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.
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.
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.
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.
“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.”