The allure of Sumba Island for travellers seeking out pristine, virgin beaches that are off the beaten track is undeniable. There are perfect, uncrowded waves to be surfed, mesmerising sunsets as well as glorious ocean panoramas that will take your breath away. Where is Sumba? It’s in the East Nusa Tenggara region to the east of Bali and it is quickly becoming one of our favourite alternative destinations in Indonesia. You could spend a week visiting all of Sumba’s best beaches and still be wanting more!
Here is a list of 10 Sumba best beaches that are worth travelling to this East Nusa Tenggara Island for.
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Marosi Beach, Southwest Sumba
Jln. Marosi, Patiala Bawa, Kec. Lamboya, Kabupaten Sumba Barat, Nusa Tenggara Tim.
Not far from Waikabubak is Marosi Beach. Sunsets are especially breathtaking at Marosi with 180-degree panoramas of the ocean, as well as forests and mountains as a backdrop, complete with wild horses roaming the plains and sandy beaches. There is a fantastic reef break for surfers, but you don’t need to be a surfer to enjoy Marosi Beach. This long stretch of beach is also great for swimming, snorkelling and spearfishing. You may choose to simply sit on the pristine white sands and take-in the view of the turquoise waters, or enjoy a long walk along the untouched shoreline of one of Sumba’s most beautiful beaches.
Walakiri Beach, Northeast Sumba
Watumbaka, Pandawai, Watumbaka, Kec. Pandawai, Kabupaten Sumba Timur, Nusa Tenggara Tim.
Walakiri Beach is a beach in the Waingapu area, with a mangrove landscape creating an interesting backdrop for sunset and photography, especially at low tide. This beach is not ideal for swimming so we recommend visiting at sunset. You can kick-back at one of the warungs on the beach which sells cold drinks and food, whilst watching the mangrove trees dancing in the water.
Tarimbang Beach, Southeast Sumba
Tarimbang, Tabundung, East Sumba Regency, East Nusa Tenggara
This pristine beach is a little slice of heaven on Sumba Island with its clean sands, crystal clear water and surfable waves. Accessible within 2 to 3-hours from Waingapu, Tarimbang Beach is peaceful and deserted with a long stretch of white sand that curves around into a bay, creating a breathtaking view of the headland. The beach is surrounded by plains, estuaries and traditional villages. You might want to make sure you have snacks and drinks with you so you can settle-in for a few hours, as there are no shops nearby.
Karewee Beach, Southwest Sumba
Patiala Bawa, Lamboya, West Sumba Regency, East Nusa Tenggara
Just near Marosi beach is Karewee Beach, a surfable spot with some spectacular waves. The sand is not as white as some of the other beaches on Sumba, but there is a warung where you can buy drinks and snacks after surfing, and watch the perfect waves rolling into the beach. It’s a great place to hang-out at sunset, as the warungs also sell ice cold beer!
Nihiwatu Beach, Southwest Sumba
Home of the famous Nihiwatu Luxury Resort, Nihiwatu Beach is a true slice of paradise. It’s obvious why, because out of all the beautiful Sumba beaches, one of Indonesia’s most luxurious resorts was built right here. You must be a guest of Nihiwatu resort to access this beach, but it’s totally worthwhile if you have the chance, as this luxury property is in a league of its own! Horses and buffalo roam the shores at Nihiwatu making it possibly the most breathtaking beach in Indonesia, with some of the best waves in the archipelago too.
Mandorak Beach, West Sumba
Kalena Rongo, Kodi Utara, Southwest Sumba Regency, East Nusa Tenggara
You will want to make sure that the wonderfully wild Mandorak Beach is on your Sumba itinerary. There is a natural blow-hole at high tide, the water is emerald-coloured and the sand is powdery white. You can even catch dolphins swimming past some mornings, and there are rocks creating a small cove where you can swim when the water is calm. You are likely to have this beach to yourself on most days.
Watu Bela Beach, Southeast Sumba
Patiala Bawa, Lamboya, West Sumba Regency, East Nusa Tenggara
Around 90-minutes from Waikabubak in West Sumba, Watu Bela Beach is a weekend hangout for the locals. The cliffs that surround the beach provide ample shade from the hot sun, so you can easily spend hours reclining on the white sands enjoying the view, with refreshing dips in the ocean in between. There are no food stalls around the beach however, so make sure you pack plenty of snacks and drinks to keep you going. Watu Bela Beach is just around the headland from Marosi Beach so you can combine a trip to both beaches if you’re spending a day beach-hopping. We recommend a dip at Watu Bela before making your way to Marosi for sunset.
Weekuri Lake, West Sumba
Desa, Kalena Rongo, Kec. Kodi Utara, Kabupaten Sumba Barat Daya, Nusa Tenggara Tim.
While Weekuri lake isn’t strictly a beach, it’s a natural, large body of water that you need to see for yourself to experience the raw beauty of this crystal-clear lagoon. The salt water lagoon is around 2.5-metres deep, but the water is so clear that you can see straight to the sandy white bottom. Just near Mandorak Beach, you can spend a few hours swimming and hanging-out at Weekuri after visiting Mandorak. You’ll find that Weekuri Lake has more visitors than many of the other spots on Sumba.
Mbawana Beach, West Sumba
Panenggo Ede, Kodi Bangedo, Southwest Sumba Regency, East Nusa Tenggara
To reach Mbawana Beach in the south-west of Sumba, you will need to descend a 50-metre staircase. Once you reach the soft white sands of the beach, you won’t be disappointed as there is a large cave which you can explore at low tide. Provided it is low tide, you can take a long walk on the sandy beach which is beautifully decorated with impressive rock formations.
Ratenggaro Beach, West Sumba
Umbu Ngedo, Kodi Bangedo, Southwest Sumba Regency, East Nusa Tenggara
If you want to experience some culture when visiting Sumba, Ratenggaro is a great place to add to your Sumba itinerary. Right next to the beach is Ratenggaro village, a traditional village with tall thatched roof houses and historic tombstones dating from around 4500 years ago. Ratenggaro Beach is also surfable, with a rivermouth and sometimes you will see locals with horses on the beach. The locals there can be a little pushy however, asking for donations and selling souvenirs, so be aware.
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Pristine beaches and stunning landscapes await you when you book a trip to Sumba! Check out our 3-night, 4-day Sumba itinerary here.
