A secret slice of untouched paradise, Rote has evaded tourism for a long time. A destination previously only on the map of the most intrepid surfers, we have the scoop on how to make your dreams of travelling to one of Indonesia’s most beautiful destinations, manifest into a reality. Discover Indonesia’s secret surf spot in this Rote travel guide.
Want detailed 5-days / 4-nights itinerary to discover Rote? Check out our comprehensive Rote itinerary right here!
Table of Contents
Where is Rote?
Where exactly is this heavenly slice of Indonesia? The lesser Sunda Islands in the East Nusa Tenggara province of Southwest Timor is where the island of Rote can be found. Legend has it the island was named after a lost Portuguese sailor who landed on the island and asked a local farmer where he was – the confused farmer introduced himself as ‘Rote’.
With a longer dry season than many other locations in Indonesia, the landscape is interesting with succulents and savannahs where the water buffalos graze, coming together with the flourishing landscape of mangroves, pristine white sandy beaches and coral reefs thriving with marine life.
Surfers have made discrete visits to Rote for years, especially the surfing hotspots of T-Land and Nemberala Beach, home to possibly the longest shore break wave in all of Indonesia. The perfect destination for the nature-loving traveller, Rote Ndao is made up of 96 small islands, with six of those inhabited by the local people of Rote.
Several languages are spoken including Bilba, Dengka, Lole, Dhao, Ringgou, Dela-Oenale, Termanu, Ti’i and Bahasa Indonesia. Although Indonesia is majority Islam, like many of the East Nusa Tenggara Islands, Rote is majority Christian. The main industries are fishing, jewellery making and agriculture, with tourism being predominantly domestic until recently.
Why Visit Rote?
Serene white sandy beaches and consistently good waves all year round make Rote a hot-spot on any surfer’s travel map. For many years, it was mostly intrepid surfers on the hunt for that perfect ride that visited Rote, but recently Rote has piqued the curiosity of tourists and travellers, with more than enough reasons to visit this stunning island:
- Art – There are relics of Chinese porcelain, textiles, wood carvings and the Sasando, a traditional musical instrument originally from Rote.
- Culture – Rote has a unique cultural identity with clan-culture very much still alive. The lives of the people are rooted in agriculture and fishing, with Roman Catholic and Protestant Christian beliefs interwoven into their daily lives.
- Diving – Being a limestone island, there are some unique underwater landscapes, with abundant marine life. There are colourful coral fish and sea turtles to spot in the crystal-clear waters.
- Snorkelling – If diving isn’t for you, there are plenty of beautiful spots that are easily accessible by snorkelling.
- Surfing – Surfers will find uncrowded, picturesque waves in the Southwest of Rote that will beat almost any other destination in Indonesia.
- Paddle Boarding – Turquoise waters, stunning coastal views and calm bays. Paddle Boarding is a popular activity available at some of the beaches and lakes throughout Rote.
- Boat Trips – You might want to book a fishing charter where you can angle for fish like the Dog Tooth Tuna, Spanish Mackerel and more.
- Kayaking the Mangroves – The mangroves are picturesque and peaceful with beautiful mangrove trees and crystal-clear, turquoise waters.
How To Get To Rote
You can either catch two flights, laying over in Kupang, or a flight and a ferry with a transfer in Kupang.
Flying
Currently there are no direct flights from Bali or Jakarta through to David Constantijn Saudale Airport, which is located central to Rote island. Most trips to Rote involve an overnight stay in Kupang.
Most people travel from Bali to Kupang (KOE) with Lion or Wings Air which takes 1.5 hours. You can stay overnight in Kupang near the airport, or you may like to choose a beachfront option not too far away.
Flights from Kupang to Rote take around 30-minutes. There are daily Wings Air flights between Kupang and Rote, or Susi Air offers flights on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 7:30am. You must book directly through Susi Air on WhatsApp +62 811 2001 1917 and make sure you get in early as there are only 12 seats available on the plane!
Flying + Boat
If you don’t want to stay overnight in Kupang, you can catch the 11:05am Lion Air flight landing in Kupang at 12:45pm, and transfer to the slow ferry which leaves at 3pm.
