Bilou Beach Villas

Camp Size: Max 16 adults + kids
Accommodation: 4 x Private bungalows
Daily Meals: Available but not included 
Daily Transport: Private Daily boat included
Located in front of surf break: No, 15 min walk
Destination: Awera Island, Mentawai Islands
Surfing Ability: Beginner to advanced
Budget: 3/5
Surf School: No
Surfboard Rental: No
Yoga: No
Ideal for: Couples, families & small groups



Bilou Beach Villas is situated on a the southern end of Awera Island, just off the north coast of Sipora in the Mentawai Islands. Set amongst 3 hectares of land guests have private use of hundreds of metre's of pristine beach that culminate into a beautiful sand spit at the islands tip. 

Guests are located in the heart of this often overlooked surf zone, with views of "backyards" (aka Ariks) that's reached by a short 5 minute boat ride. There are a number of other world class waves close by too, including the regions crown jewel Telescopes that's located across the channel (10 min boat ride). 

Fantastic snorkeling, spear fishing and regular fishing is also on your door step (please bring your own equipment) and beginners can learn to surf at Tikus, the perfect learner wave that's just a 15 minute boat ride away. There are also some Stand Up Paddle Boards (SUP's) available for the guests.

The resort is particularly good for families & couples (or small groups) looking for a tropical surf vacation with no set schedule. 

Wifi internet isn't provided but a very reliable 3-4G connection is available. Buy a SIMPATI sim card with Rp 100,000 ($8) worth of data and you will be set for 2 weeks worth of browsing. Sim cards are available in Tua Pejat village.

Guests are able to travel to the resort from Padang 4 days a week, making it one of the most accessible resorts in the region.
 

Bilou Beach Villas has 4 villas available, sleeping a maximum of 16 adults (+ children). Each bungalow is constructed with beautiful local hardwood timber & includes two bedrooms (both with private bathrooms) and a third loft room upstairs. The showers aren't heated but instead offer you refreshment from the tropical sun. Each room comes complete with a fan inside each mosquito net providing you with cool air at night.

What makes Bilou Beach Villas unique is that each bungalow comes complete with its own fully kitted kitchen (gas hobs & fridge) where guests can cook for themselves each day. For those that don't want to cook, an evening meal is available as well as some breakfast options. The Bungalows also include a lounge and its own balcony with access to a private pathway that leads to the jaw dropping white sand beach which is just a stone’s throw away.

4 x Private Villas

Each includes 3 bedrooms per villa:

Bedroom 1: King size bed - with private bathroom
Bedroom 2: 2 x single beds - with private bathroom 
Bedroom 3 (loft): single bed

Occupancy per villa:

1-4 adults per villa or 3 adults with up to 4 children (under 12)

All accommodation includes:

- 2 x private bathrooms
- Private balcony
- Pathway to the beach
- Fridge
- Hobs
- Private beach cabana with deck chairs
- Private BBQ area
- Swimming & snorkeling 20m away
- Daily cleaning

Please note: We supply sarongs on your bath rails. But please bring your own towel. The resort is 100% off grid. The no 1 contributing factor to contaminating this small islands well water and mangroves is soapy water and towels. Towels take up loads of water, soap and power. Thanks for your understanding.

Soft Catering

The soft catering concept of Bilou Beach Villas is to keep the rate down to make Mentawai surf travel more affordable but at the same time offering its guests quality & spacious accommodation. This is achieved by offering "soft" catering.  Its not quite half board, its not fully self catering, its somewhere in between. If preferred, those staying at Bilou can buy breakfast and dinner from the resort - but with a private kitchen at your disposal (and a stocked shop next door,) guests can easily cater for themselves too. 

Ciabatta bread is baked daily and delivered to the villas. Fresh basil pesto and fresh tomato pesto is available for quick fix meals, as well as steak and lamb chops from the braai. A super healthy muesli is available for breakfasts. The small shop at the resort sells a number of imported items including cheese, steak, canned plum tomatoes, marmalade, tortillas etc. There are also additional supplies in Tua Pejat which is just a short boat ride away. 

Each evening, set dinners are also available at the beach bar (USD 12.50 pp).  

Gluten free options:

Please let us know prior to arrival if you're gluten intolerant. Gluten free pasta is usually available. Muesli ingredients consist of oats, dried banana, raisins, nuts, & honey. Those opting for the "all inclusive" package will have plain oats, rice etc in their fully stocked Villa on arrival. Because of the self catering aspect of Bilou, guests with special requirements (vegan etc) tend to manage very easily as they can be independent in their food preparation. There are quick fix meals like homemade pesto. Every 2nd night there is the more traditional Padang food such as coconut curry, salads, fish/meat/chicken. Soy sauce can be kept separate. Its also advised to pack some gluten packaged snacks prior to arrival. 

BILOU BEACH BAR has a set meal in the evenings for USD 12.50

The BILOU shop stocks:

• Ice cold beer 
• 100% Arabica ground coffee
• Fresh Ciabatta bread
• Olive Oil
• Cheese
• Jams + Honey
• Mince meat, steak, lamb chops
• Canned items
• Herbs and Spices
• Ketchup, mayonnaise, mustard etc
• Butter
• Pasta
• Muesli
• Fresh basil pesto
• Fresh tomato pesto

Fruit and Vegetables can be purchased from Tua Pejat which is a short boat ride away (10 mins). We offer free delivery of fresh food or you can send your driver with a list.

All Inclusive (optional)

USD 35-45 per person / day (USD 12 children under 10, children under 5 free) - additional cost to daily rate.

Guests have the option of adding the all inclusive option for those wanting to have the ultimate relaxing experience.

