
Mentawai Luxury Surf Resort
The ultimate destination for surfers and eco-conscious travelers alike
Founded in 2007 by the original founders of Kandui Resort, we understand the importance of providing a suitable holiday destination experience where guests can feel confident bringing their families along.
Our partnership of Americans and Indonesians with decades of experience in surf resorts and exploration ensures that every aspect of your stay with us will be nothing short of exceptional.

Frequently asked questions
Why are the Mentawai Islands considered one of the best surfing destinations in the world?
The Mentawai Islands are famous for their consistent Indian Ocean swells, warm tropical waters, and exceptional variety of reef breaks. The Playgrounds region alone features dozens of world-class lefts and rights, allowing surfers to find excellent waves across different swell directions, tides, and wind conditions. This consistency attracts surfers from around the world seeking high-quality waves throughout the main surf season.
What is the Playgrounds region in the Mentawai Islands?
The Playgrounds is a world-renowned surfing area in the northern Mentawai Islands that contains one of the highest concentrations of quality surf breaks anywhere in the world. Kandui Villas is located in the center of this region, giving guests quick access to legendary waves such as Kandui Left, Rifles, Bank Vaults, Hideaways, Beng Beng, Pistols, and many more within minutes by boat.
Does Kandui Villas have a tsunami preparedness plan?
Yes. Kandui Villas has a comprehensive tsunami preparedness plan that includes trained staff, earthquake monitoring, emergency procedures, and a designated evacuation route leading to a safe refuge on elevated ground in the center of the island.
How are guests notified during an emergency?
Staff continuously monitor earthquake alerts and emergency information. If an evacuation is required, resort staff immediately guide guests to the designated assembly area and then safely escort everyone to the elevated evacuation point.
Does Kandui Villas provide nanny services?
Yes. Kandui Villas offers nanny services for families traveling with young children. This allows parents to enjoy surfing, spa treatments, or other resort activities while knowing their children are being cared for in a safe and welcoming environment.
Can parents surf while their children are supervised?
Yes. Many families use the nanny service so parents can enjoy surf sessions while their children participate in age-appropriate activities under professional supervision. This flexibility makes Kandui Villas an excellent destination for surfing families.
Is Kandui Villas suitable for family holidays?
Yes. Spacious accommodations, a children's swimming pool, nanny services, non-surfing activities, and family-friendly dining make the resort well suited to guests traveling with children.
What can you do besides surfing at Kandui Villas?
Although Kandui Villas is known for world-class surfing, guests can also enjoy snorkeling, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, beach volleyball, hiking, fishing, sunset viewing, relaxing by the pool, yoga, spa treatments, and cultural experiences. This variety makes the resort enjoyable for surfers and non-surfers alike.
Can guests snorkel during their stay?
Yes. The crystal-clear waters surrounding the resort offer excellent snorkeling opportunities where guests can observe colorful coral reefs and tropical marine life without traveling far from the island.
Are there activities for families?
Yes. Families can enjoy the swimming pool, snorkeling, kayaking, beach games, island walks, cultural experiences, and children's activities. Combined with optional nanny services, Kandui Villas is designed to accommodate guests of all ages.
Does Kandui Villas offer massage services?
Yes. Kandui Villas offers traditional Indonesian therapeutic massage designed to help guests relax after travel, surfing, or other activities. Treatments are performed in a peaceful tropical setting that encourages both physical recovery and mental relaxation.
Is massage beneficial after surfing?
Many surfers schedule massages after multiple days in the water because massage can help reduce muscle tension, improve circulation, and promote recovery. It is a popular way to relax after surfing powerful Mentawai reef breaks or spending long hours paddling.
Does Kandui Villas offer professional surf photography?
Yes. Kandui Villas offers professional photography and videography services throughout your stay. Experienced photographers capture high-resolution images from land, boats, in the water, and even aerial perspectives so guests can preserve every memorable surf session and island experience.
What types of surf photography are available?
Photography options include shoreline photography, boat photography, water photography, lifestyle images around the resort, and aerial footage when conditions permit. This variety allows guests to document both their surfing performance and their overall Mentawai holiday experience.
Can non-surfers book photography sessions?
Absolutely. The photography team can also capture family vacations, couples, resort activities, tropical landscapes, sunsets, and special occasions. Guests who simply want professional vacation photos can arrange sessions during their stay.
How do guests reach the surf breaks?
