Telo Island Lodge Trip Report by World Surfaris Staff

By Shaun Levings: MD of World Surfaris.

I’ve just returned from 10 days in Sumatra with a couple of mates.  Our destination was the Telo Islands located in Western Sumatra midway betweeen the Mentawais and Nias.  I had heard plenty over the years from a few charter skippers about how good the surf is there.  Telo Island Lodge opened in 2006 and the secret is out now, however the remoteness of the region will ensure crowd factor is kept to a minimum thats for sure.

Telo Island Lodge - Tropical Paradise

World Surfaris VIP clients, Keith Anderson & Graham Elder accompanied me on the adventure.  We flew via Jakarta and overnight at the Airport hotel which is so handy as it’s located within the terminal.  The following morning we flew to Padang which recently was heavily hit by the earthquake.  There was no evidence of this at the airport and we were met by local operator, Rudi, who sorted out our domestic charter flight connection to the Telos.  We met our 4th amigo and travel companion, Marc Olivier a French Canadian geologist/surfer living in Borneo (on his 2nd visit to the Telos) and within 2 hours we boarded our charter flight and were winging our way to the Telo Islands.  1 hour flight and touchdown on one of the most spectacular runways I’ve encountered. 

Dave Simons (ex pro longboarder from Crescent head) who is the manager at Telo Island lodge met us on arrival and after a short walk we were loaded onto their impressive speedboat for a 20 min ride to the Lodge.  I was immediately struck by how beautiful the islands were and upon entering the Lagoon of Telo Is. lodge it soon became obvious this was going to exceed my expectations.  The local boat boys ‘Virus’ and Gus made an instant impression with their happy faces and willingness to help.

For the next 4 days, Dave and the friendly crew at Telo Island Lodge kept us surf stoked (even though huey was a little unkind with small swell, we surfed twice daily) entertained and well fed.  Dave was really on the ball finding us the best available surf according to the conditions and the vast array of set ups/reef passes blew me away.  The Telos is certainly surf infested !  A big mention to Gerry and Reso in the kitchen for their incredible food.  The late arvo beer snacks including sashimi, squid and fish sticks were washed down with an ice cold Bintang on deck of our overwater bungalow.  Telo Island Lodge has to be one of the most exclusive surf resorts in the world as it’s only catering to a max. of 8 guests in high quality accommodation.  The attention to detail was amazing and the ‘upmarket rustic’ feel/ambience they have created in this tropical paradise is a credit to them.  I can see why their 2010 season is nearly booked out and 2011 is filling up fast.  If the righthander out the front was pumping you would not want to leave the lodge although “Mishos Left’, 5 mins around the corner is an insane wave. This is the ultimate lads lodge!

Gerry the Masterchef -Telo Island lodge

It’s worth mentioning that Telo Island Lodge have WIFI internet and your mobile phone and PDA’s (Blackberry etc.) will work there.  If you need to be in contact with the office and home it’s too easy !

On arrival back to Padang we were met and transferred to the airport for our flight home.  We witnessed the devestation of the recent earthquake and this further re-inforced why we are supporting SURF AID with donations and a concert on the Gold coast on Sunday 22 November. See details on poster below. We aim to make at least $10,000 for surf aid from this concert.

Thanks to Dave and the staff at Telo Island Lodge for a memorable experience.  I’ll be back !