Surf Travel Company

Hollow Trees Surf Resort - Sipora Island, Mentawai. Indonesia

INTRODUCTION

Hollow Trees Surf Resort Mentawai Islands Overall rating: 5 out of 5 based on 4 reviews.
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Hollow Trees Surf Resort is located on Sipora island in the Mentawai islands of west Sumatra, Indonesia. The villas are literally 120 meters away from the water edge. As you wake up, the first experience is the smell of the ocean breeze and the beauty of tropical scenery that you are surrounded by.

 

With white sandy beaches, amazing blue waters & encircled by about 10 of the world’s finest waves in the vicinity. The world famous wave “Lances right, HT’s  or Hollow Trees” is directly located in front of the resort. All kinds of surfers are welcome here, whether you are a beginner, intermediate or an excellent surfer, we have all kinds of breaks for everyone; beach break, Lances left, Bintangs, Monkeys & more.

 

Our all-inclusive surf resort offers 4 villas, in each villa we provide 2 rooms with 1 shared bathroom – each room is designed for maximum 2 people per room. All villas are fitted with AC, TV’s, hot showers & minibar fridge.

 

The resort provides all use of facilities & activities equipment – SUP, kayaks, volleyball, pool table, table tennis. Yoga, space, massage in your room, new chill out space on our tree house. On extra cost we also offer a speedboat transfer to other destinations such as Macaronis, Telescopes, etc – either for surfing, snorkelling or just a simple picnic. 

 

THE ACCOMMODATION

Four Villas

 

Our accommodation is a combination of natural & modern design that provides an outside sitting area, own private dip pools with Air-conditioning, TV, hot water, mini fridge & in-room safes.

 

Each one of the villas are equipped with one bathroom to share. All our room types are adequate for all kinds of people, whether you are traveling alone, as a couple, as a family or a big group of friends

 

VILLA 1 & VILLA 2

Are divided into three rooms, front room provides a lounge/TV area, with a big room up to two single beds & a room in the back – ideal for big group of friends or families. 

 

VILLA 3

Are designed perfectly for families with a big front room that can take up to two single beds & a private room in the back. 

 

VILLA 4

Also provides a front room that has a stunning view to towards the ocean & additionally an extra room in the back – suitable for couples.

 

FEATURES

 

✔ Bedding options – Twin or double rooms (triple room if requested)

✔ In-room free Wi-Fi access

✔ Beach & bath towels provided

✔ Laundry service (if requested)

✔ Mosquito nets – keep the blood suckers away

✔ Working desk 

✔ Closet

 

Restaurant & Bar

 

The restaurant concept is a combination of French, Thai & Indonesian cuisine with stunning views of the most famous waves. Breakfast will be selected from the menu, lunch & dinner will be served buffet style. We also have a refreshing list of freshly squeezed juices and smoothies available. All the meals are included in the price. 

THE ACTIVITIES

Surfing Mentawai Islands 

 

HT’s Surf Resort Mentawai is located directly in front of the ocean, to paddle to the wave Lances Right it only takes 2 minutes to get there, no need to wait for others to get on a speedboat, you can go surf on your own time whenever you wish.

 

SURF GUIDING

 

We provide surf guiding for intermediate or advanced surfers. Our surf guide speaks 5 languages; English, French, Spanish, Indonesian and Thai. For people who are not confident in surfing we have a beach break around the corner, where you can practice. There is also Mini Ht’s for beginners for children to surf small waves which you can walk to.
We can provide surfboards and longboards – this needs to be notified in advanced. For all travellers we advice them to travel with insurance. 

 

SPEEDBOAT SURF TRANSFERS

 

Free Speedboat transfers to nearby local waves such as Beach break, Bintangs, Monekys & Lances left. Speed boat trips to other destinations such as Macaronis, Telescopes, Green bush, etc – these trips cost $100 USD per trip minimum of 4 people

 

Other Activities

 

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

 

A normal day at the resort would be by waking up early morning, doing a little surf check if the waves are good you would immediately jump in to your shorts or bikinis and go surf.

 

Or for those who would like to start their day with a simple breakfast, then head towards our yoga space for a little mediation/yoga session.

 

For those who are seeking for adventures can have a free use of our equipments whether its kayaking, paddle boarding, fishing or snorkelling.

 

A ride in the jungle or to other beaches you can rent our scooter and have an adventurous moment with our local tour guide if you would like someone to lead the way or by yourself. The area is very safe, if you wish to travel around alone, the locals are all super friendly and helpful, if you do get lost. 

 

FOR FAMILIES & KIDS

 

For those who don’t surf can simply enjoy their time in the calm lagoon – suitable for families with small kids or people that like to have a relaxed day by the water. 

 

ACTIVITIES FREE OF CHARGE

 

✔ Kayaks

✔ SUP

✔ Pool table

✔ Volleyball

✔ Fishing

 

ACTIVITIES AT EXTRA COST

 

  • Scooter rental
  • Yoga session
  • Massage

LOCATION & GETTING HERE

Location

SIPORA ISLAND, MENTAWAIS

 

HT’s Surf Resort Mentawais is located on Katiet Beach in south Sipora, one of the big four islands of the Mentawais. From our resort you have views of one of the best surf breaks in Indonesia, arguably the world –  “Hollow Trees or Lances right”. Other famous waves that are well known are Lances left, Monkeys, Bintangs & beach break. The water temperature is warm all year long.

