Pulau Nasi: just nature and you

Pulau Nasi is a small island close to Banda Aceh that is still not often visited by tourists but worth seeing.

Boat to Pulau Nasi from Ulee Lheue leaves everyday just once - 2 pm (inf. Dec 2017). Boat leaves from Pulau Nasi to Banda Aceh everyday 8 am.

Boat is definitely arranged for people of Pulau Nasi because it leaves the island in the morning to go to sell goods in traditional market in Banda Aceh and lets people to come back home in afternoon.

Ticket for a person costs Rp. 20,000. If you take a bike - extra Rp. 20,000. Also you have to pay Rp. 5,000 for people that put your bike into the boat and the same amount for those who wait for you at Pulau Nasi.

The journey to the island lasts from 1 hr to 2 hr depending on the wind and waves.

At the harbor of Pulau Nasi you will meet a lot of local people that can help you with accommodation. One important tip - people do not speak English yet. So Google translate will be very useful here.

We met a local guy that took us to his sister's homestay in Rabo village in the center of Pulo Nasi. It is about 15 mins away from the harbor. We stayed in a nice house and quite big room with double bed and separate bathroom.

At the harbor we were asked for Rp. 200,000 per night but when we said that it is too expensive the guy just lowered the price to Rp. 100,00 per night for a room. We were scared of plenty mosquitos and malaria but apparently if you stay in a concrete house you can avoid them. At the time we visited Pulau Nasi there were almost no mosquitos. Therefore, a mosquito net was not necessary for us.

The owner of the house Dina offered us to cook food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. She and here husband were very helpful, even washed our motorbikes and was always offering some drinks. With all food, drinks and two nights stay we paid Rp. 400,000 for two persons.

If you consider to stay at Dina's place her contact (phone and Whatsapp) - +62 853 72477370.

Because the boat to Pulau Nasi leaves in afternoon and comes back early morning it is better to consider to stay at least two nights in the island. If you want just to explore it it is quite small to drive around everywhere in one and a half day. But if you go there without a bike and plan to get known with island on foot better to stay here longer.

At south east of Pulau Nasi there is an amazing place with a light house - Ujung Umpe. Here you can climb to the rocks that are beaked into the sea.

Although some roads in Pulau Nasi are paved there are some places where road is still very bad so be really careful if you drive a bike. My friend had an accident but local people were very helpful and straight away helped to clean wounds with juice of a banana plant.

There are seven villages in the island. The harbor is located at Lamting, the North East of Pulau Nasi. If you take the road from Lamting left you will get better paved and safer road.

It is hard to get lost in the island because there are many signs that lead you to villages or beaches.

At the South of Pulo Nasi you will find Alue Reuyeueng beach that might be completely empty and all just for you, crabs and cows that come here to find a place to refresh from hot weather.

On the way to the beach do not forget to look around maybe you will see buffalos taking bath in mud.

Most people that live in the island live from agriculture and fishing. If you want to get the freshest papaya just from the garden do not hesitate to stop if you see a papaya garden. Just ask owners for a fresh fruit and they will be more than welcomed to provide you them.

Moreover, you should experience local life by seeing the catch of fishermen. If you come to Pasi Janeng village that is located in the West of the island in the morning you can see how successful morning fishing was for local people.

And of course... rice fields.

Do not worry to get starved in Pulo Nasi. There are already some local places to eat or drink coffee. Also in all villages you will find at least one little shop where you can buy sweets or other snacks.

But of course you will spend most of your time in amazing, wild beaches. And they are never ending in Pulo Nasi.

December, 2017, Pulo Nasi.