• Booking Information

Booking Information

    • Exclusive private boat bookings, a payment of $8000 AUD is required to secure booking

    • Single or smaller group bookings a payment of $1000 AUD pp is required to secure booking

    • On payment of this deposit, you will be deemed to have accepted these Terms and Conditions below

    • Exclusive private boat charters available,this is a set price for up to 10 guests max

    • Non-exclusive charters cater to individual bookings or smaller groups that do not wish to book the boat for themselves

    • We require a minimum of 7-8 guests to guarantee departure

    • We reserve the right to fill any available berths

    • Return airport/boat. Transfers in Padang

    • 10 days / 11 nights accommodation aboard Switchfoot

    • All meals, breakfast, lunch, and dinner

    • All snacks and fruits included

    • Unlimited water, soft drinks, juices, electrolyte drinks and hot beverages

    • Use of all equipment onboard, SUP boards, fishing, snorkeling gear etc.

    • Zodiac / Speedboat for surf transfers, fishing trips

    • All necessary clearances, zone permits

    • 10 cases of Bintang beer for guests to share

    • Mentawai Tax ($100 AUD/pax) *payable prior to departure

    • Photography package

    • Airfares/hotel or visa costs

    • Any cost resulting from late arrival or the need for early departure

    • Any other alcoholic beverages exceeding the 10 cases of beer included

    • Extra beers can be purchased prior to departure

    • Guests are welcome to bring their own duty-free alcohol

Terms & Conditions

  • Any form of payment or part payment for the Charter of Switchfoot constitutes acceptance of the terms and conditions stated hereunder. Please note that payments are to be made in two transactions, deposit, and final payment.

  • • A non-refundable deposit of $8000, AUD is required for an exclusive private charter booking for up to 10 guests max. This is payable at the time of booking. The charter is not secured until the deposit has been received

    • **For single or smaller group bookings not wishing to book an exclusive private charter, a nonrefundable deposit of $1000 AUD pp is required to secure your charter

    • We reserve the right to fill any available berths

    • This is a first come first served basis. Deposits can be transferred to a third party for the same charter only. We only accept payments via bank transfer

    • Final balance is to be paid in full 90 days prior to charter departure date

  • Whilst all care and safety measures are taken by the owners and staff of Switchfoot/PT Sumatra Charters, once boarding the vessel, all passengers and clients agree that in no way the owners, operators, employees, and/or agents are liable for any consequential damages. The operators of Switchfoot/PT Sumatra Charters assume no liability for personal injury of any kind, death, property damage or theft (traveling to/from the boat and whilst on board), delays due to weather, airline arrival/departure times, loss/late arrival of surfboards, surfboard bags or luggage, acts of God, Government imposed travel restrictions or any other event we are unable to control

    • A travel insurance policy that covers participation and possible cancellation or curtailment of a boat charter, as well as Medi-Vac coverage is mandatory for travel aboard Switchfoot

    • The owners/operators assume no liability to take out insurance for Switchfoot/PT Sumatra Charters passengers

    • Illegal substances/Narcotics are not tolerated and are forbidden aboard Switchfoot

    • Indonesia imposes heavy penalties for those breaking the law

    • The captain reserves the right to remove any passengers from the boat WHO endanger the well-being and safety OF its passengers/crew AND /OR VESSEL in accordance with Maritime Law

Travel Advice

    • Passengers are to fly into Minangkabau International Airport in Padang, West Sumatra (airport code: PDG) and should arrive (if possible) before 12pm on the 1st scheduled day of charter departure date.(this allows for any flight delays/lost baggage, etc.) Flights to Padang are from Jakarta or Kuala Lumpur

    • All foreigners require a VOA ( visa on arrival) which is payable direct to Indonesian immigration on arrival into Indonesia, Cost for this is approx $50 AUD

      After collecting your luggage/board bags and clearing customs, please proceed to the arrivals exit gate where you will be greeted by Switchfoot ground staff for transfers to hotel / meeting point or boat (depending on your arrival time)

    • NOTE – To exit the arrival area you must show your ‘luggage slips’ for your luggage

    • The Mentawai Government introduced this Tax in 2016 for all foreigners surfing in the Mentawai Islands this applies to all surfers both on land or boat – cost is 1.000.000 IDR per 15 days (approx $100 AUD)

    • This Tax must be paid in cash (IDR) to Switchfoot ground staff before the boat departs Padang for Mentawai (generally paid at our meeting point before guests are transferred to the boat) our Agent will then transfer the amount to the Mentawai Government

  • • Switchfoot generally departs Padang around 5 or 6 PM for an overnight sail to the islands arriving for a sunrise session.( weather permitting)

    • After being welcomed aboard by the crew, choosing your sleeping quarters and checking the boat out, the captain / surfguide will give a short briefing regarding safety onboard the vessel and a general explanation of what to expect during the trip regarding surf, weather and answer any questions you may have

    • Dinner will be served before or after we get underway, depending on time and weather conditions

  • In addition to all the usual items (surf gear and personal items), there are a few important things to remember :

    • Passport (must be valid for at least 6 months beyond intended departure from Indonesia)

    • Copy of passport – which will be needed during the trip

    • Airline ticket

    • Copy of Airline ticket

    • CREDIT CARD for any emergency payments required

    • Indonesian Rupiah for porters, souvenir purchases from local villagers & crew tips

    • Travel insurance documents

    • Any medication you may need or that your doctor recommends for traveling to Indonesia

    • A small personal first-aid kit to to treat day to day minor wounds and abrasions

  • • Please ensure you have the best cover possible on your trip – if something should happen to any guest onboard it would affect everyone on the trip

    • Sumatra Charters / Switchfoot is not responsible for any costs involving a medical emergency, therefore your safety is paramount to us. Surf Travel Insurance can give you the optimum coverage you require for your trip at affordable prices

  • • Switchfoot arrives back into Padang in the early morning (approx 3 AM ) on the last scheduled day of charter date

    • Guests will be served breakfast before disembarking and going ashore to be transferred to the airport and or hotel depending on flights/ itinerary

    ** NOTE : If possible, best to fly out of Padang after 10 AM ,this allows for any delays due to weather or unforeseen problems that may arise

  • • Your favorite boards obviously, most guests bring 3 - 4 boards

    • Fins / fin keys

    • Leg ropes : I recommend ocean and earth premium big wave 6-8 ft in length

    • Wax / Sunscreen / Rash vest or 1 mm vest / Hat / Sunnies

    • Solarez ding repair or similar / duct tape

    • Booties (if your not used to surfing reef)

    • Towel

    • Board shorts / T shirts etc.

    • Toiletries (toothbrush / toothpaste / razor etc.)

    • Panadol / anti inflammatory tablets (Voltaren or the like)

    • Motion sickness medicine if required

  • The answer is YES ,

    • Switchfoot now has 24/7 internet access available for a small cost if guests would like to stay in touch with family or have business to attend to

    • Phone signal in the Mentawai is slowly increasing, although many areas have none at all. Local Sim cards or global roaming will receive signal in Playgrounds, Tua Pejat, Katiet areas

    • Switchfoot also has a Satellite phone for emergencies

  • We have Australian and Indonesian GPOs, USB outlets and various travel adapters

  • There are NO duty free stores in Padang. Best to purchase duty free when boarding your flight in your home country

We recommend using www.surftravelinsurance.com.au