FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Booking direct gets you our special rate, below the public rate, plus 10% off food and drinks (alcohol excluded) and 10% off scooter rental. Stay 7 nights or more and your round-trip transfers between Rote airport or harbour and Manduna are free.

We're open from March to November. High season is July to October, with the most consistent swell. Low season — March to June and November — still gets excellent waves, with lighter offshore winds, a quieter resort and better rates. From April to October the weather is settled and sunny; November can bring the occasional shower.

Absolutely — many of our guests never touch a board. Rote has a beauty of its own: nights so clear you can see the whole sky, Telaga Nirwana lagoon, the mangroves, and boat trips to the uninhabited islands of Do'o and N'Dana. Add empty beaches, kayaks and SUPs, bicycles, beach tennis, the gym, steam sauna and ice bath, massages and our sunsets. It's also a wonderful place to learn to surf, with private lessons and gentle spots that are perfect for beginners.

We have Deluxe Ground Floor and Deluxe Upper rooms, available as single or double; our Panoramic Suite – Beachfront, the most exclusive, steps from the ocean with a super king bed and a private outdoor area facing the sea and the Manduna Sea Rock; a Triple Room for three guests; and a two-bedroom Family Bungalow for four. All rooms have air-conditioning, premium bedding, a modern private bathroom with hot water and fast Wi-Fi. Photos and full descriptions are in our booklet.

The Panoramic Suite – Beachfront is right on the beachfront, with an uninterrupted ocean view, a super king bed and a large private outdoor area. The Deluxe Upper rooms are on the first floor and have the best ocean view after the suite, from a private balcony over the pool and the sea. The Deluxe Ground Floor rooms also look out to the ocean and the pool, from their own outdoor seating area. The Triple Room sleeps three and looks over the pool and the ocean too, and the two-bedroom Family Bungalow is a separate building with two suites, ideal for families. All rooms share the same bedding, bathroom and service — what changes is the position and the view.

Yes. Our Triple Room sleeps three, and the Family Bungalow — a separate two-storey building with two bedrooms and two suites — sleeps four comfortably, or five with a small child. Our double rooms are side by side if you'd prefer two rooms, though without a connecting door. Tell us the ages of the children and we'll suggest the best setup.

Yes — our Deluxe rooms can be set up with a king-size bed or twin beds. Just tell us which you prefer when you book.

You can book online on our booking page, or send us your dates, the room you'd like and the full names of the guests, and we'll email you a payment link. Once it's paid you receive your confirmation, and we open a WhatsApp group for your trip where our guest service team takes care of everything — transfers, ferry tickets, surf boats and anything you need.

We have two rate options. The non-refundable rate is our best price: full prepayment at booking, with no cancellation or refund. The flexible rate is available when your check-in is more than 30 days away: a 30% deposit confirms your booking, and the remaining 70% is due 30 days before check-in. You can cancel with a full refund up to that date; after it, the amount paid is non-refundable. For check-in within 30 days, only the non-refundable rate is available. Whichever you choose, we recommend comprehensive travel insurance — flights in this part of Indonesia can change at short notice.

Yes — bank transfer works, and so does the payment link we send by email. Please let us know once you've paid so we can confirm it on our side.

Our rates are quoted in USD, and the payment itself is charged in Indonesian rupiah at the current exchange rate. We always confirm the exact amount with you before you pay.

At the resort you can pay by card or cash. Some places outside the resort only accept cash, so it's worth bringing some rupiah with you.

Send us the new dates and we'll check availability first. If we can accommodate you, we'll apply what you've already paid to the new dates. The rate may differ — for example, if your original booking was in low season and the new dates fall in high season, the difference is payable. We always confirm everything with you before making any change.

Everyone comes through Kupang (KOE), with daily flights from Bali, Jakarta and Surabaya. From Kupang you either fly to Rote (about 35 minutes, on certain days of the week) or take the fast ferry (daily, around 2 hours). Our driver meets you at the airport or the harbour with a Manduna sign and brings you to the resort, about an hour away. All the details are in our Travel Guide.

On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, yes — the morning flight from Bali to Kupang connects with the afternoon flight to Rote. On other days, stay one night in Kupang and take the morning fast ferry. Schedules change often, so check the current times in our Travel Guide or ask us.

Both work well. The flight is the quickest — just note that surfboards are charged separately. The fast ferry takes about 2 hours and carries boards more cheaply. Many guests fly in and send their boards on the ferry, and we organize that for you.

About 1 hour by car. Our driver meets you on arrival.

It happens, usually because of weather or operational reasons — it's part of travelling in this part of Indonesia. Book early and take comprehensive travel insurance. If anything changes, tell us and we'll rearrange everything on our side.

We use and recommend Traveloka for domestic flights. Book early: the planes to Rote are small and sell out, and fares don't get better closer to the date.

Yes — we're happy to buy your VIP fast ferry tickets and add them to your bill, and our team helps with your boarding pass at the harbour. Just send us your dates and passport copies. VIP tickets are non-refundable and can't be changed. Ferry times are set by the harbour master and confirmed the night before, depending on wind and sea, so we'll always confirm your time.

