Indonesian Visa Guide and How to Get to Padang for Mentawai Surf Trips

Planning a surf trip to the Mentawai Islands? You’ll need the right visa and a flight connection to Padang, West Sumatra. Here’s what to know before you go.

To enter Indonesia, your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date. Depending on your nationality and trip duration, choose one of the following visas:

Visa on Arrival (VOA)
Available for citizens of 90+ countries.
Valid for 30 days.
Extendable once for another 30 days.
Apply online at evisa.imigrasi.go.id or on arrival in Jakarta or Padang.
Free Tourist Visa
Available to selected countries.
Valid for 30 days.
Not extendable.
You must exit Indonesia before it expires.
Visit Visa (B211A)
Valid for 60 days.
Can be extended up to 180 days total.
Ideal for long surf holidays or remote work.
Must apply online before arrival.

We recommend applying online to avoid airport delays.

Visa Options for Surf Trips to Indonesia

Minangkabau International Airport (PDG) in Padang is the closest airport to the Mentawai Islands. There are no direct international flights to Padang, but it’s well connected through several major hubs:

Jakarta (CGK) – Frequent daily flights to Padang. Most international travelers enter via Jakarta.
Kuala Lumpur (KUL) – AirAsia operates direct flights to Padang.
Medan (KNO) – Connect easily with domestic flights.
Bali (DPS) – Some flights available, usually connecting through Jakarta.

You should arrive in Padang at least one day before your fast boat or ferry to the Mentawai Islands. This gives you time in case of flight delays or lost baggage.