Pulau Pisang: A Hidden Gem in South Sumatra
- Rugun Siagian
- May 13, 2019
- 6 min read
Updated: Jun 15, 2019
An Enchanting Remote Island Near One of The World's Best Surfing Spots in Southern Part of Sumatra
It was Indonesia's Independence Day in 2018. It was a public holiday, on a Friday, so that means I could plan a long weekend getaway. Lampung (located in the southern part of Sumatra) is honestly not one of my top 5 places for a getaway. This province has some popular destinations, such as Pulau Pahawang and Kelagian. I've been to those beautiful islands, but the downside is they are very touristy.
I accidentally found this tiny island, Pulau Pisang, on the map a few years ago while I was looking for my next weekend getaway destination. In English, it's called Banana Island, because it looks like a banana-shaped island from bird's-eye view. I tried to search for more information about it and how to get there. I decided to go there in 2017 (my first visit to Pulau Pisang) on the weekend. l went there during the rainy season (November to March is the rainy season period in Indonesia). So, the weather was not conducive to explore the island. We also got soaked by the rain often. However, after that first visit, Pulau Pisang has become one of the places I always miss and that time I knew I had to go back to explore some more.
Me and my two friends headed to Lampung that Friday morning. It only took 40 minutes flight from Jakarta to Lampung. After we landed, we had to wait for a couple more hours at the airport because one of my friends took a different flight (she just got back from a year-long trip). The three of us were finally reunited at the airport and our driver picked us up to go to Krui. Yes, we needed to brace ourselves for a long road trip ahead.
Krui: One of The World's Best Surfing Spots
“I don't surf but I love staying at surf camp.”
The only way to go to Pulau Pisang is by taking a public boat from Krui. Therefore, we had to go to Krui first. It wasn't my first visit to Krui, so I knew how to get there and I even contacted the same driver who took me there the last time. The journey itself usually takes approximately 7 to 8 hours by car from Bandar Lampung (and even longer by bus, that's why I never took a bus to go there). It costs around IDR 110.000 (USD 8) for a one-way trip to Krui per person by car. However, it's not a private transfer, so you will be sharing a ride with 4 to 6 other people. I've been used to Sumatra road trip since I was a kid, so I never complained about how the Sumatran drivers drive and the bumpy road.
We arrived in Krui at around 7 pm and went to a beachside homestay that I previously booked. But, after checking the condition of the room, we decided to find another place to stay for the night. The surf camp where I previously stayed at during my last visit to Krui was fully booked. It was difficult to find a vacant room at that time. It was the high season and Krui was swarming with seasonal surfers from all over the world.
After wandering around, we finally found a vacant room at Palm Beach Surf Camp. Well, not a private room though, we stayed at a mixed-dorm with two other male surfers, a Chilean hippie surfer, and a placid Dutch surfer.
Why do I love staying at a surf camp? I truly love the chill vibes of surf camp. I once stayed at a surf camp in Canggu, Bali and it was such a pleasant experience because I got to meet surfers from across the globe and had a deep conversation with them not only about surfing but also other essential things in life as well.
A Rough Sail to Pulau Pisang
After having breakfast at a restaurant near the beach side, we were ready to sail to Pulau Pisang. But, unfortunately, we missed the public boat. Luckily, the restaurant owner, Pak Joni, was about to go to Pulau Pisang with his fishing boat and he offered to take us there for an affordable price, IDR 25.000 (USD 1,5) per person for a one-way trip.
It is always a rough sail to Pulau Pisang, no matter what the season. The waves are usually high because it's located in the Indian ocean and the sail is always a bit unsettling for me. There was no life vest provided as well. It usually takes 40 minutes to an hour sail from Krui to Pulau Pisang and if you're lucky enough, you will see the dolphins jumping out of water.
A True Local Experience
“Staying with locals is a way to immerse myself in a new culture .”
I'm grateful that I always meet good people whenever and wherever I travel. Pak Joni who took us to Pulau Pisang with his fishing boat also offered us to stay at his house for a reasonable price, IDR 150.000 (USD 10) per person for one night, includes three meals. FYI, there is no hotel or hostel on this island. So, the only way is to stay with the locals. It was my second visit to Pulau Pisang. I only stayed for a few hours on my first visit and didn't get to explore the whole island.
Pak Joni and his wife were accommodating. They caught big fish and cooked super nice meals for us. They offered tea and coffee as soon as we arrived, we felt very welcomed. The room was spacious and clean. They treated us like we were their kids. They made sure our needs were fulfilled and gave us a lot of information regarding the surroundings so we wouldn't get lost.
The internet connection in Pulau Pisang is weak. Don't expect the locals will provide Wi-Fi at their houses. But, that was exactly what I needed. Sometimes, I feel the need to take a break from the internet and social media. It feels good to go "off the radar" for a while and just embrace life to the fullest without having to check my phone or laptop too often.
There are not many activities you can do on this island. There is no water sport whatsoever. It's not a touristy island after all. However, you can roam around the island, but be careful due to the rugged and steep pathway (oh and the wild animals as well). Catching the sunset is a mandatory thing to do. The view and the sunset are out of this world! If you have a fondness for sunbathing at white sandy beaches, this is the right place for you. You can have the beach all to yourself and you can even swim in dazzling crystal clear waters, the bluest water I've ever seen in my entire life!
Traveling Off The Beaten Path is Never a Bad Thing
We ended up strolling around the island until it got dark. I craved for banana fritter and we were looking for it all over the place. Luckily, there was this old lady who sold fritters and they tasted really good. It cost around IDR 1000 (7 cents) for one piece. After filling our tummy with the tasty goodies, we tried to find our way back to Pak Joni's house but we got lost. It was dark and nobody was seen outside.
Suddenly, there was an old lady called us out to help her do something. She invited us to come to her house. Turned out, she wanted us to help her change the TV channel because she didn't know how the remote works. She lived by herself, her husband and kid were in Krui at that time. We felt her loneliness as she was chattering about her family and how she loves talking to people from outside the island. She offered to cook something for us. She even wanted to let us stay there for free. But, we had to decline the offer and let her know that we were staying at Pak Joni's house that night. One of the perks of living on a small island is people know each other very well. This old lady was kind enough to show us the right way to Pak Joni's house and we finally found our way back. I was a bit worried because I hate strolling in the dark.
Two things that always lure me to come back to Pulau Pisang: the modesty of the locals and the alluring nature. It's always a good idea to explore non-touristy places. You will get more insights about life and yourself, which is why I always love exploring lesser-known destinations.
I can't wait to explore more islands and find the next hidden gems!
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