Nihi Sumba Island

Overview

Located on the remote island of Sumba in eastern Indonesia, Nihi Sumba is a pioneering luxury resort founded on the belief that travel should inspire both guests and the local community. Originally established as a surf hideaway and later reimagined as a world-class destination, the resort is thoughtfully designed to blend into its natural surroundings rather than dominate them. Villas are crafted from local materials and positioned for privacy, ocean views, and immersion in nature, while the resort’s ethos extends beyond design to meaningful sustainability and community partnership through the Sumba Foundation. With its dramatic landscapes, spiritual energy, and deeply personalised experiences, Nihi Sumba offers a rare balance of adventure, wellness, cultural authenticity, and barefoot luxury.

Rooms

Accommodation at Nihi Sumba is comprised of expansive, open-air villas scattered across jungle hillsides and along the coastline. Each villa is individually designed using traditional Sumbanese architecture, featuring alang-alang thatched roofs, handcrafted furnishings, and sweeping views of the Indian Ocean or lush rainforest. Many villas include private pools, outdoor bathrooms, and personal butler service, creating an atmosphere of relaxed seclusion and understated luxury that feels both intimate and deeply connected to nature.

Dining

Dining at Nihi Sumba is guided by the island’s seasons and its surrounding seas. Menus focus on fresh, locally sourced ingredients, including organic produce grown in the resort’s gardens and sustainably caught seafood. Guests can enjoy meals in open-air restaurants overlooking the ocean, intimate in-villa dining, or unique settings such as beach picnics and clifftop dinners. Each experience is designed to be relaxed yet refined, celebrating Indonesian flavours alongside international influences.

Activities

Experiences at Nihi Sumba are as diverse as the island itself. The resort is world-renowned for its exclusive surf break, Occy’s Left, accessible only to guests, while non-surfers can explore horseback riding along the beach, guided hikes, waterfall excursions, and village visits. Wellness is central to the stay, with cliff-edge yoga, holistic spa treatments at the jungle-immersed Nihi Oka Spa, and tailored fitness programs. Cultural encounters and community engagement further deepen the experience, offering guests a meaningful connection to Sumba’s traditions and landscapes.