Macaronis Resort

The Mentawai Islands off the coast of West Sumatra offer some of the best waves to surf on the planet. Five surf resorts and one surf camp are located in the Northern region closest to Padang while Macaronis Resort is the only surf resort operational in Southern Mentawai located central to a do a dozen quality surf breaks.

Macaronis Resort is situated over picturesque Silabu salt water lagoon, just across the bay from legendary Macaronis wave. Tidal movement keeps the lagoon clean and cool to swim in, with an abundance of marine life viewable from your villa balcony, and magnificent sunsets that occure over the lagoon at the end of each day.

Macaronis wave is the Mentawais most consistent and perfect wave breaking perfectly in all tides and ridable in almost any wind conditions. It's no wonder it has previously been officially voted the 'funnest wave to surf in the world', in fact in this survey an amazing 76% of all pro surfers and industry figure heads choose Macas as the 'funnest wave they had ever surfed' (refer to Waves Mag December 2003).

And perhaps the biggest draw card now, is that Macas is one of only a few waves around where crowd capacity is properly managed under legislation released by the regional Government. As of April 20 2010, Silabu Village permits access for only 2 boats visiting daily that must book in advance using one of the two Moorings provided, sharing surfing at Macaronis with maximum 18 surfer guests staying at Macaronis Resort (also avg. 9 on each visiting boat, meaning it is essentially a 50 / 50 sharing system between visiting charter boat guests and Macaronis Resort guests).

The main benefit of staying at Macaronis Resort in comparison to a charter boat is you get more comfort, more privacy and also the resort is more suitable for any non-surfing partner companions with access to more facilities and activities.

For the surfer, the major advantage is that you have every day access to the most consistent and talked about left hander in the Mentawais; unlike being on a charter boat where you can only expect at best 2-3 days surfing at Macaronis before moving on to a new surf destination. This is why Macaronis Resort really is for those die hard surfers who aim to score Macaronis at its best at some point during their stay, with a managed number of surfers in the area, it is likely that you will score Macas perfection with only a handfull of people in the water.

Of course, the downside of staying at Macaronis Resort is that the breaks you can surf are more limited than if you were on a boat trip. But the good news is that Macaronis Resort offers surf excursions away on its speedboats. From five to forty five minutes’ speedboat ride away you’ll find Green Bush (left), Roxies (right), Thunders (left), Rednuht (right), Rags (left and right) among others. If you’ve seen any Indo surf DVDs, you’re likely to have seen a few of these waves. While there is no official surf instructor or surf board hire at Macas Resort, beginners can surf Fish Fingers (a right hand beach break that breaks only when the swell is big) while Silabu Left and Bat Cave can be tame introductory reef breaks to surf when small, but really this isn’t a learn-to-surf destination.

Your home at Macaronis Resort is a private suite elevated 9m abvove sea level with views over Silabu lagoon, the lagoon style swimming pool or Macaronis Bay. The 16 suite bedrooms each have a private ensuite bathroom, Queen sized bed plus 4 meter wide veranda with partitions offering privacy from neighbors. All suites include 32 inch flat screen TV + live footage of Macaronis wave, DVD player, work desk with Wifi internet access, wardrobe, split air-conditioner and hot water system. Specific focus has been made to ensure maximal thermal and accustic insulation (in floors, walls and ceiling); keeping rooms cool with as little energy requirement as possible, whilst also keeping exterior noise to an absolute minimum.

In the communal complex downstairs you will find the restaurant and bar, where you can eat, drink, watch international sport, surf DVDs and footage of the day’s session on the big screen, or chill out on the second floor lounge area where there is book library with wifi and kitchenette, also a fine place to relax. On the third floor 15m above sea level there is a look out over Macaronis Bay and the surrounding coastline. Only a few steps from your bedroom to check the surf.

Like a charter boat, everything you need is included in the package once you arrive in Padang (choose either a 1 or 2 week package). The first night is spent relaxing at the new Mercure Hotel in Padang, where you can recouperate in preparation for the surfing the next day; meanwhile your boards are being transferred over night on Ambu Ambu Ferry to Macaronis Resort (in the case of a large group of 13 or 14). Transfers to the Resort are aboard Surf Air's Amphibian Twin Otter seaplane, taking just 55 minutes from Padang to Silabu Island anchorage, just 10 min from Macaronis Resort.

In 2012 Macaronis Resort continues to offer 8 day / 9 night OR 15 day / 16 night surfing holiday packages.

Macaronis Resort Holiday Packages in Australian Dollars (AUD)

Please note that in addition to weekly and fortnightly accommodation packages, a transfer fee of $600 applies.

For guests that end up traveling over-night on the Ambu Ambu Ferry, a rebate of $100 per transfer leg applies (this can be credited to your bar bill).

For those flying with Surf Air, one night accommodation in Padang is required prior to your flight to Macaronis Resort the following morning at 9.30am. We recommend 4 star Pangeran Beach Hotel or 4 star Hotel Mercure which both offer twin share suite rooms for $70 a night including buffet breakfast.

