1) Getting to Padang

All Mentawai adventures begin in the city of Padang with a wide range of airlines and schedules to choose from.

Padang can be reached conveniently from the following transit cities: Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia (1 or 2 flights a day with www.airasia.com) and Jakarta (daily flights with www.sriwijayaair.co.id, www.garuda-indonesia.com, www.lionair.co.id, www.batavia-air.co.id, www.mandalaair.com).

International airline suggestions from your home country:

• EVA AIRWAYS: www.evaair.com/html/b2c/english/
• 
CHINA AIRLINES: www.china-airlines.com/en/index.htm
• MALAYSIA AIRLINES: www.malaysiaairlines.com
• QANTAS: www.qantas.com.au
• SINGAPORE AIRLINES: www.singaporeair.com
• GARUDA AIRLINES: www.garuda-indonesia.com
• UNITED EMIRATES: www.emirates.com

VISA on arrival: a 30 day tourist VISA will need to be purchased at your first port of landing in Indonesia. The cost is US$25, and we suggest travelers have this prepared before arriving in Indonesia, a good tip is to keep this money with your passport to avoid any delays.

2) From Padang to the resort

Padang Airport

Upon arrival at Padang’s Minangkabau International Airport, you will be greeted by one of our staff members with pre-arranged transport to the harbour or hotel depending on your schedule. From this point we can help with any pre-departure needs, like accessing money, where to eat or simply explore this unique and colourful city for a genuine Indonesian experience.

Plane service between Padang – Resort

In 2012 our guests are lucky enough to have access to a light plane service. The 45 minute flight is by far the quickest and most comfortable means of transport available. From the Mentawai airstrip it’s a one to one and a half hour boat ride to the resort Return tickets without surfboards:AUD$100 or with up to 3 surfboards: AUD$550 (see ‘2012 Schedule’ below for trip dates using the plane service)

Ferry from Padang to Mentawai Harbour

One of the cheaper options is the Ambu Ambu overnight ferry. This large steel vessel features AC cooled cabins and is also used to transport cars and trucks to the Mentawai islands. This is an overnight ferry departing at 8pm and arriving at 6:30 am, you will then be transported by our speedboat to the resort. All transfers are organized by us and is included in the cost of the fare (AUD$200 return, based on minimum 2 guests)

Speedboat transfer from Mentawai airport to the resort

Our staff will be waiting to transport you and your luggage directly to the resort using one of our custom built speedboats. From From either Rokot Airport or Tua Pejat harbour one of our resort speedboats will take you on the final leg of your journey to Kingfisher Bay where you will be welcomed by the resort and the waves that have made the Mentawais famous.

Speedboat from Padang to the resort directly

A great option for groups of 3 to 9 guests is a fast boat directly from Padang to the resort. This is the most reliable and time efficient option and can be tailored to suit any connecting flight schedules to/from Padang. The cost to charter the speedoat is AUD$2,000 one way.

Once we receive this information about you and your trip, we will send you an email to confirm accommodation availability, as well as information about how to make a payment.

If you have any further queries, please contact us.

2013 SCHEDULE

Rubber time 
Indonesian transport is renowned for being erratic, with this in mind delays and re-scheduling are an everyday reality concerning public transportation. We at Kingfisher Bay Resort will do our best to get you where you need to be asap, but take no responsibility for delays or cancellations due to external circumstances.

Kingfisher Bay Resort is open for operation all year round.

I’m not your mother! But here’s a few suggestions of what to bring anyway…

Boards : Most people travel with two to three boards. A small and medium sized board for most conditions and a bigger board for when the swell comes up is a safe bet.

Bodyboard : Riders of all forms of surf craft are welcome at Kingfisher Bay Resort. There are some great bodyboarding waves in the area, so don’t forget to pack the lid.

Ding repair kit : Although we do have ding repair equipment onsite, we recommend bringing your own supply, at the least some kind of sun cure product.

Reef booties : Most of our surfing locations are reef breaks. Shred the waves, not your feet.

Leg ropes : The more the merrier. Three 8mm leg ropes should do the trick.

Wax : If full deck Gorilla Grip isn’t your style, bring two to three blocks of tropical water surfboard wax.

Sun protection : Don’t nominate yourself as a target for ‘sunburn slappers’. The Sumateran sun can pack some punch, so bring a rash top, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, zinc etc..

Clothing : The temperature rarely falls below 27 degrees Celsius, so light and cool clothing is recommended. Thin long sleeved top and pants are also handy for evening wear (this is when mosquito’s come out).

Hiking shoes : If you want to get down and dirty on a jungle trek.

Snorkeling and fishing equipment : Although we do provide basic equipment at the resort, we recommend bringing your own gear for these activities.

Money : ATM access is only available in Padang. With this in mind be sure to carry enough cash to cover possible additional costs at the resort for; long distance boat trips, souvenirs, snacks and drinks etc..

Alcohol : Although we have a selection of beers available at the resort, we are unable to provide hard liqour due to local regulations. However guests are more than welcome to bring duty free purchased wine and spirits for consumption at the resort.

… plus :
sandals or flip flops
insect repellent
camera
small backpack
electrical adaptors
basic first aid supply
beach towel
sunglasses
surf helmet
etc…

Travel insurance
Because the nature of surfing and other adventurous activities involves an element of risk, we require all visitors to be covered by travel insurance.

First aid
As part of our service, there is always at least one staff member onsite qualified in Senior First Aid. Equipped with an extensive medical kit, we can treat most minor injuries on location. However, should a more serious accident or illness occur, the injured guest will be transported to the nearest harbour for hospital treatment (1 hour speedboat ride).

Malaria
Although malaria does exist in the Mentawai islands, it does not mean the risk level is the same throughout the region. One of the major advantages at Kingfisher Bay Resort is it’s isolated location, 5 kilometers from the nearest village. The malaria virus is transmitted through human carriers, therefore concentrated populations such as towns and villages are far more prone to an outbreak.
Even though our location dramatically reduces this risk of infection, we still take every precaution possible, such as: AC and fan cooled rooms for a less mosquito-friendly environment, strategically using plants that naturally repel mosquitoes, the use of pyrethrum soaked mosquito nets for sleeping, mosquito coils and electrically charged repellents.
In the rare event of somebody showing the symptoms of infection, we have malaria testing kits onsite with the latest and most effective medicine for emergency treatment.

Tsunami
The resort is positioned at the base of a 50 meter tall hill, 200 meters from the accommodation bungalows. In the event of an earthquake guests will be gathered in our designated ‘round up’ area in front of the restaurant and then proceed to the

Evacuation
Depending on the seriousness of an illness or injury, we can transport the guest to a mentawai based hospital (1 hour), arrange a plane departure to Padang (depending on scheduling) or in an extreme emergency, transport the guest to Padang directly via the resort speedboat (4.5 hours).