Mursala Island

Mursala Island (Pulau Mursala) is an uninhabited 8,000-hectare island in the Indian Ocean off the west coast of North Sumatra, administratively part of Tapian Nauli District in Tapanuli Tengah Regency. It is notable for its tropical rainforest, granite hills, white-sand beaches, and a waterfall that flows directly into the sea. The island gained international recognition as a filming location for the 2005 film King Kong and is visited for its natural scenery and marine environment.

Visitors reach Mursala Island by chartered boat from Pandan or Sibolga and can explore white-sand beaches, granite rock formations, dense tropical forest, and a waterfall that drops directly into the sea on the western side. The surroundings are undeveloped and natural, with clear waters for swimming and snorkeling, forested trails, and viewpoints over the Indian Ocean. There are no permanent settlements or built attractions, so the experience is focused on nature sightseeing, photography, and boat-based exploration.

Mursala Island gained international attention as a filming location for the 2005 film King Kong directed by Peter Jackson, representing Skull Island. The island's waterfall flowing into the sea was featured in the film.