The small city of Sibolga is located on the west coast of Sumatra in Indonesia and is the main port of call for those traveling to the island of Nias.
Although pretty, Sibolga has little to offer tourists and there is little reason to hang around here. Most people simply visit in order to catch a ferry to Nias Island, with the pretty journey taking around 12 hours.
However, those who miss the last ferry will find that there are plenty of places to spend the night here. Fresh seafood is plentiful, making this a good place to stop for lunch before continuing to one of the area’s beautiful white sand beaches.
However, Sibolga has a pretty beach or two of its own, and those who arrive at the weekend and want to escape the crowds on Nias might want to hang out here for a while. Scuba divers and snorkelers will discover colorful fish and coral beneath the water line.
Getting There & Away
Sibolga is best reached from the city of Medan, where there is an international airport. There are regular buses from Medan to Sibolga (2 hours). Sibolga is also the main ferry access point to the island of Nias (12 hours). Medan Airport has links with Jakarta’s international airport.
Things to Do
Sibolga Attractions
- Poncan Ketek Island
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Take a boat trip to explore this pretty island, which is full of interesting dutch architecture.
- Sibolga Beach
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With white sand and colorful coral just offshore, this is a pretty place to catch some rays.
Side trips from Sibolga
- Nias
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This picturesque island is a great place for surfing and other water sports.