All guests need to head for Padang, West Sumatra. From Kuala Lumpur, the main option is Air Asia, which has several different options that go to Padang every day.  From Jakarta, the most popular option is Garuda Air, which also flies every day with several different options.  There are several other reliable airlines that travel these routes as well, such as Lion Air, Batavia Air, and Mandala Air.
Once you arrive in Padang, our crew in Padang will coordinate your ground transportation and hotel stay if necessary, and will guide you along to one of the multiple means of getting from Padang to Aloita. 

Ferry

The most popular option is via the Ambu Ambu ferry.  By Indonesian standards, it’s one of the nicest ferry options there is.  It can be a little hectic in the main galley, but most of our guests are lodged in their own private, air conditioned cabin.  The boat is a very large, stable automobile ferry that can house dozens of vehicles and hundreds of guests, so you will feel very little rocking and rolling, even in the heaviest of seas.  the Ambu Ambu operates on the following schedule (but please check with us to confirm):

Sunday: Padang – Tua Pejat  (DEP: 08.00 PM    ARR: 6.30 AM)
Monday: Tua Pejat – Padang  (DEP : 08.00 PM   ARR: 6.30 AM)
Thursday, week 1 & 4: Padang – Tua Pejat  (DEP: 08.00 PM    ARR: 6.30 AM)
Friday, week 1 & 4: Tua Pejat – Padang  (DEP: 08.00 PM   ARR : 6.30 AM)

Tua Pajet is the capital of the Mentawais, and its dock is less than 10 minutes away from Aloita.  So, the ferry usually departs around 8:30pm in the evening, and our guests sleep through the night, and awaken around daybreak the next morning very close to our resort.  You will then be picked up by our speedboats and whisked away to Aloita, arriving early enough to catch a quick breakfast and a full day of aquatic activities.  The cost for the Ambu Ambu is $62usd for the first person, and $10usd for each additional person sharing a private cabin.  There are additional overnight ferry options, but the Ambu Ambu is easily the nicest, cheapest, and most convenient.

Private Speedboat or Boat Charter
Please contact us for details

Furthermore, from May we can offer a private speed boat going from Padang to Aloita
and back every Sunday at the price of 200 USD per person each way.

The private boat can be chartered out at $1,350 for any time/day.

Ground Transportation and Hotel Stays

Once you arrive at the Minangkabau Airport, our ground crews will transport you to your next destination.  If necessary, Aloita Resort will coordinate a hotel stay at one of the clean, reasonable establishments in downtown Padang.  From the airport to downtown Padang is about a 40-minute drive, and we charge a very reasonable rate of $20usd/person.  Most private speedboats will pick you up at the Muara River Harbor in downtown Padang.  The Bungus Harbor, where the Ambu Ambu and many private charters depart from, is an additional 40-minutes away.  Thus, the ground fee from the airport to the Bungus Harbor is $30usd/person.
Indonesian Travel Agent
If you would like to research specific arrival dates and times on your own prior to your trip, please see the following websites for local airlines below:
Garuda Air:  www.garuda-indonesia.com
Air Asia:  www.airasia.com
Lion Air:  www.lionair.co.id
Batavia Air:  www.bataviaair.co.id
Mandala Air:  www.mandalair.com

Aloita is home to seven spacious double cottages (all A/C & Fan) and one even larger “Family” cottage. 

Each bungalow is an entirely separate residence, completely detached on all sides for added privacy and security.  Though the amenities vary slightly from bungalow to bungalow, all are clean, new, and extremely well appointed.  Each has a private path to our extensive white sand beach. 
Every day our staff will clean your bungalow and make your beds, which are ample and very comfortable.  The bathrooms are highlighted by more local hardwoods..  Each bungalow has a safe, a mini fridge, and plenty of closet and storage space.  In addition, each has its own private outdoor courtyard and storage area in the rear of the residence, complete with outdoor shower and shaded racks for your surfboards.

Our “Family Bungalow” is perfect larger groups, or couples who want to bring their little ones along.  The bedroom on the first floor is larger and has a separate entrance, giving the folks added peace and quiet if their little ones decide to get rowdy.  There is an additional private bedroom on the second floor as well.  An additional bed can be brought into the living room for larger families.

