A marine park
Coral close to the surface.
fitri agung from Pekanbaru, Riau, Indonesia, Indonesia — CC BY 2.0 · Dewicilay — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Eunike25 — CC BY 4.0
A small forested island off Iboih beach on Weh island, Indonesia's northernmost point, ringed by a marine park that is among Sumatra's finest snorkelling spots: colourful coral close to the surface, tropical fish by the hundred and sometimes sea turtles, in clear, calm water. The island has a history that matters to Muslim visitors: in Dutch colonial times, around 1920, a quarantine station for pilgrims was built here, where Hajj pilgrims from Aceh, Sumatra and other regions were gathered for medical checks before ships carried them to Mecca. Ruins of the quarantine buildings still stand among the trees. Small boats cross from the Iboih jetty in minutes, hired per group for the round trip; snorkelling gear is rented on the beach, and some boats have glass bottoms for non-swimmers. Allow half a day or a day with the rest of Weh island, and bring modest swimwear, as Aceh applies Islamic law. Weh is reached by ferry from Ulee Lheue port in Banda Aceh.
Coral close to the surface.
Ruins of the Hajj quarantine station.
For non-swimmers.
Off Iboih beach, Weh island, Sabang
In Dutch colonial times pilgrims travelled to Jeddah by sea, so around 1920 a station was built on Rubiah where they were medically checked before sailing; its ruins can be seen today.