Kandui Villas is situated in one of the best surf locations in the world - centrally located in the Playgrounds region of the Mentawais. With over a dozen breaks in close proximity, including Rifles (only five minutes by boat) and a maximum of only 20 surfers on the island, Kandui Villa is fast gaining a reputation as one of the best surf resort in the Mentawais.
Hidden among the palms on this remote island are the traditional Mentawai 'umas' offering solitude and comfort. Villa guests are secluded in these spacious, individual umas - the architecture and overall design are derived from local Mentawai traditions and style. Kandui Villas offers an extraordinary alternative for people who are not comfortable travelling and living on a boat; small groups who are looking for an executive / work-related retreat; and / or people travelling with their significant other or families. The ultimate goal is to provide guests with the best surfing / cultural experience of their lives - an experience that will keep everyone engaged and happy, whether they are surfing, hanging out in the resort or on a cultural trek deep into the jungle... Kandui has it all!
The Mentawai cultures, traditions and values are the fundamental force behind the way the resort is run. Fabulous food, stunning beaches, beautiful accommodation and an abundance of world class waves await.
World-Class Surf on your Doorstep
The Mentawai Islands are considered to be every surfer’s ultimate travel destination. There isn't another place in the world where you have the real possibility of surfing the best waves of your life on any given day. When all the conditions come together - perfect location, perfect swell, perfect tide and perfect crew - you've found what every surfer seeks.
Paradise at Playgrounds
The Playgrounds area is arguably the prettiest region of the Mentawais with white sandy beaches, lush vegetation and turquoise lagoons. Snorkel off the beach at Kandui and you'll see a myriad of marine life or simply relax in a hammock under a palm tree, whilst recharging for your next surf!
Karamajet Island, part of the Mentawai Islands chain and home to Kandui Villas, is situated 75 miles off the west coast of Sumatra. Due to its remote location, it requires a boat crossing over the Mentawai Strait – a patch of ocean steeped in historical folklore and intrigue. Kandui Villas, 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.
Local Climate / Scenery
Kandui definitely provides a unique and memorable vacation experience. The local climate is considered tropical - hot and humid with a temperature range between 21-32 degrees Celsius. The water temperature is always around 27 degrees Celsius, no matter what time of year you visit.
Accommodation
The UMAs
Kandui Villas consists of nine eco-friendly premium umas, and one triple uma. There's a total of 12 Umas, with each at 7.5 meter wide x 10.5 meters long. Each of the 12 Umas are configured, with 3 king sized beds, or 2 king sized, and 2 double beds, making the rooming options flexible with 1-4+ people, great for singles, couples, groups, or families.
The umas are all hand carved throughout and all the furniture is made of sustainably sourced local hardwoods. Each Uma includes two air-conditioning units, as well as a hot water heater for hot showers, and a mini-refrigerator unit.
Meals
The Kandui Villas restaurant is located directly next to the swimming pool and connected by a wooden deck which wraps around the pool and leads to a game room, bar, and palapa.
Good food is vital to surfers burning calories in perfect waves under the tropical sun. The Kandui Villas menu features local seafood caught by villagers and guests, but also a variety of Italian, Japanese, Mexican, Thai, Chinese, American, and Indonesian cuisine. Barbecues are also popular at Kandui Villas, and all that protein is served alongside organically-grown vegetables from a massive green house on the property.
Surf Kandui Villas
The Mentawai Islands are one of the most consistent surf destinations in the entire world. Its broad exposure towards the vast, southern Indian Ocean provides these majestic islands with remarkable consistency and quality. There are great waves in this area YEAR-ROUND. However, the most ideal time to surf in the Mentawais is during the dry season, late March to early November, the southern hemisphere's winter, when the Indian Ocean is an ultra-active, groundswell producing machine. During the entire year Kandui Villas offers the average surfer the opportunity to score the best waves of their lives in the premier surf resort location in the entire world… nothing else comes close.
Kandui boats:
Kandui Left and Baby Kandui are directly in front of the Kandui Villas and there are two dozen other spots within 5-30 minutes by fast boat, in all directions. For getting to the surf, Kandui Villas has a solid inventory of boats for accessing the inventory of waves: two, five-meter plastic dinghies, one 4.5 meter fiberglass dinghy, one 5.2 meter Kahajaya center-consul speed boat and three, 45-50 foot longboats for accessing the spots outside of Playgrounds: Hideaways, Nipussi, Burgerworld, E-Bay.
Kandui Villas launches their fleet of surf boats from four cement docks. Three of the docks are built in a mangrove lagoon located behind each section of the resort making for easy transitions to and from the resort. The fourth dock is a jetty located on the front beach side of the resort, in a keyhole channel between Kandui Left and Baby Kandui.
The long boats are 45-50 feet long, and five to six feet wide. Because of the long boats’ sleek design, they cut through the chop better than any boats around, giving a smooth, comfortable and stable ride even through rough seas. Their construction is also very strong, using an entire tree the length of the boat for the body. One of the long boats use 2 x 100 hp 4-stroke outboards, while the other 3 long bots use three x 40 HP 2-stroke outboards, and go 20+ knots. They have canopies, comfortable padded seats, and all the safety gear, including life jackets, flares, GPS, and satellite phone contained in a Pelican case. Each boat brings a drinking water dispenser, and cooler with snacks, and drinks.
In a word: styling. In another word: safety. In a third word: speed.
Optimum conditions for Mentawais surf:
Swell: S to SW to W
Wind: E to S/E but there's always somewhere to surf no matter the wind!
Non-Surf Activities
Non-surf activities on the island include the following:
Fishing - Fishing and trolling is included in the price, and we suggest bringing your own fishing gear.
Massage Service - Available for extra charge.
Snorkelling - There are a variety of great snorkelling areas around Kandui resort. Guests are encouraged to bring their own gear otherwise it can be purchased directly from the resort when available.
Table tennis, jungle or beach volleyball, backgammon/chess/board games/cards
Picnic - A picnic can be arranged on island
Yoga - Bring your yoga mat and find a secluded spot on the island
Jungle Cruise - Take one of the canoes into the reaches of Siberut Island and travel back in time to one of the most remote and ancient regions on Earth. This trip usually takes half a day and is normally combined with a visit to a local village.
