Kandui Resort – Mentawai

Kandui Resort offers a world entirely beyond time and obligations. For adventurous surfers looking for a free spirited, relaxing surfing vacation or surf holiday in the company of world class waves, this is your paradise! Karamajet Island, part of the Mentawai Islands chain and home to Kandui Resort is situated 75 miles off the west coast of Sumatra. Due to its remote location it requires a one-of-a-kind crossing of the Mentawai strait – a patch of ocean steeped in historical folklore and intrigue. Kandui Resort, the only western development on the island is set amidst 30 acres of palm trees, lagoons, and a spectacular mile long white sand beach overlooking two of the most picturesque Mentawai Islands. This area has no shopping malls, housing tracts, or freeways – just unspoiled beauty, the soothing rhythm of the tides, and perfect surf.

DATES:

Oct. 18 to Oct. 29
Oct. 29 to Nov. 8

PRICING:

$3190 USD (per person – double occupancy)

PACKAGE INCLUDES:

- 11 days/11 nights stay at Kandui Resort
- The best waves in the world.
- The best surf guide instruction and hands on training from Safari Surf to propel your surfing skills to the next level (Tim and/or Tyler Marsh depending on size of group)
- The most detailed surf “guide” available covering all the necessary surf trip info one could need (oceanography, rips currents, tides/winds, bottom contour, board design, reef of rock break surfing etc.)
- Video analysis of the morning surf session (every other day) breaking down in detail your rides, paddling technique, positioning, etc.
- Reef Walker booties (super important!)
- Unique, one-of-a-kind “Shaman” ceremony on last night of the trip (depending on availability)
- Daily speedboat transport to optimal surf breaks on that given day or by guests request. Day trips include lunch, cold drinks, snacks, and use of fishing equipment.
- All meals and food including most snacks
- 3 Juices & 3 Sodas per day
- 1 Bottled Water per day
- Fishing
- Internet Access
- Air Conditioning in your uma
- All Activities
- All Transfers to and from the Kandui Resort
- All taxes including: Visa fee, departure tax, daily government tax, daily hotel tax

NOT INCLUDED:

- Travel Insurance (Travel Insurance is mandatory!)
- Surf Helmet (Recommended)
- Bottled Water
- Specialty snacks
- Hard Alcohol/Mixed Drinks/Beer.
- Mentawai Souvenirs
- Tips for the staff (This is entirely up to you. Tipping is not mandatory but appreciated!)
- Photo or Video Packages – The typical photo or video package will range between $100 US – $300 US depending on the number of photos or length of video clip.

ACCOMODATIONS

During your stay on Kandui, home will be one of only 8 “umas”, traditional thatched houses built in the traditional Mentawai style by local Mentawaian craftsmen. Each is clean, spacious, comfortable, and offers an unparalleled view to the waves, ocean, and islands that surround the resort. Hand-woven vaulted ceilings and the natural design features provide a sense of adventure and culture while the interior design features provide a feeling of home. Each traditional “uma” is identified by a unique Mentawai name. Using local Mentawai builders, under the guidance of an American development team, Kandui maximizes its local surroundings and functions as a partial eco- resort, yet still delivers a very high standard of accommodations and personal space.

RESTAURANT/BAR

Kandui’s restaurant and bar is the main congregation area, the heart of the resort, and our most prized structure – Kandui Restaurant and Bar was built from the ground up virtually by hand. It’s design principles follow the local traditions and customs and every inch of this area has been meticulously detailed to provide a sense of barefoot luxury. Indulge in the flavors of the Mentawai. Each day the resort’s chef prepares a variety of food with an emphasis on the succulent seafood caught by local fisherman and our guests. Sit back and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of our restaurant – which serves some of the tastiest food in Sumatra in front of one of the most idyllic settings possible.

WAVES

The Mentawai Islands are one of the most consistent surf destinations in the entire world. Their broad exposure towards the vast, southern Indian Ocean provides these majestic islands with remarkable consistency and quality. There are great waves in this area YEAR-ROUND. However, the most ideal time to surf in the Mentawai’s is during the dry season, late March to early November, the southern hemisphere’s winter, when the Indian Ocean is an ultra-active, groundswell producing machine. During the entire year Kandui Resort offers the average surfer the opportunity to score the best waves of their lives in the premiere surf resort location in the entire world, nothing else comes close…

We have compiled a brief glimpse of a few of the most well known surf spots near Kandui Resort that our guests will have access to:

4 BOBS

4 Bobs is a short, playful right-hander located directly in front of Kandui Resort. Swells wrap around the south end of the island and break over a shallow reef. If you’re fast you can take off deep and try to float the first section; otherwise, it’s strictly a one or two turn wave.
Our Advice: 4 Bobs is a great wave for people of all abilities. It can get a bit shallow at low tide so you need to watch yourself but all in all, it’s one of the most rippable alternatives in the Mentawais.
Recommended Board: Any type of board works great here.
Distance from Kandui Resort: 4 Bobs is the closest wave to Kandui – access to the break requires a 2-minute dinghy ride.

