Banda Aceh, Indonesia

About Banda Aceh

Banda Aceh sits at the northern tip of Sumatra, where jungle and mountains come down to a warm coast that very few kitesurfers have found.

There are two windows. The main season runs May to early October on the Angin Barat, the west wind, from the south-south-west at 10 to 30 knots and more. A second window runs January to mid-March on north-easterlies at 10 to 25 knots. January, February and June through September are the strongest months.

Conditions range from flat to small waves. The Black Sand beach gives small spaced waves with large flat areas to ride between them, and waves reaching around a metre, with bigger swell working the left side in side-wind conditions. It accommodates beginners through advanced riders, and access is easy — you can rig on the grass at the top of the beach, with shade to rest between sessions.

An eight and a twelve metre kite cover most riders. Medan is the main airport, with Banda Aceh forty-five minutes on from there.

When to go

Best months: January, February, March, May, June, July, August, September, October.

Kite areas

1 distinct riding area documented within this destination.

• Banda Aceh Kite Area

  Best months: January, February, March, May, June, July, August, September, October.