Mentawai All Inclusive Surf Trip: What Is Really Included
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A Mentawai all inclusive surf trip bundles accommodation, three meals, drinking water, guided boat trips to the waves and transfers from Padang into one price. In the Mentawais, “all inclusive” rarely covers flights, alcohol, the surf levy or board hire, and the meaning changes between operators, so always ask for the written inclusion list before you book.
“All inclusive” is one of the most common phrases in Mentawai surf marketing, and one of the least consistent. At one camp it means everything from the Padang airport to your last session. At another it means meals and boats, with transfers, the surf levy and drinks added on. This page explains what a Mentawai all inclusive surf trip usually covers, which package types offer it, what is almost never included, and how to check a quote so the price you pay matches the price you expected.
We are an independent planning guide. We do not own camps, resorts or boats. We help travellers compare inclusions and connect with operators that suit them.
What “all inclusive” usually covers in the Mentawais
| Item | Usually included? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | Yes | Twin share is the standard basis; private rooms may cost more |
| Three meals a day | Yes | Snacks and soft drinks vary by camp |
| Drinking water | Yes | Bring a reusable bottle |
| Guided boat trips to the waves | Yes, at most surf camps | Ask how many boats and how far they go |
| Transfers from Padang | Often | May include airport pickup, a hotel night, the ferry and the camp boat |
| Surf levy | Sometimes | Rp2,000,000 per foreign surfer per 15 days |
| Board hire | Rarely | Usually extra, if available at all |
| Alcohol | Rarely | Usually charged per drink or by the bottle |
| Flights | Almost never | International and domestic flights to Padang are booked separately |
Which package types are all inclusive
Land camps
Most mid-range camps sell a full-board surf package with daily guided boats, and many add transfers on set ferry days. That is the closest thing to a standard all inclusive surf trip in the islands. Budget camps often include meals and a shared boat but leave transfers and the levy to you.
Premium resorts
Higher-end resorts tend to include more: generous boat access, organised transfers, Wi-Fi and some activities for non-surfers. Some quote rates before an 11 percent government tax and a 10 percent service charge, so check whether the price is final.
Surf charters
Charters are naturally close to all inclusive once you are on board: cabin, meals, guiding and the boat itself are part of the trip. Pickup from your Padang hotel or the airport to the harbour is usually included. Flights, Padang hotel nights outside the charter dates, alcohol and sometimes fuel surcharges are not.
What is almost never included
- International and domestic flights to Padang.
- Airline and ferry fees for board bags.
- Extra Padang nights caused by flight times or cancelled ferries.
- Travel insurance, which many operators require you to hold.
- Coaching, video analysis, massage and long-range boat trips.
- Tips for guides, boat crew and kitchen staff.
How to check an all inclusive quote
Ask every operator the same questions and get the answers in writing. A quote that sounds complete can still leave out a few hundred dollars of travel.
- Where does the package start: Padang airport, a Padang hotel or the island harbour?
- How many Padang hotel nights are included, and on which dates?
- Are ferry tickets and the camp boat transfer included both ways?
- How many surf boat trips a day, how many surfers per boat, and is fuel included every time?
- Is the surf levy included, or do I pay it myself?
- Which drinks are included, and how are extras charged?
- Are taxes and service charges in the price?
- What happens to the package if a ferry is cancelled?
When all inclusive is worth it
An all inclusive surf trip suits first-time visitors, solo travellers and anyone who wants the Padang end handled for them. The logistics between the airport and the reef are the hardest part of a Mentawai trip, and a package that covers them removes most of the risk. It also makes budgeting easier, because the big costs are fixed before you leave home.
Booking parts separately can work for experienced travellers who know Padang, are happy to buy ferry tickets locally and want a particular homestay or camp that does not sell transfers. The saving is often smaller than it looks once hotel nights, taxis, ferry fares and luggage fees are added. For the numbers behind that comparison, see our guide to how much an all inclusive Mentawai surf trip costs.
Choosing between all inclusive options
| If you want… | Look at |
|---|---|
| The lowest all-in price | Budget camps that include meals, a shared boat and transfers on set days |
| Comfort and a non-surf programme | Premium resorts; confirm taxes and service charges |
| The most waves | A charter, or a camp with several boats and fuel included |
| Simple logistics for a group | A camp buyout or whole-boat charter with transfers included |
Whichever you choose, compare the total from Padang, not the nightly rate. Our guide to what Mentawai surf packages include in meals and accommodation explains the difference between full board and genuinely all inclusive.
Quick facts
- Usually included: room, three meals, water, guided boats, often Padang transfers.
- Sometimes included: the surf levy of Rp2,000,000 per foreign surfer per 15 days.
- Rarely included: alcohol, board hire, coaching.
- Almost never included: flights and insurance.
- Premium resorts may quote before 11 percent tax and 10 percent service.
- Always get the inclusion list in writing.
Frequently asked questions
Are Mentawai surf packages all inclusive?
Many are close to it, covering rooms, meals, boats and transfers from Padang. The definition varies, so check the written list for flights, the surf levy, drinks and taxes.
Does an all inclusive Mentawai surf trip include flights?
Almost never. Packages usually start in Padang or at the island harbour, and you book flights to Padang separately.
Is the surf levy part of an all inclusive package?
Sometimes. Some operators collect and process it for you; others ask you to pay it yourself. Confirm in writing so you do not pay twice.
Are surf charters all inclusive?
Mostly, once you are on board. Cabin, meals, guiding and the boat are included, along with pickup in Padang. Flights, extra hotel nights and alcohol are usually not.
Is all inclusive better value than booking separately?
For most first-time visitors, yes, because transfers and hotel nights are bundled. Experienced travellers who know Padang can sometimes save by arranging parts themselves.
Compare all inclusive options with us
Send us your dates and budget and we will help you line up all inclusive quotes on the same basis, alongside other Mentawai surf packages. WhatsApp +62 811 3941 4563 or email bd@juaraholding.com.
