How to get to Mentawai Islands? Not an easy one, but 100% worth it!

Mentawai Islands are located 3 hours with fast ferry from the main land of West Sumatra. To get here you have will to fly from international airport in Jakarta or Kuala Lampur to Minangkabau airport in Padang (PDG).

Flight from Jakarta takes around 1 hour and 45 min. From Kuala Lampur it is only 45min flight. For domestic flights in Indonesia we recommend Garuda, Citilink. They are the most expensive but reliable. Try to avoid air asia or lion air!

Once you land In Padang you grab the car to the city approx 30min ride. You can order go car or private taxi. Normal price shoudl be around 150-200k per trip. Once you are in Padang you will have to spend there the night. Our tip is mid price range hotel D'Oxville (600-700k rp per night for double room) or for more luxury options you can stay in Mercure or Hotel Santika (900-1,2mil rp. per night). Good budget options are Sentosa Lodge (350k per night) or Yani Homestay for example (250k per night).

Next morning you will have to jump on the Mentawai fast ferry. You can see the latest schedule below.

HOT TIP:

• Bring warm hoodie for the ferry ride. It is always freezing there!

• Book your stay in Mentawai prior arrival. Mentawai is not like any backpacking destination. You can't just show up and expect to be accommodated for cheap price.

Mentawai fast ferry schedule

Always better to buy your ticket day before in the Mentawai Fast office as in the morning it is too hectic with all the locals. Price for normal seat 350k and for VIP 400k rp per way per person + board bags up to 15 kg are 230k and over 15kg add another 230k). We recommend to get VIP as it is less crowded upstairs and usually you can get good seat and lie down. Plus don’t forget you will get stung by Surf tax 1mil rp per person if you bring the surfboard. Ferry ride takes approx 3 hours. Depending on the weather. If the weather forecast is too rough ferry might be canceled and you have to wait for 2 days in Padang.

OR

If the ferry is cancelled or your schedule align you can take 30min flight from Padang airport to Sipora. But this usually works better on the way from Mentawai Islands back to Padang. Also please note you are not able to bring your boards on the plane.

Senin - Monday

Rabu - Wednesday

Jumat - Friday

Price per person and you have to book your flight in advance through the whatsapp. At the moment flights are usuallly fully booked. Book minimum one or two weeks prior to arrival.

Last option if you miss the ferry or it is cancelled for some reason you can jump on the slow overnight ferry. This ride takes approx 10-12 hours and it is super cheap. You can also buy the cabin with bed and have a pretty good sleep and save money for the hotel in Padang. But the ferry leaves from Bungkus harbour which is approx 40 min away from Padang city center and you will have to grab Go car or Go jek to get there anyway.

Once you get to Mentawai harbour in Sipora, Siberut or Sikakap you get picked up by your accommodation. To get to our island Togat Nusa Retreat you will take the ferry to Tua Pejat harbour and it is only 30 min ride from the harbour with our speedboat.

Any questions? Comment below