Telo Island Lodge versus Latitude zero resort

There were 4 or 5 in the RLZ partnership.

seaslug wrote:

Matt sold RLZ I hear

Argh okay that makes sense must have been during Covid.

Anyone stayed at TSV this year?

Yes. Stayed there in May. We were their first guests in more than 2yrs

maddogmorley wrote:

Yes. Stayed there in May. We were their first guests in more than 2yrs

Thoughts? Looking at booking that’s all

I like it. Been there 4 times now. Cheap, nice wave out the front and get to surf all the same waves as the more expensive resorts like Telo Island Lodge, Pinnacels etc. They don't head south tho to Monkeys or the beachie etc so keep that in mind. Also keep in mind you will be spending the whole day in the boat if you dont want to stay on land and surf out the front all day. They dont go back for lunch like Telo Island Lodge.

maddogmorley wrote:

I like it. Been there 4 times now. Cheap, nice wave out the front and get to surf all the same waves as the more expensive resorts like Telo Island Lodge, Pinnacels etc. They don't head south tho to Monkeys or the beachie etc so keep that in mind. Also keep in mind you will be spending the whole day in the boat if you dont want to stay on land and surf out the front all day. They dont go back for lunch like Telo Island Lodge.

Thanks so much for writing back, sounds great I’ll pass it on! Cheers

maddogmorley wrote:

I like it. Been there 4 times now. Cheap, nice wave out the front and get to surf all the same waves as the more expensive resorts like Telo Island Lodge, Pinnacels etc. They don't head south tho to Monkeys or the beachie etc so keep that in mind. Also keep in mind you will be spending the whole day in the boat if you dont want to stay on land and surf out the front all day. They dont go back for lunch like Telo Island Lodge.

Thanks so much for writing back, sounds great I’ll pass it on! Cheers

No worries - you'll have a great time there if you decide to go. The lodge itself is a beautiful building - roomy and cool in the hot indo sun.....easy to visit the local villages too - unlike a lot of the other resorts

G'day crew. The misso and I are looking to book our first proper indo trip in the Telo area for September / October this year and looking for some insights to on where to book. I'll list a couple criteria I'm hoping to tick off.

1. A slightly shorter stay than the most common 12 days + travel time. 9-10 full days would be ideal as we have a shortish window (3 weeks) to tick off a couple more commitments in Indo. Not too fussed risking missing out on the day of days as I doubt I'll be up to getting in the mix anyway.
2. Misso would be looking to surf the most beginner friendly waves in the area and would also be happy looking for non-surf (still water based) activities to fill a couple days.
3. Accommodation would preferably be in the 'better than surf camp, cheaper than 5 star' range.

Monkeys looked like a great pick but from what I can see only offer 12+ day stays.
Some input from the experienced would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers!

Telos lodge seems like the pick of luxury surf camps. But never been just seen many photos of pool out front of rooms etc and pelagic fish for dinner every night.

Monkey's is really nice, easy right hander out front, good boat to take you to other spots. Not many non surf activities tho. I reckon they be flexible with stays if you ask

PrecambrianPeter wrote:

G'day crew. The misso and I are looking to book our first proper indo trip in the Telo area for September / October this year and looking for some insights to on where to book. I'll list a couple criteria I'm hoping to tick off.

1. A slightly shorter stay than the most common 12 days + travel time. 9-10 full days would be ideal as we have a shortish window (3 weeks) to tick off a couple more commitments in Indo. Not too fussed risking missing out on the day of days as I doubt I'll be up to getting in the mix anyway.
2. Misso would be looking to surf the most beginner friendly waves in the area and would also be happy looking for non-surf (still water based) activities to fill a couple days.
3. Accommodation would preferably be in the 'better than surf camp, cheaper than 5 star' range.

Monkeys looked like a great pick but from what I can see only offer 12+ day stays.
Some input from the experienced would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers!

One aspect to consider is how much time you and the missus want to spend on a boat.

Many resorts dont go back for lunch and stay out on the boat all day especially Resort Lattude Zero, so your missus will have to tag along all day and wait on the boat or stay at the resort all day until you get home.

Im not a fan of any of the big resorts IMHO they are way overpriced but Telo Island Lodge and Pinnacles same owners both go back to resorts for lunch and have a very good reputation they dont sit on waves all day and their guides are aways friendly and real respectful in the water.

