National park · Indonesia
Batu IslandsKepulauan Batu
Visit Batu Islands: pay the entry fee (check), take the short beach trail (30 min) or the longer jungle hike (2 h) in the dry season, and stay on the main island for easy access to transport.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
150 km² (58 sq mi)58 sq mi (150 km²)
approximate
Established
2026
Best months
Apr–May
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 6Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Indonesia ↗Buy the visa on arrival or e-visa only on the official Immigration portal; lookalike sites charge extra.
- Indonesia ↗Complete the All Indonesia digital arrival and customs form before landing; it is free.
- Indonesia ↗Foreign visitors to Bali pay a one-off tourist levy; keep the payment proof on your phone.
- Indonesia ↗Riding a motorbike needs a valid licence that covers motorbikes (an international permit alongside your own) and a helmet; check your insurance covers it.
At a glance
- Country
- Indonesia
- Area
- 150 km² (58 sq mi)58 sq mi (150 km²)
- The Batu Islands cover roughly 150 km² of land across several islands; exact boundaries are not formally defined (check).
- Established
- 2026
- Best months
- Apr–May
- Permits
- For some areas
Batu Islands are a remote archipelago off North Sumatra offering beach walks, jungle trails and rare wildlife; entry costs IDR 50‑80 k, best visited in the dry season, with guides for interior hikes and homestays for overnight stays.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2026.
Size and age
150 km² (58 sq mi)58 sq mi (150 km²) · national park since 2026
The Batu Islands cover roughly 150 km² of land across several islands; exact boundaries are not formally defined (check).
Why go
- Island group with remote beaches and jungle trails.
- Chance to see the rare Sunda clouded leopard (check).
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
- Jandry, cooler
- Febdry, mild
- Mardry, start of hot season
- Aprdry, warm
- Maydry, warm
- Junrain increases
- Julrainy, humid
- Augrainy, humid
- Seprainy, occasional storms
- Octdry, cooler
- Novdry, pleasant
- Decdry, cooler
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunda clouded leopardAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Coastal birds and marine lifeMar–Sep | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Padang
Fly to Lasondre Airport (LSE) then boat to the islands (approx. 2 h).
3–4 h total
Open the page →
From Gunung Sitoli (Nias)
Susi Air flight to Lasondre Airport, then boat.
2–3 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Main island entry area | Gate, visitor centre, short beach trail. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Jungle interior | Longer forest hike, wildlife spotting. | Guided walk recommended. |
| Coastal villages | Local homestays and small eateries. | Open to visitors. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from Wikidata centre of the Batu Islands group; individual points approximate.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | IDR 50,000–80,000 (≈ US$4–5) | person | — |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Drones
- Not allowed without park authority permission.check
- Guides
- Required for jungle interior hikes.
- Camping
- Not allowed in the forest; use local homestays.
Where to stay
Near the park
Local homestays
Simple rooms in coastal villages.
Near the park
Padang
Range of hotels and guesthouses, 2 h by boat.
Safety
Heat and humidity medium
Getting lost in jungle high
Rough sea conditions medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Beach walk is flat and suitable for limited mobility
- Jungle trail is steep and uneven; not suitable for wheelchairs
Visiting lightly
- Support local homestays and buy food from village vendors.
- Avoid single‑use plastics on boat trips.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Batu Islands?
The park charges an entry fee of roughly IDR 50,000–80,000 per person.
What are the best hikes in Batu Islands?
A short beach walk to Boji Island (30 min) and a moderate jungle trail to the clouded leopard area (2 h, guide recommended) are the main options.
When is the best time to visit Batu Islands?
The dry season from April to May and October to November offers the most reliable weather for hiking and beach activities.
How do I get to Batu Islands?
Fly to Lasondre Airport (LSE) from Padang, Gunung Sitoli or Sibolga, then take a boat to the main island (about 2 h).
Are there accommodations on the islands?
Yes – small homestays in coastal villages and guesthouses in Padang provide basic facilities.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Batu Islands
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