National park · Indonesia
Banyak IslandsKepulauan Banyak
Enter the Banyak Islands: pay IDR 30 000 per person at the gate, take a boat from Singkil (≈2 h) and hike the Tuangku trail (3 km (1.9 mi), easy) in March–August; avoid July‑August peak surf if you prefer calm snorkeling.Enter the Banyak Islands: pay IDR 30 000 per person at the gate, take a boat from Singkil (≈2 h) and hike the Tuangku trail (1.9 mi (3 km), easy) in March–August; avoid July‑August peak surf if you prefer calm snorkeling.
- 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.
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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
120 km² (46 sq mi)46 sq mi (120 km²)
approximate
Established
2000
Best months
Mar–Jun
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
- 120 km² (46 sq mi)46 sq mi (120 km²)
- check
- Established
- 2000
- Best months
- Mar–Jun
- Permits
- Not needed
The Banyak Islands are a remote archipelago off Aceh, known for surf breaks, snorkeling reefs and short forest treks, reachable by boat from Singkil.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2000.
Size and age
120 km² (46 sq mi)46 sq mi (120 km²) · national park since 2000
check
Why go
- Surfing on 12 world‑class breaks, some reaching 6 m.
- Snorkeling among coral reefs with turtles and reef fish.
- Trekking Tuangku Island’s forest, caves and wildlife.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanCool, occasional rain.
- FebCool, occasional rain.
- MarSunny, calm seas – ideal for snorkeling.
- AprSunny, calm seas – ideal for snorkeling.
- MaySunny, calm seas – ideal for snorkeling.
- JunSunny, calm seas – ideal for snorkeling.
- JulStronger surf, higher risk for swimmers.
- AugStronger surf, higher risk for swimmers.
- SepTransition month, still good surf.
- OctTransition month, still good surf.
- NovIncreasing rain.
- DecIncreasing rain.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green turtle, Leatherback, HawksbillMar–Aug · Nesting season; keep distance. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
| Mouse deer, squirrels, wild boar, butterfliesMar–Aug | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
| Estuary crocodileJun–Aug · Seen in river estuaries; avoid swimming there. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | 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 Singkil (Sumatra mainland)
Boat departs at high tide from Singkil harbour to Balai village.
≈2 h
From Syekh Hamzah Fansyuri Airport (near Singkil)
Taxi or motorbike to Singkil harbour, then boat.
≈1 h total
From Medan (Kuala Namu Airport)
Bus or car to Singkil (≈5 h) then boat.
≈6–7 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Balai village gate | Entry point, small shop, basic facilities. | Open daily, fee payable. |
| Tuangku Island trekking area | Forest trails, caves, wildlife spotting. | Open; no guide required for short hikes. |
| Surfing beaches | Amandangan, Violation and other breaks. | Open; surfboards hire locally. |
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 approximated from island centre; for navigation use local maps.
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 30,000 (≈ US$2) | person | Gate fee at Balai village (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
Park rules
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; no open fires.
- Coral protection
- Do not touch or step on coral while snorkeling.
- Drones
- Not allowed without park permission.check
Where to stay
Near the park
Balai village homestays
Simple rooms, basic amenities, close to gate.
Near the park
Camping
Designated campsite on Tuangku Island (small fee, basic facilities).
Safety
Strong surf and currents medium
Crocodile sightings high
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
- Balai gate reachable by car or motorbike; short walks to beach.
- Trails are uneven and steep in places; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Use reef‑safe sunscreen and avoid plastic waste.
- Support local homestays and buy food from village vendors.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Banyak Islands?
IDR 30 000 per person at the Balai gate; no additional park permit required (check).
What are the best hikes in Banyak Islands?
The Tuangku Island forest trek (3–4 h, moderate) and short walks to the Bat and Swallow’s Nest caves are popular.
When is the best time to visit Banyak Islands?
March to August offers sunny, calm seas ideal for snorkeling; July‑August have stronger surf.
How do I get to the islands?
Take a boat from Singkil harbour at high tide (≈2 h) or fly to Syekh Hamzah Fansyuri Airport and transfer to the harbour.
Are there accommodations on the islands?
Yes – simple homestays in Balai village and a small campsite on Tuangku Island.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Banyak Islands
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