Three delicious buffet style meals are served daily which are designed not just to delight your taste buds, but also replenish and refuel your body. We specialize in a variety of seafood dishes using fresh produce caught in local waters, but we certainly don’t limit ourselves to fish. You can expect anything from pasta dishes to pizza to steaks to chicken – you name it! And all meals are complemented well with a variety of vegetable, rice, fruit dishes, etc. – all high quality, high energy, and healthy.

The A Bar is quickly becoming known as THE place to catch a footy game on our large flat screen TV if you’re in the area, and the rounded set up makes it easier to view all your mates and heckle them from across the room. The A Bar also comes complete with big couches and chill out areas, cool tunes, a separate bar snack menu, and the full gamut of beers and mixed drinks. We’ve also recently added a pool table & a ping pong table if you actually want to get up and actually do something. But again, you’re in paradise, and there’s nothing better to do after a huge meal at our restaurant than sit in front of the flat screen at the A Bar, and do nothing but enjoy the “food coma” by the water’s edge…

Each of the 3 boats have secure dry storage areas to protect your precious and personal items from the elements, and they come fully equipped with the latest safety equipment such as first aid kits, lifejackets, sounders, GPS, and VHF radios.  

Sea Taxi is a great all around speedboat, and our most commonly used vessel. Sporting two brand new 85hp Yamaha engines, no one can mistake the bright yellow “Taxi” when she comes whizzing around a corner. Sea Taxi is 7.5 meters long with a solid aluminum hull, and can accommodate 5-7 pax easily. She gobbles up chop as good as any speedboat in the Ments, which makes her perfect for trips to the local area as well as longer range trips to the Playground or Peninsula. Sea Taxi is quick and easy to get going, so we use her for everything from surfing and diving excursions to fishing runs to local sightseeing tours.

Michelle: Michelle is our most luxurious speedboat, and one of the nicest speedboats in all of the Mentawais for that matter. At over 9 meters in length and super roomy, Michelle is normally reserved for larger groups traveling longer distances so you can all get there as quickly and comfortably as possible. She is powered by two state of the art Yamaha 200hp engines, so we can accommodate groups of 8+pax in the utmost of comfort. Sporting really high sides and a cabin in the front, Michelle has tons of perks and offers an extremely smooth and efficient journey.

Chicca: Chicca gives our guests a little taste of the “true” Mentawai experience, with a little bit of modern flair thrown in. Chicca is a 10-meter wooden long boat, constructed in the traditional Mentawai style, but powered by twin 40hp Yamaha engines. These long, narrowly constructed vessels are lighter weight and can really cut through the water quickly in optimal conditions. We like to use Chicca for visits to the local fish farm or to Tua Pajet, the nearby capital of the Mentawais. But Chicca can also easily take groups of up to 10 to local world class breaks such as Icelands, Telescopes, and Scarecrows

Aloita’s Spa and Massage facility, the only of its kind in the Mentawais, is now complete and ready to serve all your relaxation needs. As we nurture a holistic approach at Aloita, our guests can feel confident that they can devote their full energy to our wide array of outdoor activities, as we are prepared to help balance their systems with a full mind and body cleanse. The gentle sounds of water splashing against the rocks of our enclosed waterfall and fish pond will help you glide into a state of deep relaxation during your massage or spa treatment. Our large ocean view veranda can be used as a waiting or place for yoga and meditation. It truly is a tranquil, peaceful, and therapeutic place.

Our professional therapists are skilled in a wide variety of treatments. Here are just some of the services they can provide:

Massages

•        Relaxation Massage
•        Sport Specific Massage
•        Traditional Indonesian Full-Body Massage
•        Facial Massage

Special Remedial Treatments

•        Back or Shoulder Pain Treatment
•        Neck Pain or Migraine Treatment

Beauty Treatments

•        Body Scrubs
•        Facial Mask
•        Luxury Bath

We also offer packages that let you combine various treatments into one session. For example, you can combine a massage, body scrub and luxury bath into one treatment – that’s almost 3 hours of nurturing!
So, when you stay at Aloita, be sure to stop by our Spa and Massage facility, and we’ll set your body and mind at ease.

For all our courses, Aloita’s dive team takes care of student personally, because not only do we want you to learn, but we also want you to have FUN!  Even if you’ve never dived before but wish to see how it feels in this fascinating world, let us give you your dive baptism.  We provide practical learning from the first day, and you can rest assured that your utmost safety is the top concern of our qualified instructors.

