Banyak Island Lodge

Regions

Banyak Island Lodge

If a touch of jungle isolation and truly uncrowded surf sounds enticing for your next surf adventure, take a journey to one of indonesia’s last frontiers with the banyak island lodge. Hosting three world-class set-ups visible from the terrace, this roots-based eco resort offers the personalised experience and uncrowded perfection you search for.

the basics

It’s a small resort catering for a maximum of 10 guests at one time, and being the only land camp on the island they’ve got no neighbours. The lodge is situated in a national park reserve and as a result it’s a place with ancient mangroves and 100m tall trees that is literally untouched since the beginning of time.

time in transit

in the air:
Oz to Singapore 7hrs
on the ground:
Overnight stay in Medan
Medan to Singkel 1hr
on the water:
Singkel to lodge 1-2hrs in speedboat, 3hrs in wooden boat

surf season stats

prime time:
May to Sept
in season:
Nov to Feb
can get waves: Year ’round. The team is adamant that November to February offers great conditions, with only lodge guests surfing the entire Banyak chain. No charter boats operate in this time.

expedition essentials

hardware: A three board quiver should see you sorted; they recommend a 6’0”, a 6’3” and a 6’8”. Pack a ding repair kit too.
non-surf: Booties, travel insurance, cash for extras (alcohol, photos, local souvenirs).
medical: There’s a small hospital 30mins away and the camp has comprehensive first-aid supplies. Malaria isn’t prevalent in the Banyaks, but nearby regions such as Nias are infected so it is up to you to decide on inoculations or not. Chopper is also available from Medan in case of emergencies.

five waves you want to ride

WAVE	IN SHORT	HEAVINESS	FUN	CROWDS	SUITS
Gunturs	Super consistent right-hand pits directly in front of the lodge.	4-9/10 (depending on size.)	8/10	Six-to-eight dudes	Intermediate to advanced surfers
Lolok Point	300m+ long, left-hand point break with one of the longest walls you’ll find, and in on the face before you decide if you’re man enough for the four-to-six-second inside barrel.	6/10	7/10	Five-to-twelve dudes	Intermediate level surfers and upwards.
Dindo’s	One of the most playful lefts you’ll find. Bending around a perfect Macaroni’s shaped reef, it has an easy take-off and long rippable walls that tube at low tide. Five-minute paddle from lodge.	3/10	7/10	Average of four dudes	Everyone.
Treasure island	A 30-minute boat ride gets you access to this 300m+ right point offering high-speed walls, an easy take-off, three-to-four flawless barrel sections and no booties needed. Could be the easiest wave in the world to get multiple tubes on a single ride.	6/10	10/10	Average of 10 dudes	Everyone.
Cobra logs	A 40-minute boat ride to this left-hand swell magnet that usually has at least a shoulder high wave on offer. Can handle eight-foot plus in good south swells and offers eight-second-plus barrels on its day.	7/10	7/10	Average of eight dudes.	Everyone when small, advanced only when big.