Slow ferries leave from Kupang Timor (the capital of East Timor) at 8:30am and 3pm daily for IDR 200,000 and the journey takes approximately 4-hours. However, the ferry is currently under maintenance and the schedule is a little unreliable, so we do not recommend this option unless you are travelling on a tight budget.
The fast ferry to Rote from Kupang can be booked through ‘Express Bahari Mobile’. The ferry departs at 9am and takes 2-hours, arriving at Pantai Baru which is a 2-hour drive from Nembrala.
The fastest and most economical way to get there is to fly into Jakarta (CGK) from an international destination. There is one flight with Batik Air that departs from CGK at 2am, arriving in Kupang at 6:10am, allowing you to catch the fast ferry at 9am or the Susi Air flight at 7:30am. Lion, Batik and Citilink also have flights to Kupang at different times throughout the day.
There are also options with layovers including Garuda with a short stop in Surabaya, and Air Asia with a layover in Denpasar.
Surfboards cost around IDR 200,000 to transport, however there may be restrictions on surfboard bags over 6ft 2in, in which case they will be transported to Rote via ferry by the airline.
Best Areas To Stay in Rote
Nembrala is the main tourist area. Most accommodation is based around Southwest Rote, around a 1-hour drive from David Constantijn Saudale Airport.
Recommended Stays in Rote
When visiting Rote, the objective of your trip is likely to be as close to a beautiful beach as possible. Here are some recommendations for accommodation which will allow you to make the most of your visit to the stunning Rote Island.
- Luxury
- Seed Resort
- Mick’s Place
- Family
- Ume Lelendo
- Ocean Park
- Surf Luxury
- T-Land Resort
- Mid-range
- Ume Lelendo
- Loedi Bungalows Rote
- Budget
- CocoKabanas Rote
Getting Around Rote
Rote is around a quarter of the size of Bali with much less traffic, so getting around is much quicker, although the roads are often not properly sealed, making road travel slow-going in some parts. The easiest and cheapest way to explore the island is by scooter, but it is possible to hire a driver also. We recommend staying as close to the coastline as possible so you can be near to the main attraction of Rote – its breathtaking beaches! Many of the popular beaches and attractions are in the Southwest of the island around Nembrala, however beautiful beaches can be found all around the island, which you can easily explore by bike or with a driver.
Places to Visit In Rote
There are so many stunning beaches to visit in Rote, you could visit a different beach in Rote each day of your trip, with each beach more impressive than the last! There are also waterfalls and lagoons on the island of Rote, sure to satisfy the appetite of any nature lover.
- Nemberala Beach – Perfect waves, clean emerald waters and an interesting seaweed farming industry makes Nemberala Beach a popular, but still serene beach to visit. You may even be able to spot some cute pigs and piglets roaming the beach whilst enjoying a majestic sunset.
- Bo’a Beach – This beach is a feast for your eyes and soul with its bright blue water, surfable waves and mesmerising sunsets. The beach is also great for swimming and is just 20-minutes south of Nemberala Beach.
- Loedi Beach – Around 25-minutes south of Nemberala Beach is Loedi Beach. Loedi Beach is a kite-surfer’s paradise. The waves break over the reef further out from the beach, creating a calm lagoon for swimming and kite surfing.
- Lutu Babatu Beach – Located on the Northeast coast of Rote, this beach is tranquil, serene and the water is turquoise and clear. You will also see the local fisherman going about their activities on small wooden boats.
- Batu Termanu Beach – You can spy interesting rock formations in the water and there is a beautiful headland in the foreground of the horizon.
- Telaga Nirwana – True to its name, Nirwana is a nirvana-like emerald lake perfect for swimming and enjoying a day by the water. You can paddleboard or kayak through the inlet surrounded by mangroves, whilst enjoying the nature and wildlife that surrounds you.
- Batu Leli Beach – Located on the central northern coast, this is a white sandy beach with picturesque rock formations.
