Weh Island or Pulau Weh is a volcanic island located in northwest of Sumatra for about 15 kilometeres (9mi) and belong to Aceh province. This island is small at only 156.3 square kilometres (60.3 sq mi).
The island's coral diversity relatively low, but fish species variation is rich. This island is densely populated with marine life such as scorpionfish, lionfish, leaffish, blue spotted rays, black spotted and honeycomb morays, sharks and barracuda, napoleon wrasse , Weh also offers you caves, arches, walls and canyons.
Apart from underwater ecosystem, Weh island is the only habitat of one threatened species of toad, named Bufo valhallae (genus Bufo). The species is only known from the holotype from the island. Due to heavily degraded forestation on the island, the population of the species is uncertain.
Dive in crowds of fish, not in crowds of divers. Still being an insiders’ secret, and off the beaten track, Pulau Weh offers unspoiled and uncrowded dive sites.
Best time to visit: February-October.
Get There
From Banda Aceh, you can take a ferry in the morning in Ulee Lheue Sea Port and arrive in Gapang Beach. The trip will only take a couple of hours, or 45 minutes if you decide to ride a speedboat. Or if you're from Medan, you can go to Banda Aceh first by bus or plane. Traveling from abroad? Several airlines can be used as well to reach Banda Aceh. Please refer to Banda Aceh to see ‘how to get there’ by click on www.indonesia.travel.com.
To Stay
You will be able to swing it, no matter how tight your budget is. Various accommodations are available and you just choose one that fits. Try basic wooden hut if you want to experience the simple life. Perhaps a pricey bungalow is your option for more comfortable surroundings.
Iboih Beach is famous among backpackers, world travelers, and divers. Iboih Beach presents simple life with horizon of fisherman villages. Live like them and use facilities they use. New businesses are opening such as bungalows and dive centers. Open air cafes are irresistible. Everything here is affordable.
Some of the guesthouses along the beach is O’ong Guesthouse, Yulia Guesthouse, Erick Guesthouse, Ayub Guesthouse, Anna Bungalow, Fina Bungalow, Fatimah Bungalow, and Mamamia Bungalow.
Gapang Beach is another resort in the vicinity of Rubiah Sea Garden. This beach is nothing strange to divers. Among the available accommodations are: Gapang Jaya and Ramadila
Get Around
Minibuses are available, motorcycles and three-wheeled pedicab or becak are there to explore this island. For a more comfortable journey, you can also rent a car.
To explore Sabang and the beaches, nothing is more enjoyable than walking on foot, although taxis are also available.
To Eat
You can have your fill of sea food dishes in the restaurants throughout the island. Try to visit Bungong Sakura at Ujong Kareung, Mama’s Jungle, Dang Dang Na, Naguna, and Coco’s Café at Gapang, or Olala, 7 Bungalows, and Chill Out at Iboih.