Our courses range from the most basic Open Water Dive to the full Dive Master.  We provide all the essential equipment, an experienced dive guide, and a shuttle or boat transfers to the dive site.  All of your gear will be checked out and in perfect condition prior to your dive.
Here are some of the specific dives and courses that we offer at Aloita:

Dives

•        Single  Dive:   $45US
•        Double dive (2 dives in one day):  $80US
•        Night Dive:  $70US
•        10 Dive package:  $450US (if you are the only passenger in the boat)
•        10 Dive package with partner:   $350US per person (from 2 people)
•        Equipment rental per item (BCD, wetsuit, fins, octopus): $15US each
•        Equipment rental ALL items( BCD, wetsuit, fins, octopus) $40US
•        Exploratory dives; cost depends on fuel charges and equipment required.  We’ll take you to a virgin reef! Revel in the experience of being the first person to ever dive in that location!

SCUBA Courses

•        Introductory Dive Course:  $65US
Includes:  lesson with dive instructor, shallow water exercises, shallow water dive (6m)
•        Additional Introductory Dives:  $60US
Deeper (12m max), longer and more adventurous dive!
•        PADI Open Water course: $350US
Includes:  certification, 5 dives
•        PADI Advanced course: $250US
Includes:  certification, 5 dives

Snorkeling

•        Equipment rental, 1 day: $10US
•        Equipment rental, full week: $30US

Dive Center

The Aloita Dive Centre has been in operation since 2004 and is the only of its kind in the Mentawais. It houses a full range well maintained top quality dive gear, and our dive team can take you from beginner to certified by the end of your trip. We have a full plethora of equipment for all shapes and sizes, including:

•        Scuba tanks
•        Masks and regulator
•        Weights and weight belts
•        Wetsuits
•        Fins
•        Underwater flashlights
•        Complete snorkel and free dive set

You are of course welcome to bring your own gear if you  prefer, but if you are going on a formal dive with our staff the instructors may want to inspect the equipment for quality prior to your dive.
The Aloita Dive Center is located conveniently next to the restaurant and lounge area, and is the first building you’ll see as you walk the trail back to the bungalows.  The building itself is a beautiful structure, and like all our buildings the dive center is constructed of all the finest local materials and hardwoods.

There are so many different waves within striking distance of Aloita that there is something for everyone. Some are right out our backyard, whereas sometiems we’ll make a day trip and go to a more distant location.  Because of Aloita’s location, we can access more waves by speedboat than any other resort in the Mentawais.  One this is for sure: you will not be starved for options.
Here is just a sampling of what’s on the offer:
Waves in the Immediate Aloita Area:

Telescopes:
One of the crown jewels of the Mentawais, Telescopes is a world class lefthander that suits a wide range of skill levels and always seems to have something fun to offer. Tellies breaks on a variety of different swells, but it really thrives on is a decent sized west swell. If it’s firing, you can tuck right in after the takeoff and line up a long, straight barrel. Even if you’re really deep, the barrel typically ejects you out onto a part of the reef that gives you multiple opportunities to whack it off the top, until you hit the Monkey’s Corner on the inside, a bend in the reef that hooks back at you providing a great opportunity for a second solid tube. Even when Tellies is small or has a bit more south in it, it’s still an extremely rippable wave. It suits naturalfoots as well as goofyfoots because of the easy entry and clean readable walls, and it’s suitable for beginners on most days as well. The reef isn’t too sharp and there are certainly areas you can “play it safe”. Definitely a favorite of the Aloita staff.

Icelands:
Icelands is great lefthander that basically has two completely different personas: Small Swell Icelands and Big Swell Icelands. When everywhere else in the area is flat, you can still pull up to Icelands and there will be a head-high, cruisey, rippable wall. It’s great to have this in our own backyard, as our guests are assured they can almost always have fun at The Ice even when it’s tiny everywhere else. But when a big west swell hits, Icelands turns into a monster with barrels big enough to drive the speedboat though. A deep ledge outside the normal take off zone causes the swell to lift in a way it doesn’t do on smaller days, and allows you to get in with a fairly easy drop. The wave then rolls into a horseshoe shaped section where the wave bends onto itself and throws out a big, thick barrel section that spits nearly every time. Icelands is definitely one of the few (and best) true big wave spots in the Mentawais under these conditions, and if the jet skis are running you can consult our surf guides about towing into the massive pits.

