Sumba is part of the Lesser Sunda Islands and its geography spans 11,000 square kilometres, making it twice the size of Bali, with only 650,000 inhabitants (approximately one sixth of Bali) where the majority of the population still follow the ways of their ancestors.

The terrain on Sumba is quite different to its neighbouring islands; undulating hills replace the typical volcanic terrain in Indonesia with many areas in the North and East of the island resembling dry savannahs, whilst central highlands are covered in native Alang Alang grass and the mountains in the South extend down into lush tropical vegetation.

Sumba is 400km east of Bali and and 50 minutes by air from Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport. There are regular daily flights with two domestic airlines between Bali and Sumba.
For international flights, you will need to travel via Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar. There are regular flights with Garuda Indoensia although most of them depart in the morning, thus an overnight stay in Bali is often required for international travellers.

All foreign travelers to Indonesia need at least six months remaining on their passport as well as one full clean page for the visa on arrival stamp. Guests will be denied access to board the plane in departing country if this is not adhered to.

On the water

The 2.5km of The resort's private beach is the platform for water activities however it is not the only playground with many more water activities available.

•     Jet Ski
•     Rocking Pooling
•     Stand-up Paddle (SUP)
•     Stand-up Paddle (SUP) Wanukaka River
•     Snorkelling
•     Konda Maloba Day Trip
•     Familiy Beach Games
•     Surfing (excursions and lessons)
•     Spear fishing (trips and lessons)
•     Private Boat Charters

Surfing
The Resort hosts Occy's Left, one of the world's most exclusive waves.
Due to The Resort's unique location on the West Coast of Sumba, the resort is exposed to swells generated by the Southern Ocean storms that travel thousands of kilometres across the Indian Ocean to meet our reefs and shores, making it a surfer's paradise.

Typically the swell season lasts from April through October, with its zenith during July and August. We have a wide variety of waves on offer to match almost any surfing skill set. Lefts, rights, beginner waves and waves for advanced surfers only.

The south-east trade wind in May through August reduces the number of possible waves to ride in the area, but is perfect for the Resort's premier wave, often referred to as God's Left directly in front of the resort.

As our resort has grown, so has the popularity of our wave. To maintain a surfing experience unparalleled in the world, it is our intent to limit the wave to ten registered surfers, each charged at USD $100.00 per day. Depending on the volume of surfing activity during the high season, there may be a handful of occasions where there could be up to 14 surfers at one time, but Nihiwatu endeavors to manage this to the absolute minimum to allow maximum privacy on the wave. It is in the spirit of our resort to foster a community environment, and accommodate our guest requests and lessons. We expect surfers to adhere to a courteous and responsible conduct with others while on the wave.

It is essential to reserve your slot (maximum 1 per room and according to availability) at the time of confirmation to avoid disappointment (surf slots can only be reserved by accomplished surfers). Beginner surfers need not book a surf slot, surf lessons can be booked under the guidance of a Resort waterman. For beginners and intermediate surfers, there are also neighbouring waves that can be travelled to by boat, at additional charge.

The ocean in Sumba is a very dynamic place and we can experience tides of nearly four meters. This plays a big role in where and when to surf: the experienced team of watermen can take you in the right direction and give you an outline of the best surfing windows of the week, so you can plan your stay accordingly.

The Boathouse offers a range of surfboards for our guests to ride, at no additional cost.

Fishing
Miles of incredible coastline and no local commercial fishing provide the ingredients for prolific sport-fishing action.

