Indonesia is an island paradise with over 17,000 islands spanning over 3000 miles. Rote Island is one of these attractions nestles in the south of Indonesia, on the tip of the Lesser Sunda Islands.
This island chain runs all the way from Bali and is part of the tectonic plate that gave rise to Bali’s magnificent volcanoes.
By contrast, Rote Island is relatively flat, featuring low hills and few mountains. It’s also five times smaller than Bali and a relative newcomer to tourism.
That means you’re assured of unspoiled, personalized experiences when you spend time exploring this little-known gem.
The History
The native Rotinese people have lived on Rote since time immemorial and are still the major population group on the island.
Their traditional society comprises numerous clans, each occupying their own ‘kingdom’ on the island. Thanks to this, Rote once had more kingdoms within its borders than any place on Earth.
For centuries, trading nations used Rote as a stopover en route to Bali, and gradually introduced the Rotinese to Christianity, which they’ve embraced since the 1700s.
These local folk are naturally curious and welcoming toward visitors to their island, and the passing traders eventually started spending more time on the lovely island of Rote.
Over time, they built schools, churches, and homes. As tourist activity on Bali grew ever more frenetic, surfers looking for a quiet place to enjoy their sport started to visit Rote.
Their incredible experiences attracted more of their kin and before long, small resorts cropped up to house these enthusiasts. Today, while it’s still relatively unspoiled, Rote and the rest of Indonesia are fast becoming top tourist spots.
Nowadays, travelers find a wide range of options to choose from when searching for accommodation.
Accommodation on Rote Island
Depending on your needs, you could opt for staying in a surf resort, a traditional beachfront bungalow resort, a homestay, or a glamping establishment.
Sustainability is a key aspect of Rote tourism with most resorts featuring numerous eco-friendly initiatives.
Rote is ideal for those in search of a romantic honeymoon destination, family getaway, or action-packed water sports vacation. The laid-back atmosphere is equally attractive to those looking for a luxury stay, solo travels, or a low-cost backpacking trip.
Wherever you stay, visiting the white sandy beaches is a highlight of your stay and there are numerous activities centered on this gorgeous feature as well as Rote’s natural surroundings.
The Best Things to Do During Your Visit
Travelers return to Rote Island time and time again to play in the natural surroundings. Challenging rock walls, caves, forests, savannas, and clear waters are the perfect playground for the curious and adventurous visitor alike.
These are some attractions to put at the top of your list when you visit Rote Island:
Batu Termanu
Batu Termanu is a stand-out feature of Rote Island and a must-do for avid sightseers. These two huge rocks tower above the ocean and the island close to the main port and form a glowing golden spectacle as the sun goes down.
According to legend, the large stones off the coast are male, while the smaller landlocked one is female. It’s said that the stones communicate with each other and can move at will.
To traditional leaders, these stones hold a sacred status, and they perform rituals near them to ask for rain in times of drought.
You can view the rock formations from a boat, climb among them on land, or hike to one of the viewpoints to enjoy them from afar.
The Corals of Tiang Bendera
Tiang Bendera Beach is another top destination for stunning sunset vistas. It’s most famous for its coral reefs that you can see jutting out from the shoreline.
Scuba Diving
There’s no shortage of coral reefs below the waters surrounding Rote Island either. Some of the top dive spots include:
- North Point N’dao Island and N’dao Island Jetty
- Do’o
- Coral Garden
- Mambo Jambo
- Barracuda Reef
- Dana Channel
- Boa Corner
Tropical fish and brilliant reefs abound in these waters, and you could also see dugong, manta rays, whale sharks, and sea turtles.
Oemasapoka
You’ll find this lovely saltwater lake in a remote spot where you’re assured of secluded bathing opportunities. This is the largest of the twenty saltwater lakes found on Rote Island and is also home to endangered snake-neck turtles.
Nemberala Coastline
These sandy shores offer the best surfing Rote Island has to offer. The action centers on the small town of Nemberala, which has played host to several surfing competitions over the years.
Novice surfers can fine tune their skills among the gentle waves of northern Nemberala, while those in need of non-stop action, love the huge swells common at Besialu Reefs.
Planning Your Trip to Indonesia
Whether you plan to catch a wave, hike among stunning landscapes, or scuba dive in the turquoise depths, you’ll find plenty to keep you amused and amazed on Rote Island.
There are two main seasons on Rote Island. These are the dry season (May to September) and the wet season (December to March). The remaining few months comprise transitional seasons with both dry and wet conditions.
Find out more about the best time to visit Rote Island, in this blog post.
To get to Rote Islands, you must take a flight to Bali and then catch a two-hour onward flight to the city of Kupang in West-Timor. From there you and make your way to the island using a charter flight or a two-hour ferry ride.
Make sure your flight time and ferry time work together beforehand, or you’ll need to spend the night in Kupang.
Spend Time at the Best Resort in Rote
Choosing the best hotel in Rote is a sure-fire way to make the most of your trip thanks to easy access to the island’s best sights and attractions.
Seed Resort, Rote Island is your ideal escape from the realities of everyday life, without the bustle of a busy tourist destination.
Book your stay on Rote Island with us right away, so you can start dreaming about the tropical getaway of a lifetime.