Banyak Islands

Visas

Citizens of another 87 countries are eligible to obtain one of the following visas:

• Electronic Visa On Arrival (e-VOA/B213)
• Electronic Visitor Visa
• Social, Tourist, or Cultural Visa (B211)
• Free Visa Stamp
• Multiple Entry Visa

Some passport holders are eligible to apply for an online e-VOA or Visitor Visa, otherwise, you must obtain a visa in advance at an Indonesian embassy or consulate. If you get the e-VOA before you arrive, you have the option to extend by simply filling out a new Indonesia eVisa application form online, but must first leave the country in order to request a new visa.

Visas issued at the airport on arrival can only be extended through an immigration office, which should be done 14-7 days before expiry.

Visitor Visa is a single-entry visa valid for a 30-day stay in Indonesia with the purpose of Tourism, Government visits, Business Meetings, Goods Purchasing, or Transit only and is not extendable.

The B211 is a 60-day visa for visiting family, friends or an employment trial and can be extended 3 times by 30-days. More hoops to jump through including being sponsored by an eligible Guarantor. Cost IDR 2,000,000.

9 neighbouring countries get a Free Visa Stamp for stays of up to 30 days maximum with no extensions permitted (Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand & Vietnam).

Multi Entry, investment, sport and journalist 60-day visas are available through the main portal.

The 30-day e-VOA & Visitor Visa fee is IDR 500.000. You may be asked for proof of your return flight details and proof of financial resources.

DO NOT overstay as the fines aren’t cheap (IDR 1,000,000/day) and they can stop you from re-entering for a period of time. As always, check for any updates before you book your trip, as visa policy has changed a few times in recent years.

Getting There

Int. flights to Medan from Singapore (Silk Air, ValuAir), KL and Penang (Air Asia, Malaysia Airlines, Lion Air).

There are no domestic flights to the Banyaks! Merpati, Buana Air and Susi Air service Sibolga, but not Singkil, which is the closest mainland town to catch a ferry to the backside of the island chain.

The dreary, smelly port town of Sibolga is a slow, twisting 9hr bus ride from Medan, then it's 3hr by taxi to Singkil.

Ferries cross from Tapaktuan (12h), Bakongan (6h) or Singkil (3h) to Desa Balai on Pulau Balai.

So the reef camps ask guests to fly from Medan to Nias, then get picked up and driven to the northern port of Sawo, jump on a boat and do the 2-3hr transfer to the Banyaks, which is expensive unless you travel in a group, or go on the 3 discounted transfer days a month (10th, 20th, 30th).

Of course, the most relaxing way to get to the Banyaks is on a surf charter boat, some sailing out of the port of Lahewa, North Nias, but others may come from as far as Padang when a booming swell is forecast to light up Treasure Island.

Getting Around

Once you reach the Banyaks, you are basically in Waterworld. Apart from a few beach excursions to stretch your legs, you are either floating or suspended above the reef.

The 2 reef camps ferry surfers around the spots by speedboat, while the charters have various safe anchorages dotted about depending on the conditions. Moving between Pulau Tuangku (Bay of Plenty) and Pulau Bangkaru (Treasure Island) will take 40mins-1hr depending on your boat. It's a full 2hr+ chug to the rarely surfed northern breaks if the winds blow S.

Accommodation

The Banyaks has a couple of reef-anchored camps in the Bay of Plenty. Banyak Surf Resort is the original stilts on the reef camp and owner Julien Laurencon has a decade of experience in these islands. Being so remote makes logistics expensive, but it compares favourably to charter prices and is a unique experience worth the outlay. There are a few charters that specialise in this area like SurfBanyak with the Seriti or The Pulse, both starting from Lahewa, Nias. Check prices online.

Activities

Great diving and snorkelling off pretty much all of the Banyaks, especially Palambak or Balai. Green turtles and occasionally leatherback turtles can be seen laying eggs on Pulau Bangkaru. Snorkelling, spearfishing and fishing trips can be arranged easily. Check out the more remote islands for incredible turquoise-blue waters and ivory-white sands.

Hazards & hassles

The waves are the main hazard, with some of the reefs being exceptionally shallow with bulbous coral heads and not very flat reefs. Beginners and longboarders should look elsewhere. Sharks are around but so far leave surfers alone. Storms can move in suddenly while out on the boats and lightning can clear the line-up quickly. Quality boats and engines are crucial as breakdowns in the Banyaks can be serious and help is often far away. Malaria is less of an issue as most surfers are based on or over the water. Dengue is more common.

Handy Hints

The Banyaks are part of Aceh where Sharia law is in effect, however, all the surf spots are remote where there are no villages. Women should try to keep covered up in loose-fitting clothes and surf in rash vest and shorts or better still, long lycra leggings. Take a rain jacket on longer missions.

Due to global pandemic, Visas, Getting There, Getting Around or Accommodation information and pricing may have changed. Always check Government Travel Advice before travelling.