Best Mentawai Surf Package for Small Groups
On this page
- Best Mentawai surf package for small groups: options by size
- Option 1: a whole-boat surf charter
- Option 2: a camp with your own boat
- Option 3: a full camp buyout
- Option 4: a larger resort for bigger crews
- Transfers for small groups
- How costs split in a small group
- How to keep a group trip running smoothly
- Groups with children or non-surfers
- Organising the booking as a group
- Quick facts
- Frequently asked questions
- Plan your group trip
The best Mentawai surf package for small groups depends on group size. For four to six friends, a camp with private rooms and a shared boat works well. For eight to twelve, a whole-boat charter often gives the best value and freedom, since many Mentawai charter boats carry about 8 to 12 guests. Some small camps also offer full buyouts.
Travelling with a small crew changes the maths of a Mentawai trip. Costs that hurt a solo traveller, such as a private boat from Padang, become reasonable when split six ways, and with the right numbers you can have a boat or even a camp to yourselves. This guide explains how to choose the best Mentawai surf package for small groups, compares the main options by group size, and lists the questions to settle before anyone pays a deposit.
Best Mentawai surf package for small groups: options by size
| Group size | Best-fit options | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 2-3 surfers | Surf camp or resort with shared boats | Too small to fill a boat; share costs with other guests |
| 4-6 surfers | Camp with a dedicated boat, or a small camp buyout | Big enough for your own boat; private speedboat transfers become affordable |
| 7-12 surfers | Whole-boat surf charter or a full camp buyout | Fills a typical charter; total control of where and when you surf |
| 12+ surfers | Larger resort or two boats travelling together | Most charters max out around 12 guests |
Option 1: a whole-boat surf charter
For a group of eight to twelve, chartering a whole boat is often the strongest choice. Many Mentawai charter boats carry about 8 to 12 guests, so a group of that size fills the cabins. The skipper and surf guide plan each day around your group, and you can move between island groups to follow swell and wind.
Whole-boat prices are usually quoted privately and depend on vessel, season and trip length. As a rough reference, one 2025-2026 guide listed shared charter berths at about USD 1,900 to 4,400 per person for trips of 10 to 12 days, depending on the boat. Ask for a whole-boat quote and compare it with the total of buying every berth. A private charter can also let you choose your own dates if the boat is free. Cabin layouts differ a lot between boats, so ask for a deck plan before you commit.
Things to agree before you charter
- Who pays the deposit, and what happens if someone drops out
- Cabin allocation, since doubles and bunks are not equal
- Surfing levels, so the guide can plan breaks that suit everyone
- Bar policy and how drinks are split
Option 2: a camp with your own boat
For four to six surfers, a land camp often makes more sense than a charter. You get stable rooms, more space, and a boat that can be dedicated to your group if the camp has enough boats. Ask clearly, because a group package with included boat access does not always mean a private boat. Dedicated boats usually need to be requested and may cost more.
This option also suits mixed groups where some people want to rest, read or snorkel while others surf, since the camp has space on land.
Option 3: a full camp buyout
Some smaller camps accept private buyouts for groups of roughly 4 to 11 guests, depending on the property. A buyout gives you the camp, staff and boats for your dates. It is ideal for a birthday, a work trip or a group of friends who want complete privacy. Buyouts are custom-quoted, and peak-season dates go early.
Option 4: a larger resort for bigger crews
Groups above twelve usually outgrow a single charter. A larger resort can host bigger numbers across several rooms or villas, and some publish lower per-person rates when more guests share a unit. Alternatively, two boats can travel together. Ask how the resort handles groups at the same break to keep line-ups fair to other guests.
Transfers for small groups
Group size has a big effect on transfers. A private speedboat directly from Padang is usually priced per boat, so it is expensive for two people and much more reasonable for six to ten. It can save most of a day of travel compared with the public ferry. Charters normally include the transfer from Padang to the harbour where the boat departs.
