How to Get to the Telo Islands, Indonesia: A Complete Guide for Surfers and Travelers

The Telo Islands are one of Indonesia’s best-kept secrets. A remote archipelago of coral-fringed atolls off the west coast of Sumatra, the Telo delivers world-class surf, clear water, and a level of remoteness that is increasingly hard to find in modern surfing.

Less crowded than the Mentawai Islands and harder to reach, the Telo Islands reward travelers who make the effort. Getting here is straightforward once you know the steps, and this guide covers all of them, from your international flight to your first paddle-out.

Where Are the Telo Islands?

The Telo Islands sit approximately 200 kilometres south of the Mentawai Island chain, off the west coast of Sumatra in North Sumatra Province, Indonesia. The nearest gateway city is Padang, accessible by direct domestic flights from Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore.

Unlike the Mentawai Islands which have seen significant tourist development over the past decade, the Telo Islands remain largely untouched. There are no public hotels, no town infrastructure, and minimal crowds at breaks.

Access is almost exclusively through dedicated surf resorts, most notably Latitude Zero Resort Telo Islands, which operates on a private island within the chain which is the original and most experienced resort in the region.

Why Choose the Telo Islands for a Surf Trip? 

The Telo Islands offer consistent, uncrowded surf driven by open Indian Ocean swells. While the Mentawai Islands are famous for spots like Macaronis and Hollow Trees, the Telo Islands have their own world-class reef breaks, with far fewer people on them.

For surfers planning a surf holiday in Indonesia, the Telo Islands offer:

• Consistent Indian Ocean swell, with peak season from April through October
• Multiple reef breaks accessible within minutes of the resort
• Waves for all levels, from mellow, rolling reef to demanding barrels
• True remoteness: no day-trippers, no crowded line-ups, no compromise

How to Get to the Telo Islands: Step by Step

Getting to the Telo Islands involves three stages: an international flight into Indonesia, a domestic connection to Padang, and a charter flight directly to the Telo Islands.

Here is exactly how the journey works:

Step 1: International Flights to Indonesia 

The three recommended international gateway cities for a Telo Islands surf trip are:

• Kuala Lumpur (KUL): well-connected from Europe, Australia, and the Middle East via Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia
• Singapore (SIN): premium connections from most global cities via Singapore Airlines
• Jakarta (CGK): Indonesia’s main hub, strong connections from Southeast Asia and Australia

All three have direct domestic connections to Padang (PDG), the jump-off point for the Telo Islands

Step 2: Connecting to Padang, Sumatra 

Padang (officially Minangkabau International Airport, PDG) is on the west coast of Sumatra and is the gateway to both the Mentawai Islands and the Telo Islands. Domestic flights connect Padang to Jakarta, and international connections run from Kuala Lumpur. Flight time from Singapore or KL to Padang is approximately two hours.

If you are staying at Latitude Zero Resort, the resort’s ground team will meet you at Padang arrivals, handle your luggage and surfboards, and take care of all logistics from this point forward.

Step 3: Overnight in Padang 

Plan your travel to arrive in Padang the evening before your transfer day. The charter flight to the Telo Islands departs early, typically around 7:00 AM, so arriving the previous evening removes any stress from tight connections.

Latitude Zero recommends two hotels in Padang for the overnight stop:

• Santika Premier Padang (recommended): well-appointed, central location, good restaurant
• Mercure Padang: reliable, comfortable, central

Both are solid options. The overnight in Padang is also a good opportunity to recover from long-haul travel before the final leg.

Step 4: Susi Air Charter Flight – Padang to Telo Islands 

This is the leg of the journey that makes everything worthwhile. The resort’s ground team will meet you at your hotel and take you to Padang Domestic Airport.

From here, Latitude Zero guests board a private Susi Air charter flight, operated exclusively for the resort. The flight takes approximately one hour, traveling directly from the Sumatran mainland to Telo Town Airport on the islands.

No overnight ferry. No 12-hour open-ocean crossing.

One hour in the air, and you are there. As the plane heads south over the Indian Ocean, the Telo archipelago comes into view below: dozens of coral atolls, turquoise lagoons, and jungle-covered islands stretching to the horizon. It is consistently one of the most spectacular approaches you will find on any surf trip anywhere in the world.

