Simeulue

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

Wings Air flights from Medan to Sinabang daily except Fridays (1hr10min). Morning flights often mean staying overnight in the airport hotel (Sky Kualanamu). Wings Air's new board carriage policies suggest only 5 board bags will be loaded per flight and cost 250,000rp per board e/w. This opens the door for camps and agents to smooth the way, given the right lubrication. Ray at Boraspati Express can help with all transfers through Medan Airport.

Taxi from Medan or Banda Aceh to Labuhan Haji (6hr), then ferry to Sinabang (9hr) will cost more than the flight, but may work out cheaper if you have more than 4 boards, since Wings charges per board e/w.

Getting Around

On Simeulue, bikes are cheap (sometimes provided by the surf camp for free) and easy to use on the empty roads. The biggest driving danger is livestock and animals that seem to just live on the roads. You will encounter buffalo, cows, goats, dogs, cats, chickens, ducks, monkeys, monitor lizards, snakes, crabs, toads and a million insects in your eyes if you ride at dusk. Then there are the human dangers like children and adults wandering the tarmac or piloting anything from an ancient bicycle, scooter, tractor or truck, usually unlit and they could appear on either side of the road. Bridges are in a state of disrepair and require slow speeds to navigate.

Boat trips can be arranged by most surf camps, using local boats or show up at the new harbours closest to the break you want to surf (Labuhan Bajau for Thailand and Kahat for Tea Bags). An expat has set up Simeulue Marine Services with a reliable speedboat, which is the best option for the longer trip to explore Babi Island. The 2-3hr speed boat ride to the Banyaks island chain costs around $350/Rp5M but can carry up to 10 people.

Accommodation

Accommodation on Simeulue ranges from cheaper homestays to surf camps and resorts. On the south coast in Alus Alus, Island Time Beach House caters to independent budget travellers and also families or groups who want to rent out the impressive main building that sleeps 6-9 at a reasonably priced house rate as opposed to per person. There's also a bungalow for couples or mates. Includes near new scooters in the price and cheap access to a vehicle for trips to the north.

Simeulue Surf Lodge offers all-inclusive packages starting at $350 a week and is located almost in front of Dylans Right. They can also organise boats out to Tea Bags and arrange cars or scooters for guests to rent.

There are multiple options now at all the main breaks (Dylans, The Peak) with $, $$ and some $$$ establishments offering full board and transport to all the breaks. With the main city of Sinabang up to an hour away from most of the surf accommodations, all meals are usually part of the package.

There's a lack of restaurants or food outlets in the local villages so often the only option is cheap cakes and donuts found in one of the many coffee shops or snacks from the general store. Lobster is easy to get, fish is available from roadside sellers and water buffalo is the main beef in Simeulue because all the cows get sent to the mainland for halal slaughtering. Don’t eat, drink or smoke in public during Ramadan daylight hours out of respect.

Activities

Great diving and snorkelling off the Simeulue east coast and many of the surfable islands such as Pulau's Babi, Lasia, Tapah, and Mincau. Snorkelling, spearfishing and fishing trips can be arranged easily. Check out the far north for incredible turquoise-blue waters and ivory-white sands. Trekking to the waterfalls is popular through some fairly pristine tropical jungle that offers unique flora and fauna and is best explored by boat. Local weddings offer a great insight into local customs, arts and dance like anggok, sikambang, pedang & andalas.

Hazards & hassles

When the coastline lifted almost 2 metres out of the water in the 2005 earthquake and 2004 tsunami, the newly exposed reef became sharp and pointy from rain and spray, making getting in and out of the water a pain without booties. Health care is limited to small clinics and hospitals that can treat small reef cuts or grazes, but make sure you have travel insurance for a fast evacuation in case of something major. Malaria was endemic on the island, but post-tsunami, infection rates have dropped markedly, mainly thanks to the wide-scale use of mosquito nets. It's still a good idea to keep covered and use repellant and/or prophylaxis. Clouds of insects at dawn and dusk make scootering without eye protection a painful experience and few rentals come with helmets.

Handy Hints

There is no way for tourists to get money from a bank or machine in Simeulue! Change more than you think you will need in Medan as cards are rarely accepted, except at the foreign-run surf camps. There is a black market for foreign cash but rates are punishing.

There are no surf supplies so bring extra and gift surplus wax and leg ropes to the locals, who are growing in number. Sharia law is in effect, but it’s fairly laid-back compared to mainland Aceh. Women should try to keep covered up in loose-fitting clothes and surf in rash vest and shorts or better still, long lycra leggings. Men should at least keep a singlet on and board shorts when riding around. Avoid skidding on the buffalo and cow droppings.

Some of the surfing breaks have paid parking from Rp10-20k per bike and Rp20-50k per car. It’s a small price worth paying just to make sure your stuff stays put, but leave valuables in your room as petty crime is present. Spots like Dylans and Alus Rights have a handful of good up-and-coming local kids, who usually show up in the afternoon when school finishes. Bring duty-free spirits to drink only in your accommodation. Some camps do have beer but be ready to pay big prices for it.

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