Send us your new flight details and we'll rearrange everything: the driver in Kupang, a hotel for the night if you need one, and the transfer to the harbour or the airport. Flight changes are common here, so don't worry — we do this often.

Yes — as a guide, around IDR 200,000 per board on Bali–Kupang and IDR 1,000,000 per board on Kupang–Rote. Boards over 8'0 usually cause problems on the small aircraft to Rote; if yours is longer, send it on the fast ferry instead. Airlines change their rules and fees often, so always check with them before you fly.

If you take the fast ferry yourself, your boards travel with you for IDR 50,000 per board. If you fly and would like us to send your boards by ferry, we handle it for around USD 100–150 per shipment: on the way in they usually reach the resort the day after you; on the way out they leave on the ferry the day before you fly, and our team delivers them to you at Kupang airport. These amounts change from time to time, so we always confirm the current price.

Yes — Lion Parcel (lionparcel.com) ships boards from Denpasar to Manduna. It travels as unaccompanied freight, so delays can happen; send it well ahead of your arrival and tell us when it's on its way. We confirm the current price with you before sending.

Unlimited boat transfers to T-Land and Squealers are included in your stay, from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. We also run boats to Suckies Mamma, usually as a group trip. Boa is quicker to reach by land, so we go there by motorbike or car. Trips to the outer islands cost extra, with snacks, Coca-Cola and water on board: N'Dana or Do'o IDR 3,000,000 and N'Dao IDR 3,600,000, for up to 4 guests. The maximum is 6 guests per boat: a 5th guest adds IDR 500,000, and with 6 guests the boat costs IDR 1,000,000 more. All prices include tax and service.

Everything is close by. Nemberala harbour, where our boats leave from, is about 7 minutes from the resort by car or motorbike, and from there it's 5 minutes by boat to T-Land, 5 minutes to Squealers and 15 minutes to Suckies Mamma. Boa is 10–15 minutes overland. Maps and conditions are in our Surf Guide.

When you arrive we add you to our surf WhatsApp group with the boatmen. Whenever you want to go out, write in the group with the time and the break — that's it.

Yes — Boa, Suckies Mamma, Bommie and Do'o are rights, and both N'Dao and Squealers have a right as well as a left. Each works best in particular swell, wind and tide conditions, all set out in our Surf Guide.

Our quiver is free for guests; we only ask that any ding or breakage is covered by the guest. The boards are mostly 6'1 to 6'5, so if you're particular about your equipment, bring your own.

Yes, with an instructor who knows every break here: a private lesson is IDR 600,000 per hour and a shared lesson, with other guests, IDR 400,000 per hour, tax and service included. Tell us your level and how many lessons you'd like.

Breakfast is always included for everyone staying in the room. You can also add our full board package, with lunch and dinner on a weekly menu that changes every day.

Breakfast is served from 7:00 to 10:30. On the counter there's bread, butter, jam, spreads, home-made cake, fresh fruit, hot local coffee, milk and chilled coconut water — help yourself. Anything cooked comes fresh from the kitchen: you tick a card on your table — eggs any way, pancakes, toast, nasi goreng or mie goreng, or gluten-free tapioca wraps, with juices and specialty coffee. Your first specialty coffee of the morning is on us. One choice from each section of the card is included; extra portions are added to your room bill — for example eggs IDR 40,000, a second specialty coffee IDR 40,000, açaí juice IDR 45,000 or an açaí bowl IDR 90,000.

Lunch is a fresh starter and a main; dinner is a soup, a main and a dessert. The menu changes daily on a weekly rotation, with the catch of the day appearing most nights and home-made ice cream to finish. Most of the greens come from our own hydroponic garden. See our Full Board Menu.

No problem at all — our chef caters to any allergy or diet. Tell us in advance and again when you arrive. At breakfast we have gluten-free tapioca wraps and crepioca, and there are vegetarian dishes on the menu every day.

Of course: lunch is USD 15 and dinner USD 20 per person. Let us know at breakfast so the kitchen can prepare for you — or give us at least 2 hours' notice.

Breakfast 7:00–10:30 · Lunch 12:30–15:00 · Dinner 19:00–21:00.

Yes — cocktails, wine, beer, fresh juices and our own specialty coffee, plus snacks through the day. Your welcome drink is our homemade ginger beer, with no alcohol in it. Wine is sold by the bottle. See our à la carte menu.

Yes — all our drinking water is purified. We restock your room whenever you ask, at no charge, and there's a water station in the restaurant with chilled and room-temperature water.

Free for all guests: kayaks and SUPs in front of the resort, surfboards, bicycles, a beach volleyball and beach tennis court with lights for night games, a gym and yoga space, a surf simulator and slackline, our two connected pools with an ocean view, and our steam sauna and ice bath. Plus fast Wi-Fi and unlimited surf boat transfers.

Of course — let us know about 15 minutes ahead and we'll have the steam sauna warm for you. The ice bath is right there too.