- Batu Leli Beach – Just 10-15 minutes from Ba’a City with white sands and picturesque clusters of rock formations. You can enjoy a beautiful sunset here!
- Oeseli Beach in East Rote – A beach with silky white sand and a heart shaped rock that’s great for taking photos. You can spot starfish and coral reefs from the shore at low tide. Cows, horses and buffalo roam freely in the plains surrounding the beach and you will not believe your eyes when you see the colour of the water here!
- Termanu Stone in Central Rote – Batu Termanu is a beach on the central-northern coast of Rote near Ba’a. It has large, majestic rock formations on the beach and is surrounded by picturesque hills.
- Lifu Lada Beach – A tranquil beach with a reef shoreline where sunset is especially beautiful at low tide. Limestone cliffs surround the beach, making for pleasant shady areas throughout the day. The beach itself is quite long with silky soft white sand that’s perfect for walking along and exploring the rock pools.
- Oe Kod’de Waterfall – located in central Rote, it is a small waterfall with multiple terraces and there is a little cave which water cascades over.
- Inaoe Beach in South Rote – A small cove and beach with crystal-clear, calm turquoise waters, perfect for swimming and hanging-out for a few hours.
Things To Do In Rote
Still very much a hidden gem, most things to do in Rote revolve around exploring the untouched nature of the island.
- Explore the mangroves at Telaga Nirwana. There are kayaks and paddle boards available for rental there.
- Book a fishing charter and angle for Spanish Mackerel, Wahoo and Dog Tooth Tuna. There are a number of charter companies available.
- Enjoy sunset at one of the many beautiful beaches on the Southwest coast, like Nemberala Beach.
- Visit the local farmer’s market at Nemberala – you can watch the locals as they shop for fruit and vegetables and even electronics!
- Surf at one of the many uncrowded surf breaks.
- Explore the vivid underwater landscape with a diving or snorkelling expedition.
Food To Try in Rote
The local cuisine of Rote is very much typical of the East Nusa Tenggara region of the Indonesian Archipelago, with tropical ingredients like banana, coconut and papaya influencing the dishes. We recommend dining at the hotel restaurants to try the local cuisine. This may be pricier but the quality and food hygiene is likely to be much better.
Local eateries may offer more character and better prices, but make sure you are vigilant about hygiene and try to visit reputable places. Some unique local dishes you might like to try include:
- Titi Corn – a snack that looks a little like Cornflakes.
- Muku Loto – a festive dish prepared with banana and often enjoyed as part of ceremonies.
- Kena Kita – a dish made with yams, nuts and grated coconuts.
- Rumpu Rampe Рa papaya flower saut̩.
- Catemak Corn– made with corn, green beans and pumpkin.
There are a handful of Western-style cafes where you can get a decent espresso coffee, smoothie bowl, avocado toast or a nice dinner for when the creature comforts are required. Below are some popular spots we’d recommend:
- Indika Health Store
- The Pasar
- 81 Palms
- Fishbones
Rote Travel Tips
When travelling to Rote, it’s essential to keep these travel tips in mind to make the most of your experience:
- Bring all toiletries with you as there are limited shops available to purchase these once you are there.
- Bring cash as the only place with an ATM is Ba’a.
- 4-7 days is a good amount of time to stay in Rote for a nice and relaxing beach holiday. This would allow you to visit most of the island’s most popular beaches and natural attractions.
- Wi-Fi can be unreliable even at cafes and restaurants. Your best bet is to have a Telkomsel Sim Card with 4G, which will give you coverage around Nemberala and the surrounding areas.
- We don’t recommend eating from street food vendors. If you would like to try authentic, local food it’s best to try it at a hotel restaurant, while being vigilant about food hygiene standards.
- It’s advisable to travel with a full first aid kit, although there are medical centres in Nembrala and Ba’a. For anything more serious, Siloam in Kupang is the place to go.
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So as you can see from this travel guide, Rote in East Nusa Tenggara is packed full of adventure and hidden gems. From its perfect swells, secluded beaches and unique oceanscapes, this is an island which offers a treasure trove of experience for the curious soul.
