Mentawai Surf Trip Budget Breakdown

Planning a surf trip to the Mentawai Islands? Understanding the costs helps you budget properly and choose the right options for your trip. Here's a complete breakdown of what you'll spend.

Quick Budget Overview

Detailed Cost Breakdown

1. International Flights

Destination: Jakarta (CGK) or Singapore (SIN)
From USA (West Coast): $800-1,500 round trip
From USA (East Coast): $1,000-1,800 round trip
From Australia: $400-800 round trip
From Europe: $900-1,600 round trip

Tips to Save:

• Book 3-6 months ahead
• Fly mid-week (Tues/Wed cheaper)
• Use flight comparison sites
• Consider flying into Singapore (often cheaper)
• Be flexible with dates

2. Domestic Flights

Jakarta to Padang (PDG): $80-150 round trip
Singapore to Padang: $100-180 round trip

Important: Book domestic flights separately from international. Indonesian carriers (Garuda, Lion Air, Batik) often have sales.

Surfboard Fees: $30-50 each way (book in advance!)

3. Accommodation in Padang

You'll need 1-2 nights in Padang (before/after ferry or flight):

• Budget: $15-30/night (basic hotel)
• Mid-range: $40-80/night (comfortable hotel)
• Included in resort package: $0 (most resorts include this)

4. Transport to Mentawai

Option A: Mentawai Fast Ferry

Cost: $30-50 per person each way
Duration: 4 hours
Total: $60-100 round trip

Option B: Private Speedboat

Cost: $600-1,200 for entire boat
Duration: 3-5 hours
Total: $75-150 per person (if splitting 8 ways)

Note: Most resort packages INCLUDE all transfers!

5. Surf Tax

Cost: $75 USD (mandatory)
Valid: 15 days
Goes to: Local villages and marine conservation

6. Accommodation & Surf Access

Budget Option: Boat Charters

Cost: $1,500-2,500 per person for 10-12 nights
Includes: Accommodation on boat, all meals, surf access to 40+ breaks, fuel
Examples: Siloina, Maki Boat, SwitchFoot

Mid-Range: Standard Resorts

Cost: $150-250 per person/night (all-inclusive)
10 nights: $1,500-2,500
Includes: Room, all meals, boat trips to breaks, guides
Examples: Driftwood, Mentawai Surf Retreat, The Shadow

Premium: Quality Resorts

Cost: $250-350 per person/night
10 nights: $2,500-3,500
Includes: Private bungalow, gourmet meals, unlimited boat access
Examples: La Belle HTs, WavePark, Alaia, Bilou Beach

Luxury: Top-Tier Resorts

Cost: $400-600+ per person/night
10 nights: $4,000-6,000+
Includes: Luxury villa, pool, spa, premium everything
Examples: Awera Resort, Kandui Villas, Aloita

7. Food & Drinks

If Package Includes Meals (Most Do):

Alcohol: $5-15 per beer
Wine: $30-80 per bottle
Spirits: $8-20 per drink
Budget: $10-50/day depending on drinking habits

If Self-Catering (Rare):

Food costs: $20-40/day

8. Tips

Recommended: $100-200 total for 10-day trip
Who to tip:

• Boat drivers: $5-10/day
• Surf guides: $5-10/day
• Kitchen staff: $30-50 total
• Housekeeping: $30-50 total
• Management: $20-40 total

9. Activities & Extras

• Fishing trip: $50-100
• Jungle trek: $30-60
• Village visit: $20-40 (including gift)
• Massage/spa: $30-80
• Dive trip: $80-150
• Surf photos/videos: $100-300

10. Gear & Supplies

• Reef booties: $40-80 (2 pairs)
• Sunscreen: $50-80 (reef-safe, multiple bottles)
• Wax: $30-40 (8-10 bars)
• Ding repair: $30-50
• First aid supplies: $30-50
• Total: $200-300 if buying everything

11. Travel Insurance

Cost: $150-300 for 2-week trip
Coverage: Medical, evacuation, trip cancellation, board damage
Essential: NEVER skip this!

