Melaleuca Surf Charter

Group Size: Max 12 / Min 8 guests
Number of Cabins: 2 x 3 bed cabin & 3 x 2 bed cabin
Length of Stay: 10 days surfing / 11 nights on board (extra days on request)
Destination: Mentawai, Telo, Nias & Banyak Islands 
Surfing Ability: Intermediate to advanced only
Budget: Medium
A/C: Cabins and all common rooms
Photos: $200 pp
Beers: Free 3 beers pp / day
Tender: 20-foot boat
Port: Padang, West Sumatra

The Melaleuca is a large traditional Indonesian motor boat with plenty of modern amenities & safety features you’d expect from a surf charter in the Mentawai region. Built in 2007, this 80’ vessel boasts a very large covered (and uncovered) outdoors area that’s perfect for chilling out, checking the surf, fishing or doing whatever you like. Of course inside is fully a/c as well to keep you cool when the mid day heat gets too much.

 

Interior

5 guest cabins (up to 12 guests)

2 x 3 person cabins (a/c)
3 x 2 person cabins (a/c

The main indoor area is furnished with couches, a bar, a flat screen TV, DVD player and stereo. There is also a separate dining area large enough to entertain all the guests.

Two bathrooms – both with exterior entrances, one has an interior entrance as well.

Exterior  

The spacious upper deck is half open and half covered from the sun. Guests can lay out and catch some rays or enjoy the incredible 360 panoramic views without the worry of getting too much sun. Another bonus is that the fishing area is also covered with a hard top providing shelter from the midday sun. This roomy charter boat provides plenty of surfboard storage as well as an additional outside shower and a swim platform at the back of the boat.

Included in all packages:

3 large, healthy delicious meals are served each day
A mix of Indonesian & Western cuisine served for breakfast, lunch & dinner. Vegetarians can be catered for (given prior notice)
Snacks, Juices & soft drinks
Unlimited Tea, Coffee & Water
3 beers pp / day

Additional beers will be available for purchase on board (360,000 IDR / case)

Included in each package;

• 11 nights / 10 days surfing in the Mentawai or Telo islands
• Single bed in a/c cabin
• Expert surf guide (Australian or local)
• All transfers to and from Padang airport
• Your fresh catch prepared the way you like it
• Three hearty meals per day
• Snacks throughout the day
• Non-alcoholic refreshments
• 3 beers a day
• Use of tender for transfers to and from the surf
• Use of tender for fishing & exploratory trips 
• Use of fishing equipment
• Use of snorkelling equipment
• Use of on board entertainment systems including DVD video and stereo

Not included;

• Airline tickets
• Fuel Surcharge (Only for North Sumatra trips)
• Emergency Travel Insurance (compulsory for all guests, including med-evac coverage)
• Meals off vessel
• Mentawai Surf Tax (IDR 1,000,000 per person)
• Photography service (on request)
• Tips for the crew (appreciated but not mandatory)

Length Overall (LOA): 80 feet
Construction: Fibreglass & Wooden Boat
Marine Engine: Twin Mitsubishi 8DC9's with 320 HP each.
Style: Fibreglass & Wood Indonesian Motor boat (Indonesian Flag)
Cruise speed: 8-10 knots
Generator: Two Mitsubishi PS100 250 vol
Electrical points: 220v power (Indo 2 prong)

The Captain of the Melaleuca has 2 decades of skippering experience in the the Mentawais. Des, the chef, will be preparing a mix of traditional Indonesian cuisine, western style, sushi, vegetarian and a variety of foods to please every palate. The western surf guide is always on hand to deliver you the best waves of your life & will always have a large amount of experience in the Mentawai Islands. 

Radar - Furuno
Sounder - Furuno Echo
GPS plotter - Furuno
Radios – Icom VHF Radios
Flares
Smoke & emergency alarms
Life raft for 20 People
First Aid Kit (with staff on board trained to use it)
Satellite Phone Available
Tender: 20-foot with 70 horsepower

Note: Satellite phone is available for emergency use only. If guests want to use it for any other reason, you will be charged. Please note, some areas have mobile signal. Furthermore, some surf resorts have internet access and occasionally it will be possible to use their facilities.

If you book a trip aboard The Melaleuca, you will have the chance to take a trip to either the Mentawais (the whole archipelago) – or you have the option to head north to the Telo Islands (note: its also possible to surf the Northern Mentawai as well). If you’re part of a large group then you’ll probably get to choose which region. Smaller groups or single surfers will probably not get to choose and so please enquire about which area The Melaleuca will be heading to during your trip.

Both of these options offer a large variation of waves, so it’s best to check out our destinations pages (check the surf breaks listed there) to get an idea of which trip you’d prefer.

Either way, expect picture perfect tubes in crystal clear tropical waters!

As a rule, the surf is generally suited to intermediate to advanced riders only. Despite the perfect set-ups, the majority of spots break over sharp coral reef which can be dangerous for an inexperienced surfer. However, with so many waves to choose from, intermediates will find plenty of suitable waves to get their fix without running any real risk of injury. 

As for the advanced surfer - the world really is your oyster!

Detailed information for all the surf breaks can be found in the destination's section of the site within the Mentawai & Telo pages.

* Surf Breaks - Mentawai (Playgrounds)
* Surf Breaks - Telo Islands

Guests need to fly into Padang Airport, West Sumatra 

Arrival into Padang by (latest) 1pm (day 1)

The boat departs at 6pm.  Departure flights should be from 1pm (onwards) on the last day of the trip.

Flights 

We recommend using www.skyscanner.com and flying into either Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - or Jakarta, Indonesia.  From KL, there is usually one morning flight (1hr) with Air Asia  as well as a lunchtime flight to Padang. 

From Jakarta, there are over a dozen flights each day that fly into Padang, from airlines such as Garuda Airlines, Srwijaya, Citilink  & Lion Air. We recommend www.nusatrip.com 

Note: Visa On Arrival: A FREE 30 day Visa On Arrival is now available for a number of countries including: Australia, USA, Brazil, South Africa, New Zealand, Canada, Peru, Costa Rica, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Ireland, England, France, Switzerland, Sweden and Germany. 

Arrive Padang airport by 1pm.

One of our staff will be waiting to take you to the harbour.

Depart harbour 6pm, arrive Mentawai Islands early the next morning.

11 nights / 10 days surfing

Return back to Padang early morning.

One of our reps will take you to the airport or hotel of choice

Fly anytime after 1pm.

Note: The trip has no fixed route as the surf conditions can change day to day. Our experienced crew are always aware of the swell forecast and will update everybody each day to discuss the next move. The captain will usually change location during the night, leaving the opportunity for the guests to enjoy most of the day surfing.

Before booking a trip aboard Melaleuca, make sure to check our "Know before you go" section which is a handy page of what to expect as well as a detailed inventory of what to bring.

For those that need some help in choosing the right surf charter boat or those that are unsure what's better a surf charter boat or surf camp, then check out both our blogs below.