Sunda Island Sumbawa
Holidays on Sumbawa for explorers & nature loversSumbawa, located east of the Wallace Line, is one of the Lesser Sunda Islands. While its immediate neighboring islands of Lombok in the west and Flores and Komodo with its famous Komodo dragons in the east have already gained fame, Sumbawa still leads a shadowy existence. At 15,448 km², Indonesia's ninth largest island has little in common with its neighboring sisters, but still has a lot to offer.
In addition to a quite unusual shape that visually divides the island in half, Sumbawa also has its own island charm, which is certainly not least influenced by the still active Tambora volcano and Saleh Bay with its whale sharks. Mountainous, with lush forests and even more lush grasslands, hidden waterfalls, enchanting small lakes and picturesque coasts, the island presents a diverse landscape. And basically located in the heart of the coral triangle, in addition to wonderful diving spots that you can have all to yourself, there are also stunning waves that invite you to surf. Accordingly, divers and surfers have already found their way to Sumbawa.
Anyone else traveling to Sumbawa is interested in an enchanting and diverse natural setting, wants to feel the authentic life of eastern Indonesia and, in addition to being open-minded, also has a certain appetite to explore unknown things. That is what it takes to get involved with what is so different in the far distance.
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What you should see on Sumbawa Island
Sumbawa, Indonesia's unknown island in the east of the archipelago. The ultimate location for explorers and nature lovers with a sense of originality and an authentic way of life. An ideal combination of impressive mountain landscapes, grassy steppes and forests, picturesque waterfalls and idyllic bays. Sumbawa is one of the Lesser Sunda Islands. Its better-known neighbors are Bali and Lombok in the west and Komodo and Flores in the east.
What makes Sumbawa so special:
- Surfing Sumbawa: The surfing opportunities and waves on Sumbawa attract surfers from all over the world. The island offers some of the best surfing spots in Indonesia. Places like Lakey Peak, Scar Reef, Super Suck and Yo-Yo's are known for ideal surfing opportunities, making Sumbawa a dream destination for surfing enthusiasts.
- Volcano trekking on Sumbawa: At over 2,800 meters, Mount Tambora offers ideal conditions for strenuous but unforgettable volcano climbs. The trekking possibilities are almost unlimited, the slopes, views and craters also delight even the most spoiled trekking enthusiasts.
- Cultural Diversity: Sumbawa is home to people from a variety of ethnic groups who shape the island with their own traditions, crafts and cultural festivals.
- Untouched nature: Nature lovers will get their money's worth here. With pristine coral reefs, wild sharks and national parks such as the Lombok Strait and Moyo Island National Park, Sumbawa offers a diverse range of wildlife both above and below the water.
An amazing historical episode of Sumbawa
Sumbawa. You could say the island has two eras; a first describing a prosperous era, and a quiet period afterwards. Until the 19th century, Sumbawa was considered one of the most important trading centers for sappan wood, which was widely used as a dye and medicinal plant, and for sandalwood, which is known for its scented oils and is used in perfumes. Sumbawa also had a name for horses and honey. Trade ships from near and far anchored here and the local sultanates, especially Bima and Sumbawa, flourished... until the day that changed everything.
It was on April 5, 1815 when Sumbawa's mighty volcanic mountain Tambora experienced a massive eruption. Its eruption is considered the largest in recent human history because it affected the climate around the globe. The climatic changes that this event brought with it for the next two years earned the year 1816 the nickname 'year without summer'. But this natural event had a far more profound effect on the island of Sumbawa and its inhabitants themselves. While the Tambora shrunk by two thirds as a result of its massive eruptions, the sultanate of the same name fell completely victim to this force of nature and the island lost one of its traditional languages along with its inhabitants. Trade came to a standstill. And since then, Sumbawa has been in a sleeping beauty, so to speak, waiting to be awakened again.
Get inspired and travel with us to Sumbawa, Indonesia east of the Wallace Line.
Journey to Sumbawa
By plane:
- Bali – Lombok – Sumbawa Besar (Sumba) -> Wings Air ca. 90 min.
- Lombok - Sumbawa Besar (Sumba) -> Wings Air ca. 35 min.
- Jakarta (Java) – Lombok - Sumbawa Besar (Sumba) -> Lion & Wings ca. 4 1/4 Std.; Batik & Wings ca. 3 1/4 Std.
Per Speedboat:
- Lombok – Poto Tano (Sumbawa) -> ca. 60 min.