Senin 25 Mar 2013 18:58 WIB

Weh Island, the untouched edge of Indonesia

Rep: Satya Festiani/ Red: Yeyen Rostiyani
Beach in Weh Island (file photo)
Foto: Antara/Irwansyah Putra
Beach in Weh Island (file photo)

Located at the entrance way of the Malacca Strait, Weh Island is naturally untouched despite its convenient access. Cited in Wonderful Indonesia, the island is commonly a sea passage and a jewel for many yachts and cruise ships to visit and see.

Diving in Weh Island is a well established recreational activity. Dive masters and dive instructors are ready to offer a variety of dive sites like the fabled Sea Garden in Rubiah Island. Visitors will find many delightful sea creatures, most notably manta rays, whale sharks, dolphins and sea turtles.

Enjoy a swing on a shady hammock by the high tide hut in an island that many divers call it the unparallelled underwater universe. Be careful and always accompanied by a dive master if you are a beginner. You can see how the island separated itself from the Island of Sumatra million years ago. 

Sabang is the capital city of Weh Island. You might want to take a picture of a sign bearing "Indonesia Nol Kilometer" (Zero Kilometer of Indonesia). Water Front Resort is also interesting if you want to see the diversified marine life.

For shopping enthusiasts, try visiting traditional markets to get fresh tropical fruit and snacks. Dodol (some kind of sweets made of certain flour, sugar, palm sugar and sometimes fruit), chips, cake and bread (speciality of this island) can be found here. It’s a lively place to mingle with the locals. Most foods here are organic. The market also offers handmade souvenirs from coconut wood.

Many other fascinating points of interest include a waterfall, volcano and hot springs, the Japanese bunkers from WWII, the historical graveyard, Durian Keramat (sacred Durian), and Sabang town.

To get to Weh Island, visitors can take a ferry in the morning in Ulee Lheue Sea Port, Banda Aceh, and arrive in Gapang Beach. The trip will only take a couple of hours.

 

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