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A long beach at Mananga, in Mamboro, reached by crossing a small saltwater lagoon in a local boat. Mamboro's fishermen pull up their boats here, so you can buy fish straight from the catch.
📷 Photos
File photo: Sumba · 06Ivonne (CC BY-SA 4.0) · File photo: Sumba · 06Ivonne (CC BY-SA 4.0), Wikimedia Commons
🚗 Getting there: distances and drive times
| From | Straight line | By road (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Eco Beach City · Mamboro | 1 km | ~0 km · 15 min |
| Waibakul | 28 km | ~40 km · 1 h 15 min |
| Tambolaka Airport (TMC) | 32 km | ~45 km · 1 h 30 min |
| Waikabubak | 32 km | ~45 km · 1 h 30 min |
| Tambolaka | 32 km | ~45 km · 1 h 30 min |
| Waingapu | 85 km | ~115 km · 3 h 30 min |
| Waingapu Airport (WGP) | 90 km | ~120 km · 3 h 45 min |
Drive times are estimates for a car with a driver, at about 35 km/h on average including stops and slow village stretches. Allow more time in the rainy season and on the last unpaved section.
🌅 Sunrise and sunset
At Mananga Beach the sun rises between 05:31 and 06:19 and sets between 17:48 and 18:30, local time (WITA, UTC+8), depending on the month. So close to the equator, days last about 12 hours all year, and it gets dark quickly after sunset.
✅ Plan your visit
- Check the sea before swimming: the south and west coasts face the open Indian Ocean, with strong currents and big waves for much of the year.
- There is little shade and often no shop nearby, so bring water, sun protection and some cash in small notes.
- Low tide often shows rock pools and reef flats; high tide can cover small beaches completely.
- Leave nothing behind and do not take coral or shells.
📍 Also within 15 km
- Mamboro savanna · 0.9 km to the south-east
- Kapulit Beach · 3.8 km to the north-east
- Karendi Beach · 11.9 km to the west
🌦️ Climate near Mananga Beach by month
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max °C | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 28 |
| Min °C | 22 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 21 | 22 | 22 |
| Rain mm | 271 | 280 | 289 | 214 | 83 | 57 | 42 | 45 | 85 | 147 | 191 | 261 |
Monthly averages for 2015 to 2024 from Open-Meteo historical weather data (ERA5 reanalysis, a weather model) for the nearest area: Waikabubak. Treat rainfall as approximate: models tend to overestimate it in dry areas.
Questions
Where is Mananga Beach?
Mananga Beach is in Central Sumba, Sumba (East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia), at -9.3770, 119.5367. The nearest town is Waibakul, about 28 km away in a straight line.
When is the best time to visit Mananga Beach?
May to October, in the dry season, when the sea is usually calmer and roads are dry.
How do I get to Mananga Beach?
The closest airport is Tambolaka Airport (TMC), about 32 km away in a straight line. Most visitors hire a car with a driver; roads off the main routes can be rough.
How far is Mananga Beach from Tambolaka Airport (TMC)?
Mananga Beach is about 32 km in a straight line from Tambolaka Airport (TMC), roughly 1 h 30 min by road.
How long is the drive from Waibakul to Mananga Beach?
Plan on about 1 h 15 min for the roughly 40 km by road from Waibakul, and more after heavy rain.
Any tips for visiting Mananga Beach?
Agree the boat fare before you cross the lagoon, and bring cash for fresh fish.
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