Yes — IDR 400,000 for one hour, tax and service included, one hour minimum. Our therapist comes to the resort, and we can also do two people at the same time. Many guests book for after their afternoon surf.

Classes run at a nearby resort in Nemberala with a great local instructor, at IDR 150,000 per person per class, tax and service included, at sunset. We're happy to book it and drive you there.

Yes, free for guests in front of the resort. To paddle the mangroves or Telaga Nirwana we run guided tours: IDR 1,800,000 for each, or IDR 3,000,000 for both in the same tour, for up to 4 guests, tax and service included. We pick the time with the tide, so let us know a day ahead.

Yes — a covered gym of around 100 m² with a tatami floor, free weights, a bench, TRX and other functional equipment, plus a surf simulator and a slackline. All free for guests.

Island hopping to N'Dana or Do'o (IDR 3,000,000) or N'Dao (IDR 3,600,000), for up to 4 guests; the mangroves or Telaga Nirwana by kayak or SUP (IDR 1,800,000 each, or IDR 3,000,000 for both); fishing (IDR 3,600,000 per trip); outer reef surf trips, massages and trips to spots like Loedi Beach. Tour prices include tax and service. Talk to us the day before so we can pick the right tide and time.

For a day trip and snorkelling we recommend Do'o and N'Dana; for surfing, N'Dao and N'Dana. The final call is made on the morning, with the wind — our boat team will tell you where conditions are best that day.

Yes — IDR 3,600,000 per trip, tax and service included, with gear, snacks and drinking water. Mornings run 5:30–9:00; afternoons leave around 3:00–3:30 PM, and the fish usually bite between 4:00 and 5:30. Spanish mackerel, snapper, tuna and GT are the common catches.

The mangroves and Telaga Nirwana depend on the tide: the window runs from mid-tide rising to mid-tide falling, and high tide is ideal. Tell us which day suits you and we'll check the tide and come back with the best time.

Plenty, and it's all quiet: Telaga Nirwana, Loedi Beach, the mangroves, the salt lakes, local weaving workshops and small warungs along the coast. A scooter is the best way to explore, and we'll tell you where to go.

It's very quiet here — that's what most of our guests come for. There are a few relaxed places nearby for dinner or a drink, and we're happy to drive you, but evenings are mostly about dinner, the stars and an early start.

Yes — we arrange diving and snorkelling with a trusted local operator: full dive gear, a boat with an experienced skipper and a dive master, with snacks and drinks on board. Choose snorkelling trips, fun dives, Discover Scuba or a PADI course. Tell us your level and dates and we'll send you the current price.

Yes — IDR 150,000 per day, petrol, tax and service included. There's no petrol station nearby and the fuel sold locally damages the bikes, so we refill your tank for you. Surfboard racks are available, and direct bookings get 10% off. We also rent an ATV at IDR 300,000 for 3 hours, and bicycles are free for guests.

Yes, with or without a driver: IDR 700,000 per day with driver and petrol included (the driver is available from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM), or IDR 600,000 per day without driver, petrol not included. Prices include tax and service.

Of course — tell us where and when. As a reference, a return trip to Oeseli with the car waiting about 4 hours is IDR 500,000, tax and service included.

Yes — make sure your SIM or eSIM runs on the Telkomsel network, which has the best coverage on Rote.

Yes, free across the resort.

Standard Indonesian sockets — two round pins (type C/F), 230V, the same as in Europe. Guests from Australia, the UK and the US need an adapter; most modern chargers handle the voltage without a converter.

Yes — IDR 35,000 per kg, tax and service included, through a trusted laundry in the village. It's normally back in 2 days, or the next day if you need it urgently.

There's an ATM in the Nemberala area, about 10 minutes from the resort by car or motorbike. We don't exchange foreign currency at the resort, so bring rupiah or use the ATM.

Most nationalities can enter Indonesia on a Visa on Arrival, valid for 30 days and extendable once for another 30 days. The fee is set by the Indonesian government and changes from time to time. You can apply online in advance as an e-VOA on the official site, evisa.imigrasi.go.id. Your passport needs at least 6 months' validity. Rules vary by nationality, so please check for your passport before you travel.

Rote is a calm, safe place, and our property is private, with only registered guests on it. Please check with your doctor about recommended vaccinations and precautions for Indonesia. For everyday health matters there's a health post on Rote, and we have doctors we can call to the resort. We consider comprehensive travel insurance essential.

Check-in is from 2:00 PM and check-out is until 12:00 noon. Early check-in and late check-out are free, subject to availability on the day. If your room isn't ready yet, you're welcome to leave your bags with us, use the pool and have breakfast while you wait.

Yes — the beach in front of the resort is safe for swimming at high tide. At low tide the reef is exposed, so reef boots are a good idea.

Yes, every day of your stay. If you'd like it done at a particular time, or prefer us to skip a day, just tell us.

We don't have openings at the moment and can't sponsor visas, but you're welcome to send your CV to info@mandunaresorts.com and we'll keep it on file.