FAQ

1) WHERE IS AWERA RESORT LOCATED?

Awera Resort is located in a secluded area on the central Mentawai, one small island named Awera, situated in the Indonesian province of West Sumatra.

2) HOW DO I GET TO AWERA RESORT MENTAWAI?

There is only one point of entry to get to the Mentawai Islands: Padang City airport. The best way to get to Padang is to fly from Jakarta or from Kuala Lumpur.

Once in Padang you can organize your own transfer or book our transfer service.

If you arrange your own transfer service our staff will be waiting for you in Tua Pejat harbor (Mentawai Capital where the Mentawai Fast ferry arrives).

If you book your transfer service with us:

  1. Our transfer service starts INSIDE Padang airport. Forget about carrying your luggage during the arrival or departure, we will take care of everything.
  2. Guests opting for our TRANSFER SERVICE are picked up at the airport and taken to their hotel ( Gran Zuri Padang) for the night.
  3. Awera Resort Transfer service INCLUDES Hotel & breakfast on Padang ( superior room) on the way in and on the way out.
  4. The following day you’ll be picked up at your hotel and taken to the city port, where the Fast Ferry leaves for the Mentawai Islands, a three-hour crossing away (Fast ferry tickets included).
  5. Once in Tua Pejat, you’re picked up by our staff and taken by speedboat to the Resort , which is a ten-minute crossing away.
  6. When your stay come to an end, we’ll take care of your return journey and make sure you arrive on time for your flight.

3- MENTAWAI FAST FERRY RUNS EVERYDAY?

The Mentawai Fast ferry departs from Padang every Monday at 6:00 am, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 7:00 am and the trip lasts 3 hours (sundays the trip lasts 5h).

On the way back, the Mentawai Fast ferry operates the same days, Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 3:00 pm and arrives in Padang approximately around 6:00 pm.

4- WHAT DOES AWERA RESORT TRANSFER SERVICE INCLUDE?

  1. Our transfer service starts INSIDE Padang airport. Forget about carrying your luggage during the arrival or departure, we will take care of everything.
  2. Guests opting for our TRANSFER SERVICE are picked up at the airport and taken to their hotel ( Gran Zuri Padang) for the night.
  3. Awera Resort Transfer service INCLUDES Hotel & breakfast on Padang ( superior room) on the way in and on the way out.
  4. The following day you’ll be picked up at your hotel and taken to the city port, where the Fast Ferry leaves for the Mentawai Islands, a three-hour crossing away (Fast ferry tickets included).
  5. Once in Tua Pejat, you’re picked up by our staff and taken by speedboat to the Resort , which is a ten-minute crossing away.
  6. When your stay come to an end, we’ll take care of your return journey and make sure you arrive on time for your flight.

5) DO I NEED A VISA TO TRAVEL TO INDONESIA?

Travelers to Indonesia staying less than 30 days don't need any special visa. For longer than thirty days and up to 2 months, you can apply for a visa on arrival that can be processed directly in the airport. It is important to have a passport valid for more than 6 months and a return ticket to be able to enter Indonesia. Anyway, to be 100% sure about your country's visa restrictions, please check with your embassy or let us know and we will help you to find a visa agent.

6- WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE ROOM RATE PACKAGE?

Our Villa rates include 3 delicious a la carte meals and unlimited snacks, coffee, tea and water.

7- CAN WE BOOK AWERA RESORT IN EXCLUSIVITY?

Yes, and we do have a special package for that. Our maximum capacity is 40 guests, distributed over our 10 properties / 15 villas / 20 rooms. Make the resort yours for small weddings, small company events and incentives, yoga retreats, family celebrations, and more.

8- WHAT ARE THE MENUS LIKE AT AWERA RESORT?

We offer an a la carte menu, covering totally vegan, vegetarian or gluten free choices. Our chef develops the dishes based on availability and seasonality, so we change it constantly. Incorporating Asian and, more specifically, Indonesian influences, his style reflects his broad, international experience and deep love of diversity. The fruits and vegetables in our dishes are grown locally, sustainably and, to the greatest extent possible, organically. In addition, the chef has recruited a number of local fishermen to guarantee the choicest, freshest catch for our guests. Those with special dietary needs (or cravings) should not hesitate to make them known, as the chef and his team will gladly accommodate you. Check our menu in the restaurant section.

9- IS AWERA RESORT OPEN FOR WALK-INS? DO WE ALLOW DAY TOURS?

In order to protect the privacy of staying guests, our facilities are not open to the public, and we do not accept day tours.

10- WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO TRAVEL TO MENTAWAI ISLAND? HOW IS THE WEATHER IN AWERA THROUGHOUT THE YEAR?

A tropical island, Mentawai is enjoyable all year long. However, the preferred time to visit is during the drier season (bigger wave season), from March to October, still with occasional rain like the standard tropical weather. Blessed with an average annual temperature of 30°C (86°F), Mentawai has a tropical marine climate, with ocean winds that average out annually to a breezy 3.1 meters per second. The island enjoys relatively mild dry and wet seasons. From November to February , the wet season (with smaller waves). Weather can be a bit unpredictable, still on average you will get mostly sunny days, and refreshing nights.

11- WHEN IS THE BEST SEASON FOR SURFING?

You can surf Mentawai the whole year around. The bigger waves happen between May and September, March/April/October/November we could say that we have middle size waves and from December to February smaller size waves but still fun and totally surfeable.

There are more than 13 surfing spots around the island reachable by boat and in the bay at our beach there are three breaks.

The most famous one is Telescopes, located 10 minutes away by boat from Awera Resort.

12- IS THERE A GOOD INTERNET CONNECTION AT AWERA RESORT?

AWERA RESORT is served by the principal Indonesian internet provider, Telecom. Even if the signal isn´t the strongest one, it works well for video calls, emails or online navigation.

Wireless Internet is available in the whole resort, communal areas, guest villas and may reach some of the beach areas, depending on conditions. However, at Awera Resort we hope you may find yourself less and less inclined to spend time in front of a screen.

13- ARE THERE DISEASES RELATED TO MOSQUITO BITES?

There is no malaria in Mentawai, but dengue fever, an occasionally fatal disease spread by mosquitoes, is a remote risk. While cases of infection are rare and reportedly limited to the north of the archipielago, there is no vaccination against dengue fever.

Conscientiously protecting yourself from mosquitoes is the best safeguard against infection. Awera Resort provides high-quality natural repellent, and you are encouraged to bring your own preferred brand. Have some close to hand at all times, especially when dusk is falling.

14- IS THERE A HOSPITAL ON THE ISLAND?

On Awera, life-threatening scenarios tend to arise as a result of surfing in unfamiliar territory (in combination with powerful waves, rocks and sharp coral). Tua Pejat district hospital is 20m away from the harbor and can handle basic problems.

In case of sophisticated medical care, it is available in Padang, about four hours away by speedboat.