Tailana Island – the Small Paradise in Banyak Islands, Indonesia

Have you ever dreamed to completely disconnect with the World? Stay for a while on a unspoiled island, where the only things you are surrounded by are crystal clear water, palm trees and white sand. If your perfect dream holiday means having a moment of relaxation, staying closer to Nature and away from the hustle and bustle of cities, here I come with the story about stunning Tailana Island in Indonesia.

Tailana Island is a part of the Banyak archipelago, situated about 30km from Singkil, Sumatra. The whole archipelago counts 99 mostly uninhabited islands located in short distances in the Indian Ocean. The land is still not widely discovered by tourists and that makes it so magical and unique. No a single road, traffic lights or any buildings. The perfect word that comes to my mind when I keep thinking about the description of this small paradise is simplicity. Simple pleasure, simple happiness and simple life are the values that Acehnese people follow in life.

Family of Tailana counts Mr. Mali, Mrs. Mali and usually 3 or 4 more workers. There are 8 simple bungalows equip with mattresses and mosquito nets, set just next to the beach. There is no electricity in bungalows, but you can use a petroleum lamp to walk from the meeting/dinning room to your bungalow. The island has a solar panel and an old generator, so it is possible to charge your phone or camera in the kitchen.

As I said, the life on the island is simple. In the morning, you wake up when the sun goes up and go for morning banana pancakes prepared by owner’s wife. Everybody sits around the table, drinks coffee and have a morning talk. Then, you can go fishing or snorkeling to discover an incredible underwater life. Walk around the island takes about 20 min, but you can discover something new every day. Also, it is possible to rent a canoe to explore the islands around, see the real local life and learn about the Aceh culture.

Are you a paradise-seeking traveler? You will not be disappointed. Pure, white sand beaches, crystal clear lagoon with gentle waves and sunshine all day long. This place feels like an escape from reality to the World of simple pleasures.

The local food consists mostly fresh fruits, fishes and rice. There are three meals per day and honestly, they are absolutely awesome. Everything is freshly prepared, well seasoned and super healthy. Fresh coconuts and papayas are easy to find on the island, but most of the fruits are imported from neighboring islands. Before the sun goes down, people go finishing to catch something for dinner. Someone plays on guitar, other makes a bonfire and this is how evenings look like on the island.

How to get to Tailana?

If you are in Medan, you have to take a direct car/van to Singkil. The ride takes around 8 hours and should cost about $10. Then, from Singkil, you have to get to the Balai Island, the main island where you get the access to other islands. There are three options to get to Balai Island:

– ferry works 2 times per week. The whole trip takes 5-6 hours and costs from $2 to $6 depends on the class,

– local wooden boat leaves every day at 9am, but in real the time depends on locals and amount of goods and things they have to load on the boat. The journey takes 4 hours and costs from $4 to $10 depends on your luck and negotiation skills.

From Balai Island, you charter the last boat that takes you on 1,5h journey directly to Tailana Island. However, if Tailana’s family knows that you are coming, you can expect someone in Balai’s Island harbour.

Also, there is an option to rent a speed boat, which goes directly to Tailana. The trip takes around 2 hours and costs around $25 per person.

Remember to withdraw your money from ATM machine in Medan or any other big city, because there are not any ATM’S in Banayak Islands and all purchase are payable in cash. In addition, most people living around the archipelago are Muslims, so show respect and cover your body, when you are on a local boat to Tailana.

It is a long time journey, but every simple step made toward to reach this little heaven on Earth was worth it!

Update: I received an information from my lovely follower that international investors are going to build a huge resort in the middle of this paradise 🙁 Visit Tailana Island in Indonesia before it is not too late! This is the purest land I have ever seen! If you have some news about Tailana, please share it here!

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