The remote waters around The Resort are some of the last accessible untouched waters of Asia and possibly the world. The marine ecosystem is thriving and good fish stocks and responsible management of the fishery on our shores ensure the longevity of the surrounding waters.
Fishing our offshore FADs ,where a multitude of species are present year round, offers the chance to land marlin, wahoo, sail fish, yellowfin and big eye tuna, mahi mahi, monster rainbow runner, sharks and triple tail.
World class spearfishing on the West Coast of Sumba targets species such as wahoo, Spanish mackerel, dogtooth and yellowfin tuna, mahi mahi, rainbow runner, green jobfish, and an array of jacks and snappers for those who want to test themselves with stalking and spearing their dinner while holding their breath. We offer both reef and blue-water spearfishing experiences.
Through selective hunting and sustainable spearfishing, we are able to ensure the well being of our marine ecosystem. We target both ocean going and reef species, but have a strict policy of avoiding any species that are under environmental pressure or that are not desirable for eating.
All spearfishing is done without the use of Scuba tanks, utilising a single breath hold to spear your dinner. Safety is a top priority, with a properly trained waterman always providing direct supervision.
We require all first time spearfishing enthusiasts to take our 1 hour spearfishing lesson, in order to learn about safety, equipment, and technique.
We offer top of the range equipment so there's no need to drag your gear across the world with you!

On the land

Equestrian Activities

Horses are the soul of Sumba. Explore The Resort and its surroundings from a different angle or align yourself with the soul of Sumba with equine inspired therapies.

•     Equine Inspired Therapy
•     Riding Lessons
•     Kids Pony Club
•     Bush to Beach Trail
•     Sumba Sunset / Sunrise Beach Ride
•     Nihioka Horseback Trek

Trekking Activities

Trekking of many levels to amazing locations are on the menu providing perfect options for first timers to experienced trekkers. A local guide will be there to support your every step.

•     Matayango The Blue Waterfall
•     Lapopu Waterfall
•     Nihinasi Hike and Brunch
•     Nihioka Trek and Breakfast
•     Nihioka SPA SAFARI TM
•     Rua
•     Lamboya

Cultural Activities

Sumba is one of the few placed in the world with unspoiled culture where guests are genuinely and warmly welcomed by the locals. Experience the beauty of the people and culture as well as Nihi's philanthropic efforts with the Sumba Foundation.

•     Weaving
•     Waikabubak Market Tour
•     Cooking Class
•     Sumba Foundation
•     Wanukaka River SUP
•     Nihioka Trekking

Excursions

A range of signature adventures await both on land and sea. Sumba is a magical Island, a landscape filled with natural wonderment and geographical opulence.

Tailor-made itineraries include everything from visits to local Stone Age sites and traditional villages to picnics under breathtaking Lapopu and Blue waterfalls to butterfly and nature trails.
Guests have the opportunity to partake in a daily excursion with our Land & Activities team who takes guests to experience some of the islands most spectacular and scenic excursions by hiking, mountain biking, horse riding or open-air Land Rover Safari.

The Resort offers some of the most breath-taking, diverse hiking Indonesia has to offer. Along white sandy beaches, mountains, rice paddies, ancient villages, our fully guided walks are all within an hour from the resort and cater for families or the avid hiker.

• Nihi OkaTrek

The two-hour trek to nearby Nihi Oka valley commences at 6.30am walking through thick palm tree jungle to explore the local, traditional settlements before descending into a breath taking valley of cascading rice paddy fields. Upon arrival, guests are treated to breakfast on our unique and magical tree-house dining platform. An option to spend the day there indulging in natural spa experiences and experience our Nihi Oka SPA SAFARI TM.

• Wanukaka & Blue

Waterfall
Further afield, a popular hike is a 45-minute drive from The Resort through the Wanukaka valley. Arriving to a local village, the Blue Waterfall Trip includes a 90-minute hike descending through the national park, to the magnificent blue lagoon at the base of the waterfall. Sheer cliffs 200 to 300 metres high surround the waterfall providing an awe-inspiring backdrop. Guests can jump off the rocks and swim, enjoy a picnic and feel completely removed from the world.

• Rua trek

Guests depart at 7.30am for this 2-hour trek and ascend up through the surrounding palm tree forest heading past traditional Sumba villages. Discover the changing environment, meet the locals, and understand more about their daily village life from farming, markets and education to traditional Sumbanese houses.

