Andrian Salis

Founder, Pulau Asli Tour · 3rd-generation Mentawai veteran · 20 years Padang logistics · April 4, 2026

Padang to Mentawai: Ferry Schedule, Port Guide & Everything You Need to Know (2026)

The ferry from Muaro Padang to Siberut Island runs Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 07:00 — it is the only reliable passenger route to the Mentawai Islands. I was born on Siberut Island. I've made this crossing hundreds of times — in calm weather and in storms, with tourists and without. I've spent 20 years coordinating Padang logistics so that my guests arrive at Siberut without stress.

Step 1 — Fly into Padang (BIM)

Your journey to Mentawai starts at Minangkabau International Airport (BIM), the main airport serving Padang, West Sumatra. Airlines with regular service to BIM include Garuda Indonesia, Lion Air, Batik Air, and Citilink. Domestic connections from Jakarta (CGK/HLP), Bali (DPS), and Surabaya are frequent. International connections via Kuala Lumpur (AirAsia) and Singapore (Scoot) are available seasonally. Learn more about Padang on Wikipedia.

Plan to arrive in Padang the evening before your ferry. The ferry departs at 07:00 and requires check-in at Muaro port by 06:00. If you land same-day and miss the ferry, the next departure is 2 days away — a costly mistake. I always tell my guests: arrive in Padang the night before, no exceptions.

BIM is approximately 20–30 minutes from Muaro Padang port by car. I arrange pickup and transfer for all guests — you don't need to navigate taxis or ojeks with surfboards and luggage in the dark.

Step 2 — Muaro Padang Port

The Mentawai Fast ferry departs from Muaro Padang — the main harbour in Padang city. It is a working port, not a tourist terminal, and can feel chaotic if you've never navigated it. Ferry ticket counters, baggage handlers, and passenger gates are all in the same area. First-time visitors often find it confusing.

I meet all guests at the port and walk them through check-in, baggage loading, and boarding. If you're bringing a surfboard, it goes in the cargo hold below deck — the ferry charges a surcharge for boards, paid at the port counter. This is separate from the package price and must be paid in Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). Bring some cash.

Step 3 — The Crossing (What to Expect)

The Mentawai Fast is a high-speed passenger ferry with air-conditioned cabins, basic seating, and a small food stall on board. It is not a luxury vessel — it is a working transport link used daily by Siberut residents, traders, and government staff alongside tourists.

The crossing takes 3–6 hours depending on weather and sea conditions. When the Mentawai Strait is calm — typically in the dry season (April–October) — the journey is smooth and views are beautiful. In the wet season, the sea can be rough and the crossing uncomfortable. Motion sickness is common among first-timers regardless of season. Pack seasickness tablets and take them 30 minutes before boarding, not after you start feeling ill.

Tips for a comfortable crossing:

• Sit toward the middle of the boat — less movement than front or back
• Take seasickness tablets before boarding (Dramamine, Bonine, or local equivalent)
• Keep your eyes on the horizon — avoid screens if you're prone to motion sickness
• Eat a light meal before boarding, not a heavy one
• Bring a light jacket — the air-conditioning in the cabin is cold
• Keep your carry-on small — cabin storage is limited

Step 4 — Arriving at Siberut

The ferry arrives at Muara Siberut — the main town on Siberut Island's southern coast. This is where I was born. It is a small town with basic amenities: a few warungs (small restaurants), a market, mobile network coverage, and a fuel station for boats.

From Muara Siberut, you continue by smaller boat to your surf camp or tribe tour starting point. For surf camps, the transfer by speedboat takes 30–90 minutes depending on which camp you're staying at. For tribe tours, the journey to the UMA (traditional longhouse) takes approximately 1 hour by land followed by 1 hour of trekking into the forest.

Johan (surf) or I (tribe tours) meet guests at the Siberut dock and coordinate all onward transfers. There is no guesswork at the Siberut end — I have been running this logistics chain for 15 years.

Is There a Flight Option?

Rokot Airport is located on Sipora Island — not Siberut. It occasionally receives small charter aircraft, but scheduled commercial flights are irregular and Wings Air suspended service in April 2025. There is no reliable air service for Siberut trip planning. The Mentawai Fast ferry is the standard route and the one I use for all guests.

If you are considering a chartered flight for a specific reason, contact me directly via WhatsApp and I can advise based on current operator availability. But for the vast majority of travellers, the ferry is the right call — and the crossing itself is part of the experience of arriving in Mentawai.

What's Included When You Book With Us

Every surf camp and tribe tour package with Pulau Asli Tour includes the complete logistics chain:

• ✅ City hotel to Muaro Padang port (included). Airport pickup and drop-off (Minangkabau International Airport) is available as an add-on for Rp 400,000 round-trip, covering both your arrival and departure — just let Andrian know when you book.
• ✅ Fast ferry tickets (Muaro Padang ↔ Siberut)
• ✅ Dock pickup on Siberut + transfer to camp or trailhead
• ✅ Return ferry + Padang transfer at end of trip
• ✅ Direct WhatsApp access to Andrian throughout

The only transport cost not included is the surfboard surcharge at the Muaro port — paid directly to the ferry operator in IDR. Everything else is handled. You arrive at Padang airport with your luggage and boards; I take care of the rest. See the full FAQ for more details.

Frequently Asked Questions