Ombak Tidur (The Sleeper):
If you’re caught inside on a decent sized west swell, you’ll think there’s nothing sleepy about this wave at all. Just down the reef from Icelands, this right hander picks up nearly as much swell and can be a fun option when the wind has a bit more north in it. The wave is actually a series of different right hand sections that can look like firing J-Bay from a distance, but up close reveals breaks in the reef and several different surfable sections. The peak at the top is often the most predictable, and can chuck out fast walls and the odd pit as it shifts along the reef. Just try to pick the right section, because if you pick the wrong wave on the first wave of a set, you could be in for a loooong paddle, as the reef never seems to have a should when you’re trying to make it back out. Definitely a fun alternative on smaller days, or days when you just feel like going right for a change.

Arriks:
Under certain conditions, Arriks can offer an extremely zippy barrel that momentarily backs off before chucking again on the inside. On less than perfect days, it can be a cruisy, rippable righthander that backs off easily into a channel that lets you paddle back out and repeat as many times as you want. Just a short distance from Ombak Tidur, Arriks handles a north wind even better, and prefers a higher tide even under the tamest looking of conditions. Reef booties aren’t a bad idea even when it’s soft, because it has some nasty little coral heads that can actually be more problematic the smaller it is. Handles size well, and you usually get out of the water happy knowing you got fun waves on a day that’s probably unsurfable at most locations

Scarecrows:
Another very reliable and rippable wave in the area, Scarecrows is a great left that will pick up almost any swell but will also hold a fair bit of size as well. Scarecrows has several different take off spots, so it holds and spreads out a crowd very well. The wave has a fairly easy takeoff providing a mellow drop into a long workable wall. This allows you to pick up speed before heading down into the section of the reef we call “The Curry Bowl”. Under the right conditions, The Curry Bowl will deliver you into a barrel as good as anywhere else in the Mentawais, or it will give you a beating that might cause you to “take 5” in the channel for a few minutes. If you get caught inside on those days, you’ll begin to realize how consistent Scarecrows really is. But not to worry; the reef is fairly safe on the inside, and as it so happens it’s one of the best places to catch golden trevally. Throw out a lure after your surf and you might just catch dinner, get a ride back to the take off zone!

Ulars (7-Palms):
Ulars is a fun lefthander with a decent wall to carve. It’s usually more fun when the swell is smaller, as the waves hug the reef a bit better and allow for a zippier wave face. Bigger swells tend to close out the second section in the middle of the wave (but that’s when you head to other places that thrive on bigger swell). Another great resource to have when there is a bit of a swell drought, Ulars almost always will have something fun to offer.

Fish Face/The Rat (Muka Ikan/Tikus):
These are two waves that break right off Aloita Island, and are just up the reef from each other. The Rat is the closer of the two waves from the bungalows, and you can walk there in less than 10 minutes, and it’s a short paddle out from there. It’s a fun little lefthander that’s suitable for all levels. Occasionally it can throw up a few hollow sections, but mostly it’s a fun, cruisey wall with multiple whackable sections. You can paddle to Fish Face in about 5 minutes from The Rat, and it’s even better suited for beginners. It’s a little less perfect than The Rat, but the wave faces are forgiving and not too steep. Usually a great place to take out a fish and bounce around the little sections, or take out a soft top and try surfing for the first time. Both of these waves hold a south wind really well, which can be the “devil wind” for most places.

Suicides:
With a name like Suicides, you know it wouldn’t be for the faint of heart. A fairly rare wave to score, Suicides offers a ridiculously fast left wall with a gaping barrel section that definitely favors the goofyfoots. Definitely an “experts only wave” when its working, Suicides is capable of dishing out some serious punishment if you make the slightest misstep, but it also offers a thrilling tube if you play your cards right.

Twiggies:
A little less death defying than Suicides, Twiggies can still chuck up a mean barrel under the right conditions. Under a more west swell, Twiggies tends to form more of a defined peak, allowing the surfer to tuck into a solid tube run before having to eject on the inside. Under a more south, the wave tends to run along the reef a bit more, allowing for more turns, often clearing the Nuclear Zone you’ll see under a west. Definitely a high tide only spot, Twiggies is a fun wave to check if Telescopes is looking crowded or a bit soft/funky.

For pictures, check out Mentawai Islands Surf Gallery

Please contact us!