Are you up for an absolutely unforgettable trip? A trip to Sumba with family is the best way to access a refreshing, natural alternative to bustling cities or well-trodden places. Traveling here with children allows you to venture off the beaten path and experience pristine natural beauty alongside deeply preserved, living traditions.
Sumba for a Family Trip: Is It a Good Idea?
Sumba is not an island of waterparks, big parties or amusement parks. No large tourist infrastructure here; just nature and genuineness. Extraordinary cultural richness and dramatic landscapes galore.
Here, you won’t have to share the beach with strangers, as you’ll be the only occupants of the golden strand. The island operates at a much slower pace; you and your children will safely explore vast open spaces without crowds.
So, yes, Sumba is the perfect place to spend some family time while enjoying a completely new place.
5 Best Places to Visit in Sumba with Kids
Lots of places in Sumba to spend time with your children. Below are the 5 top destinations to visit in sumba with kids!
1. Nihiwatu Beach
Go for: Horseback safaris and baby turtle release program
Nihiwatu Beach is globally renowned for its pristine white sands and the exclusive, world-class resort, NIHI Sumba. It is where you can find Occy’s Left, the world-class left-hander named after the famous Australian surfer Occy. Near the beach are NIHI’s stables, offering visitors a horseback riding experience along the powdery shoreline.
Children will love the unique opportunity to go on local horseback safaris or participate in a baby sea turtle release program. To make the most of your visit, it is advisable to book your access or accommodation well in advance, pack child-safe sunscreen, and always keep a close eye on younger children near the powerful surf.
2. Walakiri Beach
Go for: A magical sunset and shallow water
Walakiri is perhaps one of Sumba’s most famous beaches. It’s renowned for calm, shallow waters and a captivating forest of dancing mangrove trees along the shoreline. The beach is particularly ideal for families. Younger children can safely play in the gentle ripples and older ones can look for small crabs in the sand.
If you arrive on the beach about an hour before sunset, you might witness a magical sunset, nothing like in other destinations. It is highly recommended to bring water shoes for the whole family, since there might be sharp corals.
3. Pakare Beach
Go for: Venturing away from the crowds and enjoying a family picnic
Pakare Beach is a true hidden gem for travelers with kids who want to spend some time together without getting interrupted. Families can enjoy amazing time on Pakare Beach building sandcastles, flying kites, or having a relaxing picnic by the shore. It is an expansive open space without noisy crowds.
As the beach remains largely undeveloped, be sure to pack your own snacks and plenty of drinking water, as well as a portable tent or umbrella for shade, given the minimal public facilities in the area.
4. Lendongara Hill
Go for: Sightseeing, sunset watching, and burning energy
Anyone planning to visit Sumba with kids should add Lendongara to their bucket list. It’s a small hill that offers a stunning panorama of the lush green mounds characteristic of Sumba, resembling the real-life hills of Teletubbies. Not to mention that the sunset scenery on Lendongara Hill is absolutely unmatched in Sumba.
The gentle, grassy slopes offer a wonderful space for children to run freely and burn off energy while breathing in the clean, fresh air. It is best to schedule your visit for the morning or late afternoon to avoid the midday heat, and wearing sturdy sneakers is essential for safely navigating the grassy paths.
5. Ratenggaro Village
Go for: Witness ancestral ways of living
Ratenggaro is an absolutely incredible traditional settlement, renowned for the way it retained ancestral Sumbanese ways. Some call the village a living museum and they are absolutely correct.
A trip to Ratenggaro will allow you to marvel at megalithic stone tombs and centuries-old architectural styles up close. Local kids are quite friendly and usually greet visitors with warm smiles. There is a nearby beach that is quite scenic, but, be careful, as there are crocs around.