The Interesting Facts and Uniqueness of Sumba Island
Sumba Island, a hidden gem in East Nusa Tenggara, boasts breathtaking landscapes and a rich cultural heritage. As one of Indonesia’s less-explored destinations, it offers tranquil retreats, thrilling adventures, and immersive cultural experiences.
A Sumba tour promises unforgettable highlights that cater to every traveler’s curiosity.
Natural Wonders of Sumba
Sumba Island boasts stunning natural beauty with lush hills and white-sand beaches. Key attractions include Weekuri Lagoon, a crystal-clear saltwater lake perfect for swimming, and Tanggedu Waterfall, known as the “Grand Canyon of Sumba” for its striking rock formations and turquoise waters, accessible via a short trek.
Hikers can enjoy Wairinding Hill’s breathtaking panoramic views, especially at sunset, as the landscapes shift from vibrant green in the rainy season to golden brown in the dry season.
Cultural Heritage and Traditions
Sumba boasts a rich culture, especially seen in its traditional villages. The Pasola Festival, an annual mock battle between rival clans, takes place in February and March to honor spirits and ensure a good harvest.
Ratenggaro Village is notable for its tall Uma Mbatangu houses and ancient megalithic tombs reflecting ancestor worship. Visitors can witness traditional practices and explore the village.
Additionally, Sumba is renowned for its ikat weaving, offering bright textiles with meaningful designs that visitors can observe and purchase.
Sumba’s Vast Savanna Landscapes
Sumba is different from most Indonesian islands because it has extensive savannas that look like African plains. This makes it great for adventure tours. The island’s landscapes change from lush green during the rainy season to golden fields in the dry season, which attracts nature lovers and photographers.
You can enjoy exciting activities like horseback riding, dirt biking, and off-road jeep tours to explore Sumba’s beautiful scenery.
Pristine White-Sand Beaches
Sumba features stunning beaches in Indonesia. Walakiri Beach is famous for its unique mangrove trees and beautiful sunsets, good for photography.
Nihiwatu Beach, a top surfing destination, and Bwanna Beach, with its impressive cliffs and rewarding trek, offer exciting experiences. Mandorak Beach, known for its hidden cove and clear waters, provides a tranquil escape.
Experience the Adventure of a Lifetime
A trip to Sumba is more than a vacation—it’s an adventure. Explore its wild landscapes, experience local traditions, or unwind on peaceful beaches. With the Sumba Tour, you can ride horses, trek through forests, or connect with local communities.
For a unique, off-the-beaten-path getaway, Sumba is the perfect choice. It’s a mix of nature, culture, and adventure, guaranteeing unforgettable memories.
How to Get to Sumba
Sumba is a hidden gem in Indonesia, offering stunning landscapes, pristine beaches, and a unique cultural experience.
Despite its remote charm, reaching Sumba from Bali is relatively straightforward. Here’s everything you need to know about how to get to Sumba Indonesia from Bali.
Bali to Sumba: Your Travel Options
The most efficient way to get to Sumba from Bali is by air. However, there are alternative options, including sea routes, for those seeking a more adventurous journey.
1. Bali-Sumba Flights
The fastest and most convenient way to reach Sumba is by taking a direct flight from Bali. Several airlines operate Bali-Sumba flights, departing from Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) in Denpasar to one of Sumba’s two airports:
- Tambolaka Airport (TMC) in West Sumba, is ideal for exploring the beaches and cultural sites.
- Umbu Mehang Kunda Airport (WGP) in Waingapu, East Sumba, is perfect for those heading to savanna landscapes and traditional villages.
Flights typically take around 1 hour and 15 minutes, and airlines such as Wings Air and Sriwijaya Air provide regular services.
2. Traveling by Ferry (Bali to Sumba by Sea)
For those looking for a more budget-friendly or adventurous option, traveling by sea is possible, though it requires more time and effort. Here’s how you can do it:
- Take a ferry from Padang Bai Harbor in Bali to Lembar Port in Lombok.
- From Lombok, travel by land to Kayangan Port and take another ferry to Sape Port in Sumbawa.
- From Sape, board a ferry to Waingapu Port in East Sumba.
