BINTANG

The Mentawai Islands lie roughly 140 km off of the west coast of Sumatra in Indonesia. They consist of 4 main islandswith many smaller islands scattered throughout. From north to south, the main islands are Siberut, Sipora, North Pagiand South Pagi. These islands block most swells from reaching the mainland on Sumatra, but they offer some of the most perfect surf in the world. Access to the islands is by sea only with regular ferries to the main trading ports, but by far the best way to access the surf is by charter boat.

You'll be met at the airport by a member of the Bintang crew, with transportation provided either to a local hotel, (2 - 4 star), for you to unwind overnight, or alternatively, directly to the boat at Bungus Harbour which is 40 minutes from Padang.

The boat normally departs the harbour between 1pm and 3pm and will have you surfing early the next morning.

  Once onboard the Captain of the ship, Daryl or Ashton Robinson is responsible for all decision making. 

Bintang comfortably sleeps 10 guests in air-conditioned comfort.

 The 25 x 20ft saloon has a state of the art entertainment centre which includes TV, VCR, with digital and video play backs of days surfing. We also have a DVD / CD stereo surround sound system.

On deck is spacious with a seating area for 12. You will find it perfect for those breezy tropical nights sampling the local cuisine and freshly caught seafood after a hard days surfing.

  

Bintang has a Western chef aboard who cooks up 3 huge meals per day. Enjoy a fusion of  Western and Eastern cuisines which are a blend of seafood, meats and chicken. Included, as well are all snacks (chips, dip, fruit, and chocolate). All meals are guaranteed to keep your energy levels up!

Special meal requests can be catered for - just advise us prior to departure.

Soft drinks, water, juice, coffee and tea are at your disposal and the crew will always ensure that there is a cold Bintang available! (Alcohol is not included but can be purchased in Padang prior to departure).

THE PRICE

2012 Season

$30,000 Exclusive Full Charter - 10 pax or less

Additional 11th and 12th guests pays US $270 per person per night

Single Bookings - US $3,300 per person non-exclusive

Charter inclusions:

• Return Padang airport transfers
• 11 nights onboard Bintang
• Bottled water, hot drinks, sodas
• 3 hearty meals a day
• Use of Bintang onboard equipment and facilities: skin diving, fishing rods & reels
• TV, VCR and a VCD home entertainment center 

Additional Extra's ...

Mentawai Surf Tax - paid locally prior to boarding the vessel @ $3USD per surfer per day  (11 night charter = $33USD per person)

Videographer & photographer available, CD's of the trip are an additional cost of US $200 per person

US $1000 for 30 ft speedboat capable of 30-40 knots to be divided by those traveling

*The crews that are employed on our surf charter vessels work extremely hard to provide good customer service. Getting you into the best waves, cooking up great meals and keeping you entertained isn't an easy job.  Whilst tipping in Indonesia is not expected or obligatory, it is certainly appreciated. The general rule of thumb is to present the captain or host with any gratuity tips at the end of the charter, with all monies being divided up equally amongst the crews.*

THE SURF

We've listed the main breaks from North to South with many other spots available.
 

