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Voykit pocket guide · Indonesia
Sabang
Spend 2 days in Sabang: one day for beach/snorkel at Iboih or Gapang, a second day for a dive or a motorbike tour of the island.
Sabang (Pulau Weh) is a tiny island off Aceh with world‑class snorkeling and diving, a few budget beach bungalows and limited services. One full day covers the main beaches; a second day lets you dive or explore the volcanic ridge by motorbike. Anything beyond two days usually means extra travel to nearby islands.
- Country
- Indonesia
- Best months
- Apr–Oct (dry season, calm seas)
- Avoid
- Nov–Mar (rainy, rough seas)
- Stay
- 2 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- IDR
- Money
- Rupiah (Rp) in small notes for warungs, parking, offerings and drivers; large cards are common in tourist restaurants but not everywhere.
- Daily spend
- Budget Rp 150,000–250,000 excl. transport · Mid Rp 250,000–400,000 excl. transport (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Telkomsel, XL and Indosat sell tourist SIMs at airports; foreign phones must be IMEI-registered if staying over 90 days — check.
- Emergency
- Police 110 · General 112 · Ambulance 118
- Plugs
- Types C, F · 230 V · 50 Hz · European round pins.
- Tipping
- Warung: Nothing.; Restaurants: Often 10% service + tax on the bill; nothing more needed.; Drivers and guides: Rp50,000–100,000 a day.; Spa: Rp20,000–50,000.
- Water
- Not drinkable from the tap; refill stations common in Bali.
- Toilets
- Western in hotels and cafés; squat toilets with a water scoop elsewhere; paper in the bin.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Snorkel gear rental (full day) | Rp 30,000 |
| Single dive (incl. gear) | ≈€25 (≈Rp 400,000) |
| Meal (Nasi Campur) | Rp 7,000–15,000 |
| Beer (bottle) | Rp 25,000 |
| Motorbike rental (per day) | Rp 100,000 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- SBG · Maimun Saleh Airport
- 20 min flight from Banda Aceh (Susi Air, Rp 250,000).
Typical fares
- Banda Aceh → Sabang (Susi Air)
- about Rp 250,000, 20 min flight (check)
- Fast ferry Balohan ↔ Banda Aceh
- about Rp 100,000, 1 h (check)
- Motorbike rental Iboih
- about Rp 100,000 per day
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
From the Balohan ferry terminal, shared minibuses cost ~Rp 30,000 to town, Rp 50,000 to Gapang/Iboih, Rp 100,000 to Sumur Tiga. Motorbike rental is Rp 100,000 per day; becak rides are negotiable. Taxis start around Rp 150,000 for the whole island.
See and do
Known for
- Snorkeling at Iboih and Gapang
- Diving on 20+ sites
- Kilometre Zero (westernmost point of Indonesia)
- Motorbike tours of volcanic ridge
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Rubiah Island | Boat from Iboih, ~30 min; negotiate price (≈Rp 150,000 per person) | ≈1 h total |
| Cot Kulam volcano ridge | Motorbike rental from Iboih, 20 km (12 mi) loopMotorbike rental from Iboih, 12 mi (20 km) loop | ≈2 h round trip |
Sleep
- Erick's Green House
- Beach‑front, Rp 60,000‑100,000 per night, shared bathroom.
- Fatimah's Bungalows
- Budget, Rp 50,000 per night, basic facilities.
- Olala
- Water‑front, Rp 100,000 per night, some with AC.
- Iboih Inn
- Mid‑range, Rp 100,000‑370,000, private bathrooms available.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| How much? | Berapa harganya?berah‑kah har‑ga‑nya |
| Do you accept credit card? | Apakah menerima kartu kredit?apa‑kah men‑ter‑ima ka‑ru‑t kri‑dit |
| Where is the ATM? | Di mana ATM?dee‑mah‑nah A‑T‑M |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Light handshake then hand to chest; smile; avoid: Firm grips
- Left hand: Give and receive with the right; avoid: Passing anything with the left
- Temples: Sarong and sash; step around offerings; avoid: Standing higher than priests
- Keeping calm: Patience; indirect requests; avoid: Anger in public
- Pointing: Thumb; avoid: Index finger
Scams and watch-outs
- ATMs accept only local cards; bring cash (Rp 10,000–20,000 notes).
- Alcohol is restricted in Aceh; only a few places serve beer (Rp 25,000).
- Friday mornings local boats stay in harbour – best time for peaceful snorkeling.
Sabang is generally safe for tourists; keep cash secure, respect local customs (especially alcohol restrictions), and stay alert in crowded markets.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Sabang yet. Suggested stay: 2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Snorkeling at Iboih and Gapang
- Diving on 20+ sites
- Kilometre Zero (westernmost point of Indonesia)
- Motorbike tours of volcanic ridge
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Sabang (Indonesia), revision 5289637 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5289637
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/sabang-indonesia). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.