Ultimate Travel Guide to Banyak Islands in Sumatra, Indonesia

The Banyak Islands, known collectively as Pulau Banyak, are a collection of idyllic islands situated northwest of Sumatra, Indonesia.

If you have ever envisioned experiencing a Robinson Crusoe lifestyle on a remote tropical island, complete with a basic bungalow and crystal-clear waters stretching as far as the eye can see, this is your opportunity!

The Banyaks are highly economical and boast some of the finest white sand beaches in Sumatra. Our stay at the Palambak Island Resort felt akin to paradise.

This travel guide will elucidate the methods to reach the Banyak Islands, recommended accommodations, and all pertinent information prior to your visit!

Where Is The Banyak Island Group?

The Banyak Islands can be found off the west coast of Aceh Province in North Sumatra, Indonesia.

The population stands at approximately 8,000 as of 2024, with the majority residing in the main town of Balai Island.

The remaining 99 outer islands of Pulau Banyak are predominantly uninhabited, featuring only a few basic bungalow accommodations scattered throughout.

How To Get To Banyak Islands

• Step 1: The Car Journey To Singkil

Reaching the Banyak Islands entails a certain amount of time and effort. Here is a comprehensive outline for achieving this in two distinct parts.

Initially, the nearest international airport is situated far away in the city of Medan, located on the opposite coast of Sumatra. Medan airport (KNO) receives daily flights from locations such as Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Jakarta, with one-way ticket prices starting at $40 USD. You may search for flights to Medan through Skyscanner.

While Medan is conservative and not particularly tourist-oriented, it is safe and offers several hotel options. Our accommodation at MB Apartments included a breakfast option, and we utilized Grab and GoJek apps for convenient food delivery (Pizza Hut and local cuisine).

After arriving in Medan, it is an 8-10 hour drive to the harbor town of Singkil. The cost for this journey is approximately 900k Rupiah (~$65 USD) per vehicle, with a private driver arranged by your hotel in Banyak, or through the recommended driver mentioned later in this guide.

(Tip #1: Should you desire to experience something unique on the long drive from Medan to Singkil, consider a visit to Lae Mbilulu Waterfall, located near the halfway point. This impressive twin waterfall is situated just 30 minutes from the primary roadway.)

(Tip #2: If an overnight stay in Singkil is necessary, consider MB Camp Singkil. This accommodation is managed by the same group as Palambak Island Resort and is currently the only suitable lodging available in Singkil. They also own MB Apartments in Medan.)

• Step 2: The Boat Journey To Banyak Islands

A map is provided below, illustrating the location of the Banyak island group in the sea west of Sumatra.

Upon reaching the port in Singkil, you have three main options to travel to the Banyak Islands: wooden boat, ferry, or speedboat. Our group opted for the ferry.

A public vessel known as the Kapal Kayu Besar (big wooden boat) operates daily to Pulau Banyak, or you may choose a public ferry that departs three times weekly (Thursdays, Fridays, and Mondays).

These options are budget-friendly and slower, taking approximately 4 hours. The fare is 50k Rupiah (~$3 USD) per person.

Here is a timetable for the ferry, which may vary, so it is advisable to confirm with your hotel prior to departure.

Map outlining the location of the Banyak island group in Sumatra, Indonesia (© Wikimedia)

If you travel to the Banyak Islands via the wooden boat or public ferry, the drop-off point will be Balai Island, a modest and bustling gateway town that does not provide much aside from supplies.

From Balai, you will then need to take a secondary boat (a small wooden motorboat) to your chosen destination island, such as Tailana or Palambak. This leg of the journey lasts approximately one hour and incurs an additional cost of 200k Rupiah (~$14 USD). Scheduling is generally flexible, provided you give some advance notice.

The alternative option from Singkil is to charter a speedboat directly to either Pulau Balai or Palambak Island, which will take around 1.5 hours total. This option costs 1.5 million Rupiah per boat to Balai, or 1.7 million to Palambak.

Essentially, the speedboat presents the quickest and most adaptable method to reach the Banyaks; however, it is also the most costly. If you share the speedboat with other travelers, expenses can be divided among all passengers.

