Price
From pp
USD 214
Resort Guide
Camp Size: Max 12 guests
Accommodation: Rooms & Bungalows
Daily Meals: Included
Daily Transport: Daily boat rides included
Located in front of surf break: Yes, E-bay
Destination: Mentawai Islands
Surfing Ability: Intermediate to advanced
Budget: 3/5
Surf School: No
Surfboard Rental: Yes - in Padang
Yoga: Yes (on prior request)
Ideal for: Budget travellers, groups, couples & families
The view from the Yoga Platform which directly overlooks E-Bay, one of the Mentawais premier left hander's
Driftwood Mentawai is located on Nyang Nyang island (aka Pulau Masokut) in the heart of the Playgrounds surf zone.
E-bay is the closest of the waves and is just steps away from the camp (about a 1 minute walk!). Its considered one of the best left hander's in Indonesia. Pitstops (a very fun right hander) is only a 5 minute walk around the next bay. A little further away is Nipussi (right), Beng bengs (left) and Bank Vaults (right) that are all reachable within 5-10 mins by boat. They're also walkable (30-50 mins each way) for those wanting ultimate flexibility. And whats more is that guests have access to all the regions 20 or so waves thanks to Driftwood's 2 speedboats that are included in each package.
Guests can choose to travel to the camp from Padang 3 days a week with trips starting & ending in Padang every Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday.
Driftwood main house, exterior/interior
Not only is the surf camp ideally located for waves, its also one of the most idyllic spots you'll ever visit (view from high above the camp)
"Couple" room
Catering up to 12 guests, Driftwood offers both private rooms as well as private bungalows - each with an ocean view.
The main building, built in traditional Mentawaian fashion using beautiful hardwoods and authentic design, is the hub of the camp and this is where the private bedrooms are located.
"Lodge" rooms
Include:
* King size bed (180 x 200 cm)
* Handcrafted XL single bed (120 x 200 cm) - couch convertible
* Luxury cotton mosquito nets
* High end comfort mattresses
* Personal fans and power sockets
* Shared bathroom
Lodge Rooms
"Couple" room
Room includes:
* King size bed (180 x 200 cm)
* Luxury cotton mosquito nets
* High end comfort mattresses
* Personal fans and power sockets
* Shared bathroom
"Couple" room
Shared bathroom
Beach Bungalow
A stones throw from the main building are Driftwoods brand new beach bungalows (2021) that have amazing ocean views of E-Bay directly out the front, as well as distant views of Good Times & Beng Bengs.
Bungalow includes:
* King size bed (180 x 200 cm)
* Handcrafted XL single bed (120 x 200 cm) - couch convertible
* Luxury cotton mosquito nets
* High end comfort mattresses
* Personal fans and power sockets
* Shared bathroom
beachside bungalow
All accommodation packages include:
- Accommodation
- 3 daily meals, snacks
- Daily boat rides to the surf
- All linens, towels, soap, and toilet paper
- Unlimited water, tea and coffee
- Free use of yoga platform, sports equipment, fishing/spearfishing equipment
- Pickup & drop off from Siberut harbour to the island (usually priced at 1.5m IDR one way!)
Note: Single guests are expected to share their room although private use can be negotiated.
Bintang O'Clock at the camp
Three healthy meals are served each day as part of the package
Guests will experience both Western & Indonesian cuisine with a focus on fresh locally caught fish & local dishes.
Vegetarian food on request
Not included in the price:
- Alcoholic beverages
- Soft drinks
- Additional snacks
Driftwood operates 2 speedboats to transport you to the surf each day. All boat rides are included in the daily package.
Each boat is equipped with surfboard racks and seating for its guests as well as a roof to shade you from the tropical sun. Guests have a huge amount of flexibility to find the waves you want. When there are less than 6 guests, typically 1 boat will be used. 6 or more guests, then 2 boats will be available for the guests. There is also a smaller boat that can shuttle guests to some of the closer waves like Beng Bengs & Good Times.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
Trip Information
Detailed information for all the surf breaks in this region can be found in the destination's section of the site within the Playgrounds pages.