• Lamboya trek

Guests depart at 7.30am and start the trek heading west across the two and half kilometer The Resort beach. Hike through thick palm tree jungle and up through the mountainous Lamboya valley, over 200 hectares of rice paddy fields anchored by estuaries and rivers. The trek is ended by a light early lunch and the opportunity to discover the surrounding area by a return walk or a ride back in the open air safari vehicle.

• Market tour of Waikabubak

Discover the island's colors in the heart of West Sumba's largest town, Waikabubak. Just a 30 minutes drive from Nihiwatu, there is a boisterous and unique market where you can see piles of dried fish, chili peppers, tobacco, and betel nuts that the locals so highly revere. Meet interesting characters, pasar and all the vendors hawking their wares. A trip through town includes a stop at the local fruit stand, a local Sumbanese antique store and a variety of other attractions. On Wednesday's, you can see a traditional local market at Kabukarudi (Lamboya), Saturday's the market at Pededewatu (Rua) for more insight into the everyday lives of the Sumbanese.

• The Sumba Foundation tour

Learn about what The Sumba Foundation is supporting across the island. The close relationship with the resort and many of our guests has brought health, nourishment, education, and enriched the lives of many indigenous Sumbanese people. Visit a local water project, a Malaria-combating health clinic, or volunteer one morning with the school lunch program. Our prearranged tour will also make a stop at the Foundation headquarters, located just outside the gates of the Resort.

• Coconut Cove

The easiest way to learn to surf. The calmest seas and whitest beach for a mini excursion away to a neighbouring bay.
The newest member to the Nihi family. The easiest way to learn to surf. The calmest seas and whitest beach for a mini excursion away to a neighbouring bay.
Located a mere 15 mins from The Resort, this beach club is the smaller sister of the iconic Boathouse at Nihi. Coconut Cove became what it is today from the need for calmer waters and smaller waves, especially during the epic surfing months of May - September. The bunny slope sized waves are perfect for beginners who are apprehensive to tackle the smaller ends of Occy's Left, especially during days when larger swells are expected. The fully equipped boathouse offers snorkeling gear, bogey and wake boards, SUP's, and of course the surf boards for those attempting the waters for their first lessons.
Guests may be brought to Coconut Cove via our adventurous Safari jeeps or by boat. Comfortable chaise lounges, a bar offering drinks and snacks, as well as showering facilities offer those wanting a day away to explore other and calmer bays at Rua, the name of the sleepy fishing village where Coconut Cove planted its roots.

Children

Children are well catered for at this villa  with swimming pool.

Your chef will be happy to cook a children's supper for the younger ones in the group should they wish to eat a bit earlier too.

The villa staff are experienced in arranging all aspects of childcare for guests. Whether your children require daily childcare, or just an evening of babysitting when you go out, professional nannies can be arranged.

Wellness

The healing hands of our Sumbanese Spa staff take you on a therapeutic journey where your mind and body transcend

The environment in which we find ourselves speaks volumes of our philosophy of promoting all facets of well being. Our focus is to have you leave rejuvenated, balanced and reconnected with the inner self and a plethora of activities have been designed to support our mission.

Nihi Oka Spa Safari TM
Nihi Oka is an experience in itself and you should not forego this awe inspiring and unique safari when staying at The Resort. A 90-minutes trek will bring you through rolling hills, typical villages and an abundance of rice fields up to the show-stopping final destination of Nihi Oka. On arrival, you will be greeted by the Nihi Oka team bearing fresh coconuts, invited to the tree platform for a healthy breakfast and introduced to your private bale on the clifftops, where you will be under the vices of your dedicated therapists for unlimited treatments. Your wish is your spa therapists? command: what better setting than between two pristine beaches, among rice paddies overlooking the breaking waves of the bluest ocean!

Back at the resort, the pampering continues with the Boat House as well as the Beach Spa which offers a full range of massage and body treatments, along with dedicated wellness experiences, coupled with the sounds of the waves to soothe the mind, body and soul. All treatments may also be taken in the privacy of your own villa at any time.