Alternative Route: Nias To Banyak Islands

If you are visiting Nias Island and also wish to explore the Banyaks, there is a 9-hour ferry service from Gunung Sitoli (Nias) to Singkil (Sumatra) that operates twice weekly.

Here is a timetable for the ferry. Typically, it departs from Nias at 10 AM and arrives in Singkil at 7 PM, allowing you to stay overnight at MB Camp Singkil and take a boat to Pulau Banyak the following day.

It might not save you much time compared to driving directly to Singkil from Medan; nevertheless, it can serve as a viable option if you intend to visit Nias and the Banyaks during the same itinerary.

Where To Stay In Banyak Islands

There is an increasing selection of accommodations on the Banyak Islands, featuring basic amenities yet stunning scenery. Additionally, local homestays are available in Balai Island, though these options may lack comfort and tranquility, far removed from the tropical beauty Pulau Banyak is known for.

Below is a list of the primary lodgings in the Banyak Islands:

• Palambak Island (MB Palambak Island Resort or The Palambak Dream) – This island features the best bungalows and is among the largest islands in the Banyaks. It is our preferred island for an extended stay.
• Tailana Island (Paradise Island Tailana) – A compact island that began with rudimentary accommodations but has recently upgraded to new beachfront bungalows. Notable for excellent snorkeling and being one of the few islands free of mosquitoes.
• Sikandang Island (Nina’s Bungalows or The Coral Sikandang) – Simple bungalows located on a medium-sized island with a circular coast achievable in 2-3 hours on foot.
• Panjang Island (Kimo Beach Resort) – The most developed island, this location can attract more visitors, particularly on weekends.
• Tambarat Island (Ira Bungalows) – Basic bungalows located on one of the quieter islands within the Banyaks.
• Tuangku Island (Banyak Surf Resort) – A surf camp located in the “Bay of Plenty” on the largest island of Pulau Banyak, ideal for surfers seeking waves.

Where We Stayed: Palambak Island Resort

Our primary accommodation during our stay in the Banyaks was the Palambak Island Resort. As with other islands, the amenities here are basic; however, both the quality and management exceed that of many alternatives. Our experience was exceptional.

The resort features the best bungalows available in the Banyaks, along with superior meals. Although the rooms are simple, they are equipped with a hammock, a fan, a mirror, wastebaskets, and a mosquito net enveloping the entire space. Shared bathrooms include cold showers, a water bucket, and toilet paper. Electricity is available via generator from 5 PM to 10 PM.

The dining options consisted of a variety of rice, vegetables, chicken, fish, fruits, pancakes, and more, each meal served hot and fresh. You have the option to customize your meals or allow the staff to prepare them for you. Unlimited water refills are also included.

Pulau Palambak Besar boasts some of the finest long white sand beaches in the Banyaks. It is an expansive island (it takes over 3 hours to walk around), ensuring that visitors will not feel crowded, even when other guests are present. The only drawback is a lack of excellent snorkeling opportunities, though day trips to other islands can remedy this.

Claudine, the Australian-Indonesian proprietor of Palambak Island Resort, was incredibly helpful in arranging transportation and answering pertinent inquiries regarding the Banyak Islands. Fluent in English, she is reachable via WhatsApp at ☎ +62 812-608-1916.

Best Things To Do In Pulau Banyak

• Island Hopping: Experience day tours to adjacent islands within Pulau Banyak using a wooden motorboat with a driver. Based on our arrangement with a boat driver from Palambak, it cost approximately 800k Rupiah for a full-day exploration of 5-6 islands, including the lighthouse at Pulau Rangit. This is an excellent way to discover more of the region.
• Kayaking: The Banyaks provide excellent kayaking conditions, with rentals available from Palambak or Tailana. We rented a single kayak for 100k Rupiah (~$7 USD) per day, or a double kayak for 150k. However, it is advisable to remain close to the main islands.
• Trekking: Walking around the perimeter of your island can be quite enjoyable. Circling Palambak requires over 3 hours, while smaller islands like Tailana can be completed in about 20 minutes. For genuine trekking among hills and jungles, a visit to Tuangku Island is recommended.
• Snorkeling: The best snorkeling adventures appear to be located at Pulau Asok, Tailana, and Palambak Kecil, all reachable from the beaches. Unfortunately, we observed considerable coral damage in the Banyak Islands, especially when compared to other Indonesian locations.

