wax, zinc and other surf essentials or souvenirs to bring back home for your loved ones!

We can also help order a custom surfboard for you and have it delivered to your doorstep in the Mentawais. We have partnered up with Onboard Store in Bali. You can preorder your custom boards and have them delivered within 14 - 21 days.

Surfboards you can order:
  • Channel Islands
  • Chris Christenson
What happens if I break my board at the resort? - Do you provide ding repairs, etc.?
Yes! We do all the ding repairs, board repairs (crease, partial snap, full snap or fin plugs).
Can you give me an idea of the crowd in the water?
Crowd varies on the season and on the amount of boats. Mostly crowds are friendly and duering the season, around 20 people.
Do you offer speed boat shuttles to the HTS wave or nearby destinations?
Yes, we do! We offer speedboat trips if the conditions are suitable to your desired destination. This is included in your accommodation package. Trips that are included are to nearby known waves; The Point, The Bombie, Cobras, Lance's Left, Beach break, Monkeys or Bintangs. 
Do you offer speed boat service to other destinations?
Yes, we do offer a speedboat service to other destinations, with an extra cost of 120 USD per person - roundtrip. This includes; snacks, drinks and food. We can only organize this service with a group of minimum group of 4. To waves such as:
  • Macaronis
  • Telescopes
  • 7 palms
  • Ice land
  • Scarecrow
  • Gilligans aka Batcaves (recommended for snorkelling, cliff jumping & beach picnics)
How far away is HTS from the resort?
HTS or also known as Lances right is literally located directly in front of your door step. It is a 3-minute paddle to the wave.

Information about the resort and what we offer

Can I celebrate a special occasion at the resort?
Yes, of course you can. We would love to organize and celebrate with you, whether it’s a birthday, anniversary or anything. Please do let us know in advance, so we can organize for you accordingly.
Do you have fishing and/or diving gear or any other activities at the resort?
We do not have diving gear or fishing gear. But we do certainly have a spear gun and snorkelling equipment available. All guests may use all the resort facilities and activities for free - please view our “Activities” section for more info.
Is there a photographer or videographer available at the resort?
Let us know if you wish to have your photos/videos taken of your surf session. Prices depends the amount of footage & the photographer available on site!
We require guests to bring their own hard drive or flash drive.
How is the internet situation at the resort? - Can I check my emails?
At the resort we provide unlimited internet for guests. Our internet speed on average is about 15 - 25 Mbps. This is fast enough to do emails, audio calls, youtube, etc. But please bear in mind that we are located in a very remote area, so if the weather is bad (rainy or cloudy), the internet might slow down.
Can I make phone calls at the resort?
On the island we do not have any phone reception, but there are other options you can stay in touch with the outside world such as; WhatsApp, Skype, Facebook Messenger, etc.
How much money do I need to bring? - Do you accept credit cards at the resort?
For payments at the resort - you can either pay in cash, local wire transfer/Wise.com or credit card. For credit card payments, we only accept Visa or MasterCard with an additional 3% fee or GPN (local cards) with a 2% fee. If you do not have a credit card, we recommend bringing extra cash. Or setting up a Wise.com account before coming here, as we do not have any phone reception here. Depending on your bank, sometimes they require SMS to verify your payment. Which would not work here. We prefer IDR (Indonesian Rupiah) but we also accept USD, AUD or EUR currencies.

Most guests bring extra money for the following reasons: 
  • Souvenir money = $20 USD
  • Surf shop = $10 - $840 USD
  • Drinks & alcohol = $1 - $60 USD per drink Massage = $10 - $28 USD
  • Laundry = $1 USD per piece of clothing
  • Yoga packages = $50 - $150 USD (depending how many days)
  • Photography service = $150 - $350 USD (depending on the length of your stay). Please bring a USB, hard drive or Laptop to receive the footage.
What kind of food do you offer at the resort?
We have a very multicultural À la carte menu (vegan/vegetarian/gluten-free/lactose intolerant options are also available upon request).

Our all-day breakfast will have you fuelled with a range of beautiful dishes from refreshing smoothie bowls to the classic smashed avo on toast! If you’re needing a little pick me up before a surf, try our famous carrot cake which goes perfectly with a café latte. At lunch, the menu broadens featuring an array of cuisines; you can find traditional Indonesian flavours when tucking into the Beef Rendang, Yellow Seafood Curry and Satay, Thai influences present the chicken Kway Teow and a mango salad in the Grilled Mahi Mahi dish.

Our mouth-watering Australian Tenderloin will never leave you disappointed and let’s not forget the HT’s Burgers and Pizzas! The Sago selection boasts cheesy and juicy goodness, from our Philly Steak Roll to the Spiced Chickpea Vegan Burger, we cater to every palate. Our Mentawaiian Pizza is a house favourite, adorned with delicious caramelized pineapple and smoked ham.

Enjoy our Happy Hour where you can sip on a range of new cocktails, wines and beers. We supply the much-loved Island Brewing beer from Bali and of course, you can find Bintangs here! Maintaining the refreshing tropical vibes you can also try our Sago Favourites cocktails, featuring refreshing East Sides, Pina Coladas, Rim Punch and many more.

Come along to our Theme nights! On Wednesdays, it's curry night! You can choose from a variety of different curries such as our Sri Lankan Lamb curry with homemade mango chutney or a Thai classic Penang chicken curry. On Sundays, we offer our delicious Sunday Roast with succulent local chicken and of course crispy roasted potatoes.

Sweet tooth? We have a naughty selection of desserts to keep you satisfied. From our homemade peanut butter semi-Fredo to a tangy lemon tart we have the perfect end to every meal. We also cater for gluten-free with our delicious chocolate brownie.

Perfect presentation and service with a smile are guaranteed for everyone who dines at our restaurant. So far all our guests have been very satisfied with the quality and standards of our food, we are very proud! Don't believe us, check out our reviews on TripAdvisor.
Mentawai Islands Culture
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