And they thought they’d just be there for a day…
The island of Pulau Weh, located off the northernmost tip off the Indonesian region of Sumatra just off the coast near Banda Aceh, has seduced many a day-tripper into staying and setting down roots in its tranquil and idyllic shores.
More popularly known as Sabang (not to be confused with the Sabang Beach in the Philippines), which is the name of the island’s main town and port, visitors find themselves entranced by the island’s laid back atmosphere, communal buzz, and unparalleled diving and snorkeling opportunities.
 A word to the wise though, if the idea of an unspoiled, secluded, palm tree-covered white sand island, with a coral reef that makes Australia's Great Barrier Reef look dull in comparison, sounds attractive, then Pulau Weh is the perfect place to go to.
However, for those who would find it hard to cope without the cushy conveniences of private bathrooms, air conditioners, showers and electricity, then perhaps Bali would be imminently more suitable.
Sights on Pulau Weh
Sabang is the only town on Pulau Weh but most visitors stay at Ibioh village or Gapang Beach.
The most popular beach is Iboih. Full of that lively island atmosphere, Iboih is fast becoming the top spot that most tourists head for and in consequence, have started to gain a more progressive and less unspoiled feel.
Opposite Iboih about 100 meters off shore is the densely forested Pulau Rubiah Island. Spectacular coral reefs collectively known as the Sea Garden and a colorful array of marine life that may be found surrounding the island has made it the most popular diving and snorkeling spot the whole of Sabang.
Around the headland from Iboih is Gapang Beach. Here, tourists can enjoy a leisurely swim with occasional encounters with sea turtles.
Some nice beaches may also be found near the Sabang town proper. The most popular among these is Pantai Kasih (Love Beach) which boasts of palm fringed white sand shores in the shape of a crescent. The beach is just about a 30-minute walk from town and is considered to be one of the better spots for swimming.
 The island’s main income comes from the tourist trade attracted by the dive shops Rubiah Tirta Divers on Iboih and the Lumbalumba Dive Center on Gapang Beach which is owned and run by a Dutch couple who decided to settle on the island in the late 90’s.
Sleeping and Accommodations
Sabang town offers fairly reasonable accommodations at lodging houses like the Losmen Irma and the Pulau Jaya. The rooms are very basic and bathrooms are communal.
The usual accommodations at the Iboih village consist of palm-thatch bungalows with a communal mandi (bathroom) for all the guests.
Gapang Beach offers more choices in accommodations with rooms ranging from the basic to the few more expensive and comfortable bungalows equipped with air conditioning.
Ramadillo, on Gapang, offers cheap but cheerful bungalows on the beach while Leguna and Gapang Resort have more spacious and comfortable rooms and bungalows.
Travel Advisory
Tourism on the island of Pulau Weh was heavily affected by the Civil War in the nearby province of Aceh and the recent 2004 Tsunami.
For a year and a half, only visitors with special permits were allowed to travel to Pulau Weh due to security and peace issues in the region. At present, the travel restriction has been lifted and the island declared to once again be open to foreign tourists without the need for special permits.
Gapang Beach and Iboih suffered heavy damages in the 2004 tsunami. Thanks to the joined efforts however of the island’s people, dive shop owners, and aid from foreign countries, the rehabilitation and re-building of the destroyed structures are nearing completion with island slowly going back to the way it was before the tsunami.
On May 25, 2005, Pulau Weh officially announced that they were open for business and tourists are welcome to once again experience the natural beauty that is Pulau Weh’s with a party on Gapang Beach. Dive enthusiasts are assured that the island’s beautiful coral reefs and rich marine life, are very much intact and were not affected at all by the tsunami as confirmed by studies done by UNESCO.
For travel updates, information, flights from Medan to Banda Aceh and ferry schedules from Banda Aceh to Pulau Weh, visit the Lumbalumba website at URL: www.lumbalumba.com
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