To get to Pulau Weh, fly into Banda Aceh’s Sultan Iskandar Muda International Airport (BTJ), take a 30-minute taxi to Ulee Lheue port, then ride the Express Bahari fast ferry (about 45 minutes, IDR 100,000) across to Balohan on the island. From Balohan it’s a 30 to 40-minute drive to Gapang Beach. Door to door takes roughly 3 to 4 hours.
The full route at a glance
I’m Rangga, and I’ve been guiding divers across this stretch of water for twelve years. The trip from Banda Aceh to the dive shacks at Gapang Beach has four legs, and once you understand each one the journey is straightforward. Here is the chain:
- Fly to Banda Aceh (BTJ) from Jakarta, Medan or Kuala Lumpur.
- Taxi from the airport to Ulee Lheue ferry port (around 25 to 30 km, 30 to 35 minutes).
- Ferry across the strait to Balohan port on Pulau Weh (45 minutes fast ferry, or 90 to 120 minutes on the car ferry).
- Drive from Balohan to Gapang Beach or Iboih (about 18 to 20 km, 30 to 40 minutes).
Pulau Weh is the island at the very northwest tip of Sumatra, home to the Kilometer Zero monument that marks the westernmost point of Indonesia. Sabang is the main town, and the dive bays of Gapang and Iboih sit on the northwest coast, a short three to four-kilometre hop apart.
Step 1: Flying into Banda Aceh (BTJ)
There is no airport on Pulau Weh that travellers use for the dive trip, so almost everyone routes through Banda Aceh on the mainland. Sultan Iskandar Muda International Airport (code BTJ) has regular direct connections:
- Jakarta to Banda Aceh: roughly 2.5 to 3 hours non-stop. This is the main access point from the rest of Indonesia.
- Medan (Kualanamu) to Banda Aceh: a short 50 to 60-minute hop, useful if you are already in North Sumatra.
- Kuala Lumpur to Banda Aceh: about 1 to 1.5 hours, the common international route.
Try to land before early afternoon. The last fast ferry usually leaves Ulee Lheue around 16:00, so a morning or midday arrival lets you reach Gapang the same day instead of overnighting in Banda Aceh.
Step 2: Airport to Ulee Lheue ferry port
Ulee Lheue is the mainland ferry port, about 25 to 30 km from the airport. A direct private taxi takes 30 to 35 minutes depending on traffic. Expect to pay IDR 150,000 to 200,000 (around USD 9 to 13) for the car. Many guesthouses on the island arrange a set-price pickup at IDR 150,000, which I’d recommend if you want a driver waiting with your name on a sign.
Grab is sometimes available at BTJ but not always reliable, so don’t count on it. If you are travelling on a budget, ask whether a shared taxi is running, which can drop the cost to roughly IDR 60,000 to 80,000 per person.
Step 3: The ferry from Ulee Lheue to Balohan
This is the heart of the trip, the crossing from Banda Aceh to Pulau Weh. There are two types of boat, and which you pick depends on whether you are bringing a vehicle and how much time you have.
Fast ferry (Express Bahari)
The Express Bahari passenger-only fast ferry takes about 45 minutes and runs roughly three times a day in each direction. Typical Banda Aceh departures are around 08:00, 10:00 and 16:00, though exact vessel and times shift slightly, so have your guesthouse confirm a few days before you travel. Economy tickets cost IDR 100,000 (around USD 6 to 7), bought at the Ulee Lheue ticket office on the day. A small surcharge buys a higher AC or VIP class if you want it. For most divers arriving with luggage and dive gear, this is the boat to take.
Slow car ferry (Roro)
The Roro ferries, KMP BRR and KMP Aceh Hebat 2 run by ASDP, take 90 to 120 minutes and carry vehicles as well as foot passengers. They also sail about three times daily, with departures often near 08:00, midday and late afternoon. A walk-on passenger ticket is cheap, around IDR 35,000 to 60,000 (USD 2 to 4). A motorbike with driver runs about IDR 68,000, and a car with up to five passengers is roughly IDR 457,000. Take this boat only if you are bringing your own scooter or car, or if the fast ferry is sold out.
Step 4: Balohan port to Gapang Beach and Iboih
Balohan is the ferry terminal on the Pulau Weh side. From there it’s about 18 to 20 km along the coastal road to Gapang Beach, a drive of 30 to 40 minutes through hills and past viewpoints. You’ll find transport waiting as you step off the boat:
- Shared car or minibus: roughly IDR 40,000 to 60,000 per person to Gapang or Iboih (USD 3 to 4).
- Private taxi or charter car: around IDR 150,000 to 200,000 for the whole vehicle (USD 9 to 13), best if you are a group or have lots of gear.
- Motorbike taxi (becak): about IDR 70,000 to 120,000 for one or two people.
