Banyak Islands
A chain of small islands off Aceh's southwest coast, reached by boat from Singkil, with beaches and reefs for snorkeling.
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
The Banyak Islands are a group of small islands off the southwest coast of Aceh, the province at the northern tip of Sumatra in Indonesia. Most travelers reach them by boat from Singkil, a mainland town on the Aceh coast. Pulau Balai is the main inhabited island, and boats to the other islands usually leave from there. Snorkeling over reefs and quiet beaches are the main reasons to visit.
The islands suit travelers who have spare days and can handle slow, limited transport. Boat service depends on sea conditions, and rough weather can stop crossings, so build a buffer into your schedule. Ask about the season before you book, since the sea is calmer at some times of year than others. Check the wind and weather forecast before you commit, and plan several days rather than a single afternoon. Accommodation is basic, so pack what you need for snorkeling and a remote stay.
Banyak Islands in five
- Plan transport in stages and confirm each legBoats usually leave from Singkil on Aceh's southwest coast, which itself needs a long road leg. Confirm sailings the day before, carry slack in your schedule and avoid tight onward flights.Aceh
- Book a homestay or resort before you goAccommodation is limited and sometimes seasonal. Contact your host to arrange boat transfers, meals and what the island has for power and water, and confirm in writing.
- Carry cash, food backup and a power bankThere are few ATMs and shops, and power cuts happen. Bring enough rupiah for the whole stay, snacks and water purification, and a power bank for your phone.
- Respect nesting beaches and local customsTurtles nest on some beaches, so keep lights and noise down at night and leave eggs alone. The islands are conservative, so dress modestly in villages and ask before swimming near them.
- Join a dive or snorkel trip with a local boatReefs and small islets are reached by boat, and conditions depend on the season. Ask about the day's sea state, safety gear and fuel before you leave, and skip rough days.
Things to do in Banyak Islands
See all attractions in Banyak Islands
Need to know
- Airport
- No airport; use Medan (KNO) or Banda Aceh (BTJ) and go by road
- Getting there
- Road to Singkil, then boat; expect a long, multi-stage journey
- Getting around
- Small boats between islands; walking on each island
- Best base
- A homestay or resort on the island you book
- Time needed
- 4–7 days to justify the journey
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryRain25 rainy daysHigh28°Low26°DrierJanuaryRain
Good
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 320 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drier
- FebruaryRain24 rainy daysHigh29°Low27°Drier, calmFebruaryRain
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 259 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drier, calm
- MarchRain27 rainy daysHigh29°Low26°Calm seasMarchRain
Mixed
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 385 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Calm seas
- AprilRain28 rainy daysHigh29°Low26°ShowersAprilRain
Mixed
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 377 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers
- MayRain26 rainy daysHigh29°Low27°ShowersMayRain
Good
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 347 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers
- JuneRain20 rainy daysHigh29°Low27°WindyJuneRain
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 233 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Windy
- JulyRain20 rainy daysHigh29°Low26°Windy, swellJulyRain
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 270 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Windy, swell
- AugustRain23 rainy daysHigh28°Low26°Windy, swellAugustRain
Good
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 397 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Windy, swell
- SeptemberRain25 rainy daysHigh28°Low26°ShowersSeptemberRain
Good
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 388 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers
- OctoberRain25 rainy daysHigh28°Low26°WetOctoberRain
Good
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 511 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet
- NovemberRain28 rainy daysHigh28°Low26°Wet, rough seaNovemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 558 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, rough sea
- DecemberRain28 rainy daysHigh28°Low26°WetDecemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 431 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet
Average daily high and low in Pulau Banyak, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Banyak Islands
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
26
- Feels like
- 29°
- Humidity
- 89%
- Wind
- 5 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 94%
Banyak Islands
03:41 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today30°25°94%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 94%.
- Wed30°25°87%Wednesday: Rain. High 30°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 87%.
- Thu31°25°84%Thursday: Rain. High 31°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 84%.
- Fri29°25°87%Friday: Rain. High 29°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 87%.
- Sat31°24°86%Saturday: Rain. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 86%.
- Sun30°24°92%Sunday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 92%.
Updated 01:00 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 18,144 IDR
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Singkilabout 1–2 hours by boatThe mainland port town and jumping-off point for the islands.
- Local isletsabout 15–60 min by small boatSnorkeling spots and sandbars reached with a local boat.
- Banda Aceha long road journey northThe provincial capital, with flights and ferries onward.Read the guide
Before you go to Banyak Islands
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for Banyak Islands, checked
- Indonesian entry rules depend on your nationality and change. Check visa and entry requirements on the Directorate General of Immigration site (imigrasi.go.id) before you fly.
- Banyak Islands are in Aceh, which applies Islamic law. Cover shoulders and knees in villages, and check local rules on alcohol before you buy or drink it.
- Declare cash and goods above the limits set by Indonesian customs. Check the current rules on the Directorate General of Customs and Excise site (beacukai.go.id).
Plan around Banyak Islands
The province and the road to Singkil
Read the guideBanda AcehNearest major city for flights
Read the guideMentawai IslandsWest Sumatra's surf and island group
Read the guideSumatraThe island and routes between regions
Read the guideGetting around IndonesiaFlights, ferries and long roads
Read the guideAll of IndonesiaEntry rules, money and islands
Read the guideBanyak Islands FAQ
How do you get to the Banyak Islands?
Through Singkil on Aceh's southwest coast, by boat. Reaching Singkil usually means a long road leg from Medan or Banda Aceh, so plan several days and confirm each leg before you commit.
Are the Banyak Islands worth the trip?
For quiet beaches, snorkeling and a slow stay, yes, if you have at least four days and do not mind basic services. Skip them if your schedule is tight or you need reliable communications.
What is the best time to visit the Banyak Islands?
Seas are generally calmer from roughly January to March, with rougher conditions in other months. Check local forecasts and boat services before booking, as the season can shift year to year.
Is there electricity and phone signal?
Often limited. Power may be on only part of the day, and signal can be weak or absent on small islands. Download maps, carry cash and plan for patchy communication.
Can you dive in the Banyak Islands?
Yes, with a local operator, but infrastructure is basic. Ask about equipment, safety standards and emergency evacuation before you commit, and carry insurance that covers diving.