Best time to visit
Even though Pulau Weh is considered an all-year-round destination, you’ll find the best (and most enjoyable) conditions during dry season. This is from about April to September. In these months the ocean will also be much clearer, ensuring great visibility for both diving and snorkelling.
How to get to Pulau Weh
The only way to get to Pulau Weh is by ferry from the main land of North Sumatra. You can take this ferry from the city Banda Aceh, which can be reached by plane (there is an international airport) or by bus from the capital, Medan. When in Banda Aceh there are two types of ferries to choose from. The first option is the faster (more expensive) ferry:
- Fast ferry (Express Bahari)
- 45 minutes
- 65,000 IDR per person (€4)
- Daily: 8am, 10am, 12pm, 4:15pm (on Fridays, there is no 12pm ferry)
The second is the slower but slightly cheaper option. The two have different schedules that can change depending on the weather, so do keep that in mind!
- Slow ferry (ASDP car/passenger ferry)
- 2 hours
- 35,000 IDR per person (€2)
- Daily: 8am and 5pm (on Fridays, there is also a 2:30pm ferry)
Both ferries will drop you off at Pelabuhan Balohan, the harbour. From here you’ll need to take a tuktuk (also called ‘becak’) to your accommodation. We recommend organising this with your accommodation beforehand.
Where to stay
Before looking into accommodations on Pulau Weh, you should decide where you want to locate yourself. There are two main “touristy” beaches on the island, these are Gapang and Iboih. We recommend staying near one of these as you’ll find many nice beaches, good restaurants, and snorkelling spots nearby.
We stayed at Santi Garden Bungalows which was a perfect budget option for us. The rooms are basic but have everything you need, and the owner is super kind. You can check out the bungalows here!
The Santi Garden Bungalows are located about a 10 minute walk from Iboih beach, near a smaller beach called Teupin Serkui (on google maps). We loved this location as it was very laid-back, with great snorkelling spots and good restaurants nearby.
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How many days on Pulau Weh?
We spent a week on the island and would’ve stayed longer if we could! Even though the island doesn’t have that many things to do, we really enjoyed taking it easy and enjoying the beauty of Pulau Weh.
Since getting here from Medan (where most travellers come from) is quite a journey, you should make the most of your stay. We recommend staying at least 4 nights on Pulau Weh. This will enable you to explore the island, have a beach day, and do some diving and/or snorkelling.
Good to know
There are a couple of things that are handy to know before you arrive on Pulau Weh, as they might surprise you.
- Religious rules – The island is, just like the province Aceh, very religious. It’s an official thing that on Friday’s before 2pm, no-one is allowed to partake in any leisure activities. However, for tourists exceptions are made, but you will notice that many things are closed on Friday mornings.
- No alcohol – Alcohol is illegal in the area. Even though it is sold at some restaurants for tourists, the prices are much higher and you should drink it discreetly.
- Opening times – Shops and restaurants open quite late, so don’t expect to start your days early here. The whole vibe of the island is very slow-paced and easy, so no need to wake up early.
- Clothing – Locals dress very conservatively, both for religious reasons and as protection against the sun. Keep in mind that wearing a bikini/swimwear at the beach is fine, but cover up when sitting at a restaurant or walking through town.
- ATMs on the island – There are several ATMs on the island, so you don’t need to worry about bringing a lot of cash with you from the mainland.
- Going island style – Keep in mind that, like the rest of Sumatra, wifi and hot water are not guaranteed. We didn’t have hot water in our accommodation and could only use wifi when near their restaurant.
Best things to do
Although there is not that much to do on the island, there is definitely enough to keep you entertained. These are some of our favourites.
Explore the underwater world
Pulau Weh has an amazing diving and snorkelling scene thanks to the clear water, diverse marine and lively reefs. You don’t have to go far to find a big moray eel, octopus or if you’re lucky, a whale shark. Read all about it in our previous post, diving and snorkelling on Pulau Weh!
Cruise Pulau Weh on a motorbike
Renting a motorbike is a great way to see the beautiful scenes. You can rent a bike from 100,000 IDR per day. Most convenient way to do so is through your accommodation, as they’ll be able to bring the motorbike to you. Because of good roads and little traffic, it is extremely easy to ride around the island. Do some beach hopping or check out the other activities listed below.
