MEDAN –  SINGKIL

By road: There are no big busses on this route, but many minibuses (called. L300) and cars taking passengers (called Kijang). The minibuses are a bit cheaper, but uncomfortable and crowded. The extra money to go in a "Kijang" is well worth it. The trip takes around 8 hrs. They pick up and leave you at your hotel. Just call and book. A few of the companies:
Himpak, L300: Rp. Rp. 90.000.
Halim Perdana, In Medan: Jl. Sun Yat Sen/Laksana 71A, ph: 061-7348322. In Singkil: Jl. Mesjid, ph: 0658-21168. L300: Rp. 90.000, Kijang Rp. 110.000. Charter Kijang: Rp. 700.000.
Buraq Transport, In Medan: Jl. Gajah Mada 50 (next to the Banda Aceh busses), ph: 061-4520456. In Singkil: Jl. Mesjid 4, ph: 081533743235. Kijang Rp. 110.000 per person or Rp. 700.000 per car.
Rundeng Indah, In Medan: Jl. Utama 109 AA, ph: 061-77083239. In Singkil: Jl. Bahari, P. Sarok, ph: 081534067827. Kijang Rp. 110.000 per person.

By air: Singkil airport is now in operation. SMAC has stopped flying, but recently NBA (Nusantara Buana Air) has started operation to Singkil from both Medan and Banda Aceh. Small 20 seat aircrafts. As the flight leaves in the morning you can reach Pulau Banyak the same day.

Check in 1 hr before departure. Maximum weight allowance: 10 kg. Over-weight charged with app. Rp. 3.000/kg. Surfboard is normally charged as one seat. Transportation in Singkil to and from airport in minibuses: Rp. 20.000,-.

Contact:
In Medan: NBA, Jl. Brigjend. Katamso 70/100. Ph: 061-453 4680, fax: 061-415
In Singkil: Bombay Travel, Jl. Mesjid 102. Ph: 0813 7721 9667.
In Banda Aceh: NBA, Jl. T. Daud Beureauh 30. Ph: 0651-33377, Fax: 0651-40359
 

SINGKIL –  PULAU BANYAK

The only way to go to Pulau Banyak is by sea and Singkil is the departure point. If you also plan to visit Simeulue, it can be good to know that there is a ferry twice a week between Singkil and the main town on Simeulue, Sinabang. One can fly between Medan and Simeulue.

Note: In P. Balai, the Car ferry uses the public harbor, not the ferry harbor.
In Singkil the ferry leaves from the Pulo Sarok harbor. The local boats leave from the bridge in the old part of the Singkil, called Bengkolan, or beyond the bridge directly at the main river, called Kilangan. Speed boats from Pulau Banyak prefer to land at a bridge near Pulo Sarok, called Jembatan Tinggi.

If you charter a speed boat it is normally cheaper to charter a boat from Pulau Banyak.

Try these contacts:

Aidil: +62813 6255 4936
Kardi: +62813 7043 3004
Tachsis: +62852 9733 9994

Direct boats to Haloban: There is a local boat directly to Haloban from Singkil, by the name KM Palala. It leaves from "Jembatan Tinggi" in Singkil where the speed boats are leaving from. The departure is irregular, but normally twice a week. Price is Rp. 50.000 per person. Call, or have someone in the hotel to call; Mr. Dasir (owner) on ph: 0852 6111 0411 or Mr. Ucok (captain) Ph: 0813 7030 0349. for information.

It is possible to find a traditional freight boat from Sibolga, app. one per week. The trip takes 9-12 hours depending on weather. In Sibolga ask at Losmen Sambas Baru. Good alternative if you are coming traveling from West Sumatra.

GOING AROUND THE ISLANDS

There are no regular or public boats within Pulau Banyak. If you travel on a shoestring, just ask around and wait until you find a boat going where you want to go, or change your plans according to what boats are available.

From Balai to Haloban: Look for boats to Haloban at Warung Aurora near the YPB office. The warung owner will help ask. The Haloban boats normally land behind the shop of Alfan next door.

Boat charter for Haloban can be cheap or expensive, depending on the fish season and whom you talk to. Try call Haloban and ask for a canoe to come and pick you up (charter); Rp. 250.000 to pick you up. Call Mr. Suryadi on 1812 7030 0347 or Mr. Refianto 0812 6560 9853. The knowledge of English is lower in Haloban, but enthusiasm cover for that.

If you go to any of the beach accommodation, they will arrange for transportation. To Palambak Besar it is, for example Rp. 50.000 one way in traditional canoe (2 hrs).

Most common is to charter a canoe, speed boat or big boat. The slowest, less expensive and most traditional is the canoe driven by a small inboard motor. Speed boats are more convenient though. Below follows a list of price examples for your orientation. Below follows a list of price examples for your orientation. They are price indications for charter of a 5 hp canoe and a 25 horsepower speed boat from P. Balai to several destinations. A big wooden boat can cost anything, depending on availability and fish season. Prices also fluctuate with number of passengers and weight of goods. The prices are for round trip, but they cannot wait too long. Just ask around, for example in your accommodation, where you eat, or a guide.

If you need a guide, ask:
Eddie, ph: 081263102373. He knows the surfing spots. English speaking.
Wandi, ph: 085296769222. In Penginapan Putri. English speaking.