Tell the driver clearly whether you want “Gapang” or “Iboih” since they are neighbouring bays a few minutes apart. If your dive centre is expecting you, ask them to arrange the pickup at Balohan so the price is agreed before you sit down.
Total time and budget from the airport
With smooth connections and the fast ferry, the full journey from BTJ to Gapang Beach takes about 2.5 to 3.5 hours. Add a 30 to 45-minute buffer at the port for tickets, and longer on weekends. If your flight lands and you have to wait several hours for the next ferry, budget 4 to 6 hours total.
On cost, a solo traveller using taxis and the fast ferry should plan for IDR 350,000 to 500,000 one way (around USD 22 to 32). That covers the airport taxi, the ferry ticket and onward transport to the dive bays. Groups splitting a charter car bring the per-person cost down.
Once you’re settled at Gapang you’re minutes from sites like Batee Tokong (Central Rock), the pinnacle that drops from the surface to about 22 metres before sloping to 40, plus The Canyon and the deep German wreck Sophie Rickmers. If you want to plan the diving side before you arrive, our Pulau Weh diving guide walks through the main sites and conditions.
Best months to make the crossing
Pulau Weh dives well most of the year, but the sea state matters for both the ferry and visibility underwater. The calmest, clearest stretch runs from around February or March through October, with March to September the sweet spot for smooth crossings and good viz. The western monsoon from November to January brings more rain and occasional rough water, so crossings can be bumpy and visibility drops. If you can choose, aim for the dry-season months and avoid late December to early January when seas are at their roughest.
Practical tips for a smooth arrival
- Book the ferry day-of on weekdays, but arrive at least an hour early around Indonesian holidays (Idul Fitri, New Year, school breaks) and weekends, when boats fill with local tourists.
- Carry cash from Banda Aceh. ATMs exist in Sabang town but not in Gapang or Iboih, and they can run dry around holidays. Bring enough rupiah for your first three or four days, in small notes for taxis and warungs.
- Rent a scooter on the island for IDR 80,000 to 120,000 a day (USD 5 to 8). Dive shops in Gapang, Iboih and Sabang all rent them. Roads are paved but narrow and hilly, so ride carefully and skip night riding in the rain.
- Match your flight to a ferry. A morning arrival into BTJ gives you the most options to reach Gapang the same day.
- Let your dive centre handle logistics. We can confirm the day’s ferry schedule, hold a Balohan pickup and have your gear ready, so you go from boat to first dive without the guesswork. Have a question first? Our Pulau Weh diving FAQ answers the common ones.
Where to go once you arrive
Gapang and Iboih are the two dive bases, both relaxed beach villages rather than resort strips. If you’ve never dived before, the sheltered house reefs here are an easy place to begin, and you can earn your certification on the island through our PADI Open Water course. Certified already? Our day-boat fun dives reach Batee Tokong, The Canyon and the drift sites within a short ride of the bay. Divers heading further east through Indonesia afterwards sometimes pair Pulau Weh with a Komodo liveaboard dive charter for a contrasting big-fish trip later in the season.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an airport on Pulau Weh?
There is a small airstrip on Pulau Weh, but it has no reliable scheduled passenger service that divers use. Everyone routes through Banda Aceh’s Sultan Iskandar Muda International Airport (BTJ) on the mainland and then crosses by ferry. Plan your flights to BTJ, not to the island.
How long does the ferry from Banda Aceh to Pulau Weh take?
The Express Bahari fast ferry crosses from Ulee Lheue to Balohan in about 45 minutes. The slow Roro car ferry takes 90 to 120 minutes. For most divers the fast ferry is the better choice unless you are bringing a vehicle.
How much does it cost to get from Banda Aceh airport to Gapang Beach?
Plan for IDR 350,000 to 500,000 one way (around USD 22 to 32) as a solo traveller using taxis and the fast ferry. That breaks down into roughly IDR 150,000 to 200,000 for the airport taxi, IDR 100,000 for the ferry, and IDR 40,000 to 200,000 for transport from Balohan to the dive bays.
Can I reach Pulau Weh in one day from the airport?
Yes, if you land in Banda Aceh before early afternoon. The last fast ferry usually departs Ulee Lheue around 16:00, so a morning or midday arrival lets you make the crossing and reach Gapang the same day. Late arrivals often mean an overnight in Banda Aceh and a morning ferry.
Do I need to book the ferry in advance?
On most weekdays you can buy fast ferry tickets at the Ulee Lheue ticket office on the day of travel. Around Indonesian holidays and weekends boats fill up, so arrive at the port at least an hour early. Your guesthouse or dive centre can confirm the current schedule and help with tickets if needed.
Diving from IDR 100,000 ferry crossing away. Want us to line up your Balohan pickup and dive plan before you fly? Chat on WhatsApp and we’ll sort the logistics.