This journey can take more than 24 hours, depending on ferry schedules and transit times, making it a better option for slow travelers who want to explore other islands along the way.
Arriving at Sumba Island Airport
When you arrive at one of Sumba’s airports, you can get to your destination by car, motorbike, or with a hired driver. Public transportation is scarce, so it’s best to arrange a ride ahead of time. Many hotels and resorts provide airport transfers for your convenience.
Sumba Island Tour Packages
Experience the beauty of Sumba Island with our exclusive tour package. Enjoy visits to pristine beaches, traditional villages, and stunning landscapes. Participate in the iconic Pasola Festival, relax at Nihiwatu Beach, and immerse yourself in the island’s rich culture.
Book now for a memorable Sumba Island getaway! Here are the lists of our packages that you can consider before you choose one of them:
- One-Day Trip Sumba
- Sumba Trip 3 Days 2 Nights
- Sumba Trip 4 Days 3 Nights
- Sumba Trip 5 Days 4 Nights
- Sumba Trip 6 Days 5 Nights
Best Destinations to Visit in Sumba
Sumba Island is a beautiful, lesser-known island in eastern Indonesia. It features stunning beaches, traditional villages, and amazing landscapes, such as rolling savannas and waterfalls.
If you want adventure, relaxation, or a chance to see ancient traditions, Sumba has something for you. Let’s explore its most incredible destinations!
Beaches
Sumba Island has beautiful beaches that you can visit. They feature white sand and strong waves, making them great for surfing. If you enjoy surfing, these beaches are for you.
Another great aspect of Sumba’s beaches is the crystal-clear water. The waters are bright turquoise and deep blue, perfect for snorkeling and swimming.
Here is the list of Sumba’s best beaches to visit:
Nihiwatu Beach
Nihiwatu Beach is a private beach in Hobawawi Village, West Sumba, East Nusa Tenggara, managed by Resort Nihiwatu.
It boasts clear waters, white sand, and strong waves that attract world-class surfers. Nihiwatu Beach is also ranked among the 100 best beaches in the world.
Walakiri Beach
Walakiri Beach, located 24 km from Waingapu City in East Sumba, is known for its calm, white sand and unique mangroves.
Easily accessible via the highway to Melolo, the beach offers two sand textures: typical ivory-white on the shore and a powdery, hardening texture left by the receding sea.
Mandorak Beach
Mandorak Beach is located in Pero Batang Village, Kodi District, in Southwest Sumba Regency. The beach has a short coastline of 50 meters and is surrounded by cliffs. This feature makes the beach charming, with its sparkling white sand.
A main highlight of Mandorak Beach is two tall coral cliffs, known as the “Gate of the Sea.” These cliffs look like a gateway for seawater to flow in.
Watu Bela Beach
Watu Bela Beach, located in Patiala Bawa Village, Lamboya District, East Nusa Tenggara, is a stunning destination with white sand, blue waters, and continuous waves.
It’s surrounded by coconut trees, green savanna hills, and majestic limestone mountains, adding to its exotic charm.
Watu Parunu Beach
Watu Parunu Beach, located in Lain Janji Village on Sumba Island, East Nusa Tenggara, features a long coastline facing the Indonesian Ocean, resulting in large, strong waves.
The beach is known for its stunning white sand and towering rock cliffs, including a unique hollow stone cliff that attracts many visitors for photos.
Mananga Aba Beach
Mananga Aba Beach is a stunning destination located in Ramadana village, Loura sub-district, Southwest Sumba Regency, NTT.
It features beautiful white sand, clear blue waters, and a long coastline. The beach offers breathtaking sunsets, making it a perfect spot to relax and enjoy the view.
Watu Walodong Beach
Watu Walodong Beach is a must-visit spot on Sumba Island, known for its stunning beauty and the nearby giant rock cliff, also called Watu Walodong, which is tied to local folklore.
Visitors can enjoy the white sand, waves, blue ocean, and breathtaking sunsets. Be sure to capture a memorable photo with the rock cliff in the background!
