G’day everybody! As we turn the corner into the second half of our 11th season, we have to look back in awe at what an amazing year it’s been so far. Our season began early this year, with the several trips firing in the “off” months of November – February. For a bit of visual evidence, be sure to check out at couple of the new vids on the Extras page. The season really started to cook in March, and we’ve seen some of the biggest and best swells to hit Indo in months of April and May. It’s been pretty much non-stop, and our guests are coming back with reports of solid surf, uncrowded lineups, and epic weather. Who knows what the “peak season” of June – September will bring? We’ve got a couple of gaps for solos and small groups in those months, so be sure to check out our Schedule page for the latest. It’s also a good time to start looking at those late season trips that have been so good to us in the last few years, and they are already starting to fill, so be sure to contact us soon if you have any questions!

And now to our company spiel…

Welcome to SumtranSurfariis.com, website to one of the longest running and most successful independent surf tour operators for the islands of Western and Northern Sumatra. For over ten years, we’ve continually brought surfers from around the world the adventures of their lives, and this has been done almost entirely without the use of outside booking agents. This allows us to have maximum control over the trips we deliver and the promises we make, as well as pass on savings normally spent on these agents to our guests. We are confident that pound-for-pound we deliver the best surf trips on the planet, and we hope you’ll come join us.

We are the sole operators of three charter boats: Southern Cross, Budyadahri, and Mikumba. All our boats are built in a traditional Indonesian style, which adds to the authenticity of your adventure. But they are also large and roomy, and well equipped with all the modern amenities. In addition to our three core boats, we also help book a few trips for our mates' boats, such as Saranya and D'Bora. The crews on these boats have many years experience running trips in these waters, and know how to put together a top charter for your group.

Our boats travel to two main areas: the Mentawais and Northern Sumatra. Feel free to check out our Trips page to find out a little bit more about what separates these two very different yet equally amazing areas. The page also provides a good example of what a trip might look like from start to finish. We have also recently begun exploration to areas of Southern Sumatra as well, and though we don’t want to divulge and information at this time, suffice it to say there’s more out there. Many of our trips are booked over a year in advance, so be sure to check our latest dates and prices to make sure you get the perfect slot for your dream trip.

In April of 2006, we also opened our brand new surf and dive resort, the Aloita Resort and Spa. Situated on beautiful island just north of Tua Pajet, near Telescopes, Aloita is far more than your standard surf camp, and offers several options not available in any resort in Sumatra. The resort is ideally suited for couples, as each roomy air-conditioned bungalow provides your own private access to your own mile of private beach. Our Mondoblu Dive Center comes complete with a full range of well-maintained, top quality dive gear, and you actually have the opportunity to get certified if you stay long enough. Or, if relaxing is more your cup of tea, you can always take in our spa treatments or just relax with a cool drink at our waterside rotunda bar. But, if surfing is your main motivation, we are of course well equipped to accommodate you. In addition to the many waves in the immediate Telescopes area, guests have the option to chose our “Surfers Package”, which allows them to travel anywhere from the northernmost part of the Mentawais all the way down to Lance's (encompassing about 70% of the overall waves in these islands). Aloita stands out for the quality and variety of its amenities, but for the options offered and luxury delivered, it is by far the best value of any resort in the Mentawais.

We love what we do, and we love sharing our stories with fellow surfers around the world. Every month or so, Scuzz sends Slayer an update summarizing his latest trips and adventures throughout these islands. Formerly this served as our homepage, but now we’re devoting a special section to these updates called Skipper Stories. Recently, Shello, skipper for the Budyadahri, has been getting in on the act, so we’ll be adding his stories to this page as well. This is a great way for readers to keep on top of the latest conditions, to see how the season is progressing, and to view some of the latest photos of our guests in action. Also, be sure to check out our newly updated Photos page, which displays some of the best shots from the past couple years or so. More than just surf shots, we feel these photos show a good mix of what we’re all about and what it’s like to go on a trip with us.

We run our operations out of the beautiful Hotel Batang Arau, which sits right along the Muara river harbor, and right next to our own private dock. This lovely six-suite inn was a former Dutch spaarbank, and is now literally one of the nicest places to chill in Padang before or after a trip. It’s also a nice place to pick up an authentic Indonesian gift, such as a local woodcarving or piece of silver jewelry, which hotel President Christina Fowler hand picks and sources from local vendors. The hotel also possesses one of Padang's few Internet Cafes with high-speed access. After guests have had a chance to relax and grab a beer and bite to eat after their long plane ride, it’s literally about a one-minute walk from the hotel to your boat. You then will make the crossing overnight, and ideally awaken to perfect waves. :)

We are proud to say that we employ an entirely local Indonesian crew of 30+. Most of our staff lives in Padang year round, so we are here to oversee everything, to strengthen our business relationships, manage our contacts and inventory, and do everything necessary to constantly improve your surf trip. We are very proud of the unique mix of people that makes up the Sumatran Surfariis team. In addition to our local Indo crew, we like to think we’re the only company in this industry that was co-founded by a feral-in-hiding Aussie and a toothless master fisherman, with its own hotel and bar (and a pretty girl managing both), with two Japanese guides that double as sushi chefs, and with a heavy metal hell-gaffing Booking Manager/Web Geek managing the traffic. We are also the only company that has 2 Japanese (female) masseurs and fully accredited emergency room doctor that rotate amongst the boats in our crew. We think this unique mix just deepens the experience and helps to provide you with the adventure of a lifetime. We also care deeply about the local culture, and we are constantly looking for ways to give back to the community that has unselfishly given us so much. We were the first charter company to provide relief to the locals after the devastating quakes and tsunamis (you can read about all of our efforts starting here), and we have “adopted” the island of Bawa, where our new sustainable fruit and veggie garden is flourishing.

Sumatran Surfariis has lived and grown by word of mouth, and it’s only by delivering excellent trips that we will continue to succeed in the future. Please feel free to read what some of our past customers have said about us on our Testimonials page. We hope to share this wonderful experience with you. Please feel free to contact us for any information.

Seize the day - you won't regret it. Terima kasih!!