Also only a few resorts have pools Pinnacles, Telos 101, Resort Lat Zero, sorry Groundswell but Telo Island Lodge dont have a pool, its their pinnacles place that does (i will probably upset owners if they read this, but telos 101 doesn't have a good reputation as operators they were closed for years with issues)

Monkeys down south is in a totally different area they dont have a pool but have a nice beach to swim and i believe they also come home for lunch if go elsewhere (waves are all pretty close in that region though)

Im sure they would do a shorter stay, only issue with Monkeys for a shorter stay may be getting out earlier its in a more remote area so not as easy to get in and out, its doable but you will probably have to pay a few hundred extra to get shuttled to either Mentawais or Tello town to get fast ferry.

If your missus can get to her feet and trim Monkeys(Skateparks) is pretty perfect for her if small (just watch very end if low), for other surfers its fun great for turns but can be a bit gutless at times.

Thanks for getting back to me guys.
@indo, I did see your comment further up regarding being locked up on the boat all day. I agree, my red hair and general lack of pigment has me torched when ever in the tropics and extra hours on the boat would be a bit more than a PITA.

I don't see a pool as a deal breaker, especially if there's a nice enough chunk of beach in close proximity.

Monkeys still the front runner than I think.
Indo, you've mentioned not being stoked on the large resorts a couple times. Is your preference home stays and smaller (cheaper?) lodges and the like? I haven't done extensive digging but not found much of that genre of stay either.

Pretty sure IndoD organizes and translates for telos surf house or some name like that camp near a spot called Mishos or missionaries. He mentions it earlier in this thread i think.
Pretty sure he stays there but also owns land near telescopes in ments and some other land in Krui.

Picking up an old thread. I was lucky enough to stay three times at TIL in the earliest days. Back then it was much more affordable, uncrowded and the food was sick. Dave Simons was the guide, Peely ran the show, and Virus was the local kid who helped out and for some bizarre reason liked boy bands, which we labelled "banchong music". He was not impressed. A few years ago I thought about going back but saw the prices...yeah nah. I stayed in a share room the first time and in an over water bungalow the next two times. Got great waves each time, including Mishos, Max's right, Pinnacles, Schoolyard, the ER and others. If I was going now I would be looking at Monkeys I reckon. Looks good. Actually I really wanted to go back to Wavepark with Christie as I've stayed with him 9 times, but...the number of camps in that zone now is nuts. As much as I love Rifles...is it worth it...I dunno...

Rifles is my dream wave.

I musta been there just after you yahabo - Dave Simons was running the show with Dan Corbs and Dane Piloli the guides. They were epic times - so loose. Freddy the bartender hard to beat on the ping pong table and Anton was the boat boy. Toddy replaced Dane and Ben joined the show and the fun times kept rolling. I stayed that same over the water bungalow as you 3 times as well such a nice room. Also stopped going there after a while as too exxy and not as loose once the aussie guides were replaced by saffa guides so spent next 4 trips with Luke at TSV as way more affordable and surfing the same waves basically except he doesn't go south. Ive thought about Monkeys too but it looks so soft.....but gotta say the beachie on its day is pretty epic.

I use to surf a bit with Dane and remember that local kid Virus, Dane was a top guy, i have some good memories of surfing with him and just a couple of their guest. i always use to seem to be there when they were doing promo trips for magazine or videos too with guys like Mitch crews, Jay Davies, Noa dean etc

So id just surf with them and Dane, he would be ripping on his long board doing reo's and getting tubed like its a short board while those other guys would be trying to do all these crazy airs every wave.

Yep Dane was a top bloke and ripped on everything. Once saw him get tubed on his mal, came back to boat got his shorty got tubed on that came back in again took out a booger drop knee and got tubed on that as well all in less than an hour. Got married to a pro surfer chick from NZ from memory? Was on one of those promo trips with Noa and Shieldsy...Noa was next level even way back then. Got so much air at Kindys. Was the only time I went to the beachie - they weren't that keen to take you that far back then but geez it was epic

Rifles is a dream wave with good reason. I was lucky to get it when I did. I think I need to let it go. I remember Freddy and Anton at TIL. Thinking about a surf trip in the next 12 months but jeez, there are a million camps now from the Maldives all the way to PNG. I think the glory days are over. NZ looking very appealing. Cheap, go at your own pace, easy to find a quiet place to surf.

zenagain wrote:

Rifles is my dream wave.

Pulled up to Rifles in 2017 I think, counted 50 guys all burning each other as it was sectioning went down the other end for a flawless B grade wave just us was magic on steroids.

I focus wrote:

zenagain wrote:

Rifles is my dream wave.

Pulled up to Rifles in 2017 I think, counted 50 guys all burning each other as it was sectioning went down the other end for a flawless B grade wave just us was magic on steroids.

Last time I surfed Rifles was 2013 - got it three days in a row. Most crowded was 20 guys. Best session was 8 guys including me. That was the best session of my life. Easily.

