Switch Foot Surf Charter

Group Size: Max 10 guests
Number of Cabins: 4 × twin cabins & 1 bunk room
Length of Stay: 10 days surfing, 11 nights on board
Destination: Mentawai islands "or" Telos
Surfing Ability: Intermediate to advanced 
A/C: All interior & cabins
Photos: Price on request
Beers: 24 beers per person / trip
Tender (2) 3.5 mtr rubber zodiac 15hp / 4.6m aluminium centre console tinny 60hp
Port: Padang, Mentawai Islands

Switchfoot is a 52' power catamaran that caters for up to 10 guests. Like Tengirri & Wild Cat, she's one of the quicker boats operating in the Mentawai region (with day time cruising of 12 knots) offering comfortable sleeping quarters & ample space to relax in between surfs.

One of the newer vessels in the region, Switch Foot was built in 2017 & comes complete with all the mod cons and safety features you'd expect. She also boasts 4 private twin share sleeping cabins (plus 1 bunk room) for her guests, which means extra privacy & the promise of a quality nights sleep. Catamarans like Switchfoot are also more stable at night (than single hulls) meaning less swaying, less sea sickness and a better experience on board, especially when you're trying to sleep! Mod cons include; flat screen TV, extensive range of movies, blue tooth stereo system, library with board games, fishing gear, snorkeling gear, medical kit, 2 tenders & 2 SUP's. You can also expect three large and delicious meals served every day, as well complimentary snacks, tea, coffee and water.

One of the biggest draws of this impressive boat is her speed and safety. Day time cruising speeds will be in excess of 10-12 knots (the average for charter boats in the region are 7-8 knots). She can also reach a whopping 24 knots! The boat is fully equipped with satellite phone, lift rafts, GPS, radar, sounder, autopilot as well as all the latest safety & navigation specs you'd expect on a tier 1 charter boat.

The majority of trips will be to the Mentawai Islands, although surf trips further north to the Telo islands are also possible.

Dining interior

- Fully air conditioned interior and guest cabins
- 2 bathrooms (toilet/shower)
- Interior saloon/lounge - with flat screen TV, hard drive with an extensive range of movies, Bluetooth stereo system, library with board games. 

Exterior areas include a shaded front deck, which tends to be the main place for guests to relax, as well as 2 small shaded back decks. The lower back deck is ideal for trawling. Panoramic views can be accessed from just about anywhere on the boat. Guests will have plenty of opportunity to relax, enjoy their meals and of course savor a few cold Bintangs after a surf. 

The interior provides a modern fully air conditioned saloon/dining area for those looking to cool off & escape the tropical sun, to watch a movie or read a book.

There are bigger surf charter boats than Switchfoot but she still offers an impressive 4 twin guest cabins (all with a/c) as well as 1 bunk room for 10 guests. Many of the boats operating in the region have fewer guest cabins which means less privacy and an increased chance of sharing with a resident snorer! It's worth noting that cats are more stable than mono hulls, equating to less swaying when anchored, meaning that you're also likely to get a better nights sleep! Each berth has a fan and a reading light too.


Twin share cabin (air conditioned)

Expect plenty of fresh & healthy meals

Like just about every mentawai boat trip, you'll also be well fed aboard Switchfoot. Meals typically consist of Indonesian and Western cuisine. All are cooked by their experienced charter boat chef, Erik Wau, using the highest quality ingredients available. Expect plenty of healthy & delicious options including fresh fish, chicken, imported steak, and curries. 

There are no set times for meals, giving you ultimate flexibility to surf when you like!

Breakfast

Early breakfast will consist of fresh fruit, cereal, bread, coffee, tea & juices. Hot breakfast / brunch; bacon, eggs, pancakes, jaffles and more.

Lunch & dinner

For lunch & dinner you can expect anything from; Imported steaks, chicken curry's, burgers, nasi goreng, fish tacos, fajitas, chicken satay to fish and chips.

Snacks, sashimi, crackers, cheese, nuts, fruit will be available anytime!

Alcohol

24 beers per person are included & guests can purchase more at cost price too.

