Duration
11+ nights
Accommodation
Private & shared berths

Escape to the Banyaks

"Located off the western coast of Sumatra, the Banyak group consists of 99 islands, most of them uninhabited. Due to their remote location, the Banyak Islands have remained something of a hidden gem; visitors will have the pristine white sand beaches and crystal-clear waters all to themselves. The Banyak Islands are a treasure trove of uncrowded waves, stunning beaches, and vibrant coral reefs. Our boat, the Dream, is designed for total relaxation in this seldom-visited corner of the world. Skip the crowds of Indonesia's more well-known surf spots and join us off the beaten track for empty wav... read more

The surf

Peak swell
Variable swell
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jan
f
feb
m
mar
a
apr
m
may
j
jun
j
jul
a
aug
s
sep
o
oct
n
nov
d
dec

The archipelago is surfable throughout the year but the best conditions are from March to the end of November. The average swell size ranges from 1 to 2.5m and is most consistent from April to October.

Waves are just perfect from March to the end of November, the tides don't change much here. Waves in the Banyak islands can be surfed from low to high tide. The average surf is 3- to 6-foot waves. Barrels or ripping waves will join the party.

There aren't any surf shops in the Banyaks, so strongly consider bringing along a spare leash, fins, wax, and a repair kit. You will have to think about a spare leash, fins, wax, and a repair kit. Of course board selection is up to you, but we recommend bringing a quiver or 2-3 surfboards ranging from 5'6 to 6'8.

You can surf in board-shorts as the average water temperature hovers around 27°C (80°F) year-round. Bringing a long-sleeve top for sun protection and reef booties (the reef is sharp!!) is highly recommended

The boat

The boat is designed for the total relaxation and comfort of our guests in mind. The boat accommodates 7 - 12 guests. Each of our five large, private double bedrooms (private berths) is air-conditioned and large beds (1.40m) are provided. To accommodate couples, the boat also includes a VIP room with a king-sized bed.

The Dream also features a comfortable, air-conditioned living room - a great spot to chill out with your mates and relive the best moments of the day, as well as an equipped kitchen and two bathrooms. A spacious second-floor terrace completes the boat, and it's the perfect spot to check the waves and watch the sunset.

Surf food

The chefs offer a variety of cuisine, everything from pork chops and mashed potatoes to bbq fish or sashimi. Days on the Dream begin with a light buffet breakfast of cereals, fruit, toast, juice, coffee, and tea. After a morning surf, you will be served a proper breakfast that includes bacon, eggs, toasted sandwiches, pancakes, and homemade bread. Lunches and dinners are a mix of cuisines from around the world, featuring sushi, pizza, burgers, seafood, and, of course, dessert! Hosts Nico and Pierre cook excellent European cuisine, to complement meals from the Indonesian chef.

A perfect day

Wake up at 6 am jumping in the water, paddle out on the glassy empty wave before sunrise makes your holiday unforgettable. A delicious western breakfast will be served on the top deck blowing by the breezes. We have two-speed boats that will take you out surfing or fishing as well and two stand-up paddleboards are another great way to visit the untouched islands.

Details

  • Length: 26 m
  • Width: 6.5 m
  • Engine: Nissan V8 300 pk
  • Generator: 2 Isuzu 20 kwa
  • Cruise speed: 10 Knots
  • Air Conditioning: Rooms & lounge
  • Capacity: 10 guests & 4 crew members. We consider a full boat with 10 guests, but we can accommodate up to 12 guests as one of our cabins can be occupied by 4 people.
  • Life raft: 20 people
  • Navigation: GPS, radar, sounder, SSB, VHF
  • Phone: Satellite
  • Dinghy: 30 HP
  • Video: LCD 32 inch, DVD, Xbox 360
  • Facilities: Fishing rods, snorkeling, and spearfishing gear

Bed configuration

  • 4 twin bunk rooms
  • 1 king-size bedroom
  • 1 bedroom for 4 pax with 1 twin-bunk and 1 king-size bedroom

Both sleeping and living areas are air-conditioned, and there is a large second-floor terrace where you can watch the waves. There are two bathrooms onboard.

Getting there
Fly to Medan airport; depending on when you arrive you may be required to stay overnight in Medan. From there you will fly on... read more
Fly to Medan airport; depending on when you arrive you may be required to stay overnight in Medan. From there you will fly onward to Sibolga airport where our staff will meet you to take you to the boat.

These un-spoilt islands are like secret treasures; stunning shades of turquoise water, pealing waves, white sand beaches, and lush green vegetation. Breathtaking. Our boat builder and surfing guide Pierre cares that every guest has the best experience.

Olivier and I (Bruno) have been friends since we were 11 years old. We bought the boat together in 2016. Oliver lives in France and manages the bookings and I live in Bali and handle maintenance and logistics. The captain, Pierre, is not only the surf guide, he is also the one who originally built the dream from scratch in 2008. It's like a family business.

We care about our paradise. As the Dream always travels the same area, we use GPS to protect the living coral. We have a natural guitar shark nursery behind Lolok Bay. Be sure to explore mangroves that lead to stunning lagoons!

We are currently working with the local authorities to limit the number of boats and lodges in this archipelago. We are committed to creating a nature reserve and protecting this turtle nesting place.

Our boat is ideal for anyone looking for a relaxing time and private surfing in Indonesia. The waves are similar to Mentawai, but a little easier, and the surf is more relaxed than in the Mentawais. The majority of our guests are between 35 to 55 years old. Come with your family or your friends; we welcome all kinds of trips.

Our staff consists of a surf guide and captain Pierre (he has been on board for 12 years), a mechanic, a cook, and 2 other team members. The majority of the staff have worked with us for approximately 5 years.

Languages: English, French, Indonesian
Response rate: 100%
Response time: Within 15 hours

4.95 · 1 review

United States of America
Gregory
Avid surfer, Jul 2022
I highly recommend this boat charter! All the logistics were easily handled by the Dream guys. Our crew was amazing, making delicious meals, crac... show more
I highly recommend this boat charter! All the logistics were easily handled by the Dream guys. Our crew was amazing, making delicious meals, cracking jokes the whole time... show more
Gregory's photo of Banyaks Dream

Choose your departure

For dates and accommodations not listed, or if you want to book further out

Questions?

What's included?
Unlimited beers and soft drinks, all transport by dinghy to surf spots, t-shirt
What's not included?
Flights, accommodation in Medan (if required), land transfers from airport to hotels (if required), photos, excess baggage, and surfboard fees
What's the cancellation policy?
Cancel and get a full refund within 48 hours of purchase, or at least 90 days before the trip starts.