May 2008, only the 10 of us on our boat on Rifles, one other guy popped up from nowhere, 4-6ft, got waves of my life as well as a couple of washed down the line real time floggings. Not too many boats around back then. AW

Likewise, I have very fond memories of a Rifles session.

yahabo wrote:

I focus wrote:

zenagain wrote:

Rifles is my dream wave.

Pulled up to Rifles in 2017 I think, counted 50 guys all burning each other as it was sectioning went down the other end for a flawless B grade wave just us was magic on steroids.

Last time I surfed Rifles was 2013 - got it three days in a row. Most crowded was 20 guys. Best session was 8 guys including me. That was the best session of my life. Easily.

Yeah believe it great setup just never scored same with No Kandui

AlfredWallace wrote:

May 2008, only the 10 of us on our boat on Rifles, one other guy popped up from nowhere, 4-6ft, got waves of my life as well as a couple of washed down the line real time floggings. Not too many boats around back then. AW

Did you go to maccas in 2008?

If you came into the resort for a beer you might have met me, or been served by my missus at the bar, I managed the resort in 2008, she managed the bar.

Still a shit load of boats though at Maccas in 2008 before the boat system, i did surf Maccas pretty much alone in Feb though when first arrived same with HT's both only smaller fun size days though.

indo-dreaming wrote:

AlfredWallace wrote:

May 2008, only the 10 of us on our boat on Rifles, one other guy popped up from nowhere, 4-6ft, got waves of my life as well as a couple of washed down the line real time floggings. Not too many boats around back then. AW

Did you go to maccas in 2008?

If you came into the resort for a beer you might have met me, or been served by my missus at the bar, I managed the resort in 2008, she managed the bar.

Still a shit load of boats though at Maccas in 2008 before the boat system, i did surf Maccas pretty much alone in Feb though when first arrived same with HT's both only smaller fun size days though.

IndoDreaming. Hi mate. HNY

We did surf Maccas twice on that trip, around May6th or 7th and then on the last day around the 18th.
We did come into the resort, drank beers and played marathon table tennis matches. We had a bit of a Wimbledon, I used to play ‘A’ Grade and so did one of the Saffas, huge crowd gathered and I pipped him in the best of seven, skinny boat was so heavy with drunkards on return to the mother ship that it was half full of water and almost sank.
It pumped on the second last day, 5-6ft and still up until we left at 2pm for Padang, on our last day , we were shattered, sailing away, looking back at incredible surf. Good memories. AW

Was that South African surf guide Shayne?

Very very loose party boy, good surfer natural footer.

indo-dreaming wrote:

Was that South African surf guide Shayne?

Very very loose party boy, good surfer natural footer.

No, it was not him. It was a Saffa from our boat, Marcus, good surfer and table tennis player as I soon found it, got feisty at times, he was from Capetown.
I do remember a short very slim young woman popping into our ‘arena ‘ occasionally, trying to get us to drink more bottled beers, she didn’t have to try very hard. Maybe it was your lovely.
From 2008 to 2018, all trips on boats, last few years, land camped at Lances Right, where Supafreak and I are going early July, can’t wait. AW

Okay what boat did you go on?

Yeah if no glasses that might have been my misuss, if glasses would have been another girl ochie.

indo-dreaming wrote:

Okay what boat did you go on?

Yeah if no glasses that might have been my misuss, if glasses would have been another girl ochie.

No glasses. Sumatran Surfariis , great boat, Budyadahri. Been on it a few times, epic vessel.
They had some system or ‘arrangement’ for knowing when to be at Maccas. Best organisation I’ve been with on the water. Highly recommend them. On land on Sipora, in my opinion, can’t beat Katiet Beach Resort for total value for money. AW

@AW , I was at macca’s in 2008 in May on Addiction. Only stayed 1 day , it was fun 3-4 ft and 1 other boat , not too crowded . Went further south and got thunders at size then 3 days of rags right . When will you be dropping your boards off on Lembongan this year ? I will be away from 18th April to 12th May , trip to the mentawai ‘s . Also indo school holidays don’t finish until 19th July, I have my daughter for holidays . What date were you planning on going to ments ? Australia school holidays are from 28th June to 20th July across all states .

Supafreak wrote:

@AW , I was at macca’s in 2008 in May on Addiction. Only stayed 1 day , it was fun 3-4 ft and 1 other boat , not too crowded . Went further south and got thunders at size then 3 days of rags right . When will you be dropping your boards off on Lembongan this year ? I will be away from 18th April to 12th May , trip to the mentawai ‘s . Also indo school holidays don’t finish until 19th July, I have my daughter for holidays . What date were you planning on going to ments ? Australia school holidays are from 28th June to 20th July across all states .

