By Glen M. Cole 
The banyak Islands in Indonesia (collectively also known as Pulau Banyak) are a group of paradise islands in northwestern Sumatra.
If you’ve ever dreamed of living the Robinson Crusoe lifestyle and having a remote tropical island all to yourself, with a primitive bungalow and crystal clear water as far as the eye can see, this is your chance!
Banyaks are very inexpensive and have some of the best white sandy beaches in Sumatra. We spent a week at the Palambak Island Resort and it was a bit like heaven on earth.
This travel blog will tell you how to get to the Banyak Islands, where to stay and what you need to know before you go!
Where is the Banyak Archipelago located?
- The Banyak Islands are located off the west coast of Aceh Province in North Sumatra, Indonesia.
- The population in 2024 is about 8,000 people, but most of them live in the capital of the island of Balai.
- The rest of the 99 outer islands of Pulau Banyak are mostly uninhabited, and some simple bungalows are scattered everywhere.
How to get to the Banyak Islands
* Step 1: the trip to Singkil
The trip to the banyak Islands in Indonesia takes time and effort. Here is a complete two-part explanation.
Firstly, the nearest international airport is very far away, in the city of Medan, on the opposite coast of Sumatra. Medan Airport (KNO) receives daily flights from places such as Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta from 40 for a one-way trip. You can buy flights to Medan on Skyscanner.
The city of Medan is conservative and not very touristy, but safe, and there are quite a few hotel options. We stayed in MB Apartments, which offer a breakfast option, and also used the Grab and GoJek apps to deliver food (Pizza Hut and Indonesian Food).
After arriving in Medan, it takes 8 to 10 hours by car to reach the port city of Singkil. 900 price (65 ) per car, and the private driver can arrange this at your hotel in Banyak or you can book a driver online here (additional rate may apply).
* Step 2: the boat trip to the Banyak Islands
- Below is a map showing the location of The banyak archipelago in the sea west of Sumatra.
- Once you arrive at the port of Singkil, you will have three main options for getting to the Banyak Islands: wooden boat, ferry or speedboat. We took the ferry.
- There is a public boat called Kapal Kayu Besar (big wooden boat) that serves Pulau Banyak daily, or a public ferry that departs twice a week (on Sundays and Wednesdays).
Places to stay on the Banyak Islands
On the Banyak Islands there is a growing number of accommodation options with simple facilities, but stunning landscapes. There are also local host families in the gateway town of Balai Island, but they are shabby and noisy and do not have the tropical scenery that Pulau Banyak is famous for.