Bwanna Beach
Bwanna Beach is in Kahale Village, Kodi Balagar sub-district, East Nusa Tenggara Province. Known for its stunning landscape, the beach features high cliffs and a unique coral formation with a hole in the center, making it a popular photo spot.
The beach remains natural and largely untouched, offering a beautiful and exotic atmosphere.
Waterfalls
Sumba Island is home to stunning waterfalls, each unique in its charm. The tall Lapopu Waterfall and the serene Waimarang Waterfall with its blue pool are highlights.
These peaceful spots offer a perfect escape into nature, whether you seek adventure or tranquility. Sumba’s waterfalls showcase the island’s natural beauty and are a must-visit for nature lovers.
Waimarang Waterfall
Waimarang Waterfall is located in Waimarang Village, Melolo, Watu Hadang Village, Umalulu District, East Sumba Regency, East Nusa Tenggara.
This waterfall has a turquoise green pool and a depth of about 8 meters. While the waterfall has a height of about 5 meters.
Tanggedu Waterfall
Tanggedu Waterfall is a stunning waterfall on Sumba Island, Indonesia, surrounded by rocks and greenery. Its clear water flows through small pools that are perfect for swimming.
The hike to reach the waterfall involves walking through hills and fields, but the breathtaking views make it worthwhile. Often called the “Grand Canyon of Sumba” due to its unique rock formations, it’s an ideal spot for nature lovers and adventurers.
Lapopu Waterfall
Lapopu Waterfall is a stunning waterfall known for its cascading staircase-like flow. Surrounded by lush trees and rocks, it offers a peaceful natural setting.
Visitors must trek through a forest to reach it, enhancing the adventure. The clear water at the base invites swimming, making it an ideal spot for nature lovers seeking tranquility.
Lakes
Sumba Island isn’t just about beautiful beaches; it also has stunning lakes worth exploring. These serene spots offer breathtaking views and a taste of Sumba’s untouched nature.
Weekuri Lagoon
Weekuri Lagoon is a lake located in Kalenarogo Village, North Kodi District, East Nusa Tenggara Province. It has gained popularity among tourists for its charming bluish-green color and unique characteristics. As a saltwater and brackish lake, it forms from seawater entering through cracks in surrounding rocks.
Weekuri Lagoon features springs that create various color gradations, from bright blue to turquoise, with varying temperatures—some warm and some cold. Such uniqueness is rare among Indonesian lakes!
Hills
Sumba Island in East Nusa Tenggara is renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty and vibrant culture. It features stunning hills, like the picturesque Wairinding Hill at sunset and Lendongara Hill, which offers sweeping savanna views. T
Wairinding Hill
Wairinding Hill is a stunning destination known for its dramatic landscapes and panoramic views of the Indian Ocean, lush hills, and traditional Sumbanese villages.
Famous for its golden sunsets, the hill attracts photographers and nature enthusiasts alike. It also offers a glimpse into local culture, as it’s often visited for traditional rituals.
Tanarara Hill
Tanarara Hill in Sumba is a stunning destination with undulating green hills, creating a landscape like a nature painting. During the rainy season, these hills are filled with lush green grass, while in the dry season, they turn an exotic golden brown color.
The beauty is enhanced at sunrise or sunset, when a soft glow envelops the hills, creating a breathtaking view.
Ledongara Hill
Lendongara Hill is a breathtaking natural attraction known for its rolling green hills and panoramic views. This scenic spot offers visitors a chance to experience the island’s untouched beauty, especially during sunrise and sunset when the golden light enhances the lush landscape.
Lendongara Hill offers stunning views of the valleys, traditional Sumbanese villages, and the coastline.
Cultural Villages
Sumba Island, located in eastern Indonesia, is known for its rich culture. The traditional villages on the island showcase ancient customs, unique buildings, and lively rituals that have continued for generations.
These villages have distinctive peaked roofs and vibrant ikat textiles. They provide a chance to see how tradition and modern life blend.
Here are the cultural villages to visit on Sumba Island:
Praijing
Praijing Traditional Village is in Tebara Village, Waikabubak, West Sumba Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province. It is about 3 km from the center of Waikabubak City. This village is a tourist destination with 38 traditional Sumba houses.