Supafreak. Hi mate. HNY.
We also got big Thunders and some good days at Rags Right.

I’d like to drop my board bag at yours around June 23rd or 24th if that’s ok.
My bird trip is June 25th to July 12th, I’ll be back in Bali from Sulawesi around the 14th, I’ll make my way to NL and hang around until you finish spending time with your daughter. We could leave anytime after the 19th. Would the 20th or 21st suit you to go to , Sipora, I’m easy, whatever suits us both ? . If so I’ll book accommodation dates shortly. AW

21st would be good , I take it we will fly up to Padang on the 20th July , spend the night then ferry in morning ? No problem with dropping boards in June

Supafreak wrote:

21st would be good , I take it we will fly up to Padang on the 20th July , spend the night then ferry in morning ? No problem with dropping boards in June

Sounds good fella, I’ll book for our first night at LR for the 21st.

Out of interest, on the Addiction when you were at Maccas. Were most of the other guys coppers from Geelong ? If so, we were the other boat you mentioned, moored at the the steel pontoon . AW

No , they were super rich seppo’s , one guy was Mike Tyson’s & Angelina Jole’s dentist . He said Tyson was scared of him, that cracked us up .

I will book you a room at Tarci for 23rd & 24th June if you like, my shout . Just need a confirmation for dates when you’re sure . It will be coming in to a busy time with many families coming a week before school holidays start .

Supafreak wrote:

No , they were super rich seppo’s , one guy was Mike Tyson’s & Angelina Jole’s dentist . He said Tyson was scared of him, that cracked us up .

I wonder if Tyson’s dentist ever found cartilaginous ear tissue between his molars, he loved a bit of ear chewage. !!!. AW

Supafreak wrote:

I will book you a room at Tarci for 23rd & 24th June if you like, my shout . Just need a confirmation for dates when you’re sure . It will be coming in to a busy time with many families coming a week before school holidays start .

Thank you, very generous. Those dates are confirmed then, I’ll land in Bali on the 23rd.
Normally stay at LR for ten nights but I’d like 14 if that suits you, I’m paying accommodation for both of us, includes everything bar the ferry from Padang to Tapuet and the speed boat down to Katiet. Itchy feet already. AW

AlfredWallace wrote:

Supafreak wrote:

I will book you a room at Tarci for 23rd & 24th June if you like, my shout . Just need a confirmation for dates when you’re sure . It will be coming in to a busy time with many families coming a week before school holidays start .

Thank you, very generous. Those dates are confirmed then, I’ll land in Bali on the 23rd.
Normally stay at LR for ten nights but I’d like 14 if that suits you, I’m paying accommodation for both of us, includes everything bar the ferry from Padang to Tapuet and the speed boat down to Katiet. Itchy feet already. AW

Sounds like a plan to me , I usually fly with Garuda to Padang, 20 kg luggage included, they don’t charge extra for boards if it’s in your 20 kg , works out cheaper than superjet . What time will you fly in ? Last boat from sanur is 5.00 pm

Supafreak wrote:

AlfredWallace wrote:

Supafreak wrote:

I will book you a room at Tarci for 23rd & 24th June if you like, my shout . Just need a confirmation for dates when you’re sure . It will be coming in to a busy time with many families coming a week before school holidays start .

Thank you, very generous. Those dates are confirmed then, I’ll land in Bali on the 23rd.
Normally stay at LR for ten nights but I’d like 14 if that suits you, I’m paying accommodation for both of us, includes everything bar the ferry from Padang to Tapuet and the speed boat down to Katiet. Itchy feet already. AW

Sounds like a plan to me , I usually fly with Garuda to Padang, 20 kg luggage included, they don’t charge extra for boards if it’s in your 20 kg , works out cheaper than superjet . What time will you fly in ? Last boat from sanur is 5.00 pm

I’ll get into Bali on the 23rd as early as I can. After we fly out of Bali and when we get to Padang, I usually stay at Ocean Beach Hotel, ($60 AUD) per night, we can share a room, Katiet Beach Resort will pick us up from airport, take us to hotel and next morning pick us up for the short ride to that stinking harbour where the fast ferry departs. Thanks for your advice and help, much appreciated. AW

@AW , looking at flights and this is what I’ve come up with. Your thoughts please.

Hi AW and Supa,
When did you last visit Lance’s Right? If it’s been a while, then prepare to be shocked. I was there recently and the rampant development and resultant environmental damage was heart-breaking to say the least. As for the wave itself, it’s still epic, so long as you don’t mind sharing the line up with hordes of other surfers, many of whom lack surf etiquette and/or appropriate ability. Even the other side of the peninsula is heading the same way. Enjoy what’s left of Paradise Lost.