Kandui Villas operates multiple speedboats, longboats, and dinghies that transport guests to nearby surf breaks throughout the Playgrounds region. Depending on the destination, many waves are only five to thirty minutes from the resort.
Are boat transfers included with surfing packages?
Yes. Surf packages include unlimited boat access to nearby surf breaks, allowing guests to choose the best waves throughout the day without additional transportation fees.
How many boats does Kandui Villas operate?
The resort operates a fleet that includes several longboats, speedboats, and dinghies designed to reach both nearby and more distant surf breaks efficiently. This flexibility allows surfers to adapt to changing wind and swell conditions.
Why does Kandui Villas have an organic greenhouse?
The greenhouse supplies fresh vegetables and salads directly to the restaurant, allowing Kandui Villas to serve nutritious farm-to-table meals while reducing the need to transport produce from the mainland. This supports both sustainability and food quality.
What fruits and vegetables are grown on the island?
The resort grows a wide variety of produce, including lettuce, herbs, mangoes, bananas, lychees, rambutan, avocados, oranges, cacao, coconuts, mangosteens, and many other tropical fruits. The property also maintains a large organic orchard established more than a decade ago.
Can I rent surfboards at Kandui Villas?
Yes. Kandui Villas maintains an extensive rental quiver that includes high-performance shortboards, Firewire surfboards, longboards, stand-up paddleboards, and kayaks. This allows guests to travel with fewer boards while still having access to equipment suited to different wave conditions.
What types of surfboards are available?
The rental quiver includes approximately 15 Resin 8 performance surfboards, three Firewire boards, several PU boards, two longboards, nine stand-up paddleboards, and two kayaks. This wide selection accommodates beginners through advanced surfers.
Should I bring my own surfboards to the Mentawai Islands?
Many experienced surfers bring two to four boards, but it is not essential. Kandui Villas offers quality rental boards for guests who prefer to avoid transporting multiple surfboards internationally.
Can beginners learn to surf at Kandui Villas?
Yes. Kandui Villas offers professional surf instruction for beginners in several gentle waves near the resort, including Kya's, Kanna's, Inside 4 Bobs, and Baby Kandui. These locations provide safer conditions for learning fundamental surfing skills before progressing to more advanced waves.
What happens during a surf lesson?
A standard lesson lasts about two hours. It begins with approximately 30 to 45 minutes of beach instruction covering safety, paddling, pop-ups, and wave selection before students spend over an hour practicing in the water with an instructor. This format gives beginners time to apply what they have learned immediately.
Do surf lessons include equipment?
Yes. Surfboard rental is included during the lesson. Kandui Villas provides soft-top beginner surfboards that offer additional stability and safety while learning the basics of surfing.
Does Kandui Villas have a gym?
Yes. Kandui Villas features a fully air-conditioned gym equipped with modern fitness equipment so guests can maintain their workout routine during their stay. Many surfers use the gym to strengthen supporting muscle groups, improve flexibility, and stay conditioned between surf sessions in the Mentawai Islands.
Is yoga available at Kandui Villas?
Yes. Yoga sessions are available when instructors are on-site and can be arranged for an additional fee. Yoga is popular among surfers because it improves flexibility, balance, mobility, and recovery after long days in the water.
Why do surfers practice yoga?
Yoga helps surfers improve flexibility, balance, breathing, and core strength. Regular practice can also reduce muscle tightness after surfing while helping prevent injuries. Many guests combine surfing with yoga to recover faster and improve overall performance during their Mentawai surf holiday.
Does Kandui Villas have a bar?
Yes. Kandui Villas features a spacious indoor-outdoor bar located beside the swimming pool and game room. It serves as one of the resort's main gathering places where guests can relax after surfing while enjoying views of the surrounding tropical landscape.
What drinks are served at the resort bar?
The bar offers beers, wines, spirits, cocktails, champagne, smoothies, and a variety of refreshing beverages. Whether guests prefer a cold drink after surfing or a cocktail while watching the sunset, the bar provides options for many different tastes.
Is the bar only for surfers?
No. The bar welcomes all resort guests, including families, couples, and non-surfers. Its comfortable seating and relaxed atmosphere make it a popular place to unwind, socialize, or simply enjoy the beautiful surroundings of the Mentawai Islands.
What games are available at Kandui Villas?
The game room includes a billiards table and table tennis, providing entertainment for guests of all ages. Located beside the swimming pool and bar, it is a popular place to relax, compete with friends, or socialize after a day in the water.
