The D’Bora is a massive 80-foot vessel running quality surf charters in the Mentawais, Banyaks, Nias and Telo. Her owners, Charlie Josal, Tom Plummer and Joey Melroy have teamed to create this unique vessel with all the modern amenities, but a decidedly local Indonesian architecture and flair. D’Bora runs 12-night charters (unless otherwise stated).
What we love
Massive 80-foot vessel, run by experienced, reputable operators
Over 30 years combined experience
Very Reliable: zero charter days lost to date
What you love
If you are organizing a surf boat trip in Indo then look no further than Perfect Wave and the surf charter boat D'Bora.
The crew were experienced and very, very capable. We just had to turn up.
They were constantly on the ball and were able to find the best waves ! We had plenty of options using the boat’s two tenders to take us to a variety of breaks. Did I mention I had some of the best waves for a looooong time? Waves … every …. single …day !
Food – excellent ! 3 very big meals per day, lots of variety from traditional Indonesian to western style lamb roasts and more….breakfast, lunch and dinner plus snacks -if you needed them after a full day surfing…..and of course the Bintang and soft drinks. Snorkeling and fishing from the boat too if you need a break from the waves. 10 out 10
Epic
Really good operators that did everything possible to ensure everyone had a memorable trip. Food was incredible and no expense was spared when it came to checking other breaks.
Thanks Joey and Team for an amazing experience.
I have already had multiple people requesting the details of the boat to plan a trip for themselves. As they say, word of mouth is the best advertising you can do, and I will have no hesitation in recommending Joey and the Team for the trip of a lifetime. Looking forward to planning another trip in the near future.
The D'Bora is an awesome boat.
Plenty of room to gather together or slip away on your own, very comfortable. The crew had everything under control. When we were out surfing they were cleaning and preparing for our return. The food was grouse, great variety and plenty of it. Nick our guide had it dialled in. At first light we were in the water on our own, usually surfing 3-4 times a day, quite often our last surf each day was us only as well. Pretty insane considering it was peak season. We got great waves every day. Surf, Eat, Sleep Repeat. I’m already booking it again for next year. Thanks D’Bora and crew for an Insane trip. Cam
What an amazing FIRST experience to the Ments!!
I feel very lucky to have explored the waves and sites of the Ments on the D’Bora with such a friendly and professional crew. From the surf guide to the deck hands, it was a well oiled machine and I could not have asked for more. We had all the creature comforts of home (plus more!!) and snuck into the lineup at first light every day to score pumping waves. Our guide Joey always thought outside the square and was open and honest with us which made things feel like a real team environment. I’ll be back for sure and hopefully on the D’Bora to do it all again.
Amazing D'Bora
The overall experience from booking the trip, arriving at my destination, and the return back home was great!
The crew on board our boat were professional, hilarious and put out an awesome vibe! The speed at which they worked, when the boat broke down was tremendous. With all odds against them, they were back up and running after a day and a half, whilst still keeping us entertained in the down time! Cheers Legends!
Surfing Highlights
Cobras
A short distance up the reef from Lance’s Left, you will find this intense left-hander. It gets really shallow on the low tide and prefers a bit more water. Due to the shallowness it is normally relatively uncrowded. On a South swell and East wind it is a non-stop barrel from the takeoff all the way to the channel where the wave spits you out. Therefore appropriately named, The Cobra.
Bintangs
A short and hollow right across the channel from Lance’s Left. As the wave approaches the reef, the bottom drops out before barreling towards the channel. When conditions are prime, Bintangs delivers amazing, round barrels and extremely fun, rippable walls. A major advantage of Bintangs is that on the days when the dreaded North wind blows out most spots in the Mentawais, Bintangs is offshore and pumping.
Lance’s Left
This left-hander is a consistent and frequently surfed crowd-pleaser. Lance’s Left has the ability to hold big swells and can offer up rippable walls and some little tube sections. It can also handle an onshore wind and still have fun waves. Facing Southwest makes this spot very consistent however its nature become more serious when there’s a large swell running.
Hollow Trees
One of the worlds greatest right barrels, HT’s has been all over the surf mags and videos over the last decade. The main takeoff spot is up the point where most of the waves start barrelling and peel flawlessly down the reef. On larger swells it can be very shifty and hard to read. It can shift more to the end bowl where it can break, reform, then bowl again into the channel. The inside is very shallow and is often referred to as the “surgeon’s table” due to the many reef-cuts doled out to travelling surfers.
