FAQ
Simeulue Island Information
Getting to Simeulue island is easy! Although tourists haven’t found their way into Simeulue like they did at the neighboring island Nias, Simeulue is very easy to travel to.
Medan is the gateway into Simeulue, the capital of Sumatra and the fifth largest city in Indonesia. Very easy to fly to, from cities like Singapore, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Denpasar, Surabaya and more…
Direct flights leave from Medan to Simeulue, Lion Air (Wings) is the main carrier that flies you to the island. The flight takes around 60 minutes. You can check the flights and book online via: www.lionair.co.id or www.nusatrip.com or www.susiair.com
If your departure date is over 3 to 4 months, sometimes they don’t put the dates up yet, calling or sending an e-mail might be your best bet. Please keep in mind that you tell them you want to bring a board, so they can reserve space on the plane.
Once at the airport our host will pick you up and take you to the resort, and of course will also take you back to the airport after your stay as well.
Don’t fancy a flight? You can also come to Simeulue by boat, a bit more adventurous though… Ferrys leave from Singkil (get there by public bus from Medan) or from Labuhan Haji. Just make sure you let us know, so we can pick you up from Sinabang (the port of Simeulue) As we said, getting to Simeulue Island is easy!
We are not going to tell you that you need to bring: “your sun hat, insect repellent, sunscreen, and whatever more you might need on a holiday..” keep in mind it’s Indo… but some practical stuff you might want to think about when surfing Simeulue and staying at Simeulue Surflodges.
- Wax (warm water of course)
- Extra fins for you board
- Extra leach
- A ding repair kit
- (reef) booties
- Enough cash,
The local ATM only works with Indonesian bank cards, so make sure to bring enough cash from the mainland.
Now don’t stress.. it’s not that the waves are like monsters on the island, but because it’s so remote, you will not find local surf shops. Some bad dings, lost fins, etc. might get you going on a trip amongst fellow surfers to ask for ‘spare parts’
24/7, 365 days a year our team is there to take care of you. Our chef is responsible for your daily portion of food; breakfast, lunch and dinner and our staff will make sure you will have all you need during your stay, whether it might be a special request, a private boat charter, a guide to take you to the waterfall, or just some fresh fish on the BBQ; if you can’t catch it yourself. Laundry is available up on request at no extra cost.
Attention! You must have at least 6 months remaining on your passport. You will not be allowed to enter Indonesia if your passport is due to expire within 6 months.
A visa on arrival is available at Medan Airport, the line for a 30 day visa is normally short. Besides your passport we ask you to bring two copies of this passport for local tourist registration.
Power outlets on the island are the same as anywhere else in Indonesia. It is the European two round pins contact.
Any questions or requests, just drop us a message
Frequently Asked Questions about Simeulue Surflodges
What are some of the property amenities at Simeulue Surflodges?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free breakfast, a pool, and free parking.
What food & drink options are available at Simeulue Surflodges?
24/7, 365 days a year our team is there to take care of you. Our chef is responsible for your daily portion of food; breakfast, lunch and dinner and our staff will make sure you will have all you need during your stay, whether it might be a special request, a private boat charter, a guide to take you to the waterfall, or just some fresh fish on the BBQ; if you can’t catch it yourself. Learn more about the food options here.
Are the rooms equipped with airconditioning?
Yes! All rooms have AC, so no worries and you can enjoy a cool, good night rest in that matter.
Is parking available at Simeulue Surflodges?
Yes, free parking is available to guests.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Simeulue Surflodges?
Yes, guests have access to a pool, tabletennis en more during their stay.
Does Simeulue Surflodges have airport transportation?
Yes, Simeulue Surflodges offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
How to get around Simeulue Island?
Find all about this subject in on this page.
What is available on Simeulue island?
There is one ‘big’ city which is Sinabang, here you can find all local food, several grocery stores, a very nice market and the one I like the best: the local fish market (ask our manager when these markets are open). Along all the roads on Simeulue Island there are small shops where you can buy food, fresh fruit and veggies, coffee, fuel for your motorbike, etc. There are also nice but simple local restaurants where you can stop for a super nice local snack or dish to get you fueled if you are on roadtrip exploring the amazing surf Simeulue has to offer.
There is one ATM in Sinabang, but here you can only withdraw money with an Indonesian bank card. On the way to Sinabang from Simeulue Surflodges you will find a hospital in case of emergency, but hopefully you will only drive past and will not have to visit the hospital during your stay. Multiple pharmacies can be found in Sinabang for most common medicine needed. There is no surfshop on the Island so it is best to bring your own repair kit and a set of extra fins.
What are activities and things to do on Simeulue island?
Our manager is more than happy to sort out the following trips for you:
- There are many fun things to do and see in between surf sessions or if you don’t surf. Below are a few options to make your memories of your stay in Simeulue even better.
- Snorkeling: We have 4 snorkel sets which are free for our guests to explore the underwater world of Simeulue. Spot Parrot fish in all different colors, or the many lobsters hiding in the reef.
- Hike to a waterfall through forest and rice fields to explore the inlands of Simeulue.
- Take a boat to an idyllic tropical Island with white sand beaches where you can go snorkeling, swim, or just chill out.
- The best way to explore the Island is by motorbike, just cruise around the Island and feel and breathe the relaxed vibe of real local Indonesia. Stop at a local warung for a coffee or small snack to keep you fueled.
