Where Can I Book a Surf Retreat in Mentawai?
You can book a Mentawai surf retreat directly with Kandui Villas, a luxury surf resort in the Playgrounds region of Indonesia’s Mentawai Islands. Submit the online booking form, email info@kanduivillas.com, or contact the reservations team through WhatsApp. Standard retreats follow fixed 10-night or 11-night schedules, with selected 14-night packages offered in December.
Kandui Villas combines private Uma accommodation, three daily meals and unlimited boat access to more than 30 waves around the Playgrounds region. Packages are available for solo surfers, couples, groups and families.
How Booking a Mentawai Surf Retreat Works
Booking follows five clear steps:
Send a reservation inquiry. Use the online reservation form, email info@kanduivillas.com, or contact the booking team through WhatsApp. Include your preferred dates, number of surfers and non-surfers, children’s ages and any special requests.
Select an available package. Choose a fixed 10-night or 11-night departure from the current schedule and rate calendar. Fourteen-night departures are sometimes available in December. Shorter or off-schedule trips may be possible, but additional transport charges can apply.
Pay the deposit. A 30% non-refundable deposit confirms the reservation and secures the Uma. The remaining balance is due 90 days before check-in and becomes non-refundable within that period.
Choose a payment method. Kandui Villas accepts wire transfers with a US$50 handling fee, card payments with a 4% processing fee, PayPal with a 5.5% fee, or USDC and USDT through the Ethereum network. Full details appear in the resort’s booking terms.
Arrange travel to Padang. Guests book flights to Minangkabau International Airport in Padang, airport code PDG. A Kandui Villas representative meets guests at the airport and coordinates the included land transfer to a Padang hotel. The hotel stay and main boat transfer to the resort are billed separately.
Proof of travel insurance is mandatory before departing Padang for the Mentawais. Kandui Villas also requires passports to have at least eight months of validity when entering Indonesia.
Trip Length and Package Options
Kandui Villas operates around fixed departure dates because guests must coordinate with boat transfers between Padang and the resort.
Trip length | Availability | Package inclusions |
7 nights | Not a standard package. A shorter off-schedule stay may be requested, but guests may need to pay for the 10-night or 11-night block if their dates overlap. Higher transport costs may apply. | Inclusions depend on the approved booking arrangement. |
10 nights | Standard fixed-date package | Uma accommodation, three meals daily, snacks, Wi-Fi, unlimited surf boats, Padang land transfers and surfer tax |
11 nights | Standard fixed-date package | The same core inclusions as the 10-night package, with one additional resort night |
14 nights | Offered on selected dates, mainly in December | The same core resort inclusions for the full extended stay |
For 2026, a single-surfer package is listed at US$5,000 for 10 nights and US$5,500 for 11 nights before the stated 11% government tax and 10% service charge. Rates vary for couples, non-surfers, families and groups, so check the current schedule before booking.
Travelling From Padang to Kandui Villas
Most international guests fly into Padang and stay overnight because resort transport leaves early the following morning. Kandui Villas arranges the airport-to-hotel and hotel-to-port land transfers, but guests pay separately for the Padang hotel.
A privately chartered speedboat takes approximately three hours from Padang harbour directly to Kandui Villas. The Mentawai Fast Ferry takes about three and a half hours to the islands. Off-schedule ferry travel may require an additional speedboat or canoe transfer of approximately 1.5 hours from Siberut or Sipora.
The routing is reversed on departure. Bar tabs, spa treatments, souvenirs and other resort extras are generally settled after returning to Padang. Review the resort’s Padang travel guide before booking flights.
When Is the Best Time to Book?
March through October is the main swell season, with April through October forming the core peak period. Long-period Indian Ocean swells can produce powerful surf at Kandui Left, Rifles, Bank Vaults and Hideaways. These months are best suited to experienced surfers who want a greater chance of heavier reef waves.
November through February generally brings smaller, more manageable surf and lighter crowds. These months can suit intermediate surfers, families and guests who prefer less intense conditions. Conditions still vary, and no booking can guarantee a particular wave size.
For a peak-season trip, booking 6 to 12 months ahead is a practical target, especially for families or groups needing several Umas. Kandui Villas has only 12 Umas and operates on fixed transfers, so preferred dates can be limited. Always check live availability before purchasing flights.
What Is Included and What Costs Extra?
Standard packages include an air-conditioned Mentawai-style Uma with private beach access and Starlink Wi-Fi. Guests receive three meals daily, along with fruit, coffee, tea and snacks available around the clock at the restaurant.
Surfers receive unlimited boat access to more than 30 nearby breaks using three speedboats and four dinghies. Soft drinks, juice and snacks aboard the surf boats are included, and lunch can be delivered to surfers during extended sessions. The 2,000,000 IDR Mentawai surfer tax and round-trip airport, hotel and port land transfers in Padang are also included.
International and domestic flights, the Padang hotel and the main Padang-to-Kandui boat transfer are separate. Alcohol, cocktails, smoothies, bar soft drinks, gift shop purchases and massages also cost extra.
A rental quiver is available, with current board availability and fees confirmed through the resort. A two-hour surf lesson is listed at US$250 per person and includes a board for the lesson. Spa treatments, photography, video packages and instructor-led yoga are optional.
Families can request a nanny for US$120 per child per day. The service must be arranged with enough notice and is charged for each day of the stay.
Who Is a Kandui Villas Retreat For?
A Mentawai surf retreat at Kandui Villas suits advanced surfers chasing reef barrels, but it is not limited to experts. Boat access allows guides to select waves according to the daily wind, swell and each guest’s ability. Beginners can request surf instruction, while intermediate surfers can target more forgiving breaks.
Solo surfers can book a single package, while couples can choose surfer and non-surfer combinations. Group packages accommodate three or four surfers in one Uma. Families have access to child rates, a swimming pool, non-surfing activities and optional nanny care.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far ahead should I book a Mentawai surf retreat?
Aim for 6 to 12 months ahead for peak-season dates, large groups or family trips. Closer bookings may be possible when space remains, but the final balance is due 90 days before check-in.
Are flights and boat transfers booked separately?
Flights to Padang, the arrival-night hotel and the main boat transfer between Padang and Kandui are not included in the resort package. Airport, hotel and ferry-port land transfers within Padang are included. The reservations team can assist with travel planning.
What is the minimum stay?
Standard packages are 10 or 11 nights. Shorter stays may be approved on request, but guests may still need to pay for the full scheduled block if their dates overlap.
Book Your Mentawai Surf Retreat
View the current dates and submit an inquiry through the Kandui Villas reservation page. Include your preferred schedule, group size, number of surfers and any needs such as coaching, board rental or nanny service so the team can confirm the correct package.
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