Package Rates Include:

• Suite Room elevated 8m above sea level with Queen-sized bed (or optional twin share beds for surfer / non-surfer, adult and child, or two children sharing), private ensuite bathroom, work desk, complimentary wifi internet, wardrobe for clothes storage, 32 inch flat screen TV with International channels + live surf channel of Macaronis, DVD player, split air-conditioner, veranda with spectacular views, sea breezes and day bed
• A variety of delicious / healthy meals served daily by our chefs for breakfast, lunch and dinner;
• Use of lagoon style swimming pool;
• Use of resort recreational equipment including snorkeling gear, fishing equipment, sea kayaks & stand up paddle boards;
• Unlimited drinking water, variety of juices, tea & coffee making facilities, and snacks, all provided in communal kitchen / lounge area on Second floor (nearby entrance to guest bedrooms);
• Speedboat transfers to / from local surf breaks, plus fishing and snorkeling excursions;
• Twin Mooring system at Macaronis - managed by Silabu Village. This system provides regulation of visiting charter yachts with maximum 2 boats permitted to visit Macaronis Bay each day using the mooring buoys provided, sharing the break with resort guests;
• Use of Wireless Internet throughout all areas of the resort;
• Silabu Village donation Rp.20.000 per day / per guest;
• Mentawai Tourism Tariffs Rp.30.000 per day / per guest.

Packages Exclude:

• Laundry service;
• Beverages and snacks purchased over the bar;
• Satellite Telephone;
• Use of resort laptops;
• Spa services / Relaxation Massages;
• Photography / Videography service;
• Use of Scuba Diving Center – coming soon!!

Upon confirming available dates, you will then need to fill out our Booking Form, also making a non-refundable deposit of AU$600 for each week booked, while balance payment is required 60 days prior to the commencement of your booking.

Travel Info:

In year 2012 Surf Air offers far more convenience and comfort. Instead of traveling over-night from Padang on Ambu Ambu Ferry (involving a 17 hour journey), instead you can relax after arriving in Padang at the new 4 star Mercure Hotel, which offers very comfortable, brand new twin or double suite rooms, out-door decked area with swimming pool and gardens, 24 hour restaurant with room service, fitness center, spa services, lounge with free Wifi in lobby and LAN available in rooms, 24 hr business center, and inclusive buffet breakfast. The following morning we will transfer you to Minangkabau International Airport at 8:30am to board your flight with Surf Air at 10:10am, arriving at Macaronis Resort at 11:20am.

Depending on the number of passengers flying with Surf Air, some luggage and surf board bags may need to be transferred the night before on Ambu Ambu Ferry (gear will be transferred directly from the airport to the ferry upon your arrival, so please be prepared). For this reason we request that all guests bring along a separately packed 5kg of hand luggage containing just the necessities for staying 1 night in Padang, and then upon your arrival to Macaronis Resort the following morning, your packed luggage and surfboard bags will already be there waiting for you. This means that most importantly there is no restriction on the number of surfboards and luggage you can bring along, and no additional charge applies for any extra baggage.

Wednesday flight departure times from Macaronis Resort to Padang on Surf Air are at 11:50am (after a morning surf and some breakfast), arriving back in Padang at 1:00pm. Following that, you will be transferred to Mercure Hotel arriving at around 2:00pm leaving enough time to go do some shopping, then have a final night in Padang (enjoy the famous Padang Food) with inclusive buffet breakfast the following morning.

After breakfast the next morning, any extra baggage (sent over-night via Ambu Ambu Ferry) will be delivered to Mercure Hotel arriving at 8:00am for collection, after which you will be transferred to Padang's Minangkabau International Airport for your flight departure at 10:00am or later.

Padang Arrival / Departure Times:

Please note that the latest arrival time to Padang allowed on Tuesday trip start date is 3.10pm (to ensure any excess baggage and surf board bags can be delivered in time for ferry departures on Tuesdays - upon arriving in Padang at 3.10pm you will then be transferred to Mercure Hotel arriving at approximately 5.00pm), and the earliest flight out of Padang on Thursday trip completion date is at 10:00am or later (to ensure excess baggage can be delivered by 8:00am to Mercure Hotel for collection on Thursday mornings prior to guests departure to the airport).

** The arrival / departure flight itinerary we most highly recommend (also most convenient for our logistics department), is flying in from Kuala Lumpur to Padang arriving at 15.10 with Air Asia flight number AK 474 on Tuesday trip start date, and departing Padang to Kuala Lumpur at 15.35 with Air Asia flight number AK 475 on Thursday trip ending date. Air Asia (www.airasia.com) also offers a variety of flight routes to major cities of Australia, Europe and all over Asia. Malaysia Air (www.malaysiaairlines.com) also offers a range of alternative options, including flight routes to South Africa.

Surf Air Transfers / Seating Capacity:

Surf Air flights from Padang to Macaronis Resort allows seats for 13 - 14 passengers with 5kg of hand luggage each (please note the 14th passenger remains tentative, depending on actual capability of the aircraft, to be confirmed prior to March 14).

If there are more than 14 guests booked on any particular transfer leg, then at the time of booking additional guests will be offered an alternative over-night transfer aboard the Ambu Ambu Ferry.

Having successfully relied on the Ambu Ambu Ferry as our primary means of transport over the past 4 years, we are confident in continuing using this service for transfer of all resort supplies, extra baggage and surf board bags, while also offering a means of back up transport for our guests (air-conditioned private cabins are available).

The new Twin Otter Amphibian Seaplane operated by PT. Surf Air; servicing Macaronis Resort from Wednesday March 14, year 2012. All flights to / from Macaronis Resort will be on Wednesdays at 10.10am, as per our service agreement with Surf Air.

Book Your Next Trip with Surf Express!

Email Us for More Information or to Book a Trip Call:

• CALL US: 866.390.3032
• EAST COAST: 321.779.2124
• WEST COAST: 619.537.9289
• EMAIL: info@surfex.com