A FRAMES

Details: One of the most consistent lefts in the Mentawais. Two sections to surf, the top and the inside. The peaks at the top can be a bit shifty while the inside section is more dependable. Sometimes referred to as “John Candies.”
Our Advice: A Frames is usually where the goofyfoots reign supreme. Every wave is different here but on its best days it’s an exhilirating experience with a consistent take off zone.
Recommended Board: Any type of board works great here.
Distance from Kandui Resort: A Frames is located in front of one of the most beautiful islands in the Mentawai’s – access to the break requires a 5-minute dinghy ride.

BANKVAULTS

Details: Bankvaults is a thick, barreling right punctuated by a shifting line-up. Sets seemingly emerge out of nowhere and can wreak havoc if you’re caught out of position. Bankvaults is ideal from head-high to triple overhead. In any swell size, getting caught inside is a certainty. Despite the dangers, snag a clean, open barrel here and you’ll be talking about it for years.
Our Advice: We like Bankvaults. It’s really tricky, shifty, and for the most part, really heavy. You can get some unbelievable barrels here if you find the right zone. Be on the lookout for surprise sets, this place is famous for them.
Recommended Board: A few extra inches will help you get into the waves easier and give you enough speed to make it out of the barrel.
Distance from Kandui Resort: Bankvaults is located north of the resort. Access to the break requires a 15-minute luxury canoe ride.

BENG BENG

Details: Beng Beng is an extremely rippable left located a few hundred yards away from E-Bay and Pitstops. It’s probably one of the easiest waves to surf in the Mentawai’s and is fun for surfers of all ability levels. The area surrounding Beng Beng is breathtaking as it sits nestled inside a small bay with literally one of the most scenic views imaginable all around you.
Our Advice: Give Beng Beng a try! The best size to surf Beng Beng is anything over shoulder high. Even though it’s relatively short, some people like this wave more than other waves that are considered far superior. Best of all, it’s almost never crowded!
Recommended Board: Any type of board works great here.
Distance from Kandui Resort: Beng Beng is located off of Nyang-Nyang Island – access to this wave requires a 30-minute luxury canoe ride from the resort.

KANDUI

Details: Kandui (a.k.a “Kanduis” or “Nokandui”) is one of the fastest, down the line, left-hand barrels in the world. Kandui is an obscenely hollow wave with your only option for survival being tucked inside its enormous, gaping jaws. Unless you’re comfortable pumping inside the barrel, your best hope is finding the right line, adding a little extra front-foot pressure, and holding on. If the conditions are right you’ll take your share of beatings, but chances are you’ll kick out of the best barrel of your life…
Our Advice: The bigger it gets, the easier it gets. Don’t surf here when it’s too small unless you like to get cut up on the reef. The only good advice we can offer is – “go fast or go home.”
Recommended Board: Use a slightly bigger board than normal to get the necessary speed.
Distance from Kandui Resort: Kandui is located on the opposite side of our island – access to the break requires a 5-minute luxury canoe ride or 10-minute dinghy ride.

KARANGBAT LEFT

Details: Karangbat Left lies smack dab in the middle of “Playgrounds.” The wave itself runs almost exactly one hundred yards over a shallow, but manageable reef. Easily visible from Kandui Resort, take a fish or longboard out to Karangbat Left with a medium tide you’ll have a blast!
Our Advice: Karangabat Left is more fun that meets the eye. Most people surf 4 Bobs over Karangbat Left, but if there are a few too many people at 4 Bobs it doesn’t hurt to give it a try!
Recommended Board: Any fun shape, fish, or longboard is perfect for this wave.
Distance from Kandui Resort: The 2nd closest wave to the resort, 2-minute tender ride at most.

RIFLES

Details: Rifles is one of the longest, most perfect, awe-inspiring waves in the world. When it’s breaking properly with a hint of northwest wind you can expect four to six hundred yard right walls with numerous tube sections. It’s a violent barrel from start to finish – sometimes when you think you’re coming out another section will throw over, and another, and another. If you see it lining up, you better put the pedal to the metal to make it through the next barrel section. Basically, go as fast as you can go almost the whole way through the wave!
Our Advice: If you catch it good, just one good wave, your trip is a success. The trick here is to be on the lookout for sets as you’re paddling back out. Believe us, you can take off anywhere down the line and still get the best wave imaginable – good luck!
Recommended Board: The fastest board you have, unless you’re pro you’ll need it.
Distance from Kandui Resort: Rifles is located in front of Kandui Resort a little bit to the south – access to the break requires a 5-minute luxury canoe ride or 10-minute dinghy ride.

TELESCOPES

Details: Every thing you’ve heard about Telescopes is true. It’s a remarkably long left which tempts you to sit deeper and deeper, almost daring you to backdoor an impossible section. Telescopes is frequently very busy, but there always seems to be plenty of waves to go around and when it’s absolutely firing, most less-accomplished surfers watch it from the safe confines of their boats, video cameras in hand.
Our Advice: Telescopes has the potential to be the best wave in Indonesia. We think it’s better to sit too far outside than not far enough. The current on the inside is vicious; sit wide and wait for the swinger sets and you’ll save a lot of energy from paddling.
Recommended Board: Once you see the waves make the best call for yourself.
Distance from Kandui Resort: Under ideal conditions we can reach Telescopes in 45 minutes utilizing our luxury speed canoes. Most likely it will take about one hour to head over to Telescopes, which lies roughly 18 miles away from the resort.