Frequently Asked Questions

Forward Planning

  • Most travellers require a 30-day Indonesian visa, which can be arranged online in advance at evisa.imigrasi.go.id. We recommend completing this before departure so there's nothing to arrange on arrival.

  • On arrival, you'll complete a digital customs declaration and receive a QR code for the scanning process. Pre-registering at ecd.beacukai.go.id ahead of time makes this considerably faster.

  • Yes. Comprehensive travel insurance that includes medical evacuation cover is essential. We'll ask you to share your policy details in advance so they're on hand immediately, should you ever need them.

  • The risk on the island is low. We take precautions such as regular fogging, and recommend guests use repellent in the evenings. Prescription antimalarials are a personal choice, not a requirement.

  • An eSIM (Airalo is a reliable option) gives you affordable local data without needing a physical SIM card or paying roaming charges.

Travel & Transit

  • International connections run via Kuala Lumpur (daily) or Singapore (three times weekly), with domestic connections also available through Jakarta. We recommend arriving the afternoon or evening before your charter flight to the island.

  • An English-speaking host will meet you for ground transport and your hotel transfer, with pick-up arranged for the following morning.

  • We recommend the Mercure Padang or Hotel Santika Premiere Padang, both well-located and comfortable, with a good breakfast to start the day.

  • Our operations team is on hand before departure, and our on-island management team is reachable by WhatsApp and email throughout your journey.

  • You'll travel by Susi Air Cessna Grand Caravan, seating 12 (with four seats removed to accommodate boards where needed). The flight takes around 55 minutes with an experienced crew, and the final approach offers a striking first view of the reef.

  • Boards up to 9'6" are accommodated, with two per guest recommended. Luggage is limited to 20kg per person, including boards.

  • Return charter flights typically arrive back in Padang around 4:00 pm. We highly recommend booking onward flights for 6:00 pm or later, or planning to stay the night in Padang.

  • Padang to Tanah Mympi is roughly 140 to 145 nautical miles by sea, accounting for currents and wind. Depending on the boat and sea conditions, that's a minimum of 6 hours on a good day, and up to 12 hours on a rough one, plus around 30 minutes just navigating out of the Padang river to open water. We always advise guests to plan for the longer end of that range rather than be caught off guard.

  • Absolutely, safety always comes first. Our boats are state-of-the-art and well-equipped for the crossing. That said, up to 12 hours at sea can be a physically demanding journey, so we recommend it for guests who are comfortable with a long day of travel. If weather conditions are ever deemed unsafe for speedboat travel, our Padang team will work with you to arrange alternative options.

  • For most guests, we recommend the charter flight, it's faster, more comfortable, and gets you settled into the resort the same day with plenty of energy left for the surf. The boat transfer is a great option if you're looking to save on cost and don't mind turning the crossing itself into part of the adventure.

What To Bring

  • Pack light. Our complimentary laundry service means you won't need to bring more than the essentials: light clothing, toiletries, sunscreen, any medications, and any personal surf gear you'd like to bring.

  • Yes, Indonesia permits one litre per person. We recommend purchasing it at your last international airport before arrival. There's no corkage fee.

  • No — Indonesia enforces strict, zero-tolerance drug laws with severe penalties, and this extends to medicinal use.

  • Your account is settled by transfer or credit card on departure and can be reviewed at any time during your stay. We recommend carrying rupiah for incidental local purchases and for tipping staff directly, as cash tips aren't added to your bill.

  • Until recently, savvy travellers looking to avoid heart-stopping roaming charges would make a bee-line for the phone shop in the airport and whack a local SIM card in their phone. It’s been made easier these days by services such as https://www.airalo.com where you can line up an eSIM, which is a digital SIM card, allowing you to connect to local networks and use mobile data in Indonesia without needing a physical SIM card. For a modest price, all your comms apps (WhatsApp, Messenger, Signal, etc) are good to go on local networks, so you won’t get shafted by roaming costs. What a time to be alive!

Local Knowledge

  • Around 70% of our staff are from the local islands, and our produce is sourced from local families wherever possible. We're also developing further social and educational initiatives for the community.

  • We ask guests to be respectful, friendly, and mindful of local customs — including modest dress off the island — and to be a good ambassador for the resort within the community.

  • The community is predominantly Christian, with roots tracing back to a missionary who settled here in 1865, and lives alongside a significant Muslim population in a spirit of coexistence.

