Keuluang Island, Aceh — small private boat trip, easy on the wallet
A quiet island off the coast of Aceh with clear shallow water, white sand and good snorkelling. We run the boat. You pick day trip or overnight. Prices are per boat, not per person — so the more of you there are, the cheaper it gets.
Rupiah is the local currency. Dollar figures are rough conversions at about Rp16,000 = US$1.
Round-trip boat transfer between TPI Ujong Sudeun and Keuluang Island. Up to 5 people on one boat. No frills — you bring what you need, we take you across and bring you back.
- Private boat, so your group travels on its own
- Up to 5 people per boat. A 6th person means a second boat
- Deposit Rp100,000 to lock your date
- Stay as long as you like and tell the skipper when to come back
Everything set up for you — day trip or overnight camping on the island. Best value if you're a group of 5, because the price doesn't change with the number of people.
- 🏕️ Tent & mats
- 🍳 Stove & cookset
- 🍽️ Plates & mugs
- 🧑🍳 Local guide
- 🍳 Cook
- 🍛 2 meals
- ☕ Snacks & coffee
- 💧 Drinking water
- 🤿 Snorkelling gear
- 🚤 Boat round trip
- Day trip or overnight — your choice, same price
- Up to 5 people. Bigger group? Message us and we'll work it out
- Deposit Rp500,000 to lock your date
Want someone who speaks English on board?
Our crew are local fishermen and guides. They know these waters and the island very well, but their English is limited. If you'd like someone on the boat who can talk you through everything in English, we can arrange it for Rp200,000 extra. Just ask when you book, so we can make sure that person is free on your date.
☀️ Day trip
Out in the morning, back in the afternoon. Enough time to swim, snorkel, walk the island and eat before heading back. Works well if you're based in Banda Aceh or passing through.
🌙 Overnight
Camp on the island and have it almost to yourself once the day visitors leave. You get sunset, a quiet night and the early morning water. Tents and meals are part of the Full Trip.
Who can join this trip
We'd rather be upfront than have you find out later: at the moment this trip is for men only. We're not able to take women or children on this trip yet. If that changes we'll update this page.
Travelling on your own is fine. If you're solo we'll pair you with the boat that's already going out when we can, so you're not paying for an empty boat.
How to get to the boat
The boat leaves from TPI Ujong Sudeun jetty in Aceh. The nearest airport is Sultan Iskandar Muda International Airport (BTJ) in Banda Aceh.
So it's a short trip once you're here: roughly 90 minutes on the road from Banda Aceh, then a 10 to 15 minute crossing. The crossing time moves with the tide and current — on a strong current it takes the longer end of that range.
Message us on WhatsApp before you book flights. Tell us your arrival date and time and we'll tell you how to get here, what it should cost, and whether it's better to travel the day before. We'd rather help you plan it properly than have you rush and miss the boat.
Fly into Sultan Iskandar Muda International Airport.
Motorbike or car from Banda Aceh to TPI Ujong Sudeun. WhatsApp us first so we can plan it with you.
Our skipper meets you at the jetty — see it on the map.
Depending on the current. Then you're there.
🌤️ When to come
Aceh sits in the tropics, so it's warm all year. What changes is the sea — the crossing is a small open boat, so wave height matters more than air temperature. Calm months are comfortable; rough months mean the trip can be called off.
Sea conditions swing week to week, so there's no single "best month" we'd trust for a year ahead. Tell us your dates and we'll check the marine forecast for you before you commit to anything. We'd rather turn you away than take you out in bad water.
🎒 What to bring
- Reef-safe sunscreen, hat and sunglasses
- Swimwear and a quick-dry towel
- A dry bag or waterproof pouch for your phone
- Your own mask and snorkel if you have them (otherwise we provide)
- Cash in rupiah for the deposit or extras
- A light rain jacket — tropical showers pass through
How you can pay
A deposit locks your date, and the rest is settled on the day. We keep it simple:
- Bank transfer — works for most international travellers
- QRIS — scan and pay from an Indonesian banking or e-wallet app
- DANA — popular Indonesian e-wallet
- Cash on arrival — in rupiah, handed over at the jetty
Deposits: Rp100,000 for the boat shuttle, Rp500,000 for the Full Trip. Ask us on WhatsApp about the smoothest way to pay from your country — we'll tell you honestly what works and what doesn't.
Questions people ask us
Is the price per person or per boat?
Per boat. Rp400,000 for the shuttle and Rp1,500,000 for the Full Trip, whether you're 2 people or 5. Sharing the boat makes it much cheaper each.
Do I need to speak Indonesian?
No. We handle booking over WhatsApp in English, and you can add an English-speaking crew member for Rp200,000. Our regular crew know the water and the island well, but speak limited English.
Can I come on my own?
Yes. If you're solo we'll try to put you on a boat that's already going out, so you're not paying for an empty boat.
Is it suitable for women or children?
Not at the moment. This trip is for men only — we can't take women or children yet. We know that's unusual, we'd just rather say it clearly up front.
What if the weather turns bad?
Safety comes first. If the sea is too rough we'll tell you before departure and move your date or settle it with you. We check the marine forecast and will not take a small boat out in bad water.
Can I change my date?
Tell us at least a day before and we'll move it if we have space. If we're the ones cancelling because of weather, you choose between a new date or another arrangement.
How do I get there, and how long does it take?
Fly into Banda Aceh (BTJ), then it's about 1 hour 30 minutes by motorbike or car to the TPI Ujong Sudeun jetty. The boat crossing to Keuluang Island takes 10 to 15 minutes depending on the current. All up, around 1 hour 45 minutes from Banda Aceh.
Do you rent gear separately?
Yes — snorkelling sets, tents, sleeping bags, life jackets and more. Tell us what you need and we'll check stock for your dates.
Tell us your dates and we'll take it from there
Send us your dates, how many of you there are, and whether you want the shuttle or the Full Trip. We'll confirm what's available, check the sea forecast, and explain how to get to the jetty.