Kandui Resort ::::: Mentawai Islands ::::: Indonesia :::: Resort Features

Karamajet Island, part of the Mentawai Islands chain and home to Kandui Resort is situated 75 miles off the west coast of Sumatra. Due to its remote location it requires a one-of-a-kind crossing across the Mentawai strait – a patch of ocean steeped in historical folklore and intrigue. Kandui Resort, the only western development on the island is set amidst 30 acres of palm trees, lagoons, and a spectacular mile long white sand beach overlooking two of the most picturesque islands in the Mentawai Islands. This area has no shopping malls, housing tracts, or freeways – just unspoiled beauty, the soothing rhythm of the tides, and the ever present allure of perfect surf.

Kandui Resort is undoubtedly located in one of the most sought after locations in the world and complimented by an assortment of features that separates it from any other experience in not only the Mentawai Islands, but Indonesia in general. The following is a list of "Resort Features" that you will find during your stay *Click on some of the images to view a slideshow:

1. Local Climate / Scenery
The picture above represents the predominant view from almost every location at the resort. We are set amidst 30 acres of palm trees, lagoons, and a spectacular mile long white sand beach overlooking two of the most picturesque islands in the Mentawai Islands (the other one is just to the left of this photo). If you could pick one area in the world to build not just a resort, but a luxury surf resort, this would be it! Kandui definitely provides a unique and memorable vacation experience.

The local climate is considered tropical, hot, and humid with a temperature range between 70 - 90 degrees Fahrenheit or 21 - 32 degrees Celsius.

The water temperature is always around 80 degrees (27 degrees Celsius) no matter what time of year you visit.

The local landscape is dense, tropical forest with four main islands and dozens of auxiliary islands - sprinkled with a few main coastal villages throughout.

The dry season in this area spans from February to September and the wet season typically occurs between October - January. At any time of the year however expect regular rainfall in short intervals - heavy at times.

Local winds surrounding the resort are variable throughout most of the year but occasionally go through intermittent periods of storminess, called "Badai's". Kandui lies exactly 1 degree below the Equator and as a result is not influenced by the steady easterly trade winds often associated with the rest of Indonesia - that's what makes this area so unique!

2. Landscaping /Layout
Our main emphasis at Kandui is centered around the beach. We've got more than a mile of beach in front of the resort and countless islands at our disposal to explore. The resort itself faces directly east so you are greeted by the sunrise in the morning, ready to start your day. The Restaurant and Bar area are considered the focal point of the resort with the "uma's" located south along the beach that you see pictured above - tucked away just inside the jungle line. The Office and Worker's Housing are located to the north of the restaurant and the Tsunami Bridge is due west.

The entire grounds have been recently landscaped with short Japanese grass and multiple varieties of tropical flowers with the pathways soft, white beach sand - lighted for travel by night.

3. Kandui Restaurant and Bar
The main congregation area, the heart of the resort, and our most prized structure - Kandui Restaurant and Bar was built from the ground up virtually by hand. It's design principles follow the local traditions and customs and every inch of this area has been meticulously detailed to provide a sense of barefoot luxury.

Indulge in the flavors of the Mentawai. Each day the resort’s chef prepares a variety of food with an emphasis on the succulent seafood caught by local fisherman and our guests. Sit back and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of our restaurant – which serves some of the tastiest food in Sumatra in front of one of the most idyllic settings possible.

Dining in the restaurant is mostly communal in the style of a Captain's table on a ship. However, for guests looking to enjoy a romantic dinner for two there are many settings for private dining such as an exclusive island, lagoon, on the beach, or even back at your "uma".

There is also a set schedule for meals so you don't have to wonder what time you eat. Lastly, your visit will have as many barbeques as possible; nothing is tastier or more satisfying than having a bbq with your close friends on a remote, tropical island with perfect waves reeling in the distance.

Alcohol, beer, soft drinks, juices, fruit punch, and water are all available. Coffee/Tea Making facilities also available.

Be prepared to eat as much as you can handle because all of our meals are included in the price in both of our Standard Package and Deluxe Package.

* An information board is available in the restaurant to provide up-to-date swell forecasts, wind estimates etc... We will also post information about speedboat availability and make decisions about potential surf spots the next day.

4. Kandui's Office and Gift Shop
The Office is set up as our communication center to the outside world. It has two computers for people to browse the internet, a phone service to make calls overseas without having to use the Satellite phone, a fax machine, safety deposit box, and money changing service. Everything you have in your office at work.

There are no formal meeting/conference facilities but with the wireless internet connection you can have a meeting almost anywhere.

Kandui's Gift shop is managed in conjunction with the local artisans - it offers an easy, convenient place for people to purchase Mentawai gifts for themselves, their friends and family at home, the shop will have local jewelry, wood handicrafts bow and arrows, shaman bags, sarongs, the list goes on...

5. Kandui's Internet Connection
Kandui Resort boasts one of only three high speed internet connections in the Mentawai Islands. We set up the other one for SurfAid International, a non-profit organization that works in the capital city of Tuapajet.

Now you have the option of staying in touch with your family, friends, and the office for a $40US flat fee. Internet access and Skype Phone Calls are included as part of our "Deluxe (Bojo) Package".

Please feel free to bring along your laptop during your stay with us as our wireless connection covers a large portion of the resort including inside each uma.

Special thanks to Aaron Owens at Whoisnetworking for our internet connection and future technology ideas...

6. Kandui Boats
Our ultimate goal at the resort is to provide our guests the most authentic Mentawai experience possible and our core mode of transportation achieves this. We have resisted the temptation to bring in "western style" speedboats and have instead opted to custom configure 3 luxury canoes and 2 tenders to shuttle people around the resort for whatever activity they are enjoying. Each one of our luxury canoes is capable of cruising at a very comfortable 20 knots and that is really all we need due to the geographic proximity to most of the surf spots and various sites we visit. Two of the luxury canoes will sport 2 x 40 hp engines and can take up to 6 surfers comfortably. Our largest dug out luxury canoe is 33 feet long, boasts a stainless steel tarp frame, board racks, comfortable seating, and 2 x 85 hp engines.

7. Tsunami Bridge
Kandui Resort has worked closely with Tsunami expert Professor Jose Borrero from the University of Southern California to develop a plan of action in case of an earthquake and/or tsunami. Professor Borrero is currently working on detailed models of what would happen in the event of a catastrophe and is helping us to take the necessary precautions and formulate the best safety procedures available. Our "Tsunami Bridge" which is located in the back of the resort winds for over 400 yards to a 50m hill in the center of the island presumably high enough to escape the largest run ups predicted. Until then, we hope the bridge is never used for its intended purpose but for now it provides a great hike through the interiors of the island, through the mangrove swamp and into the forest for 360 degree views that you can't believe!

8. Worker's Housing / Medical Center
Located three hundred yards south of the main complex a few of our staff live full time in their own mini complex.

This area also caters to our guests who get minor cuts and scrapes on the reef. For added safety we have also cleared a spot for a Medivac helicopter to land in case of severe emergency. For minor incidences that do not require urgent medical attention we will transport guests back to Padang via the Mentawai Express Ferry, surf charter boat, or in one of our Luxury Canoes. No one will be permitted enter the resort without having proof of travelers insurance in their hand...this is absolutely mandatory.