FREEDOM I Surf Boat Charters,
W Sumatra | Mentawai | Indonesia.

The Charter Boat | The Surf | The Packages | The Mentawai | The Trip

If you would prefer to cruise the Mentawai chain with a small group of friends or as a couple, then the 40’ FREEDOM 1 luxury catamaran Surf charters should be the ship of your choice. Freedom 1 has been cruising the Mentawai since 2002 and has a complete factory outfit for comfort cruising.
Freedom 1’s skipper, Ben "Hillsy" Hillier, has been sailing and surf guiding in the Mentawai for several years and has a passion for perfect waves and serious fishing!

The Charter Boat

Freedom 1 is fully equipped with all entertainment, safety and navigational equipment including DVD, TV, and CD stereo. The rigid hull inflatable is powered by a 15hp outboard for quick and convenient transfers to the surf.

The Freedom 1 can accomodate a maximum of 5 guests in three air conditioned guest cabins. One cabin has a large double bed and the other two cabins have one double and one single bed each.

Freedom 1’s catamaran design in conjunction with twin Yanmar engines offers smooth and quiet cruising while underway at 7 knots plus. Her twin hulls also offer stability and comfort while at anchor, and the design uses a draft of less than 1 meter, allowing Freedom 1 to get in close to surf breaks and private lagoons for special anchorages.

The Crew
On each charter there will be up to 4 crew members (Captain, Cook, and 1-2 Indonesian crew). Freedom 1’s skipper, Ben "Hillsy" Hillier, has been sailing and surf guiding in the Mentawai for several years and has a passion for perfect waves and serious fishing! He holds Master 4 Captain and Engineering tickets from Australia and, other than being a nice guy, is serious about his profession.

The Food
Meals are provided by your Western chef who will prepare a variety of Western and Indonesian dishes. The crew of Freedom 1 know the importance food service makes to an overall charter experience. Quality and quantity will be your feedback!

Fishing
If you are into fishing, then you will love Freedom 1. Her average cruising speed of 7.5 knots under motor is ideal for trolling the local waters. We nearly always have lines in the water while travelling between breaks, and hookups are frequent! Gear on board includes 2 full setups with Penn Senator reels, extra spinning reels for casting off the boat, tackle, and harnesses. The equipment is provided free for your enjoyment, and we do welcome the especially keen angler to bring along their own favorite rods and lures. Common local game fish include: Mackerel, Yellowfin, Sailfish, Wahoo, Dolphin Fish, Baracuda, Swordfish, Trevally, and others.

 FREEDOM 1 Specifications :

• Type: Sailing Catamaran
  
• Construction: Fiberglass foam core
  
• Engines: Yanmar Diesel x 2
  
• Cruising Speed (under motor): 7.5 knots
  
• Climate Control: Mitsubishi airconditioning unit
  
• Interior Layout: 3x double beds / 2x single beds in 3 cabins, toilet/shower with hot and cold water, galley, saloon with sofa and dining table
  
• Exterior Layout: Covered cockpit with sitting/dining area, trampolines on foredeck (covered while at anchor as weather and sea conditions permit), outdoor shower x2 on aft deck with hot and cold water
  
• Power: 220V A/C delivered by Onan Marine generator, gelcell battery array, and backup gasoline generator. Electrical outlets located throughout the boat
  
• Electronics: Radar, depth sounder, moving map GPS, autopilot, VHF, SSB, satellite phone, etc
  
• Entertainment: CD/MP3 stereo with Ipod jack (speakers inside and outside), saloon TV with DVD player (plenty of recent DVD titles to choose from), flatscreen TV's with DVD player in double bed cabins, fishing gear (2 x trolling and 1 x spinning setup) with tackle, snorkling equipment, speargun
  
• Tender: 6 passenger rigid bottom inflatable with 15hp outboard motor
  
• Safety equipment (CE passed): Life jackets, life rings, life raft, flares, current and comprehensive medical kit

The Surf

While the Mentawais produce some of the most consistent and amazing waves the planet offers, they can also claim to have quite a large variety of breaks.  The countless islands scattered throughout this pristine tropical environment hold vast amounts of sheltered bays, coves and reefs that generate every type of wave imaginable, due in part to the refractive nature of swells which allows them to bend and wrap around any obstacle they encounter.  The high profile spots such as Lances Right, Macaronis, Rags Right, E-Bay, Rifles and Thunders speak for themselves but there are just as many lesser known breaks ranging from fun walls to long peeling barrels. 

