Singkil Travel Guide

Singkil is a small town in the extreme southwest of Aceh Province, northern Sumatra. It is popular with surfers for its left- and right-hand barrels and is the gateway town for boats to the Banyak Islands.

Worth It?: Yes, for its surfing and as the boating gateway to the Banyak Islands.
What to Do: surf, boat trips to Banyak and Simeulue.
Best Time to Go: March through September for the best weather and surf.
How Long?: A day or two at most in Singkil.
Trivia: Singkil is the capital of Aceh Singkil Regency.

There's not much to see and do in Singkil unless you are into surfing as the town is really just a stop-off on the way from Medan to the Banyaks for most visitors. But there are some nice beaches in and around the town and the surf gets up in season. Basic accommodation is available in guest houses in Singkil.

The Banyak Islands, 30kms to the west of Singkil in the Indian Ocean, are the main draw and boats leave Singkil harbor for the islands regularly. The Banyaks is a group of 99 islands with great beaches, surfing, snorkeling and diving. The islands also support virgin rainforest and make the perfect getaway.

Farther afield is Simeulue Island, which is really for those who prefer remote surfing with as few other surfers as possible. It also features fine beaches, with Baneng Beach in the southwest being the best.

Travel to Singkil - Getting There

Singkil Airport receives flights from Medan and Banda Aceh twice a week, taking 45 minutes and 1 hour, 45 minutes respectively. Medan, the Sumatra capital, is about 200kms away by road, or an 8-hour minibus trip. Boats leave for Pulau Banyak from Singkil daily and twice weekly to Sinabang on Pulau Simeulue.

Singkil Things to Do

Singkil Attractions

Singkil Surf

this part of Aceh Province receives two-meter swells culminating in left- and right-handed barrels off the coast of Singkil.

Side trips from Singkil

Banyak Islands: a string of scores of islands lying 30kms off the coast of Singkil, with excellent surfing, snorkeling and diving.
Simeulue Island: lying farther offshore than the Banyaks, Simeulue is a large island with Indonesia's most northerly surf.