Burgerworld - This is a mushy pointbreak - like righthander. Can offer barrels at times, but usually long rippable walls with many cutback sections.
E-Bay - This is a hollow left that barrels off the take-off with a short wall down the line. A great option when a lot of swell is hitting.
Pit Stops - This is the right off the peak at E-Bay Usually a playful right that can offer some cover-ups off the take-off, but mostly a high performance waves with air sections at the end. Ends in a sandy channel.
Bank Vaults - A heavy righthander that barrels and spits. Usually larger than most spots in the area. Watch out for clean-up sets.
Nipussi - A shorter right that breaks down the point from Bank Vaults. Definitely fun and rippable. Usually has fairly deep water from the takeoff to the inside. Ends in a riptide that sucks all the water back out to sea. A good option when there’s not much swell, and usually the most consistent spot in the area.
Hideaways - A very hollow left that can be shalow at times. It comes out of deep water, then unloads on a shallow section of reef before barreling towards the channel. Can get very shallow at low tides.
No Kanduis - A long barrelling left that wraps around a small island. Usually very sectiony, but can line up on the largest of swells. Many barrels on offer, but usually only makeable for one or two sections before clsing out and racing down the line.
Four Bobs - This is a small peak for when there is heaps of swell, or guys looking for a mellower option. Mainly a right with a short barrell off the takeoff, but quickly dies off into the channel. There’s an even shorter left, but usualy not worth the effort. 
Rifles - One of the best waves in the Mentawais. A very long righthander that wraps around the other side of the same island as No Kanduis. Rarely makeable from start to finish, but even just from section to section you can get rides up to 100 yards or longer. Nice and hollow once it’s a few feet overhead, but usually more sectiony at smaller sizes.
Icelands - Another consistent lefthander for when the swell is smaller. Usually always has some riddable surf, even when other breaks are flat.
Telescopes - A perfect wrapping left reef. Long walls wrap around the reef with very few sections on larger days. Mostly breaks in pretty deep water, but it can get heavy and shallow on the inside on the bigger days.
Scarecrows - Breaks off of an island just south of Telescopes. Good lefts but a bit more less predictable and shifty. It’s a short, wedgy wave that works best on a dropping high tide.
Bintangs - A short and hollow right across the channel from Lance’s Left. As the wave approaches the reef, the bottom drops out before barreling towards the channel. 
Lance’s Left - Long left walls wrap down the point before hitting the last section, which is the main take-off area. Great hollow section after the take-off. A bigger gun helps on the larger days. 
Hollow Trees (HT’s, Lance’s Right) - A great righthander that has been all over the surf mags and videos over the last decade. The main takeoff spot is up the point where most of the waves start barrelling and peel flawlessly down the reef. On larger swells it can be very shifty and hard to read. It can shift more to the end bowl where it can break, reform, then bowl again into the channel. The inside is very shallow and is often referred to as the “surgeon’s table” due to the many reef-cuts doled out to traveling surfers.
Macaronis - One of the most perfect waves in the world. A very hollow wave with many shallow spots. Lefts start from way up the point, then gradually slow down as it approaches the channel. The further up the point you paddle, the faster it barrels when you take-off. After the initial barrel ride, this wave offers one of the most rippable walls for any maneuvers you can think of.
Rags Left - A great lefthander that can hold the biggest swells. It is very hollow and can often dish out some of the heaviest hold-downs in the island chain. Usually a bit more water moving around so a larger board can be useful. 
Rags Right - A shorter, hollow right on the southern end of Rags Island. Similar to HT’s only a little shorter, but just as good. It can be fickle, but it’s one of the best rights in the islands.
Thunders - Another large left that picks up and can hold the biggest swells. It’s a top to bottom wave on the outside, that gets a bit mellower on the inside section. Another wave that usually has a lot of water moving, so a bigger board can come in handy. 
The Hole - Another very hollow left off a small island in the southern end of the Mentawais. Starts barrelling off the takeoff, but never really stops until a closeout section at the end of the reef. Definitely not a place to strighten out at. 

2012 Availability

 STUFF TO BRING

TERMS & CONDITIONS 

Boat Cost - Standard Charter:
$30,000 USD for a 11 night trip 
Longer or special destination trips are priced on the schedule accordingly
12 passengers maximum
Cost Includes:
Transfers to and from Padang Airport to the Bintang
All food and beverages (non-alcoholic)
Direct delivery to world-class surf spots via skiff 
Additional activities, such as fishing, free diving, snorkeling
Cost Does Not Include:
Airfares and stopover accommodation.
Any additional travel costs required for late arrival or early departure.
Arrival and departure taxes
Use of the satellite phone
Deposits
Trips are booked on a first-come, first-served basis and early reservation is suggested to get your preferred dates
A deposit of $10,000 USD is required to reserve a charter. 
Deposits are non-refundable but transferable (passengers are responsible for finding their own replacements)
Final Payment
Final payment is due 120 days prior to departure.
Final payments are non-refundable.

Please contact us for details.

The above policies are non-negotiable.  We strongly advise protecting yourself with traveler’s insurance.  Below is a link to a provider we highly recommend.

TRAVEL INSURANCE POLICIES