Why Visit Sumbawa?
Experience Travel Group
ABTA, ATOL, and B Cert Logos
Experience Travel Group Start Planning
Call Explore
Experience Travel Group
Explore 020 7924 7133 Start Planning
Why Visit Sumbawa?
ABTA, ATOL, and B Cert Logos

Why Visit Sumbawa?

With a vast difference in geography, language, culture, climate, flora and fauna from the East and the West, Sumbawa is like two islands in one. Three times the size of Bali, although much less developed, the Sumbawan landscape has been dramatically influenced by the eruption of Mount Tambora in 1815, the single largest volcanic eruption in recorded history, also known as the ‘volcano that changed the world’. You can make the trek up here in two to three days if you’re game! The lands of Sumbawa are now fertile, mountainous and diverse, with the great surf breaks along the shores being one of the biggest attractions in this part of Indonesia.

Speak to an expert 020 7924 7133 1-888-577-8452

International tourism has only recently been welcomed to Sumbawa, and while it may be lacking in infrastructure in many areas, much development is happening in the West thanks to the government’s investment. You’ll find airports in the East and West, and excellent road networks connect the island surprisingly well, making overland travel very easy.

Two distinct kinds of people live on the island and are very conservative. The Sumbawanese people reside in the West, while you’ll find the Bimanese speaking Indonesians in the East. Much of Sumbawa is Islamic, although, in more remote parts, you will find the traditional ways of life are still very much alive and thriving.

Head to the West for great diving opportunities and to discover both Moyo Island and the lesser-known Eight Islands. Famed among wildlife lovers and birdwatchers, Moyo’s natural reserve is rich in biodiversity and is an excellent spot for a luxurious getaway. In Sumbawa’s East, you can discover excellent surf spots, ethnic groups, Mount Tambora and volcanic land.

Indonesia Holiday Ideas:

Journey East Across Java & Bali

Journey East Across Java & Bali

Travel overland through Java to Bali taking in the contrasting cultures and scenery of the exotic neighbouring islands.

From Java to Raja Ampat:  an Indonesian Extravaganza

From Java to Raja Ampat: an Indonesian Extravaganza

A transformative journey through Indonesia's cultural and scenic spots, ending on a high in ravishing Raja Ampat.

The Spirit of Indonesia

The Spirit of Indonesia

Ideal for first-time visitors, this tour has been designed to capture the wonder and variety of Indonesia.

Essential Bali and Lombok

Essential Bali and Lombok

Combine the cultural and natural wonders of Bali with the idyllic white-sand beaches of Lombok.


~
Not sure what you’re looking for?
Let us inspire you
~

Every ETG journey is unique. Tell us your loves, your hates, your holiday ambitions, your hopes and fears, and we’ll share a suitcase so full of inspired holiday ideas you’ll need to sit on it to shut it tight.

Your next adventure starts with a conversation...

Start Planning

Call us 020 7924 7133

Call us 1-888-577-8452



Experience Travel Group
More Indonesia
Holiday Inspiration
  • By Island
    • Bali Holidays
    • Holidays in Java
    • Holidays in Komodo
    • Holidays In Sulawesi
    • Indonesian Borneo
  • By Theme
    • Classic Holidays
    • Luxury Holidays
    • Wildlife Holidays
    • Family Holidays
    • Multi-Country Holidays
Guide to
Indonesia
  • Indonesia Guide
  • Weather & When to go
  • Hotel inspiration
  • Experiences inspiration
  • Indonesia Travel Blog
Places in
Indonesia
  • Bali
    • Overview
    • South Bali
    • East Bali
    • Central Bali & Volcanoes
    • North Bali
    • West Bali
    • Ubud
    • Kuta & Southwest Beaches
    • Bali's Islands
  • Java
    • Overview
    • West Java
    • Central Java
    • East Java
    • Jakarta
    • Yogyakarta
    • Borobudur
    • Java Volcanoes
    • Java National Parks
  • Kalimantan
    • Overview
    • North & East Kalimantan
    • Central Kalimantan
    • West Kalimantan
  • Komodo & Flores
    • Overview
    • Komodo & Rinca
    • Labuan Bajo
    • Manggarai Country
    • Bajawa
    • Ende
    • Kelimutu & Around
    • Maumere
  • Lombok
    • Overview
    • West Lombok
    • South Lombok
    • Rinjani & Around
    • Sekotong & The Islands
    • Gili Islands
  • Maluku Islands
    • Overview
    • Morotai
    • Halmahera
    • Ternate & Tidore
    • Ambon
    • Seram & Buru
  • Raja Ampat
  • Sulawesi
    • Overview
    • South Sulawesi
    • Southeast Sulawesi
    • West Sulawesi & Togean Islands
    • Central Sulawesi
    • North Sulawesi & Offshore
    • Tana Toraja
    • Minahasa Highlands
    • Tangkoko National Park
    • Gorontalo & Bogani Nani Wartabone
  • Sumatra
    • Overview
    • North Sumatra
    • West Sumatra
    • Sumatra National Parks
    • Banda Aceh
  • Sumba
    • Overview
    • East Sumba
    • West Sumba
    • Sumba Beaches
  • Sumbawa
    • Overview
    • West Sumbawa & Moyo Island
    • East Sumbawa
  • Timor
  • Timor-Leste
  • West Papua
ETG - immersive holidays that give back, since 2004.
Don’t just see Asia - feel Asia.
Newsletter

Join our mailing list to receive the latest updates and travel inspiration...