The majority of the waves in the Mentawais are best suited for the intermediate to advanced surfers but there are several spots which are ideal for beginners, making the Mentawais a destination for anybody who loves to surf. Because the Mentawais sit near the equator they are less affected by the trade winds, so most of the time the winds will be light and variable with plenty of glassy days. Although a few land-based surfcamps have sprouted up in the last few years adjacent to some of the better known breaks, the best way to access so many waves spread out over such a large area is by charter boat. Crowds can be a factor at the top spots, and occasionally you might find yourself sharing a break with another boat. Boats do maintain respect for one another, but with a knowledgeable and experienced captain and such a diversity of breaks you will definitely stumble upon plenty of empty waves for you and your crew. 

Best Time To Go

The Mentawais have without a doubt some of the best waves in the world. They also have excellent exposure to the south and southwest swells moving up from the southern Indian Ocean and this means a consistency factor that is unmatched. The main swell season normally begins in late April/May and continues through September/October, with the wave height jumping up a notch from June to September. During this time the waves will stay in the overhead to double overhead range with some occasionally bigger days. That being said, the Mentawais could easily be considered a year round destination, as even during what are considered the slower season months of November thru March/February there is still plenty of surf in the head high range thanks to a very active Indian Ocean that churns out low pressure systems on a regular basis. 

SURF SPOTS

Zone: Playgrounds 

• Hideaways:  A top-to-bottom lefthander that will get very hollow on a low tide. 
  
• Nokandui:  One of the more difficult waves in the islands. This is a very fast and barreling lefthander that has plenty of critical sections and is not always makeable. Tends to shut down at the end but you’ll spend lots of time in the barrel before you get there. 
  
• Rifles:   A very long, fast and intense righthander and one of the standout waves in the Mentawais when it’s on. When it gets a few feet overhead it turns into a barreling machine and you’ll be racing to make the sections as you fly down the line.   
  
• 4 Bobs:  A more forgiving righthander that has a quick little barrel on the takeoff.   

Zone: Nyang Nyang 

• Pitstops:  A fun righthander immediately adjacent to E-Bay that ends on a sandy beach.  Nipussi:  Just inside of Bankvaults, this is a fun and rippable righthander  that stays fairly consistent.  Breaks in deep water and finishes close to the beach. 
  
• E-Bay:  With a stunning backdrop this quick lefthander stands up on the takeoff and has a nice, fast barrel down the line. Not the longest wave but definitely a great option if the swell is on the rise. 
  
• Bank Vaults: A thumping, shallow righthander that provides plenty of tube time. 

Zone: Sipora 

• Lance’s Left: A consistently lefthander that peels down the point and offers plenty of carvable sections and sometimes a few barrels when it gets big. 
  
• Lance’s Right:  The famous righthander that starts barreling on the takeoff and doesn’t stop barreling until it reaches the channel. Can be fickle at times as it likes to have all the conditions in its favor before putting on a show. Larger swells can be tricky and the end bowl can be difficult to read at times so stay focused or you might pay your dues on the shallow reef.   
  
• Telescopes: A sweet lefthander that wraps down the reef with long walls. Not too many sections to navigate and can get really solid on a big swell.  

Zone: Pagai 

• Macaronis: The reigning wave in the Menta
• wais. This stellar lefthander has a powerful barrel on the take off and then a carvable wall for plenty of maneuvers. It is one of the more lined up waves in the islands and can get shallow while offering tube time along the way.   
  
• Rags Right: A challenging and hollow righthander that will turn into a smoking wave if the conditions are right.   
  
