Banyak Islands, a Hidden Paradise for Surfing and Snorkeling in Aceh

Banyak Islands is a group of small islands in Aceh Singkil Regency. The total area is around 27.2 hectares. The island faces directly to Hindia Ocean, precisely at the edge of the west in Sumatra Island. There are around 99 small islands that have been developing become tourist destination, including the existence of turtles and marine life.

Banyak Islands also has long and wide coastline. The beauty of the island is comparable than other islands in Aceh. White sand, breeze and countless of coconut trees give different panorama as you visit the island. That is why the tropical islands become main attraction in this place. Hunting the panorama of sunset becomes one of activity for local visitors.

Location

Banyak Island can be reached through Pulo Saruk Village, Aceh Singkil by ferry for about four hours. From Medan, you can take a travel car by paying IDR110,000 or US$11 that will drive you to Pulo Saruk Village for about eight hours. Or, you also can take a flight from Medan – Singkil by a small plane on Wednesday by paying IDR140,000 or US$14. The transportation from Singkil to the airport can be reached by minibus and you have to pay IDR20,000 or US$0.2.

From Singkil to Banyak Island, you can take a traditional boat in Jembatan Tinggi Port that departs daily at 10.00 am by paying IDR25.000 or US$2.5 per person. The ferry provide the route Singkil – Banyak Islands every Monday at 09.00 morning by paying IDR16,000 or US$1.6 per person. If you want to going around the beach, you can rent a traditional boat by paying IDR300,000 or US$30 per day. 

Accommodations

There are many choices to stay in Banyak Islands. First you can stay in Balai Island. The island has lodge with variety of prices, such as Auk Kombi, Aurora, and Putri. Secondly, you can stay in Big Palambak Island. The island has four wooden cottages that face directly to the beach.

The rate to stay in the cottage is IDR100,000 or US$10 per person. Thirdly, you can stay in Sikandang Island which is only open on holiday. If you want an extreme adrenaline, you can camp at many islands, such as Tailana Island, Pandan Island, Asok Island, and Lambudung Island.

Activities

Surfing is one of activity you can do when you visit Banyak Islands. There are 12 surfing spots with six height around Bangkaru Island, at the edge of Silingar and at the south of Tuangku Island. The most attractive surfing spots for surfers are at Amandangan and Pelanggaran Beach at Bangkaru Island. The wave of Banyak Island will tease the surfers because it has ideal length and height with cool water and less sharks.

Besides surfing, snorkeling is one of activity you may not miss. The beauty of marine life can be seen easily. Firstly, you can snorkel at the shallow water by taking a traditional boat which is having glass bottom. Secondly, you can wear snorkeling equipment and go to snorkeling spots around the island. 

The panorama of Banyak Island offers you incredible view. The uniqueness you can see is coral reef, flora and fauna, especially coral fish. You can visit Sikandang, Pabisi, Matahari, Rago-rago and Tailana Island. Most of beaches at these beaches have clear and blue water. Even, the depth of water is only three meters.

The next activity you can do when you visit Banyak Island is exploring the island. You can do trekking to explore the stretch of tropical forest. The journey is started from Kampong Haloban. There, you can see squirrel, colorful butterflies, wild pig, and many more.

Don’t miss to visit Sarang Burung Walet Cave and Kelelawar Cave as well. Whereas, Tuangku Island forest offers you Buaya Muara (Crocodylus Porosus). The last place you can visit as you come to Banyak Islands is visiting turtle conservation. You will see many species of turtle as you visit the conservation area.

Actually, the best time to enjoy Banyak Islands is March to August. The weather will be sunny and the waves will be calm. Thus, you can do snorkeling, diving, scuba diving, kayaking and hoping. Thus, don’t forget to enter the island as you visit Aceh.

Pictures taken from www.ilhamdoditrisna.blogspot.com

Lampuuk Beach, the Beach with Its Natural Beauty in Banda Aceh

Lampuuk Beach is one of favorite destination and becomes an icon of beach in Aceh. The beach extends from north to south and having white sand. Everyone come here because there are many water activities you can do, such as surfing, banana boat and swimming. When you stroll at the north of the beach, you will admire beautiful scenery because there are high cliff and steep. 
The blue water which is combined with blue sky and green trees make it looks so exotic. The most perfect time to visit the beach is at evening because the sunset will give you romantic nuance. For some people, Lampuuk Beach is just like Kuta Beach in Bali. That is why local people spend their spare time with their family in the beach.

Pictures Harrismaul.com

Location

Lampuuk Island is lies about 15 km from Banda Aceh City, precisely at Meunasah Masjid Village, Lhoknga, Aceh Besar Regency Indonesia. It will take 20 – 45 minutes toward Meulaboh. You can go to the beach by a car. The location is so close to Banda Aceh – Calang (Aceh Jaya) road and that is why you can take a taxi or public transportation to get there.

