Sumba Island, Indonesia

NIHI Sumba
Edge of Wildness

A remote island sanctuary where raw natural beauty meets transformative luxury, offering profound reconnection with self, nature and ancient Sumbanese culture.

Sumba Island, Indonesia

Where Wildness Meets Wisdom

On the remote shores of Sumba Island, where pristine beaches meet ancient tribal culture, NIHI Sumba offers an extraordinary invitation to rediscover what truly matters. This award-winning resort stretches across 2.5 kilometres of private coastline, creating a sanctuary where adventure, wellness and profound connection interweave seamlessly.

More than a destination, NIHI Sumba is a philosophy of travel as transformation. Here, the untouched beauty of Indonesia’s forgotten island becomes the backdrop for meaningful experiences—from world-class surfing and spa journeys to cultural immersion with Sumbanese villages. Every moment is curated with intention, honouring both the land and those who call it home through the Sumba Foundation.

At a Glance

Location: Remote western coast of Sumba Island, Indonesia, spanning 2.5 kilometres of private pristine beach along the Indian Ocean.

Wellness Focus: Holistic wellbeing through adventure, cultural connection, Nihioka Spa treatments, fitness and profound nature immersion.

Travel Season: Year-round destination; dry season April to November offers optimal conditions. Surf season peaks March to October with legendary waves at Occy’s Left.

Grading: Ultra-Luxury Resort (exclusive villas and estates with private pools, butler service and bespoke experiences)

Unique Environment Note: One of the world’s most remote luxury destinations; untouched landscapes, ancient megalithic culture, world-class surf break, and meaningful community connection through the Sumba Foundation.

  • Choice of oceanfront villas, treetop retreats or expansive estates with private pools and outdoor living spaces.
  • All meals featuring organic, locally-sourced cuisine with personalised dining experiences.
  • Daily activities including yoga, fitness sessions, cultural village visits and nature excursions.
  • Access to Nihioka Spa, infinity pools, beach club and comprehensive fitness facilities.
  • Dedicated Safari Host to curate your personalised island experience.

(Note: Specific inclusions vary by villa category and season. Signature experiences like Spa Safari and surfing may be additional.)

  • Repeatedly voted among the world’s best hotels, offering transformative luxury in one of Earth’s most remote locations.
  • Exclusive access to Occy’s Left, one of the world’s finest waves, limited to just ten surfers daily.
  • Authentic cultural immersion with Sumbanese villages preserving ancient animist traditions and megalithic heritage.
  • Meaningful travel through the Sumba Foundation, creating lasting positive impact for local communities.

📍 Address: Western coast of Sumba Island, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. Approximately 1.5 hours from Tambolaka Airport.

Transfer: NIHI arranges all transfers; scenic 1.5-hour drive from Tambolaka Airport through traditional villages and rolling savannah landscapes.

Recommend minimum 5-7 nights to fully experience NIHI’s extraordinary offerings. Extended stays allow deeper cultural immersion and the opportunity to explore the island’s hidden treasures.

Pack resort casual attire, swimwear, comfortable walking shoes for village visits, sun protection, and light layers for cooler evenings. The atmosphere is relaxed yet refined.

Exclusive Special Offer

Book with us and receive:
  • Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
  • Daily breakfast for up to two guests per bedroom, served in the restaurant and via in-room dining
  • Complimentary Spa treatment per person, per stay, valued up to $150 USD equivalent
  • Complimentary lunch on the day of arrival or dinner on the day of departure, once during stay (excluding beverages)
  • Suite bookings receive a Resort Credit of $150 USD equivalent per person per stay
  • Early check-in / Late check-out, subject to availability
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi

Spa treatments not applicable for certain specialised services. Non-combinable, no cash value if not redeemed in full. *Seasonal surcharges & blackout dates may apply. Code: VH

Experience

The NIHI Experience

Discover what makes this remote island sanctuary a place of profound transformation and reconnection.

Untouched Natural Beauty

Stretching across 2.5 kilometres of pristine private beach, NIHI Sumba offers an escape to one of the world’s last truly wild places—where turquoise waters, dramatic cliffs and ancient forests create nature’s perfect sanctuary.