On The Island

  • It translates to "Land of Dreams." The spelling was adapted slightly from the more common Indonesian transliteration to avoid a naming conflict with an existing location in Bali.

  • Occasionally, yes — when they do, it allows us to offer certain premium amenities at a more accessible price point.

  • Every structure is engineered with this region in mind: bolted construction, over-engineered concrete and steel footings, and post-and-beam timber framing designed to flex safely during seismic activity. Our management and guides monitor conditions through USGS data, the main house sits over 18 feet above sea level with emergency supplies on hand, and our boats can move to deep water if ever required.

  • Reliable, via Starlink — connectivity may dip briefly during heavy rainfall, but otherwise stays strong throughout your stay.

  • We run ten-day trips as a rule, with a number of seven-day trips sprinkled through the schedule. Included in the package are the following:

    • Padang airport pickup and accommodation transfers

    • Charter flights (Padang > Telo > Padang)

    • Premium suite accommodation

    • Three gourmet meals per day prepared by our in-house chef

    • Appetizers and snacks available throughout the day

    • Unlimited fresh water

    • Guided Surf Transfers: Daily surf transfers via our speedboats to nearby breaks

    • Half-Day Fishing Charter (fishing gear supplied)

    • Epic island snorkel drift dive

    • 30-minute massage or spa treatment

    • Daily yoga

    • Cold plunge

    • Access to on-site activities and facilities, including lagoon SUP (stand-up paddleboarding); kayaking, bocce ball, table tennis, cornhole etc.

    • Telo Island Scooter Tour: 14-km scenic island tour with local guide and equipment.

    • Laundry Service

    • High-Speed Wi-Fi

  • Alcoholic and soft drinks, access to our premium surfboard quiver, private boat hire, full-day fishing charters, photography and video packages, board ding repairs, additional spa treatments, jet ski hire, and personal surf coaching or foiling tuition.

  • Every speedboat stays in contact with the island, so guests are always reachable.

  • 16 suites, for up to 32 guests in total — though surf groups are kept intentionally small, rarely more than a handful per break.

  • Fresh, healthy, and full of flavour, drawing on Southeast Asian influences with a touch of holiday indulgence. We're happy to accommodate dietary requirements with advance notice.

  • By transfer or credit card on your departure day. You're welcome to review your account at any point during your stay.

  • Yes — our resident photographer curates a guest media program, and booking in advance offers a preferred rate.

  • Yes, and it's expanding through 2026 to include apparel and surf accessories, toiletries, sunscreen, and souvenirs.

Going surfing

  • Not essential, but worth packing. They're a good option for reefier sessions and general foot protection.

  • Your favourite board plus a step-up for bigger days is usually enough. We also have longboards and fish available to hire for smaller days.

  • Sun protection above all, a long-sleeved, hooded rashie is highly recommended, along with reef-safe sunscreen, wax, a spare leg rope, and a dry bag. Towels are provided.

  • Speedboats run at a maximum of 8 guests, with flexibility for a full day exploring or split morning and afternoon sessions. Our central location gives easy access to both the northern and southern breaks, and we coordinate closely with other local operators to keep things uncrowded. Private boat charters are also available.

  • Yes. The islands offer waves suited to every level, and our guides match each group to the right break for their ability. Coaching is also available for guests looking to build their skills during their stay.

  • The majority of the boards cater to experienced surfers aged 30 to 60, who enjoy a bit of foam underfoot but still want a board that holds its own when the swell picks up.

  • Our on-island shop carries everything needed for minor repairs and replacements.

Extras

  • Very much so, snorkelling, stand-up paddleboarding, foiling, kayaking, and fishing are all part of island life here.

  • No, though you're welcome to bring your own. We provide masks, snorkels, and fins. Our island drift dive, a jungle walk followed by a 30-minute drift back to the swim-up bar, is a particular highlight.

  • Yes. The lagoon offers calm, flat water ideal for beginners, with complimentary boards available. Higher-performance boards suited to surfing can also be hired.

  • Not necessary. The resort is fully equipped, though you're welcome to bring your own. A replacement fee may apply if tackle is lost in excess.

  • Jet skis are used primarily in a functional capacity, for tow-foiling and paddle-back assistance, with a strict no-tow policy whenever other paddlers are in the water.

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