Of the "outer islands" of the Bandas, Ai has long been the most popular one for an overnight - usually several nights' or even weeks' - stay, and for good reason. It has fine beaches, good snorkelling, extremely good-value budget accommodation, a scattering of minor historical sights, and it is quite reliably accessible by public transport. While Bandaneira offers more facilities and is more centrally located for those who only stay in the Bandas for a few days and thus want to explore them on day-trips, Ai will be the perfect choice for those who have the time to retreat somewhere quieter and prefer to stay right on or near a good beach.

The Main Beach

The long beach right in front of Ai village is the island's main attraction. Fine sand, great views of Gunung Api and a good reef for snorkelling all along - all in a very accessible location, and even two accommodation options to stay right by the sea are a unique combination for Banda!

Ai Village

The single village on the island just happens to be one of the nicest, tidiest, friendliest and easiest to navigate in the Bandas. It has just 2 main "streets" running paralell with the beach. Along the main one closer to the sea you will find most of Ai's few historical sights, tiny grocery stores and some accommodation.

Benteng Revenge

Ai's major sight, beaches apart, is this refreshingly unrestored, overgrown fort, originally built by the British, then captured and used by the Dutch. It is actually easily overlooked from the main street, but once you've entered through the gateway, you will find it still quite sizeable inside, with the walls still standing, and even the odd chambering being open for poking your nose into.

Matalenco Gateway

Also along the main street, you will find a few old gateways reminding you of their long-gone colonial-era owners. The gateway is pretty much all that remains of the Matalenco residence.

Welvaren Plantation Residence

Further west, the Welvaren compound has fared a bit better, with its walls still standing, too. You can wander around the grounds, but try and respect the privacy of the local family now living at the back!

Dutch Graves

Back along the inland street, you can find a few old Dutch gravestones near the more recent Christian cemetery of the village.

Kora-Kora Shed

Just in case you've somehow missed the ones in Bandaneira, you can also check out Ai's fine, long kora-kora war canoes kept in a shed along the main street, towards its eastern end.

The Western Beach

Having exhausted the possibilities for sightseeing in the villages and snorkelling along its beach, you could walk through the bushy gardens to the more isolated beach on the island's western side, facing Run. This beach has a wonderfully isolated feel to it, though at low tide the reefs can make it difficult to get into the water for swimming or snorkelling.