How it works
  • Get in touch
  • Booking with confidence
  • How much does it cost?
  • Financial protection
  • What happens if something goes wrong on my holiday?
  • Working with in-country partners
  • My Online Account
  • Come and see us
  • Request a Brochure
About Us
  • Why choose ETG?
  • Our Story
  • Meet the Team
  • Reviews
  • Our Promise
  • In the Press
  • Our Offices
  • Jobs
Information
  • Our Rating System
  • Exclusive Signature Experiences
  • Your Protection
  • Travel Insurance
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Package Travel Regulations
  • Foreign and Commonwealth (FCO) Travel Advice
Sustainability
  • Travel Better
  • Give Back Experiences
  • Partnerships
  • Carbon Roadmap
  • B Corp Certified
  • Our Counter-Carbon Pledge
Get Social

facebook.com/experiencetravel twitter.com/ExpTrav instagram.com/experiencetravelgroup

  • Visit us on Facebook
  • View @ExpTrav Twitter Feed
  • Visit our Travel Blog
  • Follow our Instagram page
  • Newsletter Signup
  • Book Club

© Experience Travel Group Ltd
Registered in England, Company No. 5071391 | ABTA Member | 9324 ATOL Protected
Site by Livingstone Creative

Website Terms of Use | Cookie Policy | Privacy Policy

  • Sri Lanka
  • India
  • Maldives
  • Nepal
  • Bhutan
  • Oman
  • Thailand
  • Vietnam
  • Cambodia
  • Laos
  • Indonesia
  • Borneo
  • Multi-country

Explore
  • Use our Smart Search
Get in Touch
Indonesia Holidays
  • Classic Indonesia
  • Luxury Holidays
  • Wildlife Holidays
  • Family Holidays
  • Multi-country Indonesia
Indonesia by Region
  • Holidays in Bali
  • Holidays in Java
  • Holidays in Komodo & Flores
  • Holidays in Sulawesi
  • Holidays in Indonesian Borneo
Guide to Indonesia
Curious Traveller's
Guide to Indonesia
Get Your Copy
Inspiration
  • Guide to Indonesia
  • Weather & when to go
  • ETG NEWSLETTER: INBOX INSPIRATION
  • UNIQUE HOTELS IN Indonesia
  • UNIQUE EXPERIENCES IN Indonesia
  • Travel gems in the ETG blog
Jungle River Safari in South Asia
"The possible's slow fuse is
lit by the imagination"
Inspire Me
About Us
  • Our Story
  • Why Choose ETG?
  • The Important Bits
  • Meet the Team
  • Sustainability
  • Come and see us
  • Make an Enquiry
Get the Newsletter
  • Destinations
    • Bhutan
    • Borneo
    • Cambodia
    • India
    • Indonesia
    • Laos
    • The Maldives
    • Myanmar
    • Nepal
    • Oman
    • Sri Lanka
    • Thailand
    • Vietnam
    • Multi-country
  • Holidays in Indonesia
    • By Island
      • Bali Holidays
      • Holidays in Java
      • Holidays in Komodo
      • Holidays In Sulawesi
      • Indonesian Borneo
    • By Theme
      • Classic Holidays
      • Luxury Holidays
      • Wildlife Holidays
      • Family Holidays
      • Multi-Country Holidays
  • Guide to Indonesia
    • Indonesia Guide
    • Weather & When to go
    • Hotel inspiration
    • Experiences inspiration
    • Indonesia Travel Blog
  • Places in Indonesia
    • Bali
      • South Bali
      • East Bali
      • Central Bali & Volcanoes
      • North Bali
      • West Bali
      • Ubud
      • Kuta & Southwest Beaches
      • Bali's Islands
    • Java
      • West Java
      • Central Java
      • East Java
      • Jakarta
      • Yogyakarta
      • Borobudur
      • Java Volcanoes
      • Java National Parks
    • Kalimantan
      • North & East Kalimantan
      • Central Kalimantan
      • West Kalimantan
    • Komodo & Flores
      • Komodo & Rinca
      • Labuan Bajo
      • Manggarai Country
      • Bajawa
      • Ende
      • Kelimutu & Around
      • Maumere
    • Lombok
      • West Lombok
      • South Lombok
      • Rinjani & Around
      • Sekotong & The Islands
      • Gili Islands
    • Maluku Islands
      • Morotai
      • Halmahera
      • Ternate & Tidore
      • Ambon
      • Seram & Buru
    • Raja Ampat
    • Sulawesi
      • South Sulawesi
      • Southeast Sulawesi
      • West Sulawesi & Togean Islands
      • Central Sulawesi
      • North Sulawesi & Offshore
      • Tana Toraja
      • Minahasa Highlands
      • Tangkoko National Park
      • Gorontalo & Bogani Nani Wartabone
    • Sumatra
      • North Sumatra
      • West Sumatra
      • Sumatra National Parks
      • Banda Aceh
    • Sumba
      • East Sumba
      • West Sumba
      • Sumba Beaches
    • Sumbawa
      • West Sumbawa & Moyo Island
      • East Sumbawa
    • Timor
    • Timor-Leste
    • West Papua
  • About us
    • Why choose ETG?
    • Our Story
    • Meet the Team
    • Reviews
    • In the Press
    • Our Offices
    • Our Brochure
    • Travel Blog
    • Newsletter Signup
  • How it works
    • Get in touch
    • Booking with confidence
    • How much does it cost?
    • Financial protection
    • What happens if something goes wrong on my holiday?
    • Working with in-country partners
    • My Booking
    • Come and see us
  • Immersive Holidays
    • Immersive Family Holidays
    • Immersive Honeymoons
    • Ideas & Inspiration
    • Holidays by month
    • Family Holidays by Month
    • Download Free Country Guides
  • Sustainability
    • Travel Better
    • Give Back Experiences
    • Partnerships
    • B Corp Certified
  • Come and see us
  • My Online Account
  • Brochure
  • Travel Blog