Ancient Cultural Connection

Immerse yourself in Sumba’s living megalithic culture, one of the last animist societies on Earth. Visit traditional villages, witness sacred ceremonies and connect with a way of life unchanged for centuries.

Purposeful Luxury

Through the Sumba Foundation, your stay creates meaningful impact, supporting healthcare, education, clean water and sustainable livelihoods for local communities. Travel that nourishes both guest and destination.

Explore

Discover NIHI Sumba

A stunning wooden treehouse villa with a thatched roof situated in a lush tropical forest, featuring an illuminated swimming pool and elegant outdoor living spaces.

Nihioka Spa & Wellness

Journey through the forest to the award-winning Nihioka Spa, where ancient healing traditions meet the wild beauty of Sumba. Experience the signature Spa Safari, a half-day journey of treatments, healthy cuisine and profound relaxation. From traditional Sumbanese massage to holistic therapies, each treatment honours the island’s healing wisdom.

Extraordinary Villa Living

Each villa is a private sanctuary crafted from local materials by Sumbanese artisans, blending seamlessly with the landscape. From oceanfront retreats with direct beach access to treetop hideaways suspended in the canopy, every accommodation offers private pools, outdoor living spaces and the attentive care of a dedicated Safari Host.

A stunning tropical resort villa with a thatched roof, featuring an expansive infinity pool overlooking the ocean, surrounded by vibrant bougainvillea and lush greenery.
A stunning aerial view of a lush tropical coastline featuring palm trees, a traditional thatched-roof bungalow, and vibrant turquoise ocean waters with white sandy beach.

Adventure & Discovery

From surfing the legendary waves of Occy’s Left to horseback riding along endless beaches, NIHI offers adventures that awaken the spirit. Trek through ancient forests to hidden waterfalls, spearfish in crystal waters, or simply surrender to the rhythm of island life. Each experience is designed to reconnect you with nature’s transformative power.

Experiences

Signature Wellness Experiences

Spa Safari

Journey to Restoration

A half-day immersion through the forest to the Nihioka Spa, combining multiple treatments, healthy cuisine and complete surrender to the healing power of nature and skilled therapists.

Surf & Soul

Ocean Connection

Experience the legendary waves of Occy’s Left—limited to just ten surfers daily. Whether you’re a seasoned surfer or seeking your first wave, the ocean becomes a pathway to presence and exhilaration.

Cultural Immersion

Ancient Wisdom

Visit traditional villages to witness Sumba’s living megalithic culture, ancient stone tombs, ikat weaving traditions, and sacred ceremonies that connect you to a way of life preserved for millennia.

Images

Gallery

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Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

NIHI Sumba welcomes guests year-round. The dry season from April to November offers the most consistently pleasant weather with minimal rainfall. Surf season peaks from March to October when the legendary waves at Occy’s Left are at their finest. The green season brings occasional rain but also lush landscapes and a more intimate atmosphere.

NIHI Sumba is located on the remote western coast of Sumba Island. Guests fly to Tambolaka Airport (TMC), accessible via connecting flights from Bali or Jakarta. NIHI arranges all transfers—a scenic 1.5-hour drive through traditional villages and rolling savannah landscapes. The journey is part of the experience, immersing you in Sumba’s timeless beauty.

NIHI Sumba offers an unparalleled combination of remote wilderness, authentic cultural connection, and transformative luxury. It’s home to Occy’s Left—one of the world’s finest waves—limited to just ten surfers daily. The resort’s deep commitment to the local community through the Sumba Foundation creates meaningful travel that benefits both guest and destination. Here, adventure, wellness and purpose interweave seamlessly.

Pack resort casual attire in light, breathable fabrics suitable for a tropical climate. Bring swimwear, comfortable walking shoes for village visits and nature excursions, sun protection, and light layers for cooler evenings. The atmosphere at NIHI is relaxed yet refined—no formal dress required. The resort provides robes for spa use and beach towels.

