Fishing Spots ＞ Sumatra
2 captains listed · casting available · sea category. A spot in Mentawai (ex Padang) (Sumatra) targeting GT/Tuna. Check the tide, captains and recent catches, then contact them directly via public social accounts. Access, climate and lodging are in the details below.
Book / contact the captain directly @mentawai_fishing ›The gateway is Minangkabau Airport (PDG) in Padang, West Sumatra. Fly into PDG from Jakarta, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, etc., then cross from the port at the mouth of the Batang Arau River in Padang to the Mentawai Islands (Tuapejat/Siberut, etc.) by fast boat (Mentawai Fast) or slow ferry. Boat destinations change by day of the week and may be delayed by sea conditions, so arriving in Padang the day before is essential.
| From | Route | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jakarta (CGK) | By air to Padang (PDG), then by boat from Padang port | About 2 hours to PDG | Domestic flight to PDG. The most common domestic route |
| Singapore (SIN)/Kuala Lumpur (KUL) | By air to Padang (PDG), then by boat from Padang port | About 1 to 1.5 hours to PDG | Some international flights go direct to PDG |
| Padang port (mouth of the Batang Arau River) | Fast boat Mentawai Fast | About 3.5 hours | Mon/Wed/Fri/Sun to Tuapejat (Sipora Island), Tue/Thu/Sat to Siberut Island. Foreign VIP one way 400,000 IDR (about 25 USD). No online booking; purchase at the port by the day before |
| Padang port | Slow ferry (overnight) | About 10 to 12 hours | One way about 15 USD with a bed. Takes time but cheap |
Coordinates: -2.05, 99.6（Open in Google Maps）
GT/Tuna
For surfing, June to August is the peak season when southern ocean swells are most stable; April to May and September to October offer a good balance of waves, wind, and crowds. The dry season suited to the sea and fishing is roughly April to October, when stable sea conditions favor travel and fishing trips. Mentawai is one of the world's premier GT (giant trevally) spots, where dogtooth tuna, yellowfin tuna, wahoo, Spanish mackerel, barracuda, mahi-mahi, sailfish, and more can be targeted, but no primary source clearly specifying a particular best season for GT/tuna fishing could be confirmed (the dry season is favorable in terms of sea conditions).
○ in season: Apr–May, Sep–Oct
See what else is in season now →
Islands in the open ocean about 120 km south of West Sumatra, reached by ferry from Padang. A rare fishery with low fishing pressure and reliable shots at big predators. On the shallow coral reefs work topwaters for GT, and in deep water jig for dogtooth tuna and yellowfin. Wahoo, Spanish mackerel, sailfish, and marlin also migrate through.
Full how-to & tackle on each species page：GT Tuna
*Photos are not re-hosted; we link to each social account (R8). Auto-updated with the latest posts.
*Official embeds of each channel's public videos. Click to play on YouTube.
A tropical climate located 1 to 3 degrees south of the equator, with no cold season and temperatures nearly constant year-round (daytime 28 to 32C, nighttime 24 to 26C, sea water 27 to 29C). Humidity is high at 80 to 90%. Outside the typhoon/cyclone belt. The dry season is roughly April to October, with December to January being the wettest. Clothing is basically lightweight summer wear and quick-drying fabrics all year.
| Month | Avg ℃ | High ℃ | Low ℃ | Clothing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32 | 24 | Summer wear. Rainwear essential at the peak of the rainy season | ||
| 32 | 24 | Summer wear. Lots of rain, so rainwear | ||
| 32 | 25 | Summer wear. Rain gear is reassuring | ||
| 32 | 25 | Summer wear. Comfortable as the dry season begins | ||
| 32 | 25 | Summer wear. Comfortable with little rain | ||
| 32 | 25 | Summer wear. Dry season with many clear days | ||
| 31 | 25 | Summer wear. The best conditions of the dry season | ||
| 31 | 25 | Summer wear. The least rain | ||
| 31 | 25 | Summer wear. Comfortable in the dry season | ||
| 32 | 25 | Summer wear. Rain begins to increase | ||
| 32 | 24 | Summer wear. Rainwear as the rainy season begins | ||
| 32 | 24 | Summer wear. Rainwear essential at the peak of the rainy season |
| Class | Property | Price (approx) | Highlights | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High-end | Kandui Resort（カンドゥイ・リゾート） | — | An all-inclusive luxury surf resort on a private island near Playgrounds. Traditional Uma-style lodging with air conditioning, hot showers, and high-speed Wi-Fi | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| High-end | Kandui Villas（カンドゥイ・ヴィラズ） | Separate rates for individual/couple/18-person exclusive use, booking deposit USD500 | 10 hand-carved eco luxury Umas in total (9 single, 1 triple). Blends local crafts with hardwood and stone | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| High-end | Awera Resort（アウェラ・リゾート） | From USD199 per night per person (surfer package around USD95 per day per person) | 10 standalone villas in total, each with a private infinity pool, terrace, and master suite. Mentawai's finest luxury villas | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| Standard | Macaronis Resort（マカロニズ・リゾート） | Non-surfer/beginner/child (ages 6-11) USD95 per night; surfer package on request | A resort near Macaronis wave in South Pagai. Package including meals and boat transfers, with group discounts | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| Standard | Pitstop Hill（ピットストップ・ヒル） | About AUD245 per night per person (2-4 people per room, with air conditioning) | A mid-range surf camp mainly with air-conditioned rooms (some shared baths). Meals and boat transfers included | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| Standard | Truntum Padang（旧Grand Inna Padang／パダン市街） | — | A 4-star, 168-room hotel in central Padang. Outdoor pool, fitness, restaurant. 5-minute walk to the Adityawarman Museum, about 30 minutes from the airport | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| Budget | Moile Moile Homestay（モイレモイレ・ホームステイ／Masokut島） | 350,000 rupiah per person per day (breakfast/lunch/dinner and tea/coffee included) | A budget homestay on Masokut Island in central Mentawai. All-inclusive rate with 3 meals | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| Budget | Surf Homestay Katiet（サーフホームステイ・カチエ） | — | A budget all-inclusive package near HT's wave. Includes 2 nights in Padang, airport/port transfers, round-trip Padang-Tua Pejat fast ferry, and 3 meals | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| Budget | Tua Pejat / Mapaddegat エリアのホームステイ（Sipora島） | — | Budget lodging around the ferry hub Tua Pejat. Simple rooms with toilet (mostly no hot water). Ideal as a budget base camp | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| Name | Cuisine | Budget | Highlights | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rumah Makan Pagi Sore | Padang cuisine (Minang) | — | A long-established restaurant on Jalan Pondok (founded 1947). A renowned spot famous for richer flavors than other shops | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| Rumah Makan Silungkang | Traditional West Sumatra cuisine | — | Well located, clean, and spacious. The specialty is jengkol (Jengkol) | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| Rumah Makan Fuja | Grilled fish and seafood | — | Traditional Indonesian-style grilled fish is the signature dish. Served with assorted salads, sauces, soups, and fried potatoes | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| Sate Mariangkabau（Sate Manangkabau） | Sate (skewers) | — | Padang's most famous sate specialty restaurant. Also offers soto and various drinks, presenting authentic recipes in a modern way | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| 各リゾート内ダイニング（Kandui/Awera/Macaronis等） | Resort dining (included in package) | 3 meals included in the accommodation package | During a stay at a surf resort, 3 meals a day are generally included in the rate | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
Nearby spots easy to combine into one trip (straight-line distance). See the map above for locations.