10 Awesome Things to Do in Sumba, Indonesia (2026)
TRAVEL
Sumba doesn't feel like the rest of Indonesia. It feels like a place where you can still experience Indonesia at its most authentic. From dramatic waterfalls and turquoise lagoons to traditional villages, ancient megalithic tombs, and endless stretches of untouched coastline, the island is full of surprises.
After spending time exploring Sumba, I was impressed by how untouched and wild the island still feels. It’s one of those places that stays with you long after you leave. Things to do in Sumba lean toward the raw and the remote rather than the polished. That's the whole appeal. Here are ten of the best.
Looking for somewhere to stay? You might also want to check out my Where to Stay in Sumba guide for the best areas and accommodation options around the island.
Quick Answer: Best Things to Do in Sumba
Splurge on a stay at Nihi Sumba, Ketanu Bamboo Lodge, or Sumba Beach House
Surf Sumba’s world-class waves
Swim in the turquoise saltwater of Weekuri Lagoon
Walk through a traditional village like Ratenggaro or Praijing
Chase Sumba’s beautiful waterfalls
Ride a Sandalwood pony along the beach
1. Spoil Yourself at One of Sumba's Unique Resorts
Sumba's accommodation scene is small, but it punches well above its size. If you're going to splurge anywhere in Indonesia, this is a genuinely good place to do it.
Nihi Sumba
Nihi is often ranked among the best hotels in the world, and it comes with the price tag to match. What makes it worth the splurge isn't just the beautiful villas, but the incredible experiences built around Sumba's wild landscape, from its 2.5 km stretch of beach to private pools, ocean views, and the feeling of being completely surrounded by nature.
For surfers, the main draw is Occy's Left, the legendary left-hand wave directly in front of the resort. Access to the resort's signature experiences and facilities is limited to guests, so if you want to surf the famous break, ride the Sumba horses, or experience the resort's other activities, you'll need to stay at Nihi.
It is definitely a splurge, but if you're already planning to visit Nihi for these experiences, why not make the most of it and spend at least one night there?
Ketanu Bamboo Lodge Sumba
Ketanu sits in Wanokaka with ocean and rice field views from a bamboo-built lodge, close to Rua Beach and its surf. It's a more accessible price point than Nihi, with an outdoor pool, a full-service spa, and a small enough footprint (just over a dozen rooms) that it still feels personal rather than corporate. If Nihi is out of budget, this is where I'd point you instead.
Sumba Beach House
Sumba Beach House is a collection of beachfront suites built around a main pavilion, pool, and café. The standout feature is its roof: a traditional, steeply peaked Sumbanese thatched design, the same architectural style you'll see on the island's ancestral houses, rebuilt here over a pool instead of a village square. It's an intimate, design-forward stay for travellers who want Sumba's traditional aesthetic without sacrificing comfort.
2. Surf Sumba's World-Class Breaks
Even if Nihi is out of reach, Sumba's surf scene extends well beyond its front beach. Tarimbang, on the island's south coast, is considered one of Sumba's most surfed waves, a long, hollow right-hander that suits a range of abilities. Sumba's surf season runs roughly April to November, with the biggest, most consistent swells between May and September.
3. Swim in Weekuri Lagoon
Weekuri Lagoon is a saltwater lake tucked behind coral cliffs on Sumba's southwest coast, with water so clear you can see the sandy bottom from above. It's shallow enough to swim comfortably and calm enough to feel nothing like the open ocean crashing just beyond the rocks. Combine it with nearby Mandorak Beach, an easy walk away, for one full morning out.
4. Step Into a Traditional Sumbanese Village
Villages like Ratenggaro and Praijing (also spelled Prai Ijing) give you a real look at how Sumba's traditional culture still functions, not a staged version of it. The houses here are built with steep, peaked thatched roofs, some over 20 metres tall, believed to connect the living world with the spirit world. Megalithic stone tombs sit in the front yards, still used for ceremonies today.
5. Chase Sumba's Waterfalls
Sumba has a genuinely good spread of waterfalls for an island best known for its beaches. Lapopu and Matayangu are two of the more accessible ones in the west, while Tanggedu, out in the east near the savanna country, has a wider, tiered look that's become one of the more photographed spots on the island. Most are combined with a short hike, so bring proper shoes.
