Nias and Hinako 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

6 daily 1hr flights from Medan to Gunungsitoli (Nias) serviced by Wings Air (cheapest) and Citi-Link (Garuda). Garuda fly Jakarta-Nias direct and boards are free as part of your luggage allowance. There's one Padang to Gunungsitoli flight per day, but they are always heavily booked. Board and baggage charges apply on Wings, Lion and Citilink. Ferry routes from Sibolga, Singkil and Padang are cheap but spartan and slow! Try to find the fast ferries, which don't run every day (check ASDP, Pelni). It takes about 3 hours from Gunung Sitoli to Lagundri by minibus. To get to Asu, the camp boats pick up guests from Sirombu, a 3-4hr mountainous and slow drive from the airport.

Getting Around

Once in Lagundri everything lies within walking distance. Teluk Dalam is a short bemo ride away. Only the main road from Gunnungsitoli to Teluk Dalam is maintained properly and the roads to Sirombu from anywhere are poorly surfaced with massive stretches of subsidence. To go exploring, renting a motorbike ($20/d) is easier than using trucks and bemos. Car hire with driver from $50/day.

Accommodation

The only place with uninterrupted views of the left is Asu Camp, with a newly built, super-comfortable, all-inclusive resort, great food and 2 sturdy speedboats from $125n/p. Some older resorts on the point are being reclaimed by the jungle, so most accommodation can be found on the lee side of the island where there are both expensive options and the original losmen set-up at Mama Silvis. On Nias along Sorake Beach, there are at least 30 losmens strung along the beachfront with varying prices starting from $10 for very basic accommodation. Aloha Surf Camp has a good view up near Indicators with clean A/C rooms from $35/n including all meals. More expensive options are available for up to $150/n. The unusual thing about this stretch is the losmens provide all food for their clients and eating at another establishment is generally frowned upon, so for a change in menu, head to the local restaurants or bakeries in Teluk Dalam for snacks. Staying in villages near some of the other breaks is possible with very basic homestay setups.

Activities

13km from Lagundri, the World Heritage short-listed village of Bawomataluo is a must-see cultural excursion. Ship-like houses surround a central cobbled courtyard where traditional rituals like obstacle jumping and war dances are cultural showpieces. It also has an impressive temple, as shown on the 1000Rp note. Tour guides offer great treks from Bawamataluo to a couple of other remote villages in the hills plus a visit to a cool waterfall.

Hazards & hassles

Several surfers have contracted malaria in Lagundri but the recent draining of swamps has greatly reduced the threat to low risk. It’s more prevalent inland along with dengue fever. In the Hinako Islands the central swamps have dried up since the earthquake, so incidences of contracting chloroquine-resistant strains of malaria have reduced a lot. Lagundri is a deep-water spot, but most reefs around here are shallow so be prepared to hit the bottom. Lagundri attracts some petty criminals – keep your gear locked down. Theft has reduced, replaced by high pressure memento selling. Young local surfers make up a third of the crowd and are slim, fit, fast and have it wired, but are friendly and relaxed in the water although they take plenty of waves. Show respect as the Nias people are proud and capable of getting angry. If staying at a camp on Asu, take rain jackets for squalls when out in the boats.

Handy Hints

It’s easy to buy, rent or repair boards at a number of shops who may also buy your boards. Bring boots, a helmet and a semi-gun for the Hinakos. There is a small clinic and a police station in Lagundri. The best money exchange rate is back on the Sumatran mainland or in Gunungsitoli. There are new ATM facilities and internet in Teluk Dalam. There is public wifi at a big dish halfway along the main road, but taking an unlocked smartphone and buying an Indonesian sim card is a good idea.

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