> Playgrounds Surf Breaks
Driftwood is located in front of E-bay, one of Indonesia's premier left hander's as well as being only a 5 minute walk from Pitstops a super fun right that breaks in the adjacent bay. Guests can choose to surf these waves whenever they like (swell allowing) or if they prefer they can join the other guests and take a speedboat to surf one of the regions other 20 or so waves. The camp is located in the heart of the surf region, so there really are endless choices. Getting in and out of E-bay and Pitstops is very easy although the less experienced surfers would require reef boots to offer some protection.
Guests need to fly into Padang Airport, 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, Srwijaya, Citilink & Lion Air. We recommend https://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 are not included in the price, although the main cost of the speedboat (from Siberut, Mentawai to the camp) is included!
There are plenty of taxis available at the airport as well as in Padang. They'll approach you or simply wave them down.
- Taxis - Airport to Hotel - 1hr (150-250,000 IDR)
- Taxis - Hotel to Mentawai Fast Ferry - 10 minutes (30,000 - 100,000 IDR) - ask for the meter!
- Mentawai Fast Ferry – 3-6 hr crossing - 295,000 IDR per ticket
- Private speedboat – Maura Siberut Port (Mentawai) to surf camp – 1.5hrs - FREE for all Driftwood guests :-)
Padang Hotel (extra cost)
There are a number of very affordable hotels to choose from. We suggest staying at:
Riverside Hostel: Rp 100 000 - Rp 300 000
Kokos Hostel: Rp 180 000 - Rp 350 000
Bonsai Surf House: Rp 250 000 - Rp 450 000
Brigitte’s House: Rp 95 000 - Rp 350 000
d’Ox Ville Hotel: Rp 500 000 - Rp 800 000
Mentawai Fast Ferry
The safest, most reliable way of travelling between the mainland and the Mentawai islands. Full details: www.mentawaifast.com
From the hotel district, the ferry port is about a 10 minute taxi ride.
Travel days from Padang to Siberut are Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. We suggest Saturday to Tuesday as a standard trip. But for example, guests can also do 7 or 14 days (Tues-Tues, Sat-Sat) or 11 days (Tues-Sat).
The overall travel time is detailed below (crossing time 3-6 hrs)
You'll need to overnight on your first night in Padang (Mon, Weds or Fri) and your last night in Padang (Tues, Thurs or Sat).
PADANG TO MENTAWAI (SIBERUT)
Note: Thursday is the best day to arrive in the Mentawai!
Tuesday: FAST FERRY, departs 7am, arrives Mentawai same day around 12.30/13.00.
Thursday: FAST FERRY, departs 7am, arrives Mentawai same day around 10/10.30am
Saturday: FAST FERRY, departs 7am, arrives Mentawai same day 12.30/13.00pm
MENTAWAI (SIBERUT) TO PADANG
Tuesday: FAST FERRY departs 15.00, arrives Padang around 18.30pm
Thursday: FAST FERRY departs 13.00, arrives Padang around 18.30pm
Saturday: FAST FERRY departs 15.00, arrives Padang around 18.30pm
Note: Tuesday or Saturday is the best day to return to Padang.
Note: Mentawai harbor (in Siberut) to the camp is about a 1hr 30 min speedboat ride
Important:
All guests need to pay for each board bag on the fast ferry.
Pricing is ONLY in Indonesian Rupiah (each way) - payable on boarding the ferry
IDR 230.000 (around $17) bags between 10KG-15KG
IDR 460.000 (around $33) bags between 15KG-25KG
IDR 690.000 (around $50) bags between over 25KG
Email: [email protected] (they don’t normally answer emails)
Ferry Ticket Cost: 295 000 IDR for one way ticket. Pay with IDR cash.
*Keep your ferry ticket and surfboard ticket with you to collect your board when you get off the boat.
Booking: You can’t book the Mentawai Fast Ferry online. In our experience, it’s never full, so you’ll be fine to simply purchase a ticket on the morning of your ferry trip. If you really want to book before, you can go to the Mentawai Fast Harbour the day before your departure and pay. Their office closes at 7pm. Length of boat trip: 4 hours on Thursday, 6 hours on Tuesday & Saturday (because the boat stops at Sikabaluan on the way to Siberut). You’ll notice on the Mentawai Fast Ferry website, it says the trip is from Padang to Sikabaluan. Don’t worry about this, the ferry stops at Siberut before Sikabaluan.
