Indonesia is rich in islands offering stunning natural beauty, from beautiful beaches to captivating underwater beauty. This natural beauty has made many islands in Indonesia a favourite destination for domestic and foreign tourists. One of the regions with beautiful islands is Aceh.
Aceh, the westernmost province in Indonesia, boasts stunning natural beauty, including several fascinating islands worth visiting. These islands offer unforgettable travel experiences for anyone who visits them. Here are some must-visit islands when you are in Aceh:
Weh Island
Source: wonderfulimagges.kemenpar.go.id
Weh is a small island at the north tip of Sumatra Island. This northernmost island of the Indonesian archipelago is also known as Indonesia’s zero kilometre. With Sabang as its capital, Weh Island is famous for snorkelling and diving activities. As it is increasingly popular, people sometimes call Sabang Island instead of Weh Island.
Beautiful beaches where you can relax, snorkel, dive, fish, and watch dolphin attractions are the main reason to visit Weh Island. Weh Island is approximately 45 minutes by speedboat from Ulee Lheule Port in Banda Aceh to Balohan Port in Sabang.
Banyak Island
Source: Aceh Province Govenrment, Transportation Agency
Banyak Island is an archipelago, which, according to the locals, consists of 99 islands. These pristine islands offer fascinating scenery, world-class surf waves, stunning diving spots, captivating white-sand beaches, wonderful kayak spots, and several unexplored lagoons and marine parks.
Besides offering world-class surf waves and kayaking spots, you can also watch rare turtle species here, such as Green Turtles and Leatherback Turtles.
Simeulue Island
Source: Simeulue Government
Simeulue is an island in Aceh, which is also a regency with Sinabang as its capital. Offering various activities, such as surfing, that have attracted tourists around the world, Simeuleu Island is one of the beautiful islands that you must visit, as it is also a stunning tourist attraction.
The island also boasts stunning beach views, underwater attractions, and a popular culinary delight, lobster noodles. To reach Simeuleu, you can book a 60-minute flight from Medan to Sinabang.
Tailana Island
Tailana Island is one of Aceh’s fascinating tourism destinations, renowned for its white-sand beaches and crystal-clear turquoise waters, which are perfect for swimming, snorkelling, and diving. Beautiful coral reefs and various types of ornamental fish make snorkelling and diving even more enticing.
The island also boasts a lush tropical forest, home to numerous flora and fauna. Tourists can reach Tailana Island by speedboat from Singkil Port.
Nasi Island
Often called Pulo Aceh, Nasi Island is one of the islands in Aceh Archipelago. Pulo Aceh is home to other small and large islands, such as Keureusek Island, Batee Island, Teunom Island, Pulo Breueh, Pulo Sidom, and Pulo Bunta. Nasi Island can be reached in approximately an hour by boat from Banda Aceh to Lamteng Harbor, Nasi Island.
The island has beautiful and pristine white sandy beaches, including Deumit Beach, Nipah Beach, Mercusuar Beach, Deudap Beach, Pasi Janeng Beach, Lamtadu Beach, and Pasi Raye Beach.
Keuh Island
Source: Radio Republik Indonesia
Keuh Island is located in Patek, Aceh Jaya, overlooking the Indian Ocean. To reach this island, take a boat from the Gampong Patek pier, which takes just 15 minutes.
The island offers fascinating marine tourism, with white sand beaches surrounded by coconut trees and crystal-clear blue waters. The shallow waters and beautiful coral reefs have made this island one of the best snorkelling spots in Aceh Jaya.
source: Ministry of Tourism Republic of Indonesia
