Matungou Surf Camp

Camp Size: Min 5 Max 6
Accommodation: 2 x private fan bungalows
Daily Meals: Included
Daily Transport: Daily boat rides included
Located in front of surf break: No
Destination: Mentawai Islands
Surfing Ability: Intermediate to advanced
Budget: 3/5
Surf School: No
Surfboard Rental: No
Yoga: No Classes
Ideal for: Small groups

Matungou Surf Camp is situated on Siberut Island, in the heart of the famed “Playgrounds” region in the northern region of the Mentawai Islands. The camp offers a welcome home for those wishing to experience the iconic waves of Kandui, Rifles & Bank Vaults, to name but a few. There are half a dozen waves accessible within 10 minutes of the camp. A further 15 are found 15-30 minutes away.

Matungou is managed by Adriano, a warm, friendly & well respected local with a smile as big as they come! Guests are guaranteed a welcoming atmosphere, great food and of course perfect waves. The camp is a seamlessly family run business that’s remotely managed with the help of Oli, a young doctor from England.

Visitors are able to travel to the resort from Padang 3 days a week with trips starting & ending in Padang every Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday.

The camp is perfect for small groups (of 5-6 surfers) looking for an affordable option in the otherwise expensive Mentawai region.

Total 5-6 guests:

2 x bungalows - with private bathroom (sleeps up to 3 guests in each)

Matungou is built in traditional “Uma” style of the Mentawais but with a twist of 1st world comfort. The main house serves as the main social area with plenty of room to kick back and relax as well as enjoying your daily meals. 

In 2016, the camp built 2 fantastic private bungalows. Each comes with a large double bed, single bunk bed as well as a private bathroom & shower. The most enjoyable aspect is the full glass 3 hinged doors that allow guests to open up and enjoy the sea breeze. Located just a few short steps from the beach, each balcony has its own seating area, providing the perfect relaxation after a hard days surfing.

Matungou is certainly not the Ritz Hotel, but its more than comfortable by Mentawai standards. Its aimed at the budget conscious traveler looking for a comfortable stay at an affordable rate. 

Inclusions:

- Private speed boat 
- Beach front bungalows
- Large fans to keep you cool
- Western style bathrooms
- Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
- Drinking Water, Tea, Coffee
- Sunset views

Available but not included: 

- Soft drinks - coke/sprite/pocari
- Bintang
- Laundry facilities
- Direct Speedboat Transfer from Padang to Matungou
- Wifi - $10 USD per hour, Maximum $30 per trip per person

3 large and healthy meals are served each day in the main house. The food is always plentiful and always extremely tasty. 

Matungou only serve fresh local produce. No burgers or fries here! Instead, they serve an Indonesian menu of fish, chicken and vegetable curries of varying spice. They often buy our fish from the beach in the morning. If you’re up early then you can choose your fish for dinner!

Breakfast

A flexible setup served whenever you wish.

- Pancakes, Donuts, Toast etc
- Tea & Coffee

Lunch

Served whenever you get back from your first surf of the day – you tend to be starving so it’s ready and waiting!

Matungou serve a selection of dishes with a main chicken, fish or shrimp dish along with vegetables, rice and chilli sauces.

Dinner

Served after you get back from your afternoon surf but usually with less of an urgency as lunch – dinner is served when people are showered and ready to sit down.

Again, similar to lunchtime there will be a couple of main dishes with meat and fish served with rice, tempura prawns and vegetables.

Not included in the price:

- Alcoholic beverages
- Soft drinks
- Additional snacks

Guests at Matungou will have the use of a private speed boat each day (max 5-6 guests / boat) complete with boat captain. You’ll have the chance to surf from dawn to dusk.

For the standard price (USD 110 pp / day) - this includes 1 trip to the furthest waves in the region (4 bobs, a-frames, rifles etc) - or 2 trips to the closer waves (E-bay, Bank Vaults, Pitstops etc). This still means you will surf ALL DAY. But it just means you have to be a little conscious with planning your daily surf sessions. Why? Well with any budget camp - fuel consumption is a large consideration and has to be managed. Of course there is an element of flexibility with this and you can still surf where you like but if you choose to burn more fuel (2 long trips in a day) then you'll just need to pay the fuel.

One of the great things about Matungou is that you'll never have to share a boat with a large group of surfers and so it's absolutely ideal for small groups looking to surf exactly where they want to - away from the crowds.

The camp is located in prime position to the world famous region of Playgrounds and its neighbouring waves. There are around 20 different waves accessible within 5 to 30 minutes boat drive providing something for everyone. Closest to home are a number of lefts; Beng Bengs (5 mins), Good Times (5 mins), Dogs Reef (10 mins) & Ebay (10 mins). For those after right hander’s there’s Pitstops (10 mins) and Shadow Right (10 mins). In 15 minutes you can access waves like Nipussi and Bank Vaults (both rights) as well as Hideaways (Left). 20 minutes and you’ve reached Kandui (left), Karangbat Left, Four Bobs (right), A-Frames (left and right) & Burger World (right). In 25 mins you’re at Rifles (right), 30 mins you’re at Pistols (right).

There’s another half dozen other secret spots too. There really is nowhere quite like this region. 

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

Playgrounds Surf Breaks

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.

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 http://www.traveloka.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/

US$ 95 per person, each way (details below)

All guests will need to spend their first night and last night in Padang due to the Mentawai Fast Ferry schedule between Padang and the Mentawai Islands. Taxis from Padang airport to the main hotel district takes around 1 hour and about 5-10 mins to the fast ferry port.

Padang Hotel (extra cost)

There are a number of very affordable hotels to choose from. Even the best hotels (below) are only around $60 for 2 guests including breakfast.

We suggest staying at either of the following options:

Mercure - www.mercurepadang.com or HW Hotel - www.hwhotelpadang.com

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 3-6hrs)

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

Transfer Summary

Taxis - Airport to Hotel - 1hr
Padang Hotel – approx $20-$60 (not included)
Taxis - Hotel to Mentawai Fast Ferry - 10 minutes
Mentawai Fast Ferry; 3-6hr crossing
Private Speedboat - Siberut port (Mentawai) to surf camp – 1.5hrs

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

Before booking a trip to Matungou Surf Camp, 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.