Transfer Package - Padang Airport - Driftwood - Padang Airport
IDR 2.5 million (approx. USD 175 / AUD 220 per person) "each way"
Alternatively, a transfer package is available & include:
Before booking a trip to Driftwood Mentawai, 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, or for those looking for a comprehensive list of all the surf camps in the Northern Mentawai, then check out our blogs below.
PRICES
Beach Bungalow & Lodge rooms from
01 JAN 23 to 31 DEC 23
Price per person per night: USD 214
A 30% deposit is required to secure your booking. Initial deposit is non-refundable but transferable or exchanged with a friend to take your place on that specific date (passengers are responsible for finding their own replacements).
Balance of payment is due no later than 60 days prior to your arrival and is 100% non-refundable.
One payment per group for initial deposit & a second payment per group for the final balance (60 days prior to arrival).
Guests have 3 ways to make a payment:
1) Bank Transfer
Bank transfer is the most common form of payment. Payments can be made to our Australian, US, Euro, New Zealand or Pound Sterling accounts. On confirmation of booking we will send you the details.
2) Credit Card
Credit Card payments are accepted with a 2.9% fee.
3) PayPal
PayPal payments are available and are subject to a % surcharge from PayPal. These fees are typically around 4% (TBC).
Travel Insurance is mandatory for your safety and no guest will be able to depart on any trip unless they have copies of their travel insurance documents before departure. We advise all guests take out insurance upon booking in case of accident or personal problems prior to your trip.
By way of payment guests are agreeing to both Driftwood Mentawai & Surf Camp Sumatra's Terms & Conditions.
Both links can be found below;
Driftwood Mentawai: https://www.driftwoodmentawai.com/termsandconditions
Surf Camp Sumatra: http://www.surfcampsumatra.com/surf-camp-sumatra-terms.shtml
Photos
Location Map
Camp Size: Max 12 guests
Accommodation: Rooms & Bungalows
Daily Meals: Included
Daily Transport: Daily boat rides included
Located in front of surf break: Yes, E-bay
Destination: Mentawai Islands
Surfing Ability: Intermediate to advanced
Budget: 3/5
Surf School: No
Surfboard Rental: Yes - in Padang
Yoga: Yes (on prior request)
Ideal for: Budget travellers, groups, couples & families
The view from the Yoga Platform which directly overlooks E-Bay, one of the Mentawais premier left hander's
Driftwood Mentawai is located on Nyang Nyang island (aka Pulau Masokut) in the heart of the Playgrounds surf zone.
E-bay is the closest of the waves and is just steps away from the camp (about a 1 minute walk!). Its considered one of the best left hander's in Indonesia. Pitstops (a very fun right hander) is only a 5 minute walk around the next bay. A little further away is Nipussi (right), Beng bengs (left) and Bank Vaults (right) that are all reachable within 5-10 mins by boat. They're also walkable (30-50 mins each way) for those wanting ultimate flexibility. And whats more is that guests have access to all the regions 20 or so waves thanks to Driftwood's 2 speedboats that are included in each package.
Guests can choose to travel to the camp from Padang 3 days a week with trips starting & ending in Padang every Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday.
Driftwood main house, exterior/interior
Not only is the surf camp ideally located for waves, its also one of the most idyllic spots you'll ever visit (view from high above the camp)
"Couple" room
Catering up to 12 guests, Driftwood offers both private rooms as well as private bungalows - each with an ocean view.
The main building, built in traditional Mentawaian fashion using beautiful hardwoods and authentic design, is the hub of the camp and this is where the private bedrooms are located.
"Lodge" rooms
Include:
* King size bed (180 x 200 cm)
* Handcrafted XL single bed (120 x 200 cm) - couch convertible
* Luxury cotton mosquito nets
* High end comfort mattresses
* Personal fans and power sockets
* Shared bathroom
Lodge Rooms
"Couple" room
Room includes:
* King size bed (180 x 200 cm)
* Luxury cotton mosquito nets
* High end comfort mattresses
* Personal fans and power sockets
* Shared bathroom
"Couple" room
Shared bathroom
Beach Bungalow
A stones throw from the main building are Driftwoods brand new beach bungalows (2021) that have amazing ocean views of E-Bay directly out the front, as well as distant views of Good Times & Beng Bengs.