Spa Bales
A range of spa treatments including the popular Nihiwatu massage can be enjoyed at the beach or jungle bales, or in the privacy of your own room. Our specially trained Sumbanese staff are on hand to offer a range of relaxing and reviving treatments at any time of day.

Yoga
The Yoga Pavilion offers breathtaking 360 degree views atop the ridge of the resort, an open-aired platform for private or group practices. A place where the state of meditation will easily be attained, the surreal surroundings provide the perfect stage for that me moment.

Group Yoga classes are available for all guests daily. The group class may focus on one style of practice or incorporate a mix of classes encompassing Vinyasa Flow, Ashtanga, Hatha, Restorative, Kundalini, Pranayama or Yin yoga.
Our instructors also offer private sessions and workshops with a dedicated focus on digestion, athletic problems designed for surfers; or practice of Pranayama, meditation, Pilates and Reiki.

Dining

Ombak
The hub of social activity is the main sandy-floored Ombak (meaning wave front) restaurant and bar lounge.
Ombak, an exquisitely crafted open-air restaurant, serves a la carte breakfast and dinner daily with a relaxed convivial atmosphere. During the week we create special dining experiences including spectacular BBQs.
The large outside deck, cantilevered over the ocean, offers relaxed lounge seating and a spectacular private dining experience, The Nest, perched on the crest of the ocean, perfect for a romantic dinner or an intimate group meal.

Nio beach club and pool
Just bare footsteps from the sea, the Nio Beach Club offers open-aired pavilions and the Kapten's Goa (Captains Cave) serving the highest quality of fresh ingredients for lunch: whether it is a fish just caught from sea, delicious vegetables and legumes from our three thriving organic gardens, items from the grill, daily rotisserie or freshly made pizzas from our wood fired clay oven, the Chef and his brigade will satiate your appetite with sumptuously healthy dishes.
The newest addition is a state-of-the-art resort lap pool, perched on the Edge of Wildness with soothing, cooling, and epic views of the ocean, sunsets, Occy's Left and local village life during low tides. Lunch or snacks are served by the pool, and for special occasions, we create magical settings for romantic dinners.

Menara
Located at the highest point of the resort, our spacious open-air Menara (meaning Tower) is inspired by local Sumbanese architecture and boasts the tallest Sumbanese roof on the island, exquisitely crafted and hand carved from teak wood.
Inside, the décor has a cosseting yet relaxed feel with books, games, a pool and table tennis; perfect for families. Bocci balls (Patenque or Boules) are available for a game by the sandy side.
A few steps down from the Menara, is our Trophy Room & Library showing daily films for children or sporting events for our guests. The shelves are stocked with a litany of reading materials to keep you riveted for those pampering moments of hammock & pool time.
The awards garnered in the recent past are displayed with pomp and pride, further recognition of the great support through our esteemed benefactors of the Sumba Foundation are displayed. You might even recognise an autograph of a national and international star who have enjoyed the magic of The Resort.

Destination dining
A vacation is about gaining new experiences. As you discover a whole new world in Sumba in terms of culture and a way of life, you will also expand your culinary horizons at The Resort.
We have created a selection of very unique and inspiring dining adventures. Dine in our romantic tree-house platform hanging dramatically over the breaking waves of the Indian Ocean, at the nearby Nihi Oka valley. Take a picnic in your own private paradise at Konda Maloba Bay, nestled on the edge of a National Park. Or, allow us to craft your own, private dining experience poolside at your villa.

Boathouse
Dramatically positioned with sweeping views of the sea, surf and spectacular sunsets, the Boathouse is an iconic destination and bar at the heart of the Resort experience.
By day, it acts as an outpost to adventure and meeting spot for all water based acitivites. Each evening the nightly ritual of lighting the fire on the beach takes place the days adventures and activities are discussed over a cocktail or two.