Encircled by a white sandy beach in Indonesia’s East Nusa Tenggara Province, Sumba is a remarkably unspoiled island of long-held traditions. Only an hour’s flight east of Bali, the island is relatively easy to reach, yet, despite this accessibility, it is seldom visited by Western tourists, allowing the locals to uphold many of their traditional customs. Surfers were the first visitors to camp out on its spectacular wild beaches, having discovered a mesmerising left-hand break that barrels onto one of the island’s perfect beaches. Today this same stretch of beach is home to the eco-resort of Nihiwatu, where visitors can enjoy the unique cultural experiences, virgin beaches and exquisite wilderness of Sumba in outstanding comfort and understated luxury. Recommended activities include world-class surfing, hiking through waterfalls, ancient villages and butterfly trails and stand-up paddling down the Wanukaka River.