Bungalow includes:
* King size bed (180 x 200 cm)
* Handcrafted XL single bed (120 x 200 cm) - couch convertible
* Luxury cotton mosquito nets
* High end comfort mattresses
* Personal fans and power sockets
* Shared bathroom
beachside bungalow
All accommodation packages include:
- Accommodation
- 3 daily meals, snacks
- Daily boat rides to the surf
- All linens, towels, soap, and toilet paper
- Unlimited water, tea and coffee
- Free use of yoga platform, sports equipment, fishing/spearfishing equipment
- Pickup & drop off from Siberut harbour to the island (usually priced at 1.5m IDR one way!)
Note: Single guests are expected to share their room although private use can be negotiated.
Bintang O'Clock at the camp
Three healthy meals are served each day as part of the package
Guests will experience both Western & Indonesian cuisine with a focus on fresh locally caught fish & local dishes.
Vegetarian food on request
Not included in the price:
- Alcoholic beverages
- Soft drinks
- Additional snacks
Driftwood operates 2 speedboats to transport you to the surf each day. All boat rides are included in the daily package.
Each boat is equipped with surfboard racks and seating for its guests as well as a roof to shade you from the tropical sun. Guests have a huge amount of flexibility to find the waves you want. When there are less than 6 guests, typically 1 boat will be used. 6 or more guests, then 2 boats will be available for the guests. There is also a smaller boat that can shuttle guests to some of the closer waves like Beng Bengs & Good Times.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
Detailed information for all the surf breaks in this region can be found in the destination's section of the site within the Playgrounds pages.
> Playgrounds Surf Breaks
Driftwood is located in front of E-bay, one of Indonesia's premier left hander's as well as being only a 5 minute walk from Pitstops a super fun right that breaks in the adjacent bay. Guests can choose to surf these waves whenever they like (swell allowing) or if they prefer they can join the other guests and take a speedboat to surf one of the regions other 20 or so waves. The camp is located in the heart of the surf region, so there really are endless choices. Getting in and out of E-bay and Pitstops is very easy although the less experienced surfers would require reef boots to offer some protection.
Guests need to fly into Padang Airport, 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, Srwijaya, Citilink & Lion Air. We recommend https://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 are not included in the price, although the main cost of the speedboat (from Siberut, Mentawai to the camp) is included!
There are plenty of taxis available at the airport as well as in Padang. They'll approach you or simply wave them down.
- Taxis - Airport to Hotel - 1hr (150-250,000 IDR)
- Taxis - Hotel to Mentawai Fast Ferry - 10 minutes (30,000 - 100,000 IDR) - ask for the meter!
- Mentawai Fast Ferry – 3-6 hr crossing - 295,000 IDR per ticket
- Private speedboat – Maura Siberut Port (Mentawai) to surf camp – 1.5hrs - FREE for all Driftwood guests :-)
Padang Hotel (extra cost)
There are a number of very affordable hotels to choose from. We suggest staying at:
Riverside Hostel: Rp 100 000 - Rp 300 000
Kokos Hostel: Rp 180 000 - Rp 350 000
Bonsai Surf House: Rp 250 000 - Rp 450 000
Brigitte’s House: Rp 95 000 - Rp 350 000
d’Ox Ville Hotel: Rp 500 000 - Rp 800 000
Mentawai Fast Ferry
The safest, most reliable way of travelling between the mainland and the Mentawai islands. Full details: www.mentawaifast.com
From the hotel district, the ferry port is about a 10 minute taxi ride.
Travel days from Padang to Siberut are Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. We suggest Saturday to Tuesday as a standard trip. But for example, guests can also do 7 or 14 days (Tues-Tues, Sat-Sat) or 11 days (Tues-Sat).
The overall travel time is detailed below (crossing time 3-6 hrs)
You'll need to overnight on your first night in Padang (Mon, Weds or Fri) and your last night in Padang (Tues, Thurs or Sat).
PADANG TO MENTAWAI (SIBERUT)
Note: Thursday is the best day to arrive in the Mentawai!
