Nancala Surf Bungalows

Camp Size: 2-8 guests
Accommodation: 2 x fan cooled private bungalows (1-4 guests per bungalow)
Daily Meals: Included
Daily Transport: Scooters available
Located in front of surf break: Yes, The Peak
Destination: Simeulue
Surfing Ability: Intermediate to advanced
Budget: 2/5
Surf School: No
Surfboard Rental: No
Yoga: No
Ideal for: Those who appreciate simplicity & surf on their doorstep

The Peak, just steps away from Nancala

Nancala is a quiet little hideaway on the island of Simeulue in northern Sumatra, the kind of place that feels less like a “surf resort” and more like a friend’s beach house tucked at the edge of the jungle. Built by a small group of surf-obsessed friends who fell for the island’s easy rhythm, Nancala was created for people who want comfort without the clutter, and a home base that lets the ocean set the pace.

The property has just two eco-bungalows, simple in all the right ways. Each one sleeps up to four guests and comes with fans, mosquito-netted beds, and a private bathroom. Meals are served in an open, breezy dining hut overlooking the sand, where a local family cooks fresh, homestyle food that matches the slow, unhurried feel of the place.

But the real magic is just steps out front: The Peak — Simeulue’s most dependable wave — breaks directly in view of the bungalows. And when you’re ready to roam, the coastline hides a collection of other waves accessible by scooter or boat.

Nancala is for travelers who appreciate simplicity, surf on their doorstep, and the kind of atmosphere where days are shaped by tides, not timetables.

Eco-Bungalow (for up to 4 guests per bungalow)

• 2 double beds + 2 single beds (sleeping total of up to 4 guests) 

• Each bed comes with a fan and a mosquito net. 

• Private bathroom in each hut — includes shower, toilet, and sink. 

• Daily linen changes. 

• Bungalows face directly toward the surf break known as “The Peak,” giving every guest a view of the waves. 
  
  

2 double beds + 2 single beds per bungalow

All meals at Nancala are served in the property’s open-air beachside café, a relaxed communal space overlooking The Peak. The café sits just a few steps from the sand, making it the natural gathering point before and after surfs.

A local Simeulue family prepares three fresh meals each day, focusing on simple, hearty, home-style dishes. Expect a mix of Indonesian favorites and familiar Western options, with plenty of fresh seafood, vegetables, and tropical fruit. Portions are generous, and the atmosphere is intentionally informal, shared tables, ocean breeze, and an easy, unhurried rhythm.

Coffee, tea, and drinking water are available throughout the day, and the team is happy to accommodate reasonable dietary requirements with advance notice. The café is designed to feel like an extension of the bungalows: comfortable, communal, and centered around the ocean.

Included in the price:

• Three meals a day — prepared and served in the communal “Cafe,” which overlooks the beach and surf. 

• Relaxed, home-style meals from the local family that runs Nancala.

Nancala makes getting around Simeulue easy and stress-free. Airport transfers are arranged for all guests, and the team can help organise transport throughout your stay, whether you’re chasing waves beyond The Peak or exploring the island at your own pace.

Transport Options:

• Car hire – available from a trusted local provider; around AUD$ 40-50 per day (USD 25-30 / day)

• Motorbike hire – ideal for quick missions to nearby surf spots or cruising the coastline (approx. USD 5-10/day)

• Boat trips – can be arranged when conditions line up for more remote waves (price on request).

• Airport pick-up & drop-off – coordinated for all guests & included in your stay.

Good to Know:

• It’s best to organise your car or motorbike hire before you arrive, as availability can be limited during peak periods.

• We can help coordinate everything for you so transport is sorted the moment you land. 

Simeulue sits under Aceh’s umbrella, and most locals are Sunni Muslim. Everyone’s super warm and welcoming, but it’s good to roll in with a bit of cultural awareness. For women, modest clothing is the norm, think t-shirts with sarongs, loose pants, knee-length shorts or dresses. When surfing, most visitors just throw on a tee or rashie with boardies. Bikinis are fine inside camp grounds or out on the outer islands, but expect a few curious stares from the boat crew.

Despite the conservative vibe, Simeulue feels very relaxed, and women can cruise around solo without any hassle. One more thing: alcohol isn’t widely available, apart from beer at most camps.

All up, it’s an easygoing, friendly island, very much in line with the rest of laid-back Sumatra.

The main focus for visiting surfers is undoubtedly The Peak. This is the island’s most dependable wave, a classic A-frame that rides anywhere from 2' to 10'. It peels both left and right over sand and flat reef, delivering exactly what you see in the photos: barreling sections or steep walls from start to finish, depending on the tide. The left-hand line is the longer ride, but both sides work across all tides, with the lower tides producing the gnarliest barrels.

Detailed information for all the surf breaks can be found in the destination's section of the site within the Simeulue pages.

Check them out here: Simeulue Surf Breaks

Guests at Nancala enjoy direct access to Simeulue’s most consistent wave, The Peak, right on their doorstep.

For those keen to explore nearby breaks, guiding services are available on request for a modest additional fee. A surf guidebook with local wave and tide information is also available in the Nancala Cafe for all guests to consult.

Simeulue is incredibly easy to explore. With open roads stretching north and south, surfers can discover countless empty set-ups tucked into the island’s many bays, nooks, and hidden corners.


Plenty of uncrowded set-ups to explore in Simeulue

Guests need to fly into Medan Airport (KNO) - Kuala Namu International Airport West Sumatra 

We recommend using a website like www.Kayak.com and flying into Jakarta, Soekarno–Hatta International Airport (CGK) or Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL).

From KL, there is usually 1-2 morning flights (1hr) with Air Asia as well as an afternoon flight to Medan. From Jakarta, there are plenty of flights each day that fly into Medan, from airlines such as Garuda Airlines (always recommended), Super Air Jet & & Lion Air.

For domestics flights we recommend www.Traveloka.com

Medan to Simeulue (same terminal as international flights)

From Medan, you will need to take an extra 40-minute flight to Simeulue with Wings Air (part of Lion Air). There is only 1 flight each day (Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday).

All guests are picked up from Simeulue Airport upon arrival and transported to Nancala - about a 30-minute drive. This airport transfer is complimentary. The same service is provided at the end of your stay for a seamless departure.

Before booking a trip to Nancala Surf Bungalows, make sure to check our "Know before you go" section which is a handy page of what to expect as well as a detailed inventory of what to bring.

And for those that are looking for even more info about a surf trip to Simeulue, then be sure to check out our blog post here: The Real Guide to Surfing in Simeulue