Sample 10-Day Budget Scenarios

Budget Traveler ($2,800 total)

• Flights (USA): $1,200
• Boat charter: $1,800 (10 nights, all-inclusive)
• Surf tax: $75
• Padang hotel: $50
• Transfers: Included in charter
• Tips: $100
• Drinks/extras: $100
• Gear: $200
• Insurance: $200
• Total: $3,725

Mid-Range Traveler ($5,500 total)

• Flights (USA): $1,200
• Resort: $2,200 (10 nights at $220/night)
• Surf tax: $75
• Padang hotel: Included
• Transfers: Included
• Tips: $150
• Drinks/extras: $200
• Activities: $100
• Gear: $200
• Insurance: $250
• Total: $4,375

Luxury Traveler ($9,000 total)

• Flights (business class): $3,500
• Luxury resort: $4,500 (10 nights at $450/night)
• Surf tax: $75
• Everything else included
• Tips: $300
• Premium drinks/wine: $400
• Spa/massage: $200
• Surf photos: $200
• Insurance: $300
• Total: $9,475

Money-Saving Tips

Book Early

• Resorts offer 20-30% early bird discounts (book 6-12 months ahead)
• Flights cheaper when booked 3-6 months out
• Example: Save $500-1,000 by booking early

Travel Off-Season

• March-April: 20-30% cheaper, still good waves
• November: 30-40% cheaper, quiet lineups
• December-February: 40-50% cheaper, smaller waves perfect for intermediates

Group Discounts

• Groups of 6-8+: 10-20% discount at many resorts
• Private boat charters: Split costs 8 ways
• Some resorts offer "bring a friend" deals

Choose Budget Options

• Boat charter vs resort: Save $500-1,500
• Fan room vs A/C: Save $20-40/night
• Shared accommodation: Save 30-50%
• Bring own booties/gear from home

Hidden Costs to Consider

• Board damage: $100-500 if you break boards
• Excess baggage: $50-100 if over weight limit
• Visa extension: $35 if staying beyond 30 days
• Phone/WiFi: $50-100 for international roaming
• Souvenirs/handicrafts: $50-200
• Extra night in Padang: $40-80 if flights delayed

What's Typically Included

Resort Packages Usually Include:

• ✓ Accommodation
• ✓ All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
• ✓ Snacks and non-alcoholic drinks
• ✓ Boat trips to surf breaks
• ✓ Surf guiding
• ✓ Airport transfers from Padang
• ✓ Ferry or speedboat transfers
• ✓ Padang hotel (night before/after)

NOT Typically Included:

• ✗ International flights
• ✗ Surf tax ($75)
• ✗ Alcoholic drinks
• ✗ Tips
• ✗ Spa/massage
• ✗ Fishing/diving trips
• ✗ Travel insurance
• ✗ Personal expenses

Payment Methods

What to Bring

• USD Cash: $300-500 in small bills ($20s, $50s)
• Credit Card: For resort deposit/balance
• Backup card: In case of issues

ATMs

• Available in Padang only
• NO ATMs in Mentawai Islands
• Get all cash needed in Padang
• Withdrawal limit: Usually 3-4 million IDR ($190-250 USD)

Currency Exchange

• Best rate: ATM in Padang
• Good rate: Money changers in Padang
• Poor rate: Airport exchange
• Resorts accept USD for extras at fixed rate

Is It Worth It?

Final Budget Checklist

• □ International flights booked
• □ Domestic flights booked with board fees
• □ Resort/boat charter paid (usually 50% deposit)
• □ Travel insurance purchased
• □ $300-500 USD cash prepared
• □ Credit cards notified of travel
• □ Gear purchased (booties, wax, etc)
• □ $75 surf tax budgeted
• □ Tip money set aside ($100-200)
• □ Emergency fund ($300-500 extra)

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