Cool down in a waterfall
In the middle of Pulau Weh, hidden in the jungle, you can find the Pria Laot Waterfall. Visiting this scenic waterfall is one of the best things to do on Pulau Weh, yet it is rarely crowded. Park the scooter where the road stops and continue an easy walk for about 20 minutes. Make sure to bring towels, because the Pria Laot waterfall is a great way to cool down!
See Indonesia’s ‘beginning’
Pulau Weh is Indonesia’s most northern island. You can go to the northern most tip, known as Kilometer 0, where Indonesia ‘begins’. Even though the spot itself is not too impressive, the thought of it is!
If you’re staying at Iboih or Gapang beach, the journey only takes 20-30 minutes by scooter and offers some great coastal views along the way. But make sure to look out for the cheeky moneys that’ll grab any drink or food out of your hands if they get the chance.
Check out Sabang
Sabang is located on the north-east of Pulau Weh and it is the main city. Even though we came to Pulau Weh primarily for it’s tropical life, checking out the city of Sabang is a nice half-day trip. You can experience everyday life, good food, and the many markets.
Absorb the views
The coast of Pulau Weh is stunning full of so many great viewpoints. Our absolute favourite is Puncak Balohan Hill (here on googlemaps). This view over the windy road, lush palmtrees, and bright blue horizon is simply stunning.
Relax
Besides some exploring and water activities, one of the best things to do on Pulau Weh is nothing. This island, with its small crowds and mediocre wifi, is the best place to kick back in a hammock with a fruit smoothie and a good book, and do nothing.
Best beaches
Like you’d expect from a tropical island, there are many stunning beaches on Pulau Weh, with pristine white sand and turquoise waters. These were our favourite beaches on the island.
Pantai Teupin Serkui
This is the tiny beach very close to where we stayed (Santi Garden Bungalows). This small beach is especially great for relaxing during the day. You won’t find much coral here and the waves are very calm. Yet somehow we were quite often the only people here.
Gapang beach
This beach is home to most of the diving schools, and for a good reason. Very close to shore you’ll already be amazed by a lively underwater world full of colourful coral and fish. The beach itself is great too, with many spots to seek shade under the palm trees.
Samur Tiga
Located all the way on the west side of Pulau Weh, this beach takes a little longer to get to. But making the journey is absolutely worth it! Samur Tiga is an incredible stretch of white sand and very bright turquoise water. In the sea you’ll find a small platform from which you can do some snorkelling around.
Right along the beach you will find a hotel named Freddies, which is a good spot to have a lunch with view over the beach.
Favourite restaurants
Besides the amazing local food, the restaurants on Pulau Weh serve many Western meals for cheap. For a proper meal you can expect to pay somewhere between 30,000-50,000 IDR per dish (€2.00-3.50) and around 10,000-20,000 IDR for a soft drink/smoothie (€1).
Dee Dee’s kitchen
Our all-time favourite restaurant is located on Teupin Serkui beach. We ate here most of the time and don’t regret it. Even though the waiting time is long, the owners are very kind and we were never in a rush anyway. They serve great breakfast options, like omelette with naan or pancakes, and we also loved the falafel wrap and chicken burger!
Nasaka Coffee & Resto
Right next to Dee Dee’s kitchen is Nasaka. This place has great coffees but also many options for lunch and dinner. They open a little later in the morning, then close in the afternoon for a break and open again only around 7pm for dinner. However, it is totally worth the wait because their vegetable curry is a must try!
Olala restaurant
Located next to Santi Garden Bungalows. Olala has several options to choose from for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Their prices are slightly higher, but the seating area has such a nice view over the sea.
It is also possible to rent snorkels from Olala for the day. Down from the restaurant you’ll find a tiny jetty where you can swim and do snorkelling.
Getting back to Banda Aceh
To get back to Banda Aceh, make your way back to the harbour (Pelabuhan Balohan). The easiest way to get here is by arranging a tuktuk via your accommodation. At the harbour, you can again opt for the fast or slow ferry, these are the times:
- The fast ferry (Express Bahari): 8am, 2:30pm, and 4pm
- The slow ferry (ASDP car/passenger ferry): 8am, 12pm, and 4pm
If you have a flight from Banda Aceh it’s better to leave Pulau Weh a day in advance, to account for ferry delays or cancellations due to sea conditions.
Is Pulau Weh worth it?
We absolutely loved Pulau Weh and think it’s definitely worth a visit. Even more so if you’re into diving or are looking for an affordable, quiet place to relax and enjoy beautiful beaches.
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