 

THE MENTAWAIS

 

Despite their close proximity to mainland Western Sumatra, the Mentawai Islands archipelago – consisting of 70 islands and islets – was isolated in the Indian Ocean before the 19th century, with strong currents, winds and sharp coral kept outsiders away. But today, with easy boat access from Padang, surf travellers in search of the best waves in the world make the pilgrimage.

 

CULTURE & TRADITION

 

Although it is widely accepted that The Mentawais broke away from Sumatra around 500,000 BC, the origin and date of people populating on the archipelago are uncertain. Today, the largest of the Mentawai Islands, Siberut, is home to the majority of the populace. Animism followed by Islam and Christianity are the predominant religions.

 

Originally, The Mentawai people worshipped Arat Sabulungan (the religion of leaves), a philosophical journey toward heaven by embracing all in the environment, past and present. From monkeys to human, stones to storms – spirits dwell everywhere.

 

They have a very unique tradition called Titi, which involves tattooing their entire body. This identifies their role and social status. The tattoos are made from cane and coconut charcoal dye, which is designed by using a nail, needle and two pieces of wood fashioned into a hammer-like stick. It’s known to be a very painful method of tattooing.

 

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.

Best Time to Go

The main swell season normally begins in late April and continues through September, 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.

Visa

Depending on your passport there are three options to enter Indonesia that apply to most travelers that come for tourist or social purpose only:

  • No Visa required (140 countries – FREE entry, 30 days valid, NOT extendable) 
  • Visa on Arrival (35US$, 30 days valid, extendable (once for 30 days)
  • Visa needed (apply abroad before arriving in Indonesia)

You can check visa requirements for your country here: https://www.bali.com/visa-indonesia-entry-requirements-bali.html

Vaccination and Insurance

Recommended Vaccination and Vaccines for your trip to Bali:

  • Tetanus Diphteria
  • Typhoid
  • Hepatitis A

Traveling with a valid travel health insurance is highly recommended. 

Mentawai Surfers' Tax

Valid from Aug 01 2016 – As of August 01 Year 2016, all foreign surfers visiting Mentawai are legally obliged to pay a surfer tourism tax of IDR 1.000.000 (approx AUD 105) prior to departure to Mentawai, valid for a 15 day stay (extendable).

Getting Here

 

Flying to Padang Airport (PDG)

 

Padang, Sumatra, Indonesia; Minangkabau International Airport. Your international flight should arrive at one of these airports in order to get to Padang:

 

Jakarta, Indonesia, Soekarno–Hatta International Airport (CGK)

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL)

 

Airlines Flying to Padang (PDG):

 

From Kuala Lumpur: Fly direct to PDG Air Asia

From Jakarta: Fly to PDG Lion Air or Garuda Indonesia

From Bali: Fly via Jakarta to PDG Lion Air or Garuda Indonesia

 

NOTE: Garuda Airlines & Lion Air DO NOT ACCEPT non-Indonesian credit cards on their websites.

 

Getting to The Resort 

 

You would need to stay one night in Padang, due to the early departures of the ferry the next morning. The ferry only departs once a day & 4 times a week. 

 

Then once you have reached the ferry terminals destinations (Tuapejat or Sioban), our resort representative will come pick you up with our speedboat service and deliver you to our resort.

 

Transfers

Transfers from the airport to your hotel in Padang, then to the boat harbour the next morning are included in the price.

 

Boat Transfers: cost an extra $350 USD per person/roundtrip – it includes the Mentawai fast and the speedboat service to our resort.

 

Total travel time: 4-5 hours, depending on which days. We recommend taking the ferry on Sunday, since the travel time is an hour shorter.

 

Group Transfers: for groups we recommend taking a speedboat service that travels straight from Padang to our resort in approximately 3.30 hours. This costs $4,000 USD roundtrip. This can be arranged by maximum of 12 people. 

Mentawai fast boat schedule

The Mentawai fast ferry departs from Padang on: 

 

Monday – 6.00 am to Tuapejat

Wednesday – 7.00 am to Tuapejat

Friday – 7.00 am to Tuapejat

Only Sunday – 7.00 am to Sioban 

 

Travel time from Padang to Tuapejat or Sioban = 3 hours

Travel time from Tuapejat to the resort = 2 hours

Travel time from Sioban to the resort = 1 hour

 

The above mentioned times all depends on the weather conditions.

 

From the resort to Padang:

 

Monday – 3.00 pm from Tuapejat

Wednesday – 3.00 pm from Tuapejat

Friday – 3.00 pm from Tuapejat

Only Sunday – 11.30 am from Sioban 

 

PRICES & PACKAGES

Hollow Trees  Surf Resort Mentawai 

 

RATES/person

 

200 USD per night from Oct-April (Low season)

200 USD per night from May-September (High season)

200 USD per night July-August (Peak season)  

 

 

 

 INCLUDES

 

✔ 3 gourmet meals per day & snacks

✔ Complimentary minibar – 3 beers, 2 soft drinks & water

✔ Free access Wi-Fi

✔ Use of all resort facilities (stand up paddles, kayaks, etc.)

✔ Surf guide & speedboat shuttle to the HT’s wave and nearby local destinations

✔ Private transfer service from Padang (local) airport to hotel in Padang & boat harbor

 

EXCLUDES

 

  • Padang Hotel – we can arrange for you an accommodation in Padang for all budgets
  • Boat transfers ($350 USD per person roundtrip) – package includes Mentawai fast ferry from Padang to either Tuapejat or Sioban (depending on which days) & then speedboat transfer to the resort
  • Scooter rentals
  • Mentawai tax (1,000,000 IDR for 15 days for visiting surfers)
  • Travel insurance – all guests must have travel insurance according to resort policy.

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