6. Ride a Sandalwood Pony on the Beach
Horses aren't just transport in Sumba, they're part of its identity, and the native Sandalwood pony is bred specifically for the island's rugged terrain. Several resorts and local operators offer guided rides along the beach or through the countryside, and villages like Ratenggaro are known for children racing horses along the sand, a good spot to watch even if you're not riding yourself.
7. Time Your Trip Around the Pasola Festival
If your dates allow it, the Pasola Festival is worth building a trip around. Held in February or March in West Sumba, it's a ceremonial battle where riders on horseback charge at each other, throwing blunted wooden spears, tied to the Marapu belief system and the island's agricultural calendar. The exact date shifts each year, decided by the appearance of sea worms along the coast, so it's worth confirming timing closer to your trip rather than booking too far ahead.
8. Watch the Sunset at Walakiri's Dancing Mangroves
Walakiri Beach in East Sumba is known for its "dancing" mangrove trees, twisted shapes that silhouette dramatically against the sky at sunset. The beach itself is wide and calm, good for a slow walk, but it's really the last hour of daylight that makes this stop worth the drive.
9. Drive Through the Savanna at Puru Kambera
Puru Kambera, in East Sumba, is rolling grassland dotted with wild horses and the occasional lone tree, closer to an African savanna than anything most people picture in Indonesia. It's a striking change of scenery if you've spent your trip so far on beaches, and it photographs particularly well in the late afternoon light.
10. Learn Ikat Weaving in a Local Village
Sumba's ikat textiles are some of the most respected handwoven cloth in Indonesia, dyed and woven using techniques passed down through generations. Villages like Rende, in East Sumba, welcome visitors to watch or even try the process themselves. It's a slower, more hands-on stop, and a good way to bring home something with real meaning rather than a generic souvenir.
Tips for Traveling in Sumba
Arrange a driver in advance: Hiring a private driver is one of the easiest ways to explore Sumba, especially since public transportation is limited and distances can be long.
Get an eSIM before you arrive: It can be difficult to find a local SIM card in some parts of Sumba, especially outside the main towns. Getting an eSIM in advance makes it easier to stay connected for navigation and communication.
Get travel insurance: Travel insurance is always a good idea when traveling, giving you extra peace of mind in case something unexpected happens. Make sure your policy covers any activities you plan to do.
Carry enough cash: ATMs can be difficult to find outside the main towns, so carry enough Indonesian rupiah for food, transport, and activities.
Allow extra travel time: Roads can be rough and distances can be deceiving, so avoid planning too many places in one day.
Book accommodation early: Accommodation options are limited in some parts of Sumba, and popular places can sell out during the dry season.
Practical Info
Sumba is reached by a short flight from Bali, generally around an hour, landing at either Tambolaka in the west or Waingapu in the east depending on which side of the island you're focused on. Worth knowing before you go: Sumba is genuinely one of Indonesia's more expensive islands to visit, despite being one of its poorest, since infrastructure and transport costs get passed on to travellers. The dry season, roughly April to November, is the best window for both beach conditions and road access.
FAQs
How many days do you need in Sumba? Four to five days is enough to cover the highlights on one side of the island (east or west) without rushing. A full week lets you see both sides properly.
Is Sumba expensive to visit? Yes, relative to the rest of Indonesia. Limited infrastructure and longer travel distances between sights push costs higher than you'd expect for one of the country's poorer islands.
What is Sumba best known for? Sumba is best known for Nihi Sumba's private surf break, its traditional villages with peaked thatched roofs, wild horses, and the ceremonial Pasola Festival.
Is Sumba good for surfers of all levels? Sumba has waves for a range of abilities, from Tarimbang's more approachable right-hander to Occy's Left, which is genuinely for experienced surfers only.
When is the Pasola Festival in Sumba? Generally February or March, though the exact date shifts year to year based on the appearance of sea worms along the coast, so it's worth confirming closer to your travel dates.
Do I need to stay at Nihi Sumba to surf Occy's Left? Yes. Access to that specific break is limited to registered hotel guests, with a daily surfer cap enforced by the resort.
Final Thoughts
Sumba is one of the few places left in Indonesia that still feels genuinely undeveloped, in the best sense of that word. Whether you're chasing a private wave, a savanna sunset, or just a quieter version of an Indonesian island trip, there's enough here to fill a week without ever feeling like you're repeating a day.
I hope this guide helps you plan your trip and gives you plenty of ideas for things to do in Sumba. Take your time, explore at your own pace, and most importantly, enjoy your time on the island!
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