Pulau Sumba Island (Waingapu, East Nusa Tenggara Indonesia)

Pulau Sumba Island (eastern Indonesia) is one of the Lesser Sunda Islands (East Nusa Tenggara Province). The island covers a total area of approx 11153 km2 (4306 mi2) and has population around 660,000. To the northwest is Sumbawa, to the northeast (across Sumba Strait) is Flores. to the south (across Indian Ocean) is Australia, and to the east (across Savu Sea) is Timor-Leste. Sumba Island's main seaport/cruise port and largest city is Waingapu (population around 55,000).

Pulau Sumba is among Indonesia's poorer islands, with a highly stratified society based on castes. The island is popular for its ikat textiles, notably detailed hand-woven ikat. The heavy process of dying and weaving these clothes is very labor-intensive and usually take months to make. In 1998, two national parks (Manupeu Tanah Daru, and Laiwangi Wanggameti) were designated on the island for protection of endangered species.

Most popular tourist places to visit include Puru Kambera Beach (26 km from Waingapu City, approx 1-hour drive), Tarimbay Bay (surfing location approx 120 km from Waingapu, 5 hours drive, waves are 2-3 m tall in June-September), Watu Mandorak Cove (white sand beach with cliffs, approx 42 km from Tambolaka, or 2 hours drive).

The most popular resort on Pulau Sumba Island is Nihiwatu Resort (watch the video). For its authentic experience, Nihiwatu Resort is ranked among the world's top 5 best eco-hotels and "world’s best hotel 2016" by Travel+Leisure. Despite the expensive rates, this resort is always fully booked.

Pulau Sumba Island cruise terminal