* Sunset dinners at the The BILOU BEACH BAR
* Fully stocked Villa on arrival with fresh and deli food
* Food items from the BILOU DELI for your whole stay.
* 2 fresh food deliveries per week
* Fresh ciabatta bread delivered daily
* Filtered drinking water
* 2 beers per day
* Surf Guide/Driver and fuel

Or... guests can Pay as you go (guests typically spend about $25 per person on all of the below):

* The beach bar serves the set meal in the evenings (US $12.50) + ice cold beer. Children under 10: $6
* Fresh ciabatta delivered to your villa daily
* Deli items such as olive oil, 100% Arabica ground coffee, steak, lamb chops, mince, bacon, cheese, honey, herbs, canned items, tomato paste, kidney beans 
* Local fresh food, snacks and beer in the village 10 mins across the channel
* Surf guide/driver $25 per day per Villa
* Fuel +- $15 - $20 per day per Villa

Each villa comes complete with it's own private Long Boat (speed boat) as part of the nightly package.

Each speed boat can comfortably take 4 surfers to surf any of the local waves at anytime during the day. The boat is also available to go to Tua Pejat to stock up on groceries and buy phone/internet credit. 

The surf guide / boat driver & fuel is INCLUDED when you take the ALL INCLUSIVE "add on" package.

For those opting for PAY AS YOU GO - an additional cost of USD 25 / day will be charged for your surf guide / boat driver for any day you require his services as well as fuel that on average costs around USD 15 for a whole days surfing (divided between 4 guests is less than $4 / day). 

Unlike 99% of other surf camps in the region, guests of Bilou Beach Villas will have the opportunity to surf whenever they want, without having to share a ride with another guest. 

Although Backyards is close enough to walk and then paddle to, guests will also have the use of their very own private speed boat, choosing to surf exactly when they prefer & without sharing with other guests. Its totally up to you. If you want to surf at the crack of dawn that's no problem, or if you'd prefer a later start, that's also fine. Its totally your call!

With "Backyards" (above) viewed from the comfort of the camp, its certainly the focus for many guests as you can watch it all day long. Although it gets very perfect, its particularly shallow on the low tide, so many guests prefer to wait for the high tide to provide some water between themselves and the reef below.

Bilou Beach Villas is perfectly located to reach all of the regions 9 or so waves, all reachable within 5-20 minutes of each other with the majority being left hander's. The region suits an intermediate surfer (or advanced) as well as a surfing family that are looking for the least crowded waves in the Mentawai Islands. 

Beginners can also enjoy some user friendly waves at a nearby wave known as "Tikus" that's sheltered from the majority of the swell.

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

Bilou Villas Surf Breaks

Guests need to fly into Padang Airport (PDG), West Sumatra 

We recommend using https://www.skyscanner.net/ 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, Sriwijaya, Citilink & Lion Air. We recommend www.nusatrip.com 

Note: Visa On Arrival: A FREE 30 day Visa On Arrival is now available for the following countries: Australia, USA, Brazil, South Africa, New Zealand, Canada, Peru, Costa Rica, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Ireland, England, France, Switzerland, Sweden and Germany. To see the full list visit this link: http://www.topbali.com/indonesia-free-visa-entry/

"TRANSFERS" (return transfers: Padang Airport to Bilou Villas to Padang Airport)

Guests are free to make their own way to Tua Pejat in Sipora (Mentawai Islands). Alternatively we can arrange everything as follows...

USD 195 per surfer (includes 25kg board bag)
USD 95 per non surfer
USD 55 children under 12

Includes:

-  Airport collection
-  Taxi to hotel
-  Taxi to Ferry
-  Ferry Ticket (Padang to Tua Pejat, Sipora)
-  Speedboat transfer from Tua Pejat (Mentawai port) – to Bilou Beach Villas
-  Surfboard bag up to 25kg
-  Return trip back

Your transfers in detail

Padang Airport (PDG)

Upon arrival at Padang’s Minangkabau International Airport, you will be greeted by one of our staff members with pre-arranged transport and you'll be taken to the Axana hotel. From this point we can help with any pre-departure needs, like accessing money, where to eat or simply explore this unique and colourful city for a genuine Indonesian experience.

Padang Hotel

All guests will need to spend their first night and last night in Padang. 

We recommend the Axana Hotel in Padang

USD 30 per person TWIN or KING superior room includes breakfast
USD 95 FAMILY ROOM: king, single plus extra bed includes breakfast 4 pax

Mentawai Fast Ferry

You'll be collected from your hotel and taken to the ferry port the next morning around 6.00am. The port is very close to where the hotels are found - it's just a short 5-10 minute taxi ride.

Mentawai Fast Ferry - departure times:

Padang – Tua Pejat: Monday, depart 06.30am
Padang – Tua Pejat: Wednesday, depart 06.30am
Padang – Tua Pejat: Friday, depart 07.00am
Padang – Tua Pejat: Sunday, depart 07.00am
Tua Pejat – Padang: Monday depart 14.30pm
Tua Pejat – Padang: Wednesday depart 14.30pm
Tua Pejat – Padang: Friday depart 14.30pm
Tua Pejat – Padang: Sunday depart 14.30pm

The Ferry crossing time takes around 3 to 4 hours. Guests will arrive in Tua Pejat (Mentawai Port) around 10.00am, where our staff will be waiting to transfer all the baggage to the speedboat and take the guests to Bilou Beach Villas, arriving around 10.15am. Crossing times are subject to weather conditions and delays can happen.

On return, guests will depart the resort around lunchtime (with the speedboat) to take the Ferry at 2.30pm. The arrival time in Padang will be approx 6pm. Our staff member will transfer you to your hotel as well as the airport the next morning. 

Before booking a trip to Bilou Beach Villas, 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 are unsure what's better a surf charter boat or surf camp, then check out our blog below.