Mandeh Bay

Kawasan Wisata Mandeh is a bay on the West Sumatran coast south of Padang where a scatter of steep green islands sits in sheltered water, and the provincial tourism office has pushed it hard as the Raja Ampat of the west - a comparison that oversells it, since the coral and the fish diversity are nothing like Papua, but which does describe the shape of the place. A ridge road built to open the area gives the standard viewpoint over the bay from above. Boats run out to Pulau Setan, Pulau Cubadak and Sironjong for snorkelling, cliff jumping and beaches, and there is a wreck of a Japanese cargo ship in shallow water off Sungai Pinang that is dived and snorkelled. Development has moved fast and unevenly since the road went in.

What you actually see

• A bay of steep green islands - sheltered water with forested rock rising from it.
• A ridge viewpoint - the road above the bay giving the standard photograph.
• Island boat trips - Setan, Cubadak and Sironjong for snorkelling and beaches.
• A wartime wreck - a Japanese cargo ship in shallow water off Sungai Pinang.

When to go

April to October. A day.

Honest expectations

The Raja Ampat comparison oversells it - coral and fish here are ordinary. Development has been rapid and messy in places. Boat prices are negotiated and quoted high to outsiders.

Nearby

Padang is north; Painan and the southern coast run on down.