Singkil - Sumatra
Highlights - Access to Pulau Banyak, Alas River, turtles
Cities and towns in Sumatra
Singkil is on the western coast of Sumatra in the Aceh province. Singkil is the main ferry gateway to Pulau Banyak and Pulua Simeulue which are growing in popularity because of their unspoilt coral reefs and great surfing spots.
Singkil is the river outlet of the Alas River.
Getting there
By road - It's about an 8 hour trip via road. You can either get a minibus for around 80,000Rp or a "kijang" car for 100,000Rp. There is a bus that leaves Medan everyday at around 11am which leaves from outside the Singkil Raya restaurant just behind Olympia Plaza.
By air - Singkil opened a new airport in 2008. SMAC airline operate flights from Medan and Banda Aceh to Singkil. Both routes have flights twice a week, Monday and Friday. SMAC do not have a website though you can contact them by phone on 0614 155 116 (+62 61 415 5116) or Fax: +6261-457 1643.
Going to Pulau Banyak by boat
Boats leave Singkil, going to Pulau Balai on Monday, Thurdsay and Saturday morning - 'rubber time'. Trip takes 4.5hrs and costs 25,000Rp.
A car ferry leaves Singkil on Sunday at 10am. Passenger only fare is 13,000Rp. Trip takes 4 hours.
It's also possible to charter a speedboat to take you to the islands. Cost is around 600,000-1,200,000 and will take between 1 and 2 hours to get there depending on the size of the speedboat. Just ask around the harbour.
Accommodation / Hotels in Singkil
There is some basic accommodation in Singkil if you need to spend the night before catching the ferry to the islands. Prices are around 60,000Rp per night
The Indra Homestay
Harmonis
Purnama
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Last updated 17th March 2008