Praijing features beautiful scenery, unique traditional houses, and architecture that showcase the cultural heritage of Marapu, an ancestral belief that most villagers still practice.
Praijing Traditional Village is in Tebara Village, Waikabubak, West Sumba Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province.
Praijing features beautiful scenery, unique traditional houses, and architecture that showcase the cultural heritage of Marapu, an ancestral belief that most villagers still practice.
Tarung
Tarung Village is a village complex consisting of several traditional villages, which include Tarung Village, Waitabar Village, Bela Kiku Village, Kabatana Village, and Ngora Tuku Village.
One of the main attractions of Tarung Traditional Village is its megalithic tradition which is still very strong and can be seen in the traditional houses there.
Ratenggaro
Ratenggaro is a traditional village in Southwest Sumba. It is known for its unique Marapu culture and beautiful coastal views.
The village has tall, peaked-roof houses that can be up to 15 meters high. These houses serve as homes and ancestral shrines. Ratenggaro is also an important historical site with ancient stone tombs that are hundreds of years old.
Visitors can see the rich traditions of the Sumbanese people, including traditional weaving, rituals, and their way of life.
Pasunga
Kampung Adat Pasunga, located on Sumba island is a traditional village that showcases the island’s cultural heritage. Known for its unique thatched-roof houses, called uma mbatangu, the village features architecture that symbolizes a connection to ancestors and the spiritual world.
Home to the Marapu people, who practice ancestral worship, Pasunga village offers visitors the chance to experience traditional ceremonies, handwoven textiles, and the communal lifestyle of the Sumbanese.
Praiyawang
Praiyawang Traditional Village is located about 69 km east of Waingapu City. It is one of the traditional villages in East Sumba that still follows its customs. When you enter this village, you can feel the atmosphere of past civilizations. The architecture features Sumbanese houses with tall towers and rows of old megalithic graves of nobles, showing Sumba’s rich culture.
Laiwangi Wanggameti National Park
Laiwangi Wanggameti National Park in East Sumba, Indonesia, is a protected area renowned for its biodiversity and stunning landscapes. As the largest forested region on the island, it hosts endemic flora and fauna, including the Sumba hornbill and apricot-breasted sunbird.
The park features lowland and montane forests, waterfalls, and diverse ecosystems, while also supporting local water conservation. Visitors can trek through its lush greenery and explore Sumba’s unique natural and cultural heritage.
Final Tips for Traveling to Sumba
- Research your destination on trusted tour and travel websites.
- Better if you download the brochure of Sumba Tour packages from a trusted travel website and make contact with them to consult about your vacation trip to Sumba.
- Book flights early, especially during peak seasons, as seats are limited.
- Prepare cash, as ATMs and card payment options can be scarce in remote areas.
- Check the weather, as rough sea conditions can affect ferry schedules.
- Pack your essential things like sunscreen, a hat, and mosquito repellent (you’ll need them a lot), also your walking or trekking gear.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Sumba is during the dry season, from May to October, when you can enjoy sunny days and minimal rainfall, perfect for exploring the island’s beaches and traditional villages. For fewer crowds, consider visiting in April or November, though some rain may occur.
Choosing a Sumba Tour Package
When choosing a Sumba tour package, ensure it includes essentials like accommodation, transportation, guided tours, entrance fees, and meals.
Some offer cultural experiences, such as the Pasola festival or visits to local artisans. And that’s worth trying.
Check for exclusions like personal expenses or travel insurance. Don’t hesitate to contact the tour and travel vendor if you want to ask for more details about the packages.
Accommodation in Sumba
Accommodation options in Sumba range from upscale eco-resorts like Nihi Sumba to mid-range hotels and guesthouses. Some tours even offer traditional village stays for a deeper cultural experience.
Closing Statement from Us
With so much to explore, planning the perfect trip can feel overwhelming—but the right Sumba tour package makes all the difference. Don’t miss the chance to experience Sumba’s untouched beauty—book your dream tour today and start your adventure!
If you want us to arrange the Sumba travel for you, you can contact us on our website. Or, you can download our brochure from the website to choose which Sumba Island tour packages are best for you.