Modern galley

Included in all packages:

3 large, healthy delicious meals are served each day

A mix of Indonesian and Western cuisine served for breakfast, lunch & dinner. Vegetarians & Vegans can be catered for given prior notice.

Includes:

Daily meals
Snacks, fruit Juices
Unlimited Tea, Coffee and Water 


Front deck

Owner and operator of Switchfoot is Aussie Jason Quinn, your liveaboard resident frother who will go the extra yard to find you the waves of your life.

Having worked in the maritime industry since 1986. Jason has gained a wealth of knowledge and skills that can only be achieved with the time and experience of having worked on the ocean/harbour in many different vessels from ships to ferries and yachts. He's a big part of why guests opt for Switchfoot. 

Plenty of facilities on board, all included in your trip

What’s included

* Airport transfers to and from the boat in Padang
* 11 nights on board Switchfoot surf charter boat, 10 days surfing in the Mentawai (or Telo islands on request)
* Single bed in an a/c cabin
* 3 large, healthy delicious meals served each day
* Snacks, fruit juices
* Unlimited tea, coffee and water
* Speedboat shuttles to the surf from dawn 'til dusk, all day every day
* Fishing & island excursions 
* Use of all amenities - flat screen TV, extensive range of movies, blue tooth stereo system, library with board games, fishing gear, snorkeling gear, medical kit
* 2 x Stand Up Paddleboard's
* 24 beers per person / trip
* All necessary zone permits

What’s not included

* Mentawai Surf Tax (IDR 1,000,000 pp)  
* Photography packages
* Flights to and from Padang
* Hotels if needed
* Visa Fees and Departure Tax
* Any additional cost resulting from late arrival or the need of early departure
* Use of satellite phone
* Tips for the crew

Length OA: 15.8 Metres / 52 feet
Beam: 7.1 Metres
Draft: 0.66 Metres
Fuel Capacity: 2 x 2100 Litres
F/W Capacity: 2 x 620 Litres
Lightship Weight: 13 Tonnes
Construction: Fiberglass
Hull Type: Symmetrical Hard Chine
Main Engines: YANMAR 6LPA-STP2 315Hp @ 3800/rpm
Transmissions: KMH50A Ratio 1.67
Max Speed: 24 Knots
Cruise Speed: 12 Knots
Genset:2x VETUS 14 Kva
Watermaker: 120 Litres p/hour
Steering: Hydrive Power Assisted
Controls: TELEFLEX KE4+ Electronic
Tenders: (2) 3.5 mtr rubber zodiac 15hp / 4.6m aluminium centre console tinny 60hp

GPS Chart Plotter: 2 x LOWRANCE 12” HDS
Radar: LOWRANCE 4G Radar 36nm
Sounder: LOWRANCE Elite 7 x HDI
Autopilot: CORSEMASTER
Compass: PLASIMO
VHF Radio: ICOM IC-M504A
HF Radio: ICOM
Fuel Management system: MARETRON
Sat phone
EPIRB
Life raft equipment

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 of the region have mobile signal. Furthermore, some surf resorts have internet access and occasionally it will be possible to use their facilities.

When booking a boat trip aboard Switchfoot, guests will have the chance to surf either the Mentawai Islands (the whole region) – or further north to the Telo Islands (as well as parts of the Northern Mentawai).

For the tube hungry, we'd recommend sticking to the Mentawai islands that boasts the widest selection of world class waves. For a few more user-friendly options, we'd suggest North Mentawai to Telos (No fuel surcharge).

If you’re booking a large group then you’ll usually get to choose which region. Smaller groups and single surfers should enquire as to which region the charter will be heading to.

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.kayak.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, Citilink & Batik Air. We recommend www.traveloka.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.

A staff member will be waiting to take you to the harbour. If arriving early, you'll be taken somewhere to relax for the morning. Those arriving the day before will be taken to their hotel. All taxis in Padang are included. 

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

11 nights / 10 days surfing

Return back to Padang early morning.

A staff member 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. The 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 the day surfing.

All guests travelling to any surf camp or charter boat in Sumatra will require Travel Insurance. Surf Camp Sumatra recommends using World Nomads for any trip to Sumatra. Simply use the below form to get a quote.

Before booking a trip aboard Switchfoot, 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.