Telescopes
The most famous wave in the area its hard to beat this wave for its variations of sections. A long left with mutiple deep barrel opportunities, can hold real size. Made famous by the Young Guns 2 movie with Kelly Slater and Co having a load of fun with Indies Trader 4 and a helicopter!
Suicides
Aptly named, this high performance right off Awera Island is very shallow and can only be surfed on a mid to high tide due to the reef. However produces an amazing barrel and the locals love this break.
Iceland’s
The swell magnet for the area, Icelands is a left with many faces. An easy going west peak look fun but the main part of the wave loves the south swell angle produces a solid drop, barrel section and bowls at the end. Can be very heavy on its day.
Scarecrows
Breaks off of an island called Tugat Nusa just south of Telescopes. Great consistent left as exposed to South as well as SW swell. Best on a dropping high tide with the end section named the Curry bowl the pick of the wave for barrel riders.
Seven Palms
Not very well known wave which makes it a very good choice when conditions are right as not a lot of charter boats know this wave. A great walling left with occasional hollow sections. Tucked in a small bay in the middle of Sipora you have to know where it is to find it, but worth it when its on.
Ombak Tikus
Meaning Mouse Wave, this lesser known fun left is up the beach from Villa Mentawai. Ombak Tikus is a hidden gem and fun for most levels of surfer depending on the size. At 2-3 ft super fun and user friendly, however over 4-5ft it takes on a different look and feel.
- Return airport transfers.
- Air-conditioned accommodation in either private cabin or dorm.
- 3 hearty meals per day and snacks in between.
- 3 beers per day.
- Juice, drinking water, soft-drinks and hot drinks.
- Use of snorkelling and fishing equipment.
- Zone permits and local donations.
Not included:
Every surfer visiting the Mentawai is required to pay the Mentawai Regional Government Surfer Tax of IDR 1,000,000 for 15 days surfing in the region. This is normally paid on arrival in cash (Indonesian Rupiah) and collected by the local operator before departing Padang. You will be issued a wristband with dates. Please ensure you have this for your entire stay in the Mentawai.
- Length: 80 ft.
- Crusing speed: 8 knots.
- Engine: Nissan RE8 300 hp.
- Generator: 20 KvA x 2.
- Radio: Icom HF and VHF.
- Radar: Furuno 24 mile.
- GPS: Garmin.
- Sounder: Garmin.
- 25 person SOLAS liferaft.
- Flares.
- Lifejackets.
- Fire Extinguishers.
- TV, DVD and stereo with I-pod jack.
- Large top deck area with tunes for chilling out & meals.
- New tender : Suzuki 175hp. Speed 35kts. Length 18 ft.
- Rigid Hull Zodiac with 15hp Yamaha.
The Boat
The D'Bora is a massive 80-foot vessel running affordable quality surf charters in the Mentawais, Banyaks, Nias and Telo. Her owners, Charlie Josal, Tom Plummer and Joey Melroy have teamed to create this unique vessel with all the modern amenities, but a decidedly local Indonesian architecture and flair. D’Bora runs 12-night charters unless otherwise stated.
Activities
Return airport transfers. Air-conditioned accommodation in either private cabin or dorm. 3 hearty meals per day and snacks in between. 3 beers per day. Juice, drinking water, soft-drinks and hot drinks. Use of snorkelling and fishing equipment. Zone permits and local donations.
Surfing
They are owner-operators based full time in Padang with over 30 years combined experience chasing waves along the Sumatran coast. They’ve pooled the best possible crew with an onboard Western skipper, and will traverse between the Mentawais, Banyaks, Nias and Telos to get you your fill of waves, and then some.
Enquire
Disclaimer - The trip booked is operated by independent operator(s) and is not part of or in partnership with Perfect Wave Travel. Perfect Wave Travel acts as an agent only. We sell various travel related products on behalf of numerous transport, accommodation and other service providers, such as airlines, land based accommodation and boat charter operators. Perfect Wave Travel obligation is to make travel bookings on your behalf and to arrange relevant contracts between you and travel service providers. Perfect Wave Travel has no responsibility for these services nor do we make or give any warranty of representation regarding their standards. All bookings are made subject to the terms and conditions and limitations of liability imposed by these service providers.
Terms and Conditions - All bookings are subject to Terms & Conditions. By submitting this booking form you have confirmed that you accept and will be bound by these terms.