- The local fish market in Sinabang is always nice to visit, fresh fish caught the same day are displayed in the local harbor.
- The local market is also nice to visit, here you can find all the amazing food Simeulue has to offer.
- A boat trip in a small wooden boat is a nice way to explore the inland while floating on the river and see the landscape from a different perspective.
- The lobster farm is also fun to visit, same as the drive on your motorbike to the farm. You will pass many local villages and get a really good feeling of what Simeulue has to offer
What are the best Surf Spots in Simeulue?
- ‘Dylan’s right’ is the best surf spot in Simeulue is Dylans right which a mechanical right hand wave just 200 meter to the left of our place. Works consistently and has a super nice barrel on the inside and a more opening face on the outside. Never gets bigger than twice overhead. Getting in is easy, just paddle out through the keyhole in the reef.
- ‘Dylan’s Left’: just around the corner you can find Dylan’s left which as its name already tells, it’s a consistent left. Not as mechanical as Dylan’s right, but definitely a very good option for the goofy footers or when Dylan’s right has onshore winds, Dylan’s left will be side to offshore.
- ‘One Tong’ is the spot to be found across the bay and picks up the most swell. A fun and sometimes powerful left slab with little crowds will be a good stop to make on your surf trip.
- ‘Teabags’ is a very powerful right hand wave with big barreling sections. Best swell direction is South West swell. Breaks on a pretty shallow reef and booties are advised. To get there, our manager can arrange a boat trip to get you to Teabags. Just jump out the boat, straight into the line up. Beautiful to combine this trip to visit the white sand beaches of the Island and explore the underwater world with the snorkeling equipment you can take for free from our camp.
- ‘Thailand’s left’ is a consistent left hand wall suited for most surfers. Doesn’t really have a barreling sections but fun and powerful walls to cruise and practice your turns. Suited for most levels. Approximately a 40 minute motorbike trip and there you can step on a local fisherman boat which will take 10 to 15 minutes to drop you off in the line up. Also a fun wave for longboards and the non barrel seaking daredevils.
- ‘The Peak’ is a fun A frame with both left and right barreling waves. Be careful not to get caught on the inside, a big paddle out is guaranteed.
- Many other unnamed and undiscovered spot are there to be found, so just jump on your motorbike and drive on the perfect road following the coast in search for that magical empty wave of your dreams.
- We can arrange lessons and surfboards upon request, just drop us this request when you book your stay.
What is the best surfing season in Simeulue Island?
- The best surf season in Simeulue is from April to October. During this period the waves are most consistent and there is less wind during the day.
- The low season which is from November to March is less crowded and still has many good days to offer. The good thing about our location is that we have good swell and surf conditions all year round. Less wind in early mornings or late evenings.
- Many different types of waves are there to be found from beginner to expert. Reef breaks, beach breaks, barrels, walls, all types are there to be found on Simeulue.
- All swell directions between south to south west swell are good for the different surf spots on Simeulue. Easterly winds are favorable for most spots to have offshore wind conditions. Producing glassy and consistent waves.
When is the best time to visit Simeulue and what are the different seasons like?
- Wet season is from November to March, but this does not mean it will rain all the time. During this period there are many weeks of perfect sunshine and light winds.
- Depending on the conditions you are looking for, Simeulue has many different spots which work in different conditions. So you will always be able to find a surfable wave on the Island.
- During the high season (April to October) it gets a bit busier than during the low season (November to March), but the conditions are also more consistent. Even in high season there are plenty of waves to surf, so you can avoid the crowds by exploring the island. Or just check out Dylan’s right from one of the hammocks of Simeulue Surflodges to see when the spot is empty.
What to bring to Simeulue?
Below a list of items and things we recommend to bring on your trip to Simeulue:
- Surf/ding repair kit (no surf shop on the Island)
- Extra set of fins
- Reef booties
- Extra surf wax
- Lycra or t-shirt for in the water
- International drivers license (not a big problem)
- Enough cash money (ATM on the Island only works for Indonesian card holders)
- A good vibe for you and the local people and environment, always make sure to not leave any trash at the surf spots and the Island.
What travel documents do I need for Simeulue?
Below a short travel guide to Simeulue Island:
- The VISA requirements to travel to Simeulue Island are the same as when you enter Indonesia, so no other VISA documents are needed to travel to Simeulue.
- Make sure you check out the latest requirements for your VISA and passport needed through your countries website for traveling abroad. This is because rules change regularly and we can only give guidelines.
- There is a VISA exemption for most countries for stays shorter than 30 days.
- Make sure your passport is valid for more than 6 months upon leaving Indonesia.
- You can not renew or extend your VISA on Simeulue, this has to be done in Medan Sumatra.
- There are different types of VISA you can apply for with different lengths of stay and different rules, so please consult your countries travel agency which one is best for you.
How to get to Simeulue island?
Find all about this subject in on this page.
Do you work with partners or travel agencies?
For bookings we prefer direct bookings via our website, but we are also present at booking.com, expedia.com and work together with swellseekerz.com for surf trips in and around Indonesia.
Price
From-
3 Meals a day
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FREE airport pick-up and drop-off
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FREE coffee, water and juices
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Western comfort with air conditioning