What can guests do after surfing?
After surfing, guests often spend time in the game room, relax by the swimming pool, enjoy a massage, visit the bar, or dine at the restaurant. These facilities create a balanced resort experience that extends well beyond surfing.
Is the game room suitable for families?
Yes. The game room is designed for guests of all ages, making it a great place for families, couples, and groups to spend time together in a comfortable indoor environment.
Does Kandui Villas have a swimming pool?
Yes. Kandui Villas features a large 25-by-18-meter infinity-edge swimming pool, making it one of the few resorts in the Mentawai Islands to offer this type of facility. The pool includes wrap-around seating, a children's area, and a spacious deck connecting the restaurant, bar, and game room.
Is the swimming pool saltwater or chlorine?
The pool uses a modern saltwater chlorination system that creates a mild form of chlorine through electrolysis. This produces water that is gentle on the skin and eyes while remaining clean and refreshing, making it ideal after a long day of surfing or exploring the island.
What is a Mentawai Uma?
A Mentawai Uma is a traditional longhouse inspired by the indigenous architecture of the Mentawai Islands. At Kandui Villas, these luxury Umas combine authentic local design with modern comforts such as air conditioning, private bathrooms, high-speed WiFi, and spacious interiors. Each Uma is individually hand-carved with unique jungle or animal themes while using sustainably sourced local hardwoods.
What amenities are included in the luxury Umas?
Each luxury Uma includes comfortable beds, air conditioning, hot showers, WiFi, housekeeping, and modern conveniences designed for a relaxing stay after a day in the surf. The accommodations are spacious enough for couples, families, and groups while preserving the traditional character of Mentawai architecture.
Are the Umas air conditioned?
Yes. Every luxury Uma is equipped with air conditioning to keep guests comfortable in the tropical climate of the Mentawai Islands. Combined with natural ventilation and spacious layouts, the accommodations provide a cool and restful environment throughout your stay.
What food is served at Kandui Villas?
The restaurant serves a wide variety of international and Indonesian cuisine, including Italian, Japanese, Mexican, Thai, Chinese, American, and local specialties. Fresh seafood, organic vegetables, tropical fruit, and nutritious meals are prepared daily to support active guests exploring the Mentawai Islands.
Are meals included with your stay?
Yes. Accommodation packages generally include three daily meals along with coffee, tea, fruit, and snacks available throughout the day. This allows guests to focus on enjoying their surf holiday without worrying about meal planning.
What facilities are available at Kandui Villas?
Guests enjoy luxury villas, an infinity pool, restaurant, game room, bar, gym, yoga space, greenhouse, fruit orchard, surf boats, photography services, and high-speed WiFi.
Does Kandui Villas have WiFi?
Yes. High-speed internet is available throughout the resort, including guest accommodations.
Why is Kandui Villas considered an eco-friendly resort?
The resort uses sustainably sourced hardwoods, grows organic produce on-site, supports local employment, and participates in clean water initiatives throughout the Mentawai Islands.
How does Kandui Villas support the local Mentawai community?
The resort employs local residents, works with local craftsmen, purchases regional products where possible, and supports the Waves4Water clean drinking water project.
What should I expect from an eco-luxury resort?
Guests can enjoy premium accommodations while minimizing environmental impact through sustainable construction, locally sourced food, responsible tourism practices, and community engagement.
What makes Kandui Villas different from other Mentawai surf resorts?
Kandui Villas combines luxury accommodations, unlimited boat access to nearby surf breaks, farm-to-table dining, family-friendly facilities, and eco-conscious operations in one resort. It was founded by the original founders of Kandui Resort and is designed for surfers, couples, families, and non-surfing guests alike.
Is Kandui Villas suitable for non-surfers?
Yes. Guests who do not surf can enjoy the swimming pool, spa treatments, yoga, tropical island scenery, organic dining, fishing, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and relaxing in luxury beachfront accommodations.
When is the best time to visit the Mentawai Islands?
The Mentawai Islands are an incredible destination year-round, with warm tropical weather and consistent surf in every season. One of the biggest advantages of staying at Kandui Villas is the incredible variety of nearby waves, which means there are quality surf breaks for beginners, intermediate, and advanced surfers throughout the year. Even when larger swells arrive, there are still plenty of sheltered and more forgiving waves that provide fun, manageable conditions for less experienced surfers.