frequently asked questions

Getting to Kokos Mentawai involves three steps; fly into Padang, stay overnight and catch a  ferry to the island. 

Click here for thorough details on how to get to us 

You would need to take a flight to Padang in Sumatra (Minangkabau International Airport) either via Kuala Lumpur, Singapore or Jakarta. Below are airline options to above destinations:
  • Air Asia
  • Sriwijaya Air
  • Garuda
  • Lion Air
  • Citilink Air
Once you get to the airport our resort representative will be waiting for you holding the sign “Hollow Tree’s Resort” – you then will be transfered to your accommodation in Padang.

Arriving: You need to land in Padang no later than the night before your Ferry transfer to the island. 

Departing: The ferry generally arrives back in Padang at 6pm. We recommend staying that night in Padang (included in your package) or arranging a very late departure time as the weather conditions can disrupt your arrival back into Padang. It takes roughly one hour to get from the Harbour to the Airport. 


Note: Kokos does not take any responsibility in case of delays or cancellations during transfers. Please ensure you leave adequate time to arrive to the airport. 

Depending on which travel option you choose (see answer to question 3.) – if you choose option 1, you would need to spend two nights in Padang – one night on arrival and one night return. As there are no flights connecting with the ferry schedules, the ferry only departs 4 times a week and once a day – on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

Yes, this is a public ferry. The ferry provides AC, toilets, snacks and water, comfortable seating and movies inside. There is also an outdoor seating area, if you want to get some fresh air. It is in a very good condition and very clean.

The Mentawai Fast Ferry departs Padang Harbour at 7:00am Tuesday & Saturday and returns to Padang by 6:00pm on the same day. The journey takes between 2 to 4 hours depending on weather conditions. 

Included in your package is complimentary accomodation in our sister location Kokos Hostel. It is located walking distance to the harbour. Click here to see more about our hostel accomodation. 

Travel insurance with emergency evacuation is mandatory according to the resort policy. We advise to get a travel insurance that covers travel delay, baggage delay, emergency medical and dental, emergency, medical transport and evacuation, and travel accident insurance. You can never know what might happen to you. – During a surf session, flight delays, or personal health. 

All visitors to Indonesia need a valid passport (with over 6 months validity) and need to obtain a visa to gain entry. Travellers wishing to stay 30 days or less can obtain a visa at the airport.
Nationals of Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, Spain, the UK and the USA can apply for a Tourist visa, valid for 30 days (non-extendable), on arrival, provided that they enter through one of the authorized airports or seaports. Those wishing to stay longer need to contact the Indonesian Embassy prior to travel to arrange this.

If you experience delays in your travel please email us or contact our team in Padang on Whatsapp: +62 82374802159 who will be able to assist you. If you experience baggage delays we will be able to arrange these to be shipped to the resort and accommodate as best we can with anything you require until they arrive. 

 

  • Please consult your doctor for health advice specific to you, below is a guide only;
  • Most travelers usually update their tetanus and hepatitis shots before traveling to any remote region of the world.
  • Malaria is a reality in some parts of Indonesia including the Mentawai Islands; We recommend wearing waterproof insect repellent at all times during your stay and some people also prefer medication as a precaution, consult your doctor for more information. 
  • If you take a prescription medication make sure you bring the necessary paperwork that goes with it in case of an emergency.
  • If you are prone to seasickness please bring something to counteract its effects such as Dramamine.

Rain coat, sun lotion, sun hat, mosquito repellent, and for surfers, surf booties (especially for beginners).

As we offer an all inclusive package, you only need cash for extra spending on personal needs. Some examples are below:

  • Souvenir money = $20 USD
  • Surf shop = $10 – $80 USD
  • Drinks & alcohol = $1 – $10 USD per drink
  • Massage = $20 – $40 USD
  • Laundry = $1 USD per piece of clothing
  • Yoga = $50 – $150 USD (depending on how many days)
  • Photography service = depending on the photographer (please bring USB, hard drive or Laptop)

For the hostel – card or cash is accepted to pay for any food or drink bills from your stay. This will need to be settled before you depart to the island. 

For the resort – please bring cash only, as we do not accept credit cards there. We prefer IDR but we also accept USD, AUD or EUR currencies. If you forget cash, you will need to settle your bill via credit card at Kokos Hostel when you return to Padang. 

Free WiFi is provided. However, due to our remote location the signal can be temperamental. For those needing a reliable connection, we suggest also buying an Indonesian Telkomsel SIM card in Padang (approx. 150,000 IDR / 10 USD with 2 GB of data). Our team in Padang can help you with this. 

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