How costs split in a small group
Some costs are fixed per person, and some are fixed per group. Knowing which is which helps you decide on group size.
| Cost | Charged per | Effect of a bigger group |
|---|---|---|
| Room or berth | Person | No change; sharing rooms may lower rates |
| Private speedboat from Padang | Boat | Cheaper per head as the group grows |
| Dedicated surf boat at camp | Boat or day | Cheaper per head as the group grows |
| Whole-boat charter | Vessel | Best value when every berth is filled |
| Surf levy | Person | No change |
| Flights | Person | No change |
The sweet spot is often a group large enough to fill a boat, since that unlocks private transfers and dedicated surf boats without leaving empty berths to pay for.
How to keep a group trip running smoothly
- Lock dates early. Groups need the same rooms or every berth on the same dates, which is harder in peak season.
- Collect deposits on time. One person usually pays the operator; agree in writing who owes what.
- Be honest about ability. A mixed-level group needs a camp or boat with options for everyone.
- Insure everyone. Each traveller should hold cover for surfing and medical evacuation.
- Share the plan. One itinerary with flights, ferry times and contacts saves confusion.
When you are ready to secure dates, our Mentawai surf trip booking guide walks through deposits, payments and confirmations.
Groups with children or non-surfers
Many small groups are families or friends where only some people surf. That changes which package works. A whole-boat charter suits a crew of surfers but can be long days at anchor for anyone who does not surf. A camp with your own boat, or a buyout of a small camp, usually works better for mixed groups, because non-surfers have a beach, a room and a shaded deck while the boat goes out.
- Ask about sheltered water. Exposed reefs break hard and have currents. A camp with a lagoon or a sheltered beach is far easier with children.
- Check rates for non-surfers and children. Some camps quote a lower rate for guests who do not use surf boats or guiding. Ask directly.
- Plan the transfer day. Padang to camp is a long day by car, ferry and speedboat. With children, a private speedboat for the group can be worth the extra cost.
- Bring a medical kit and check insurance. Medical care on the islands is basic, and evacuation to Padang takes time.
Organising the booking as a group
Group trips run smoothest when one person handles the booking. Agree on dates, budget and the surf level of the trip before anyone pays. Collect each person’s share of the deposit before you send it, because the operator will usually take one payment per room or per boat. Confirm in writing how a cancellation by one member is handled; on a whole-boat booking, the rest of the group may have to cover the gap. Book flights only after the camp or boat confirms dates, and share a single document with everyone’s arrival times, board counts and dietary needs.
To compare per-person costs, see Mentawai surf camp prices and what an all-inclusive surf trip includes. Families and mixed groups should also read the Mentawai islands holiday package guide for non-surf options.
Quick facts
- Typical charter capacity: about 8-12 guests
- Best for 4-6: camp with a dedicated boat or a small buyout
- Best for 8-12: whole-boat charter
- Private speedboat from Padang: priced per boat, so better value in groups
- Buyouts: custom-quoted; book peak dates early
- Surf levy: IDR 2,000,000 per foreign surfer per 15 days, per person
Frequently asked questions
How many people fit on a Mentawai surf charter?
Most charter boats take around 8 to 12 guests. A few smaller boats take fewer, so check the cabin plan.
Do groups get discounts on Mentawai surf packages?
Sometimes. Discounts are not standard, but some resorts publish lower per-person rates for shared units, and full buyouts can be negotiated.
Can a group with mixed surfing levels travel together?
Yes. Choose a camp near waves of different sizes, or a charter whose guide can plan for several levels. Tell the operator about everyone’s ability.
Do we get our own boat at a surf camp?
Not automatically. Many camps share boats between guests. Ask for a dedicated boat in writing if it matters to you.
Can non-surfers join a group trip?
Yes, though charters suit them less. A land camp or resort with snorkelling and other activities is usually a better fit for mixed groups.
Are small-group packages suitable for families?
They can be, if the camp has sheltered water and the family is comfortable with long transfers and basic medical access. A camp with your own boat is usually easier for families than a charter.
Plan your group trip
We are an independent planning guide. We help small groups compare charters, camps and buyouts and build a Mentawai surf trip package around everyone’s dates and budget. Send your group size and preferred month on WhatsApp at +62 811 3941 4563 or email bd@juaraholding.com.
