Weh Island

Island Indonesian island off Sumatra with popular dive sites

Weh Island (Pulau Weh) off Aceh is known for dive sites, snorkeling beaches and a relaxed island pace; boat access from Banda Aceh brings divers and weekenders.

Main image
Admiralty Chart No 3869 North West Part of Sumatra, Published 1930.jpg
Bundesarchiv Bild 116-424-114, Indonesien, "Club de Sabangbaai".jpg
COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Marineschepen in de haven van Sabang op het eiland We TMnr 60011324.jpg
Gas station Pulau Weh.JPG
HM-15 delivers aid to Sumatra following the 2004 Tsunami.jpg
Mangroves in Pulau Weh (8216638153).jpg
Mangroves in Pulau Weh (8217722738).jpg

Weh Island (Pulau Weh) is a small volcanic island off the northern tip of Sumatra in Indonesia’s Aceh province, known for clear waters and scuba diving. The island contains the port town of Sabang, which is the main access point for visitors.

The island’s shoreline includes beaches and coral-fringed sites used for snorkelling, diving and small-boat excursions, with several villages and guesthouses catering to tourism. Marine sites around the island are noted locally for visibility and coral diversity.

Pulau Weh has been used as a local trading and fishing base and today functions largely as a tourism and transport hub for the extreme northwest of Sumatra. Sabang hosts services, accommodation and the island’s main ferry connections.

Geographically the island lies off the northwestern coast of Sumatra, separated from Banda Aceh by a short ferry route; Sabang serves as the usual entry point by sea from mainland Aceh.

  • Kilometer Zero: Home to the Kilometer Zero monument (Tugu Kilometer Nol Indonesia) located near Sabang, which marks the starting point of Indonesia's national road system.
  • Access and transport: Pulau Weh is a volcanic island with a compact road network; most visitors travel to dive sites by local boats and use Sabang as the logistical base.

What to See #

  • Sabang / Kilometer Zero: Sabang is the main town and ferry terminal on the island and contains the Kilometer Zero monument marking Indonesia's westernmost point of the national road network.
  • Coastal villages and dive sites: Iboih and Gapang are coastal villages popular for snorkelling and diving, with boat access to nearby coral reefs and dive sites.
Weh Island
Pulau Weh (Weh Island), Aceh, Indonesia
5.8235, 95.3095

How to Get to Weh Island #

Pulau Weh (Weh Island/Sabang) is reached from Banda Aceh. From Sultan Iskandar Muda International Airport drive or take a taxi to the Ulee Lheue ferry terminal in Banda Aceh, then board a public ferry or speedboat to Balohan (Sabang) on Weh Island. There are short local transfers from Balohan Pier into Sabang town and dive/resort areas by foot or a few minutes by taxi/motorbike.

Tips for Visiting Weh Island #

  • Take the early passenger ferry from Banda Aceh (Balohan port is the Weh/ Sabang terminal) to minimize weather-related cancellations and to arrive with calm seas for snorkeling or diving.
  • Head straight to Pulau Rubiah's house reef from Iboih before mid-morning-it's the most accessible protected snorkeling spot and gets crowded as dive boats arrive later in the day.
  • Use local motorbike taxis (ojek) or arrange transfers with your guesthouse to reach west-coast viewpoints and quieter beaches such as Gapang and Sumur Tiga, which many day-trippers miss.

Best Time to Visit Weh Island #

Aim for the drier months (April-October) for the best diving and beach conditions; expect warm tropical temperatures year-round.

Drier season
April-October · 25-31°C
Calmer seas and more stable weather - best for diving, snorkeling and beach activities.
Rainy season
November-March · 24-30°C
More frequent heavy rain and rough seas can affect boat services and visibility for diving and snorkeling.

Weather & Climate near Weh Island #

Climate

Weh Island's climate is classified as Tropical Rainforest - Tropical Rainforest climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 22°C to 31°C. Heavy rainfall (2257 mm/year), wettest in December.

Best Time to Visit
AprilMarchAugust
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
31°
Warmest Month
25°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 24°C). Heavy rain (220 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

65 Good

Comfort

25°
Feels Like Warm
25°C
Temperature
22° 29°
80%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

220 mm
Rainfall
2.5 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.0
UV Index
Very High
11.7h daylight

February

February is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 24°C). Significant rainfall (153 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

67 Good

Comfort

26°
Feels Like Warm
26°C
Temperature
22° 29°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

153 mm
Rainfall
2.1 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.3
UV Index
Extreme
11.8h daylight

March

March is warm with stifling humidity (dew point 24°C). Significant rainfall (130 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

69 Good

Comfort

26°
Feels Like Warm
26°C
Temperature
22° 30°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

130 mm
Rainfall
2.0 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.4
UV Index
Extreme
12.0h daylight

April

April is warm with stifling humidity (dew point 25°C). Significant rainfall (119 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

71 Very Good

Comfort

26°
Feels Like Warm
26°C
Temperature
22° 30°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

119 mm
Rainfall
1.7 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.3
UV Index
Extreme
12.1h daylight

May

May is warm with stifling humidity (dew point 25°C). Significant rainfall (169 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

65 Good

Comfort

26°
Feels Like Warm
26°C
Temperature
22° 30°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

169 mm
Rainfall
2.5 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.1
UV Index
Extreme
12.3h daylight

June

June is the warmest month with stifling humidity (dew point 25°C). Significant rainfall (140 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

67 Good

Comfort

27°
Feels Like Warm
27°C
Temperature
23° 31°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

140 mm
Rainfall
2.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.1
UV Index
Extreme
12.3h daylight

July

July is warm with stifling humidity (dew point 25°C). Significant rainfall (163 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

65 Good

Comfort

26°
Feels Like Warm
26°C
Temperature
22° 30°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

163 mm
Rainfall
2.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.1
UV Index
Extreme
12.3h daylight

August

August is warm with stifling humidity (dew point 25°C). Significant rainfall (123 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

69 Good

Comfort

26°
Feels Like Warm
26°C
Temperature
22° 30°
82%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

123 mm
Rainfall
2.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.2
UV Index
Extreme
12.2h daylight

September

September is warm with stifling humidity (dew point 24°C). Significant rainfall (193 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

65 Good

Comfort

26°
Feels Like Warm
26°C
Temperature
22° 29°
82%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

193 mm
Rainfall
2.7 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.2
UV Index
Extreme
12.0h daylight

October

October is warm with stifling humidity (dew point 24°C). Heavy rain (238 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

63 Good

Comfort

26°
Feels Like Warm
26°C
Temperature
22° 29°
82%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

238 mm
Rainfall
1.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.0
UV Index
Extreme
11.9h daylight

November

November is warm with stifling humidity (dew point 24°C). Heavy rain (255 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

63 Good

Comfort

25°
Feels Like Warm
25°C
Temperature
22° 28°
83%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

255 mm
Rainfall
1.7 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.8
UV Index
Very High
11.8h daylight

December

December is warm with stifling humidity (dew point 24°C). The wettest month with heavy rain (354 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

63 Good

Comfort

25°
Feels Like Warm
25°C
Temperature
22° 28°
82%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

354 mm
Rainfall
2.2 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.8
UV Index
Very High
11.7h daylight

Nearby Attractions to Weh Island