Located to the east of the more famous Lombok Island, Sumbawa is just waiting to be discovered. It may take longer to reach but once you get to Sumbawa you’ll be rewarded with excellent surf and incredible views. This island is best known for its waves, sandy beaches and wild terrain. With great surf and spectacular coral reefs, the majority of travelers to Sumbawa come to surf and dive. In parts of Sumbawa, traditional ways of living continue today. Many of the ritual events of old ways are still performed such as water buffalo racing and berempuk – a ritual boxing match. Visit here if you have a thirst for adventure and want to get a truly authentic experience of local culture.

Get There

First make your way to Lombok. From Lombok, you can take a ferry to Poto Tano in West Sumbawa. Some resorts can arrange a private sea plane from Bali directly to Sumbawa or a fast boat from Lombok. On Sumbawa, there are public buses which run on the islands main highways. Car hire is possible through hotels in Sumbawa Besar of Bima. Motorcycles can also be rented. If you want a more authentic experience, try a traditional horse cart – called a benhur – to explore around Sumbawa Besar.