Macaronis Resort

Macaronis Resort is a perfect option for those looking for more privacy than a boat charter, and the freedom of being of land. Also the resort option is more suitable for those wanting to travel with a non-surfing partner or family - with access to more facilities and activities.

While there is no official surf instructor or surf board hire at Macaronis Resort, beginners can surf Fish Fingers (a right hand beach break) with some assistance from staff while Silabu Left and Bat Cave can be tame introductory reef breaks to surf when small, but really this isn’t a learn-to-surf destination.

Like a charter boat, everything you need is included in the package once you arrive in Padang (choose between 8 days and 9 nights or 15 days and 16 nights). Transfers to and from the Resort are included – this sounds a lot simpler than it is but its all part of the adventure. From the airport you will take a one-hour minibus ride to the Bungus Harbor. There you will board the Ambu Ambu Ferry for an overnight ferry ride (in an air-conditioned private cabin) to Sikakap Port located in the channel between North and South Pagai Islands. We will be awaiting your arrival and whilst enjoying some breakfast on board and fishing on the way, you will arrive at Macaronis Resort approximately 2 hours later at about 10.30 - 11.00am. Any travel weariness will disappear completely when you drop your bags in your villa, wax up your board and get out in the surf.

Also included in the package price is transport to and from the waves by speed boat, three meals daily served and complimentary use of the Resort recreational equipment (snorkeling gear, sea kayaks, stand up paddle boards and fishing equipment). The only things not included in the package price are drinks purchased from the bar, wireless internet (Approx US$35 per week unlimited access for in house guests), deep tissue massages ($US12 and heaven after a surf); laundry service (but you won’t be wearing much in the tropical climate and boardies are semi-clean after a surf, aren’t they?), and satellite telephone use; although internet and skype use is more common. The fast internet even allows some frequent visitors to continue operating their businesses between surfs whilst on their annual extended stay at Macaronis Resort.

Mark Loughran the Aussie operator from Tasmania accompanied by Tim ‘Bootsy’ Geyer and other Aussie surf guides are living the dream – it’s hard not to get jealous – but they are doing it with care for the village so that they’re benefitting from the presence of the resort. One of the major issues facing Indonesia is poverty, which is spread across its 17,000 plus islands, and existence of these remote island resorts are important in the fight against it. Macaronis Resort not only donates a fixed amount per guest per night to the local village, but also employs the villagers to work at the resort, purchases fresh produce from them and also contributes toward local community projects. Mark has been in the Mentawai Islands since March 2001. He worked as a chef and surf guide on charter boats for three years before leaving to establish a land-based resort nearby his favorite wave.

Macaronis Resort was built in 2004 and 2005, officially opening in 2006. Mark is still in charge of managing the resort but has kept up his part time role as surf guide with help from other experienced Indo surf guides like Andrew and Bootsy who travels Indo every year and first surfed Macaronis in 1994 camping out on land. So don’t let all those years of experience of the local conditions go to waste. You’ll get to know Mark, Bootsy and the rest of the team pretty well during your stay. They provide a really personalised and friendly service and make sure you get what you want out of your holiday, whether you want to surf for nine hours a day or catch up on some R and R.

Due to the October 25 Tsunami, villa accommodation at Macaronis Resort is no longer available, and therefore they will be constructing a new elevated accommodation building in a U shape surrounding the lagoon style swimming pool scheduled to be complete by April 30 2011.

Between March 01 and April 30, accommodation will be provided in air-conditioned bedrooms located on the second floor of the cafe, that will be renovated to provide the best comfort possible.

Initially while the new accommodation building is being built, communal bathrooms will be available on the first floor of the main building (currently being re-built).

The maximum number of surfing guests accepted to stay at Macaronis Resort will be 12 initially whilst the new accommodation building is being built and this will be increased to 18 surfers as per usual when the new accommodation building is ready.

The communal complex is home to the restaurant and bar, where you can eat, drink, watch international sport, surf DVDs and footage of the day’s session on the big screen, or play pool, table tennis and table soccer on the second floor. On the third floor 15m above sea level there is a library and look out over Macaronis Bay and the surrounding coastline.

Package Prices Include:

Amazingly none of the inclusions / exlcusions previously advertised (above) have changed post-tsunami. The only difference will be that guests will be sleeping on the second floor of the main building in air-conditioned bedrooms whilst the new accommodation facilities are being built.

Plus there will be quite a bit of work going on around the resort, although this always adds to a bit of interest anyway seeing things gradually being put back together during your stay.

If you would be satisfied to sleep in a comfortable airconditioned bedroom on the second floor of the cafe, and still get to surf one of the best waves on earth located right on the doorstep, also staying at a considerable discount post tsunami, then they do hope to see you in 2011, and your patronage will be very much appreciated after the unfortunate occurance of the October 25 tsunami.

Disclaimer - This surf trip is an independent surf operator and is not part of or in partnership with The Perfect Wave Travel Co. The Perfect Wave acts as an agent only. We sell various travel related products on behalf of numerous transport, accommodation and other service providers, such as airlines, land based accommodation and boat charter operators. The Perfect Waves' obligation is to make travel bookings on your behalf and to arrange relevant contracts between you and travel service providers. The Perfect Wave has no responsibility for these services nor do we make or give any warranty of representation regarding their standards. All bookings are made subject to the terms and conditions and limitations of liability imposed by these service providers.

We’d love to hear your feedback! Please to enter your testimonial of your holiday and your experience with The Perfect Wave.

David

My trip to the Mentawaii islands was unreal. We were taken care of from the time we arrived. The boat (The Mikumba) had an amazing crew who looked after us and the cook was terrific, but what made the trip was the surf - it was all time we were taken to some amazing waves that were not crowed and most of the time it was only our boat at the line-up. I feel this was because of the surf guide who knew his job and really wanted the customers to have a good time, not like a lot who are very jaded. From this trip I learnt a good guide who knows what is going on is going to make a trip. Thanks again, The Perfect Wave. it was a great trip and i will return

Experience Begun: July 2011

Created on: Thursday 28 July 2011

Matt

Hey Jamie, Had a great time> waves where sick. Matt

Experience Begun: June 2010

Created on: Wednesday 23 June 2010