Some questions that are always repeated among people who travel to Indonesia for the first time.
So we put together this article to answer them.
Without further ado, let’s get it going.
How do I get to the Praya Seriti boat?
The boat leaves from the port of Muara. And to get there, you must fly to Padang (PDG).
Once at the airport, our staff will meet you and transport you in an air-conditioned van, and take you to the boat – or to the hotel if you arrive one or more days in advance.
Currently, the best way to fly to Padang is via Jakarta (CGK) with Garuda, or via Kuala Lumpur (KUL) with Air Asia.
For more information on how to get to Mentawai, read this article HERE
For more information on how to get to the Banyaks, read this article HERE
Should I arrive in Padang a day early?
For you to understand how to schedule flights the right way, let´s use an example.
Let’s assume that your trip on the boat is from June 5 to June 17.
This means that on June 5, at 6 pm (Padang time) the boat will be leaving Muara.
And on June 17, 6am, the boat will be arriving back to Muara.
To avoid delaying the departure of the boat your flight should arrive in Padang no later than noon on the 5th (Padang Time).
And to avoid missing your return flight, it must leave Padang after noon on the 17th.
If you need to wait in Padang, where should I stay?
If you need a night’s sleep in Padang, we recommend the Mercure Hotel .
The hotel is comfortable, clean, with good service and close to Muara port, from where the boat will leave for its trip.
Do I need a visa for Mentawai? What for Banyaks?
Indonesian immigration requires your passport to be at least 6 months old from the date of your return ticket.
Most countries do not require a visa.
Do I need a vaccine to enter Indonesia?
Yes.
Currently you need to be 100% vaccinated against COVID-19 and Yellow Fever.
Do I need health insurance to board Seriti?
We strongly recommend that you take out travel insurance with full medical coverage, including emergency transport.
In case of an accident, we will help you contact your insurance company.
So be sure to let us know the insurance details before your departure.
Is there a risk of catching malaria in Mentawai / Banyak?
The risk is low, but it exists.
Especially if you stay on land.
If you stay on board, this risk is almost zero.
We have never heard of anyone contracting Malaria during a boat trip.
Does the boat have a first-aid kit? Is the crew trained?
Yes.
The boat has a complete first-aid kit.
And our surf guides are trained for that.
We also have a medicine box, and we strive to make it as complete as possible.
If you take any special medication, however, you should bring it with you.
And should you suffer any more serious medical emergencie, you will be moved to the hospital in Padang or Sibolga.
Is there a fee for surfing in Mentawai? What about Banyak?
Yes.
There is a fee of about USD 80 for surfing in Mentawai.
It will be picked up by us on the day of departure.
And you will get a little plastic bracelet, which will serve as your ticket to the amusement park.
Banyak has no surfing fee.
What other equipment should I bring on the trip?
We have prepared a whole article just to talk about this.
Access the complete Checklist to pack for your trip.
What boards should I bring on the trip?
There is another subject that deserves a whole article.
And you can access this article HERE.
What is the climate like on the islands?
The islands Mentawai and Banyaks are very close to the equator.
So the climate is very similar all year round.
The days are warm and humid, and the nights are slightly cooler.
The winds are generally very calm, and usually vary quite a bit, always influenced by local storms.
In the summer months of the northern hemisphere (winter in the southern hemisphere) there is a slight predominance of winds from the southern quadrant.
This slight predominance reverses to the northern quadrant during the southern hemisphere summer (northern winter).
The general rule (has its exceptions) is that the northern winds tend to favor right-handers.
Is it worth buying a cellular chip? Does 4g work on the islands?
Yes.
You must buy a cellular chip.
And yes, at some points on the islands there are 4g antennas.
And sometimes there is a little bit of a signal.
So it is a good call to buy a local chip.
Before the trip you will meet someone from our team on land, and this person can take you to buy the ship in a local bazaar.
But don’t go expecting 4g on board. 4g works in some specific spots, but 90% of the time you won’t get a signal.
Should I change money in Padang / Sibolga? Or can I change money on the islands?
You have to change money before you arrive at the islands.
Mentawai and Banyaks do not have any exchange services.
And it is nice that you take some change to the islands to buy the local handicrafts, which are a very nice memory from the trip.
You can tell the guy on our staff who will meet you at the airport that you want to change money, and he will stop the van at a currency exchange office on the way, and help you with the exchange.
Tip: Carry only USD 100 bills, as new as possible. The pricing of old notes, or notes other than 100, is very bad in Indonesia.
Do you have a photographer on the boat?
Yes we do.
This is one of the things that we worry a lot about.
We always take a surfguide and a photographer.
Because we have seen that it is impossible to accumulate the two functions.
The tip that remains about the photos is to take a flash drive with plenty of storage to receive the photos quickly at the end of the trip.
Do you have internet on board?
No.
There is no internet on board.
We have been halfway around the world looking for a technology for this, but the solutions are absurdly expensive.
What we do have is some access to 4g, which we have already commented above, and the Wi-fis at the resorts, which you can pay to use.
Usually the cost of Wi-fi in a resort is USD 20 / hour.
What if I need to make an emergency call?
The boat has a satellite phone, which can send and receive SMS and calls.
So if you really need to talk to someone, just ask surfguide.
This will be paid appart obviously.
What is the best month to go to the islands?
The season runs from March through November.
The months of March and November are ideal if you want to surf more quietly and without crowds.
Between April and October, everything is very similar.
The general rule is: the more winter it is in the southern hemisphere, the bigger the swells and the crowds.
Do you have fishing equipment on board?
We have two trolling rods, which we drag behind the boat each time we move between one wave and another.
If you like to spearfishing, jigging, or diving, bring your own equipment.
We know a few special fishing spots, and you can come home with a pretty cool trophy.
What about drugs? Can you get them there? Can I take them hidden?
Don´t.
And there is no way we´ll get them for you.
Drugs are big trouble in Indonesia.
The country really does have the death penalty.
And you will be naturally high 24/7.
Tips for the crew
There is a culture of tipping for the crew.
At the end of the trip the people usually pass by with a cap collecting the “tips”.
Then you can contribute with whatever you judge relevant.
If you like the service, a tip usually makes the crew very happy.
We recommend USD 50.
But it is not mandatory!
Additional questions (?)
These are the most common questions guys!
But if you want to know anything else, please click on the WhatsApp button and don´t hesitate to ask us!
You talk to Fernando ( AKA Sangui).
He is one of our partners, and is always available to talk to you about the trip and answer any questions you may have.
Have a good one!
Att Praya Chartes Team
