Travel information

There are several ways to get to and from Pulau Banyak. International travellers can enter the closest International airport of Medan and travel either overland (8-10 hours by car) or by air (1.5 hours by plane) to Singkil: the coastal town near Pulau Banyak. There are several budget airlines operating from Kuala Lumpur or Singapore to Medan Pollonia Airport. Our partnersite: www.sumatraecotourism.com gives you more specific travel information including sail times of the local ferry from Singkil to Pulau Banyak. Volunteers or tourgroups in connection to Yayasan Pulau Banyak will be met at the airport in Medan, and have all transport arranged to the archipelago.

Transportation

Fire fly – Fire fly flies between Kuala Lumpur and Medan and offers great bargains.
Air Asia – Air Asia flies on Medan from Jakarta, Johore Bahru, Kuala Lumpur, and Penang, on Banda Aceh from Kuala Lumpur.
Lion Air – Lion Air flies on Medan from Jakarta and Penang, on Banda Aceh from Medan.
Sriwijaya Air – Sriwijaya Air flies on Medan from Jakarta, on Banda Aceh from Medan.
Garuda Indonesia – Garuda Indonesia, the Indonesian flag carrier, flies on Medan from Jakarta, on Banda Aceh from Jakarta.

Practical information

Vaccinations – For more information which vaccinations are advised for travel to Indonesia

Visa requirements- Information about Indonesian visa requirements.

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Latest updates

We have managed to raise all funds for below project:

Please support our new project that will provide a cooking course for local island women. Donations can be done as small as 1 Euro/USD! Help us to complete this project so healthier and more balanced meals can be offered with local produce:

The TURTLE FESTIVAL 2010 (FESTIVAL PENYU 2010) is part of the Eco-tourism Programme by Yayasan Pulau Banyak sponsored by the Spanish AECID. This festival will help promote Pulau Banyak within Indonesia and its neighbouring countries.

The TURTLE FESTIVAL 2010 is about local culture, awareness of environment and the turtle conservation, and of course to have fun. It is a non-profit event.

Take the opportunity to see and support something very special. Together we can make this fabulous archipelago one of the best eco-tourism destination in Indonesia. The Festival is arranged by the local people of Pulau Banyak and supported by the Regent of Aceh Singkil, the Governor of Aceh, and Ministries in Jakarta. All are enthusiastic and have already promised funds for coming years. .

A BIG EVENT GOES KAMPONG.

For an entire week visitors and TV-viewers will witness many unique and fun events, together with famous artists and important national community leaders.
 Opening ceremony together with our Turtle Ambassadors; Deddy Mizwar and Asrul Dahlan. Mr. Deddy Mizwar is the most prominent Indonesian actor, director and producer. Mr. Asrul Dahlan is the young coming movie star of Indonesia. Both of them support the turtle conservation by becoming Turtle Ambassadors. During the opening ceremony there will be a “Kenduri Laut”, a traditional offering to the sea, and a religious speech about the environment.
 National artists will perform during the festival week, for example the popular Dangdut singer Maya Kdi and a Pop group from Jakarta (under negotiations).
 Traditional dancing from all the villages in Pulau Banyak and from neighboring places, like Simeulue and Singkil.
 A BlogSpot competition, open for everyone. Visit www.festivalpenyu2010.blogspot.com
 Fishing competitions, booth “Mancing (Fishing) Mania” and traditional fishing.
 A turtle opera by children and story telling for children by a professional story teller
 Competitions in poetry, speeches about environment, environmental essays, etc.
 Competitions between schools and villages in cleanliness.
 Competitions in traditional games.
 Swimming, free diving, and other sports events.
 Paddling traditional canoe, kayaking, and other competitions.
 Mini exhibition with photos from all over Pulau Banyak and information from different community groups.
 Many activities; try kayaking, picnic to neighboring islands, round trips and eating the freshest and best BBQ fish you can get.
 The programme is not yet finalised. This page will be up-dated with changes and additions.