The early start, around 5:00 AM departure from the hotel, is non-negotiable, but by 10:00 AM you are on the ground in the Telo Islands with the full day ahead.

Step 5: Transfer to Latitude Zero Resort 

On arrival at Telo Town Airport, the Latitude Zero team will be there to meet you. A short transfer by local transport brings you to the water’s edge, where the resort’s boats are ready to take you the final stretch to the island. It’s only a short boat ride from Telo Airport to Latitude Zero Resort Island.

Staying at Latitude Zero Resort Telo Islands  

Latitude Zero is the only all-inclusive surf resort operating in the Telo Islands. The resort sits on its own private island within the chain, with direct access to multiple surf breaks, some of the most consistent and least-crowded reef waves in Indonesia.

The Latitude Zero experience is fully guided and all-inclusive: accommodation, meals, daily surf guides, boat access to the breaks, and all transfers to and from Padang. Guests travel on set departure dates as a group, no logistics to manage, no planning decisions to make beyond when to paddle out.

The resort caters to all levels, from intermediate surfers looking to progress through to experienced surfers chasing the best barrels in the chain. Local knowledge of the reef system means guests are positioned at the right wave for the right conditions on any given day.

Best Time to Visit and Surf the Telo Islands 

The Telo Islands receive consistent Indian Ocean swell year-round, but peak surf season runs from April to October.

May through August delivers the most reliable conditions: larger, more consistent swell with clean trade winds. The shoulder months of March and November can also produce good surf, with slightly less consistency but even fewer people in the line-up.

Latitude Zero runs departures throughout peak season. Dates fill well in advance, so early booking is strongly recommended.

Telo Islands FAQ 

Are the Telo Islands the Same as the Mentawai Islands? 

No. The Telo Islands and the Mentawai Islands are two separate island groups off the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. The Mentawai Islands, which include Siberut, Sipura, and the Pagai Islands, are located further north. The Telo Islands sit approximately 200 kilometres to the south. Both deliver world-class surf, but the Telo Islands are considerably more remote and less developed.

What Is the Nearest Airport to the Telo Islands? 

The nearest major airport is Minangkabau International Airport (PDG) in Padang, Sumatra. From Padang, a one-hour Susi Air charter flight operates directly to Telo Town Airport. There are no commercial flights to the Telo Islands.

How Long Does It Take to Get to the Telo Islands? 

Total travel time varies by origin but typically involves two days of travel. Day one covers international and domestic flights to Padang, including an overnight stop. Day two is the early morning charter flight to the Telo Islands. Once you land in Telo, you can be surfing by mid-morning.

Do I Need to Organise My Own Flights to the Telo Islands? 

If you are staying at Latitude Zero Resort, the resort handles all transfers from Padang, including the Susi Air charter flight, luggage and board handling, and the boat transfer to the island. You book your international and domestic flights to Padang. The resort takes care of everything from there.

Can You Get to the Telo Islands by Boat? 

Latitude Zero Resort Telo Islands is the only dedicated all-inclusive surf resort operating in the Telo Islands. The resort provides guided access to multiple reef breaks within the chain, full-service accommodation, all meals, and exclusive Susi Air charter flight transfers from Padang.

What Is the Best Surf Resort in the Telo Islands? 

Latitude Zero Resort Telo Islands is the only dedicated all-inclusive surf resort operating in the Telo Islands. The resort provides guided access to multiple reef breaks within the chain, full-service accommodation, all meals, and exclusive Susi Air charter flight transfers from Padang.

When Is the Best Time to Surf the Telo Islands?

Peak surf season in the Telo Islands is April through October, with May to August offering the most consistent swell and clean trade wind conditions. Latitude Zero Resort runs departures throughout this window. Book early, as the resort is small by design and available dates fill months in advance.

Is the Telo Islands a Good Destination for Beginner Surfers?

The Telo Islands are best suited to intermediate and above surfers. The breaks are reef-based and can be powerful during peak swell. That said, Latitude Zero Resort has multiple breaks available within the chain and guides guests to the most appropriate wave for their level on any given day.

Ready to Book Your Telo Islands Surf Trip? 

Latitude Zero Resort Telo Islands runs a limited number of departures each season. To check availability and enquire about upcoming trips, visit the Latitude Zero Resorts website or contact the team directly.

Surfing as you’ve always dreamed it should be.