Fishing Spots ＞ Sumatra
Bottom fish/Reef（Pulau Pandang/Berhala）
3 captains listed · sea category. A spot in Medan / Belawan (Sumatra) targeting Bottom fish/Reef（Pulau Pandang/Berhala）. Check the tide, captains and recent catches, then contact them directly via public social accounts. Access, climate and lodging are in the details below.
Book / contact the captain directly @kmpandangisland ›The gateway to Medan in North Sumatra Province is Kualanamu International Airport (KNO). Located about 23-30 km southeast of the city center, it has direct flights from Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Jakarta and elsewhere. The airport rail link (Railink) connects to the city in about 40 minutes, running every hour, making it convenient. Belawan Port, the base for bottom and reef fishing, is about 24-26 km north of the airport, around 35 minutes by car.
| From | Route | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Singapore | Direct flight to Kualanamu Airport (KNO) | About 1.5 hours | International route. Operated by SIA and other carriers |
| Kuala Lumpur | Direct flight to KNO | About 1 hour | Over 75 flights per week make this the most convenient international gateway |
| Jakarta | Direct domestic flight to KNO | About 2 hours 15 minutes | Main route from within Indonesia |
| Kualanamu Airport (KNO) | Railink airport train to downtown Medan | About 40-42 minutes | Runs every hour. Equivalent to about 9-15 ringgit (about US$2-4) |
| Kualanamu Airport (KNO) | Taxi/Grab to downtown Medan | About 31 minutes | Distance about 30 km. Equivalent to about 30-40 ringgit |
| Kualanamu Airport (KNO) | Taxi to Belawan Port | About 33 minutes | Distance about 24-26 km. Equivalent to about US$11-14. Base for boats to Pulau Pandang/Berhala |
Coordinates: 3.78, 98.69（Open in Google Maps）
Bottom fish/Reef（Pulau Pandang/Berhala）
Boats and ferries to the offshore waters of Belawan and the islands of Pulau Pandang and Berhala, the fishing bases, operate more reliably in the dry season, when the sea is calmer and better for fishing trips. February-April and June-July, with less rain, are relatively favorable. August-December (especially October) sees heavy rainfall and rougher sea conditions.
○ in season: Aug–Dec
See what else is in season now →
Working out of Belawan port, the focus is bottom fishing for reef species offshore. Open (shared) trips to Pulau Pandan and Pulau Berhala are the standard, over grounds dotted with coral reef and centuries-old wrecks. Shared boats are easy to arrange, and many of the islands double for fishing and snorkeling.
*Photos are not re-hosted; we link to each social account (R8). Auto-updated with the latest posts.
Medan has an equatorial tropical climate, hot and humid throughout the year. Daytime highs are 31-33 degrees C and nighttime lows are 22-23 degrees C, almost constant year-round. Rain is heaviest from August to December (especially October), with somewhat less in February-April and June-July. Breathable summer clothing and rain gear are essential all year.
| Month | Avg ℃ | High ℃ | Low ℃ | Clothing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 | 31 | 22 | Short sleeves and light summer clothing. A folding umbrella for sudden showers | |
| 27 | 32 | 22 | Short sleeves and breathable clothing. Sun protection | |
| 27 | 32 | 22 | Short sleeves and summer clothing. A relatively dry period | |
| 28 | 33 | 22 | Short sleeves and summer clothing. A hat and hydration against the heat | |
| 28 | 32 | 23 | Short sleeves. The hottest period. Protection against sunburn and heatstroke | |
| 27 | 33 | 22 | Short sleeves and summer clothing. Relatively little rain | |
| 27 | 32 | 22 | Short sleeves and summer clothing. Relatively little rain | |
| 27 | 32 | 22 | Short sleeves and summer clothing. Carry rain gear as rain starts to increase | |
| 27 | 32 | 22 | Short sleeves and summer clothing. Rain gear essential | |
| 27 | 32 | 22 | Short sleeves and summer clothing. The rainiest period. Solid rain gear | |
| 27 | 31 | 22 | Short sleeves and summer clothing. Rain gear essential in the rainy season | |
| 27 | 31 | 22 | Short sleeves and summer clothing. Frequent rain. Rain gear and waterproofing |
| Class | Property | Price (approx) | Highlights | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High-end | JW Marriott Hotel Medan | From about US$88 per night | A five-star hotel in the city center. A standard luxury choice with a spa, fitness facilities and several restaurants. Very highly rated. | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| High-end | Adimulia Hotel Medan | From about US$65 per night | Central location within walking distance of Sun Plaza and Sri Mariamman Temple. A modern upscale hotel convenient for sightseeing and shopping. | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| High-end | Grand Mercure Maha Cipta Medan Angkasa | — | A top Accor brand in the city center. A well-equipped upscale hotel suited to both business and sightseeing. | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| Standard | Hotel Santika Premiere Dyandra Medan | From about US$36 per night | A mid- to upper-mid-range hotel in the center. A popular domestic chain with an attached convention facility, clean and convenient. | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| Standard | Aryaduta Medan | From about US$30 per night | A great location in the city center with easy access to shopping areas and tourist sites. A good balance of comfort and convenience. | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| Standard | Hotel GranDhika Setiabudi Medan | From about US$24 per night | A mid-range hotel in the Setiabudi district. Clean and fairly spacious rooms with excellent value for money. | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| Budget | RedDoorz Plus @ Setiabudi Medan | — | A budget option praised for its spacious, clean rooms and comfortable beds. Good value, on a quiet street. | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| Budget | Hotel d'Prima Medan | — | A great location directly above the railway station. A practical, low-priced hotel with clean, fairly spacious rooms and hot showers. | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| Budget | Angel Guesthouse | — | An old-style guesthouse. A standard budget stay that is affordable and friendly, popular with backpackers. | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| Name | Cuisine | Budget | Highlights | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soto Medan Sinar Pagi (Rumah Makan Sinar Pagi) | Soto Medan (coconut-milk-based soup) | — | A long-established eatery popular with both locals and travelers. Fragrant santan soup served with chicken, potato croquettes and emping crackers. | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| Tip Top Restaurant | Dutch colonial-style restaurant (Western food, nasi goreng, homemade ice cream) | — | A roughly 100-year-old establishment on Jl. Ahmad Yani. Steak, signature nasi goreng and homemade ice cream are the highlights, with a retro atmosphere. | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| Durian Ucok (Ucok Durian) | Durian specialty shop | — | A famous durian shop on Jl. Wahid Hasyim, a Medan specialty. Sweet, rich, high-quality durian offered year-round. | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| Bika Ambon Zulaikha | Bika Ambon (local sweet) | — | A baked treat with a distinctive texture made from tapioca flour, coconut milk and pandan. A renowned souvenir shop famous for its fresh-made products. | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| Soto Kesawan | Soto (soto with shrimp) | — | A long-established soto restaurant in the Kesawan district. A local favorite renowned for its shrimp soto. | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| Restoran Sederhana Medan | Nasi Padang (Sumatran cuisine) | — | A nationwide Padang restaurant chain. A go-to spot to casually enjoy nasi goreng and various Sumatran dishes. | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| Merdeka Walk | Outdoor food court / dining street | — | A popular night-food street near Merdeka Square. Enjoy seafood, local dishes and international cuisine in an open atmosphere, suited to families and groups. | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
* A “seasonal posting trend” based on public social posts we track (5 accounts, period 2021-01–2026-06, 25 posts). Not actual catch statistics—posting frequency ≠ real catch; treat as a reference indicator with biases (popular-account skew, etc.). Sources are the linked posts.
Nearby spots easy to combine into one trip (straight-line distance). See the map above for locations.