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About Sumba Island

Have you ever been to one of the tourist attractions in Sumba Island (Pulau Sumba)? Sumba Island is an exotic island with plenty of tourist attractions. The landscape is green and beautiful. No wonder this island is always crowded by visitors, especially in the holiday seasons. Sumba Island is located in the administrative region of East Nusa Tenggara Province. There are four districts in the province, namely West Sumba Regency, Southwest Sumba Regency, Central Sumba Regency, and East Sumba Regency. Waingapu is the biggest city in Sumba Island and the capital of the East Sumba Regency. To reach Sumba Island, you can go to Tambolaka Airport in the Southwest Sumba Regency through I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport in Bali or El Tari Airport in Kupang. The flight takes around 1 hour and 25 minutes. Alternatively, you can also head to Umbu Mehang Kuda Airport located in Waingapu, East Sumba City.

Top Things to Do in Sumba Island

There are several interesting places that you should visit in Sumba Island. Here are some of them

Waikelo Sawah Dam

Enjoy the amazing natural freshness when you visit Waikelo Sawah Dam. This attraction is located in Tema Tana Village, East Wewewa District, Southwest Sumba Regency. Waikelo Sawah Dam was created in 1976 to serve as a hydroelectric power plant and for irrigation purposes. However, due to the beauty and shady ambience around the dam, many people are attracted to visit this place. At first glance, Waikelo Sawah Dam feels like a natural cave that emits water. At the mouth of the cave, there is clear and calm water. However, due to the heavy water flow, this place can’t be used for swimming. Inside the cave, there is a waterfall that produces an endless flow of water.

Wairinding Hill

You should also visit Wairinding Hill. It is located in Pambotanjara, Waingapu City, East Sumba Regency. The scenery from this hill is breathtaking; a vast landscape of beautiful green grasslands will appear before your eyes. With hilly land contours, you will feel like you are in a fairyland. If you visit in the dry season, the green hills will turn into a very exotic savanna. The magnificent view is the main reason visitors come to Wairinding Hill. If you want to visit this tourist attraction, you have to travel about 30 minutes from Waingapu downtown area.

Weekuri Lake

You must visit Lake Weekuri while vacationing in Sumba Island. This tourist attraction has an astonishing painting-like view. Lake Weekuri is located in Kalena Rongo Village, North Kodi, Southwest Sumba Regency. To reach this place, you have to travel with fairly limited access. The beauty of Lake Weekuri lies in the lake’s colour gradation which varies depending on the water’s temperature. The blue, green or white colours appear from the reflection of the bottom of the lake. The rocks reside around the edge of the lake make it feel like inside a cave. You can also find various unique plants and animals around the lakeside.

Lapopu Waterfall

Lapopu Waterfall is located in Lapopu Village, Wanokaka District, West Sumba Regency. The precise location is in a remote place where no human resides. Around the waterfall, the natural atmosphere is very palpable. The clear water flows swiftly, and beneath the waterfall, you will find an exquisite natural pool. With a height of 90 meters and terraced soil conditions, this waterfall looks magnificent. It is better to visit Lapopu Waterfall on the dry season when the water flow is not too heavy. Aside from being a tourist attraction, this waterfall is also used as a hydroelectric water plant.

Mandorak Beach

Enjoy the beautiful and exotic scenery while visiting Mandorak Beach. The beach is located between two cliffs located in Southwest Sumba Regency. These two cliffs look like they are fused but are 20 meters apart. Although the coastline is not very long, Mandorak Beach is still a beautiful beach with white sand. On the outer edge of the cliff, the waves of Mandorak Beach are quite fierce. Many surfers use this beach as a place to surf. If you want to get a captivating photo, come to this place in the afternoon since the scenery is more delightful.

Top Culinary in Sumba Island

What are the traditional cuisines you should taste in Sumba Island? Here are some of them

Manu Pata’u Ni

This chicken-based dish may not be too different from other chicken dishes. The chicken meat is cooked with coconut milk mixture until tender and the marinade seeps. Usually, Manu Pata’u Ni is served when welcoming guests. The presentation of the dish is what makes it unique. Upon serving, the guests should offer one part of the dish, for example, the thigh, to the host. Then, the rest of the dish can be consumed by guests. If there are leftovers, the dish must be packed home. The philosophy behind this tradition is the respect between guest and host.

Cassava Leaves

Another traditional cuisine originated from Sumba Island is cassava leaf. The basic ingredients for this dish are not only cassava leaves, but also pounded rice. These ingredients are boiled with coconut milk and served warm. This dish has a thick texture and slightly spicy taste.

Nga’a Watary Patau Kabbe

You also have to try Nga'a Watary Patau Kabbe, a type of corn rice served with free-range chicken. Apart from corn, the main ingredient of this dish is also mixed with kidney beans and other types of beans. In East Nusa Tenggara, corn rice is one of the staple foods. Corn rice is usually mixed with white rice and eaten with soupy vegetables.

Where to Stay in Sumba Island

Since there are many interesting Sumba Island tourist attractions you can explore, it's recommended to stay here for several days. There are many accommodation options that you can book before departure through the Traveloka application. One of them is Padadita Beach Hotel which is located on Jalan Airlangga Padadita Waingapu, East Sumba. In West Sumba, there is Oro Beach Hotel which is about 10 minutes from Tambolaka Airport.

This hotel is very close to the coast, making it easier to relax and enjoy the atmosphere there. You can book Oro Beach Hotel starting at Rp600.000 per night. This rate is worth it with the facilities provided. With these facilities, travelling around the tourist attractions in Sumba Island will be more seamless and enjoyable.