More Islands To See

• Pulau Rangit: A duo of islands near Palambak. The smaller island (Rangit Kecil) features a climbable lighthouse, while the larger island (Rangit Besar) remains largely undeveloped.
• Pulau Asok: An elongated, slender island resembling a cotton swab. Uninhabited, this island offers excellent snorkeling opportunities near its southern end and is great for aerial photography.
• Pulau Bangkaru: One of the remotest islands within the Banyaks, thus making it relatively expensive to visit. Numerous sea turtle species come here to nest along the shore throughout the year.

Other Tips For Pulau Banyak

• ATMs: There are no ATMs on any of the Banyak Islands. The last available machines are located in Singkil; therefore, ensure you carry sufficient cash for your travels. We settled most of our expenses via bank transfer, while certain accommodations like Palambak Resort also accept PayPal for payment. We utilized cash primarily for island hopping tours and boat transfers.
• Cell Service: Telkomsel provides reliable 3G/4G coverage on several islands, including Pulau Balai, Palambak, Tailana, and Panjang. We did not assess the connectivity on other islands.
• Culture: The communities in Pulau Balai and Pulau Panjang adhere to conservative Islamic values. Visitors wearing anything less than a hijab may receive disapproving glances and comments. My wife’s knee-length shorts attracted criticism from a local gentleman while at the beach in Balai. To avoid discomfort, it is advisable to limit time in Balai and Panjang unless you are prepared to dress conservatively. Thankfully, attire is less of a concern on the other Banyak Islands, which are primarily private.
• Trash: Certain islands experience a plastic waste issue, with locals from Balai discarding their waste haphazardly into the ocean. We observed repeated instances of this practice and substantial trash accumulated along the shoreline at Pulau Asok. Although some of this may be seasonal (during the rainy season), the problem appears to be worsening. Raising local awareness may help mitigate potential damage.
• Wildlife: It is possible to observe dolphins, whales, sea turtles, manta rays, giant clams, and dugongs (sea cows) in areas surrounding some of the islands.

Safety Tips

• Malaria: Local residents inform us that there is no confirmed malaria presence in the Banyaks, with no verified reports supporting the contrary. According to this Lancet study from 2018, malaria generally seems absent from the region. We took precautions to avert mosquito bites (employing spray during the day and a sleeping net for night), though we did not take prophylactic measures. Mosquitoes typically avoid biting while swimming; however, vigilance is required when lounging or dining outdoors.
• Crocodiles: Exercise caution when swimming near Matahari Island or Tuangku Island (Haloban village), particularly after sunset. Crocodiles have been reported in both areas, including an incident where a local snorkeler was attacked at Matahari. The remaining islands are not known to host crocodiles. Evading swamps and mangroves will mitigate risk.

Best Time To Visit The Banyaks

The Banyak Islands prove to be an appealing destination year-round.

North Sumatra benefits from a tropical rainforest climate, which does not conform to typical weather patterns elsewhere in Indonesia, with precipitation occurring in every month.

There is little need for concern regarding the ideal timeframe for visiting Pulau Banyak. The driest months are generally February, March, June, and July, although rainfall levels remain higher than in other areas like Bali.

Our visit occurred in December and January, typically regarded as the peak of the rainy season; nonetheless, we mostly enjoyed favorable weather!

Rain tends to fall in the evenings or at night, usually lasting no more than a few hours.

Our Singkil Driver

Adi Chaniago is a private driver with a van based in Singkil (the access point to the Banyaks) and provided excellent service during our extensive road trip across Sumatra.

His daily rates are reasonable, and he possesses considerable experience transporting tourists to sites throughout North Sumatra and Aceh Province. Sending him your proposed itinerary for Sumatra will enable him to provide a price estimate.

Although friendly, Adi has limited English proficiency; hence if you stay at MB Camp Singkil or Palambak Island Resort (which is highly recommended!), the owner Claudine may assist with translation and itinerary planning. For simple pick-up and drop-off arrangements, communication with him should be straightforward.

Adi can be contacted through WhatsApp at ☎ +62 812-6247-0584.

How Long To Stay