The Banyak Islands are situated among Simeulue and Nias islands on the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. Research in the vicinity shows around 71 islands, yet locals estimate around 99 islands. The biggest amongst them is Tuangku Island, with the principal village of Haloban located on its southwest coast.
As a ways as the attention can see, the Banyak Islands are decorated with natural sandy seashores, dense foliage, and crystal-clear waters. This pristine tropical paradise is likewise best for surfing, making it a super vacation spot for all of us in search of a blend of tranquility, relaxation, and a hint of journey.
Banyak Islands Facts
| Name | Banyak Islands |
| Country | Indonesia |
| Province | Aceh |
| Coordinates | 2°10′N 97°15′E |
| Area | 308.17 km² |
| Time zone | UTC+7 |
| Population | 7797 |
| Airport | N/A |
How To Get To Banyak Islands
- To Reach Singkil Port:
Indonesia is an archipelagic country that calls for effort and time to travel to some islands. The nearest international airport to the Banyak Islands is in Medan, placed throughout Sumatra, in which you may fly immediately from Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Jakarta. You can book your flight to Medan Airport (KNO) at Skyscanner.
Upon reaching Medan, you may want to take an eight to ten-hour power to Singkil Port, with every car experience costing approximately 900,000 Indonesian Rupiah (around 65 USD).
If you need to stay overnight in Singkil, don't forget local resorts, which are currently the best options available in Singkil.
- Getting to Banyak Islands by boat:
Once you arrive at Singkil Port, you've got three main alternatives to reach the Banyak Islands: wooden boats/ferries or speedboats.
You can board a Kapal Kayu Besar, a massive wooden boat, to Banyak Island, which is a cheap and sluggish choice, taking approximately 4 hours at a price of 5,000 Rupiah according to person (approximately 3 USD). The timber boat will take you to Balai Island. However, there is not a good deal to do there. Then, you'll want to take any other timber motorboat to the island you plan to explore, including Palambak or Tailana, which takes about 1 hour and charges 200,000 Rupiah (around 14 USD).
Alternatively, you can charter a speedboat directly to Balai Island or Palambak Island, which is the fastest and most highly-priced alternative, taking only about 1.5 hours in total. The value is about 1.5 to 1.7 million Rupiah per boat, which you can split amongst different passengers to percentage the price.
Accommodation In Banyak Islands
While Balai Island does provide neighborhood homestays, they tend to be pretty primary. It's encouraged that you live on each small island to experience the tropical beauty clearly.
Palambak Island (MB Palambak Island Resort Pulau Banyak Aceh Singkil) - Offers great bungalows and is one of the biggest islands within the Banyak Islands. It's our favorite in Banyak and where we spend most of our time.
Tailana Island (Tailana Island Pulau Banyak) - Initially had very simple motels; however, lately brought new and progressed beachfront bungalows. The snorkeling here is fantastic. It's one of the few islands regarded as being mosquito-free.
Tuangku Island is recommended as the location for surfing camps for surf lovers.
Panjang (Kimo Resort Pulau Banyak Aceh Singkil) - The most evolved and famous island amongst locals.
Sikandang Island - A medium-sized island where you can walk around in 2-3 hours.
Tambarat Island (Ira Bungalows Pulau Banyak) - One of the quietest islands in Banyak.
Things To Do On Banyak Islands
- Snorkeling. The top snorkeling spots advocated are Pulau Asok, Tailana Island, and Palambak Kecil. You can reach these islands from other smaller islands, with lots of captivating coral reefs nearby without difficulty.
- Kayaking. Palambak and Tailana offer kayak apartment services, with single kayaks priced at 100,000 Rupiah per day (around 7 USD). Of course, you could also hire double kayaks to discover the Banyak Islands.
- Wooden Motorboat Tours. Another way to discover the islands close to Banyak is with the aid of taking a wooden motorboat tour. For 800,000 Rupiah, you may experience a full-day excursion of 5 islands, presenting an exceptional manner to explore extra areas inside the region.
- Hiking. Hiking at the Banyak Islands is an enjoyable interest. Smaller islands like Tailana can be turned around in only 20 minutes at the same time as larger ones, and it may also take 1-3 hours to finish a circuit. Tuangku Island offers actual hiking, which you can enjoy amidst hills and jungles.
Tips For Banyak Islands
ATM: There are not any ATMs anywhere in the Banyak Islands. Please bring sufficient cash to cover your tour expenses, especially for island hopping and boat tours.
Mobile Services: Telkomsel presents desirable 3G/4G sign reception on many islands, including Pulau Balai, Palambak, Tailana, and Banjang.
Culture: The locals of Pulau Balai and Pulau Panjang are conservative Muslims. If you are not carrying a scarf there, you may get hold of unfriendly appears and feedback.
Saltwater Crocodiles: If saltwater crocodiles are missing food in their region, they'll project to nearby islands. Be careful on every occasion you visit the seashore. Crocodiles are known for their patience as hunters. When snorkeling, make sure someone is looking from the seaside. Avoid mangroves and marshes as they're crocodile hotspots. Exercise more excellent warning on Matahari Island or Tuangku Island, wherein crocodile assaults have befell.
When To Visit Banyak Islands
The Banyak Islands fall under tropical rainforest weather, making it appropriate for touring at any time during the 12 months.
Rainfall commonly takes place during the night or at night and generally lasts only a few hours at most.
It's vital to be prepared with rainproof measures to handle diverse conditions throughout your go-to.
