Sumatra

[papaganz]

Hi,

In September we're going to Sumatra. We're going to visit the island itself, but also want to do some diving (+- 4-5 days). Since we're also going to do hiking, backpacking,... around Sumatra we won't be taking our dinvg gear with us to Indonesia. What's a good place to book a ho(s)tel so you're not too far off from the diving centres? At first sight, Pulau Weh seems like the place to go if you're not going on a Liveaboard?

Any recommendations?

Experience is +- 50 dives and CMAS 2*.

Thanks!

 

[Wingy]

Palau Weh is a good choice if your backpacking - Ferry from Aceh is the cheapest way, last boat is at 4pm and you need the Ulee Lheue pier. Lumba Lumba diving should have all the hire equipment you will need. They also have a bit of a dorm style accomodation choice as well as their chalets. Other backpackers you can negotiate a price with on Gapang are pretty easy to walk to and from if your into the bargain hunting side of things. While in Sumatra try to get up to Lake Toba and if you happen to get to Padang splash out a little bit and spend a couple of days at Cubadak private island - Marco there has enough rental gear to cater to people who would like a dive. Very different diving to Weh. You will see a totally different side of Sumatra each place you go. There is also some diving off Medan - try Medan Scuba divers - have heard mixed reports but its another option.

The night dive spot at Cubadak will always be one of my favourite night dive sites. Remember when doing anything in Sumatra to have a plan B - and be prepared for slow travel times due to the roads and traffic.

 

[Lauren in Alor]

Pulau Weh is definitely my first choice for diving in Sumatra. Last time I was there, we stayed with Lumba Lumba. There are a few different rooms types in a range of price to choose from and the dive center was very professional. There is local accommodation along the beach but when we were there we struggled to find anything with a bathroom and everything available was really dirty, so we only spent a couple nights in the local accommodation until a room opened up at Lumba Lumba. For the diving with Lumba Lumba, this was also really great. They were very flexible and organized, great staff, we didn't use it, but the rental equipment looked to be in great shape. We ended up doing a boat dive with them every morning followed by a house reef dive every afternoon. Great marine life-highly recommended.

 

[papaganz]

Thank you, I will check out Lumba lumba diving!

 

[AlMitch]

P Weh definitely has some good diving. The one thing they have there in abundance are moray eels! Eel heads pop out over every hole in the reef.

You could also look at Iboih Beach. There are a number of "bungalows" right on the waters edge that look amazing but are very very basic, with shared ablutions outside. And the original P Weh dive centre is located here, its called Iboih Dive Centre. Iboih is a very picturesque little beach.