The Island of Rubiah

The name Rubiah may sound strange to our ears, but not to the people of Aceh. This name is a name full of history so that the name of an island that is opposite Iboih Beach. Yes, Rubiah Island. Rubiah in Big Indonesian Dictionary means a pious woman, Ulama's wife.

Let's turn some time back. If you look at the story of the past, (Siti) Rubiah is a wife of Tengku Ibrahim held Tengku Iboih. Tengku Ibrahim is a scholar and teacher of the Koran, so the meaning of the second Rubiah (Wife of Ulama) is true. Siti Rubiah is also a devout woman. When Tengku Ibrahim had to stay for some time on Pulau We to preach, he followed her husband there.

However, due to a little check, Siti Rubiah must part with Tengku Ibrahim. Tengku Ibrahim lives in Iboih and Siti Rubiah lives on the Island opposite Iboih Beach. Removals Siti Rubiah on this island that makes this island is named Rubiah Island.

Rubiah Island Marine Park

Well, Rubiah Island has a beautiful marine park. Almost every weekend this island is always crowded with tourists who want to feel the beauty and excitement of snorkeling or diving in this Rubiah Island Marine Park. Tens to hundreds of people from inside or outside Aceh will come to Pulau We and then to this Rubiah Island.

One of the reasons that many people visit this Rubiah Marine Park is because of its seductive blue sea is because of its calm water. Voyagers can feel safe while playing in this Marine Park. Its location which is located between Rubiah Island (Rubiah Island Front) and Iboih Beach makes it rarely show up fast waves in this snorkeling or diving spot.

Nemo

Lionfish

What's in Rubiah Marine Park? There are 2 types of underwater beauty The first is natural underwater beauty and the second is the artificial underwater beauty. the diversity of coral and marine fish that are naturally grown and developed here. While the artificial underwater beauty is an object or something that deliberately placed humans under the sea to fill the void and beautify the underwater scenery.

Let's discuss the nature that used to be in this marine park. In this marine park you can find the colorful ornamental fishes that if given bread then the fish will immediately grab it. There are also corals of various types and sizes. It's just to find a coral that is still in great shape, you have to swim a little bit westward from Rubiah Pier. Condition of the coral that is near the dock (snorkeling area), generally not good alias damaged.

If you want to see the coral condition is still good near the dock (Rubiah), you must dive at a deep depth, not enough just by snorkeling. In this marine park you can also meet with lionfish or clownfish aka Clownfish.

Swing at Rubiah Island Marine Park

Well, in this Rubiah Marine Park there is quite a large area where the base is just white sand. To beautify the area then put some unusual objects such as swings, tables and chairs, car wreck and car wreck, even miniature of Tugu 0 Kilometer was down here. These objects can be a property that beautify your underwater photos.

In addition to additionally to beautify underwater photos, the objects are also useful for the fish there. Car wreck, for example, the frame made of iron can be a place for corals to grow and also a place for fish to lay eggs and breed.

Security while doing snorkeling activity here is also quite good. There are buoys and ropes in the sea that indicate if the area is an area for snorkeling or diving so that boats or motor boats do not enter carelessly into the area. If you want to enter any (eg to drive visitors), then the vessel must walk very slowly so that visitors can get away for a moment from the point and (propeller) ship does not hurt visitors.
In addition to additionally to beautify underwater photos, the objects are also useful for the fish there. Car wreck, for example, the frame made of iron can be a place for corals to grow and also a place for fish to lay eggs and breed.

Security while doing snorkeling activity here is also quite good. There are buoys and ropes in the sea that indicate if the area is an area for snorkeling or diving so that boats or motor boats do not enter carelessly into the area. If you want to enter any (eg to drive visitors), then the vessel must walk very slowly so that visitors can get away for a moment from the point and (propeller) ship does not hurt visitors.

Spot Snorkeling in front of the pier

The objects placed in the Rubiah Island Marine Park:

1. Car wreck
2. Monument 0 Kilometers and Tables and Chairs
   3 and 4. Motorcycle Carcasses

The only access to get to Rubiah Island is by boat and the closest is from Iboih Beach or Pantai Gapang. Actually there is one more but not recommended way to swim from Iboih Beach (If you have muscular strength, more power, strong intention and want to save, this way can be really for you try).

The nearest boat rental is located at Iboih Beach Pier. The boat rental at Iboih Beach is concentrated, so to be able to rent the vessel, the steps we need to do is to counter → Paying a sum of money for chartering the boat → Receiving a receipt along with the phone number from the Master → Calling the Master then waiting for him at the Iboih pier. (Price list of ships affixed to glass counter)
The only access to get to Rubiah Island is by boat and the closest is from Iboih Beach or Pantai Gapang. Actually there is one more but not recommended way to swim from Iboih Beach (If you have muscular strength, more power, strong intention and want to save, this way can be really for you try).

The nearest boat rental is located at Iboih Beach Pier. The boat rental at Iboih Beach is concentrated, so to be able to rent the vessel, the steps we need to do is to counter → Paying a sum of money for chartering the boat → Receiving a receipt along with the phone number from the Master → Calling the Master then waiting for him at the Iboih pier. (Price list of ships affixed to glass counter)

Iboih Beach, one of the places to cross towards Rubiah Island

Vessel rental rates vary by species. If only to take to Rubiah Island and back to Iboih, the price is Rp 200.000 / ship (As you use at that time), the capacity can reach 8 people. There is also a glass-like ship that you can use to get around Rubiah Island, so to see the beauty of the underwater you do not need to plunge yourself to sea, you just enjoy the beauty of the ship only.

For rental of snorkeling or diving equipment, you can find it around Iboih Beach. you can go directly to the Dive Center is there. Quite often there will also be some Akamsi (Anak Kampung Situ) who offer snorkeling equipment rental services to you. The rental price of snorkeling equipment if not wrong is Rp 50,000 for the whole day.

Rubiah Island Cuisine

In Rubiah Island there are some food stalls that sell food. you can stop by the food stalls when they are tired of playing water. Of the few foods sold there, you should try the name Lightning Bakso.

Meatball Lightning is a meatball which is a collection of chili pepper. If meatball is usually meat or beef meat chicken meat, well this meatball only chili. Eye will automatically open and sweat will slowly pouring when the chillies are "hit" on the tongue.

The price of one portion is approximately Rp 20,000

Places on Rubiah Island where you can relax and order food after snorkeling or diving

Rubiah Island is an uninhabited island, just for a stopover. Generally residents (Aceh) come to this island in the morning just to trade or deliver visitors. The visitors came just to play in the Rubiah Marine Park. When the afternoon arrives, they will all return to Pulau Weh (either through Iboih Beach or Pantai Gapang). That's what makes no lodging here.

If you want to find a place close to this island, then you can try to stay around Iboih Beach or Pantai Gapang. On both beaches there are some (cheap) lodging that you can rent. One that I recommend is Eric's Green House inn.

Eric's Green House:
Upper Image: view on the terrace of the inn
Picture below: The view of Iboih dock from the terrace