The best diving in Sumatra is Pulau Weh, a small island off the north west coast in Aceh province. Aceh province has been politically unstable for years and the December 2004 Asian tsunami also did devastating damage to the area. However the majority of dive sites escaped lightly with most of the damage being done from 0-10m deep with deeper areas of dive sites spared. 
Pulau Weh is located off the north western tip of Sumatra and is actually Indonesia's furthest beach to the north west. It's in the Indian Ocean and the diving season is the same as west coast Thailand and Malaysia with the high season running from November to April. There is accommodation and dive centres on Iboih where the jungle meets the beach or on Gapang Beach which has a nice house reef.
The marine life around Pulau Weh is superb on fringing reefs, walls and wrecks. There are over 20 dive sites around Pulau Weh, Pulau Rubiah and other surrounding islands. Many of the dive sites are suitable for all levels of diver but there are also some strong drift dives and some deep decompression dives that are only suitable for experienced divers.
Batee Meuduro pinnacle is located about 1 hour south of Pulau Weh. The isolated pinnacle attracts large schools of pelagics as well as sharks. It is a favourite dive site in the area and has the best visibility.
Continued >> |