Accommodations

The facilities in Lampuuk Beach are quite complete, such as food stalls, toilet, soccer field, camping spot, cottage and many more. The cottage is placed at the tip of its cliffs. It is kind of amazing scenery. You can imagine how nice it is because when you visit the beach, you will be offered many marine spots. The beach became more popular since 1990. There, you can surf because the wave is perfect for this activity. With powerful wave and turquoise color of water, you will feel like in a paradise. You also can explore Lampuuk Beach because there is beautiful cave. Go inside and you will amaze with the shape of stalactite and.

The carpet of sand is so fine and that make it looks so perfect. For you who want to enjoy the panorama of Lampuuk Beach, you have to pay IDR3.000 per person or US$0.3. The cheap ticket becomes an attractive spot for local residents because they can have fun or just swimming in the beach. The other activity you can enjoy is riding banana boat. Playing banana boat will be fun because it can stimulate your adrenalin and give great sensation. With the big and long size of banana boat, it can be ride by 4 – 7 individuals. You have to pay IDR25.000 or US$2.5.

Besides swimming and enjoying the panorama of Lampuuk Beach, visitor also able to dive, sun-bathing, fishing, and surfing. Additionally, lot of tourists comes there to hunt sunset. Hunting sunset becomes one thing you must do because you will catch beautiful color above the beach. And when you hungry, you don’t need to worry because there are many food stalls along the beach. There are also camping spots and small mosque. Just prepare your energy before you visit Lampuuk Beach.

Weh Island : The Perfect Place To Spend Your Holiday In Aceh

Weh Island with Sabang as the capital lies at the west of Sumatra Islands and have wonderful panorama. The island covers 156.3 km and surrounded by mountains and beaches. Anyone who visits this island will adore it. The island has direct boarder to Hindia Ocean and the sea around it has lot marine nature. That is why local government preserves the existence of the marine life. Special thing you can enjoy besides natural scenery is food stalls that sell coffee. Coffee from Aceh is so famous around the world because it has good aroma. You only need to pay IDR3.000 or US$0.3 per glass. So, when you come there, don’t forget to drink it.

Pictures Imornesia.wordpress.com

Location

To reach Sabang, you can go with speed boat and it takes 45 minutes. The speed boat is available twice a day, Pulo Rondo and Bahari Express boat at 08.00 and 16.00 local time. For those who want to bring the vehicles, such as a car or motorcycle, they can take slow boat and it will take around 3 hours. The Bahari Express boat provides you two classes, economic class and business class. The business class is completed by air conditioner, but the economic class uses natural ventilation. Or, you can go from Ulee Iheue Port in Banda Aceh to Balohan Sabang Port by ferry. It will take 1 hour. After you arrive at Balohan Sabang Port, you can take a taxi. In Sabang, you cannot find any public transportation. That is why most of travelers rent a car or motorcycle. 

Activities

Waiting sunset or spending your time at your balcony room is thing you can do when you visit Weh Island. The wave of water is higher at evening. So, if you are not too familiar to the beach you better keep distance of water. You can snorkel there if you love to. There are many operators provide you snorkeling and diving equipment. So, you don’t have to worry about it. Actually, Weh Island is also has many favorite diving spots in Indonesia. And the marine life there is so beautiful because it has incredible diversity of water. You can see colorful coral reefs and fishes swim around you. The atmosphere of beach becomes more crowded at weekend and holiday

Accommodations

When you come to Weh Island, you can stay overnight at hotel. There is Sumur Tiga which is can be reached around 15 minutes from Sabang City. The concept of the hotel is natural because it uses woods and the wall is made from bamboo. Every room is completed by big ventilation to maximize the current of air into the room. The room doesn’t have air conditioner but it has beautiful panorama outside. You still can enjoy the music or wave water at night. 

Actually there are two types of hotel, standard room and cottage. Standard room is completed by queen bed, fan, and mosquitoes net. Besides the cottage are completed by queen bed, mosquitoes net, fan, dispenser, bathroom with bath up, balcony and hammock. It is a perfect place to relax. This hotel also has a restaurant to provide you local dishes, fried rice, fried noodle or seafood. There is Casenemo near its motel and Sabang Hills Hotel which is located at Sultan Islandar Muda Street, Sabang City, Aceh Province.
The price ranging from IDR500,000 to IDR1,000,000 per night or US$50 – US$100 per night for exclusive class. There, you can enjoy the view from the hill with calm and fresh air. The blue water of the beach mixed by red color gradation of sky will give spoil your eyes. That means the time for swimming is over. After that, you can enjoy your dinner in the restaurant.

When you come to Weh Island, you can go to Tugu Nol Kilometer or Zero Kilometer Monument which is situated around 8 km west of Iboih. Your holiday will be more complete when you visit Weh Island.