Tuesday: FAST FERRY, departs 7am, arrives Mentawai same day around 12.30/13.00.
Thursday: FAST FERRY, departs 7am, arrives Mentawai same day around 10/10.30am
Saturday: FAST FERRY, departs 7am, arrives Mentawai same day 12.30/13.00pm
MENTAWAI (SIBERUT) TO PADANG
Tuesday: FAST FERRY departs 15.00, arrives Padang around 18.30pm
Thursday: FAST FERRY departs 13.00, arrives Padang around 18.30pm
Saturday: FAST FERRY departs 15.00, arrives Padang around 18.30pm
Note: Tuesday or Saturday is the best day to return to Padang.
Note: Mentawai harbor (in Siberut) to the camp is about a 1hr 30 min speedboat ride
Important:
All guests need to pay for each board bag on the fast ferry.
Pricing is ONLY in Indonesian Rupiah (each way) - payable on boarding the ferry
IDR 230.000 (around $17) bags between 10KG-15KG
IDR 460.000 (around $33) bags between 15KG-25KG
IDR 690.000 (around $50) bags between over 25KG
Email: [email protected] (they don’t normally answer emails)
Ferry Ticket Cost: 295 000 IDR for one way ticket. Pay with IDR cash.
*Keep your ferry ticket and surfboard ticket with you to collect your board when you get off the boat.
Booking: You can’t book the Mentawai Fast Ferry online. In our experience, it’s never full, so you’ll be fine to simply purchase a ticket on the morning of your ferry trip. If you really want to book before, you can go to the Mentawai Fast Harbour the day before your departure and pay. Their office closes at 7pm. Length of boat trip: 4 hours on Thursday, 6 hours on Tuesday & Saturday (because the boat stops at Sikabaluan on the way to Siberut). You’ll notice on the Mentawai Fast Ferry website, it says the trip is from Padang to Sikabaluan. Don’t worry about this, the ferry stops at Siberut before Sikabaluan.
Transfer Package - Padang Airport - Driftwood - Padang Airport
IDR 2.5 million (approx. USD 175 / AUD 220 per person) "each way"
Alternatively, a transfer package is available & include:
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 to Driftwood Mentawai, 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, or for those looking for a comprehensive list of all the surf camps in the Northern Mentawai, then check out our blogs below.
All guests
Dates
Person/Night
Beach Bungalow & Lodge rooms from
01 JAN 23 to 31 DEC 23
USD 214
Pricing 2023
• Shared Lodge room single occupancy (2 people max): €195 p.p.
• Mezzanine room single occupancy private: €290 p.p.
• Mezzanine room double occupancy: €195 p.p.
• Beachfront bungalows single occupancy private: €320 p.p.
• Beachfront bungalows double occupancy: €225 p.p.
• Beachfront bungalows triple occupancy: €195 p.p.
Base rates are in Euro. All other currencies are subject to price fluctuations
A 30% deposit is required to secure your booking. Initial deposit is non-refundable but transferable or exchanged with a friend to take your place on that specific date (passengers are responsible for finding their own replacements).
Balance of payment is due no later than 60 days prior to your arrival and is 100% non-refundable.
One payment per group for initial deposit & a second payment per group for the final balance (60 days prior to arrival).
Guests have 3 ways to make a payment:
1) Bank Transfer
Bank transfer is the most common form of payment. Payments can be made to our Australian, US, Euro, New Zealand or Pound Sterling accounts. On confirmation of booking we will send you the details.
2) Credit Card
Credit Card payments are accepted with a 2.9% fee.
3) PayPal
PayPal payments are available and are subject to a % surcharge from PayPal. These fees are typically around 4% (TBC).
Travel Insurance is mandatory for your safety and no guest will be able to depart on any trip unless they have copies of their travel insurance documents before departure. We advise all guests take out insurance upon booking in case of accident or personal problems prior to your trip.
By way of payment guests are agreeing to both Driftwood Mentawai & Surf Camp Sumatra's Terms & Conditions.
Both links can be found below;
Driftwood Mentawai: https://www.driftwoodmentawai.com/termsandconditions
Surf Camp Sumatra: http://www.surfcampsumatra.com/surf-camp-sumatra-terms.shtml