Nihiwatu Beach

Located in the western part of the island of Sumba, Nihiwatu Beach – also called Pantai Nihiwatu and Nihiwatu Surf Beach – is a two-and-a-half kilometers-long curve-shaped beach with light brown sand, some large rocks, and tall nearby cliffs in Eastern Indonesia.  This beach is adjacent to an upscale hotel named NIHI Sumba. 

This beach was listed as one of the world’s best 100 beaches by CNN in 2017.  In addition, it was also praised by the South China Morning Post in 2023, and it is a favorite of Randall Kaplan, the world’s foremost beach expert who is known as Mr. Beach.

Nihiwatu Beach should not be confused with another beach with a similar name – this other beach is also called Nihiwatu Beach and is located in India. 

Nihiwatu Beach Nusa Tenggara Timur does not offer lifeguards or any other public amenities, so please plan accordingly.  However, the nearby NIHI Sumba hotel offers beach chairs and beach umbrellas to its guests.

Nihiwatu Beach offers many fun activities including sunbathing, beachcombing, swimming, fishing, boating, surfing, kitesurfing, windsurfing, bodysurfing, horse riding, parasailing, jet-skiing, surf-skiing, wakeboarding, snorkeling, scuba diving, paddleboarding, kayaking, canoeing, and wildlife watching.

This beach is ideal for experienced surfers because the clear water here regularly offers fun surfing waves.  A particular world-class surf break here is “Occy’s Perfect Left,” which is popular with advanced surfers.  Another popular surfing wave break here is called “Coco’s” which can be surfed at low tides.  The nearby Nihi Sumba resort also offers surf lessons to beginner surfers.  In addition to surfing, Scuba divers and snorkelers also visit this beach to explore its vibrant marine biodiversity.

If you are planning to swim, snorkel, or surf at Nihiwatu Beach Sumba, we recommend being careful because the water here is known to have unpredictable rip currents and dangerous waves.  In addition, please also note that more than 10 surfers are prohibited from surfing here at a particular time. 

In addition, local villagers also gather at the beach at around dusk and explore the nearby coral reefs to collect crabs, seaweed, and octopus.  This beach is ideal for visitors looking for a quieter beach experience because it sees fewer visitors as compared to other nearby Sumba beaches.  If you like horse riding, the nearby NIHI Sumba hotel offers fun horse rides on this beach.

Nihiwatu Beach does not offer wheelchair access to visitors with disabilities.

Getting to Nihiwatu Beach can be slightly difficult because of its distant location – this beach is located around 22 kilometers south of the nearest town of Waikabubak, and the road leading to the beach can be partially steep, rugged, narrow, and winding.

Please note that the NIHI Sumba resort manages the access to this beach and you currently need to be a guest of the hotel to access this beach.

If you like taking pictures with beautiful views, Nihiwatu Beach offers amazing Instagram-worthy views of the Indian Ocean and the western Sumba shoreline, particularly at sunset.

There are many attractions near Nihiwatu Beach.  Pantai Watu Bella – also called Watu Bella Beach – is a beach that offers many fun activities including kayaking, canoeing, swimming, boating, paddleboarding, beachcombing, and sunbathing.  This beach has a vibrant marine biodiversity and this makes it a great snorkel site.  Kerewe Beach – also called Pantai Kerewei – is another beautiful beach that offers a peaceful ambience and amazing sunset views of the Sumba shoreline.  In addition, it also offers many fun activities including surfing, swimming, beachcombing, and sunbathing.  Nipi Lima – also sometimes called the “Wishing Hand” – is a hand-shaped viewpoint that offers amazing Instagram-worthy views of the Indian Ocean and the western Sumba shoreline.  

The other attractions near Nihiwatu Beach are located within a 70 minute-drive.  Prai Ijing International Village is a village that displays the unique culture and lifestyle of the Sumbanese people.  This village offers unique traditional Sumbanese houses, dance performances, and cultural practices and it also has viewpoints offering amazing views.  If you are looking for another attraction near the beach, Lapopu Waterfall is a 100-meters-tall waterfall that has a small rock pool at its bottom that offers amazing photographs.  In addition, the rocky pool here is also used as a swimming site by strong swimmers.

If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants near Nihiwatu Beach.  Nio Beach Club is a beach club and restaurant that offers many delicious dishes including pizzas, barbecued dishes, salads, and seafood.  Uma Nga'A Restaurant by Umarato Resort has a tropical decor and it offers a variety of delicious local and International dishes.  D'Sumba Ate is another great restaurant that offers a variety of delicious local dishes – it offers great Balinese-style spiced chicken, and it also offers other International dishes, including pastas, burgers, and pizzas.  Resto Ne'Neru Loko is set around beautiful paddy fields and has a rustic ambience and it offers many delicious Indonesian and Italian dishes.  If you are looking for another good and affordable nearby restaurant, Madappa Cafe offers excellent dishes and refreshing beverages.

If you are looking for a hotel near Nihiwatu Beach, there are many great nearby options.  The 5-Star NIHI Sumba is a nearby Nihiwatu Beach resort that offers many amenities including multiple restaurants, a bar, a spa, lush garden, a pool, a boutique, a garden, a beach club, a market, and a yoga pavilion – this hotel also offers fun open-air vehicle safaris of the western Sumba shoreline.  Another upscale hotel is the 5-Star Lelewatu Resort Sumba that offers many amenities including a spa, a pool, a bar, multiple restaurants, and a gym.  ALAMAYAH is another great accommodation option that offers many amenities including a fitness room, a restaurant, a spa, a pool, a bar, a lounge, a gym, and gardens.  A more affordable hotel is the Sumba Beach House that offers many amenities including a pool, a pavilion, rental facilities for bikes and surfboards, a restaurant, and a garden.  If you are looking for another good and affordable nearby hotel, the 3-Star Rua Beach Resort Sumba offers many amenities including multiple pools, a restaurant, a garden, and a terrace.