• Thunders: A consistent lefthander that likes a lot of size in the swell. The outside has a fast hollow tube before it eases up on the inside section.

The Packages

FREEDOM I - 2009 Season

• Price does not include US$3 a day Mentawai passenger tax.
• Prices below are valid for bookings made through November 30, 2008 on 2009 trips only. 
• Extra days are available for some trips when requested in advance.
• Some optional onboard services cost extra.
• Fuel surcharges may be applicable.
• Trips to North Sumatra have a fuel surcharge of US$1,000 per trip.
  

FREEDOM 1 - 2009 Schedule:

The Mentawai

The Mentawais are without question one of the best locations on the planet for catching a ridiculous amount of quality waves. In a stunning, tropical location that is at the heart of what we’ve always dreamed, these islands have all the necessary ingredients  that create some of the most perfect waves in the world, the ideal playground for surfers. With excellent exposure to the southern Indian Ocean, the Mentawais offer some of the most consistent surf in the world, welcoming every ounce of swell to unload upon the reefs that protect these beautiful islands.  And there is an endless list to describe these waves: flawless, perfect, clean, powerful, world class --take your pick. Toss in the clear, warm water and the wild beautiful scenery and there is only one conclusion: the Mentawais really do have it all. 

The Location

The Mentawais are a chain of lush, tropical islands lying about 100 miles off the west coast of Sumatra in the Indian Ocean. They are considered part of the Sumatera Province, of which Padang is the capital, and are separated from Sumatra, Indonesia’s largest and northern most island, by the Mentawai Strait. There are approximately seventy islands, consisting of four major islands and many numerous smaller islands and islets that spread out in a northwest-southeast direction for nearly 200 miles. Siberut is the largest and northern most of these islands and lies just across the Strait from Padang, the launching point for all charter boats heading to this surfing paradise.

The Climate

The Mentawais are basically sitting on the equator and therefore stay hot and humid all year round with very little change in temperature. Temperatures range between 72°- 90° F (22°- 32°C). The water temperature is a steady 80°F(27°C).The Mentawais have a dry season which runs from February to October and a wet season from November to January. This being the tropics rain does occur during the dry season as occasional squalls and storm showers make their way thru this region.

The Trip

The port city of Padang is launching point for Mentawai surf charters and boat transfers to the resorts.

Padang Airport (PDG)
Daily flights to Jakarta, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur (Garuda Airlines)

30-Day visitor visa issued on arrival (EU, US, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand citizens).

Malaria treatment required

Getting to the Mentawai is quite a journey for most people. Some of you will be traveling half way around the world to get here. After a long flight from home, you will arrive in Padang, Indonesia, most likely via Singapore or Jakarta, and will be greeted at the airport by one of the Freedom team.

After introductions and a quick briefing, you and your gear will be transported to a comfortable location to have some refreshments and unwind from your long trip while the boat is prepared for your arrival.

Other destinations in Indonesia

BALI KITESURF Camp - balikitesurf
LEGIAN Surf Hotel - Denpasar
G-LAND Surfcamp, Surf Spot & Accommodation - Java
NOMAD KERAMAS SURF RESORT - keramas
MACARONIS Surf Resort - Mentawai
TELESCOPES Surf & Spa Resort - Mentawai
PLAYGROUNDS Surf Resort - Mentawai
SAILBOAT Surf Charter - Mentawai Islands
SANSSOUCI Surf Boat Charters - Mentawai Islands
KING I Surf Boat Charters - Mentawai Islands
FREEDOM III Surf Boat Charters - Mentawai Islands
FREEDOM II Surf Boat Charters - Mentawai Islands
Bali Surf Charters - Lembongan, Lombok & Sumbawa - Nusa Tenggara
PINISI SCHOONER Surf Charter - Nusa Tenggara
PADANG PADANG Surf Camp - Padang Padang
NOMAD TROPICAL SURF RESORT - SUMBAWA - Sumbawa

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The Charter Boat | The Surf | The Packages | The Mentawai | The Trip | Contact