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Inside exclusive castaway Pinang Island surf camp where stranded Aussies were headed

The four friends who were found after being lost at sea will resume their holiday at the island that ironically offers guests a “castaway” lifestyle.

FOUND ALIVE: Four Australians lost at sea now returned to dry land

The four Australians who went missing while travelling to a 30th birthday trip in Indonesia were headed to the privately owned Pinang Island resort just off the coast of North Sumatra.

By Monday midday, the four friends, Elliot Foote, his girlfriend Steph Weisse, Jordan Short and Will Teagle had miraculously been found after their boat was caught in a storm while travelling from Nias to the idyllic island located off the coast of North Sumatra.

Missing Australians Elliot Foote and Steph Weisse were found on Monday. Picture: Instagram
Missing Australians Elliot Foote and Steph Weisse were found on Monday. Picture: Instagram
Jordan Short was on a boat that went missing after it departed Nias in Indonesia. Picture: Instagram
Jordan Short was on a boat that went missing after it departed Nias in Indonesia. Picture: Instagram
Will Teagle. Picture: Supplied
Will Teagle. Picture: Supplied

Their destination was Pinang Island, a private island resort that offers a “castaway” lifestyle for surfers and holiday-makers, who have access to the island’s secluded beaches, and forests.

Mr Foote’s father Peter said his son organised a surf trip to Pinang Island for him and his 11 friends to celebrate his 30th birthday.

During the storm, the other boat carrying eight tourists sought shelter at the island of Sarang Aly, while Elliot’s boat continued sailing.

The secluded island is a two-hour ride from Nias, where the group disembarked. Picture: Instagram/ @pinang_island
The secluded island is a two-hour ride from Nias, where the group disembarked. Picture: Instagram/ @pinang_island
Just chill. Picture: Instagram/ @pinang_island
Just chill. Picture: Instagram/ @pinang_island

Located off the Sumatra Coast, the private resort prides itself on being isolated from the mainland, with several surfing hotspot, and a sustainable permaculture system for guests and staff.

The secluded island is about a two-hour speedboat ride from Nias, where the group departed.

“Come stay in an undisturbed ecosystem and chill in a hammock under the sheltering canopy of coconut trees,” the Pinang Island website reads.

The private Pinang Island is located on the western tip of Sumatra, an island off Indonesia. Picture: Instagram/ @pinang_island
The private Pinang Island is located on the western tip of Sumatra, an island off Indonesia. Picture: Instagram/ @pinang_island

For surfers, the resort charges $US150 ($A231) a night or $US90 ($A138) for “castaways” who merely want to enjoy the serene location.

Visitors can also partake in a range of activities like snorkelling, fishing, stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking and turtle watching.

The resort describes itself as a “special blend of Sumatra surf adventure, self-sufficient living, sustainable farming, and wildlife conservation”.

“Our mission is to provide one of the most authentic and enriching travel experiences in an environmentally sensitive manner,” the website reads.

Guests are welcomed to take advantage of the surf and the forests. Picture: Supplied
Guests are welcomed to take advantage of the surf and the forests. Picture: Supplied

“Come stay in an undisturbed ecosystem and chill in a hammock under the sheltering canopy of coconut trees.”

Despite the rough start to their holiday, shortly after the travellers were rescued, Peter confirmed his son would continue their holiday at Pinang Island.

“There’s 12 of them there, they’ve got 10 days to go. He’s in the best place there,” he told Sky News.

“It’s paradise. As long as I can talk to him, he doesn’t have to come home.”

Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/incidents/inside-exclusive-castaway-pinang-island-surf-camp-where-stranded-aussies-were-headed/news-story/25f064fb941535593ccb64c58c59ae24