NIHI offers extraordinary experiences for all guests, not just surfers. Enjoy horseback riding along pristine beaches, trek to hidden waterfalls, practice yoga overlooking the ocean, experience the acclaimed Spa Safari, spearfish in crystal waters, mountain bike through villages, or simply relax by the infinity pool. Cultural village visits and Foundation tours provide profound connection to Sumbanese life.

Yes, NIHI’s culinary team excels at accommodating all dietary requirements including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and specific allergies or preferences. Menus feature organic, locally-sourced ingredients with an emphasis on fresh seafood, garden vegetables, and healthy cuisine. Simply share your requirements with your Safari Host, and every meal will be thoughtfully prepared.

NIHI offers a collection of unique villas and estates, each handcrafted by local artisans using traditional materials. Choose from oceanfront villas with direct beach access, treetop retreats suspended in the canopy, or expansive multi-bedroom estates for families and groups. All feature private pools, outdoor living spaces, and the dedicated care of a Safari Host.

We recommend a minimum stay of 5-7 nights to truly experience NIHI’s extraordinary offerings—from the Spa Safari to cultural village visits, from surfing Occy’s Left to sunset horseback rides. Extended stays allow deeper exploration of Sumba’s hidden treasures and more profound connection with this remarkable destination. Many guests find it difficult to leave.

The Sumba Foundation is NIHI’s non-profit organisation dedicated to improving life for the people of Sumba. Through healthcare initiatives, malaria prevention, clean water projects, education programs, and sustainable livelihood training, the Foundation creates lasting positive change. Guests can visit Foundation projects to witness the meaningful impact of their stay firsthand.

NIHI warmly welcomes families seeking meaningful connection and adventure together. Spacious villas and estates accommodate multi-generational groups, while activities like horseback riding, beach exploration, cultural visits, and water sports engage guests of all ages. The resort’s nurturing environment creates memories that families treasure for a lifetime.

Get Started

Ready to Discover the Edge of Wildness?

Our wellness travel specialists are here to curate your transformative journey to NIHI Sumba. Let us guide you toward an experience that will reconnect you with what truly matters.

A serene scene of vintage lanterns being lit on a wooden pier at sunset, with a thatched roof overhead and the ocean stretching to the horizon.
An elderly indigenous performer wearing a distinctive black and red headdress with feathers, smoking and looking contemplative during a cultural event or ceremony.
A breathtaking aerial view of a traditional village with thatched-roof houses nestled in a lush, misty tropical landscape at sunrise, showcasing the beautiful natural scenery and cultural architecture of Indonesia.
An elegant outdoor balcony with a freestanding bathtub overlooking a stunning turquoise ocean and lush tropical landscape with palm trees and a thatched roof.
A massage therapist provides a therapeutic massage to a client on a white-sheeted massage table on an outdoor wooden deck with natural scenery in the background.
A spacious, traditional Balinese-style open living space with wooden architecture, thatched roof, and elegant tropical decor featuring artistic sculptures and panoramic views of lush gardens and a pool.
A herd of horses galloping along a misty, sandy beach with lush tropical palm forest in the background. The horses kick up sand and water as they run near the ocean waves.
An aerial view of a lush tropical resort featuring traditional thatched-roof villas nestled among palm trees and landscaped gardens. The scene includes private swimming pools and illuminated pathways connecting the various accommodations.
A group of surfers walking alongside a herd of wild horses on a sandy beach with rocky coastal cliffs and turquoise waters in the background.
An aerial view of horses swimming and wading in turquoise, transparent ocean waters, with some individuals riding the horses
A luxurious seaside resort with traditional thatched-roof bungalows nestled among lush tropical greenery, overlooking a pristine turquoise bay with rocky shoreline and white sandy beach.
A breathtaking aerial view of a traditional village with thatched-roof houses nestled in a lush, misty tropical landscape at sunrise, showcasing the beautiful natural scenery and cultural architecture of Indonesia.
An elegant outdoor balcony with a freestanding bathtub overlooking a stunning turquoise ocean and lush tropical landscape with palm trees and a thatched roof.