How to reach Moyo Island
Are you dreaming of a tropical getaway on Moyo Island but feeling overwhelmed by the lack of information on how to get here? Don't worry, we've got you covered! In this blog, we'll spill the beans on all the different ways to reach this hidden gem. So buckle up and get ready for an adventure of a lifetime!
Traveling to Sumbawa Besar
To reach Sumbawa Besar, you have two options - by air or by land. If you choose to travel by air, you can take a flight from Denpasar, Bali (DPS) to Sumbawa Besar (SWQ) via Lombok (LOP). The flight from Bali takes around 1 hour and 40 minutes, while the flight from Lombok takes only 40 minutes. The daily flight arrives at 10:15 in Sumbawa Besar.
Alternatively, if you prefer to travel by land, you can take a minibus and ferry from Bali to Lombok and then to Sumbawa Besar. Many travel agencies in Bali and Lombok offer this transportation option. Among them, Titian Mas is known for having the newest buses. Although the journey is longer, it is an affordable way to reach Sumbawa Besar.
Traveling from Sumbawa Besar to Moyo Island
The boats to Moyo usually depart from Pelabuhan Goa, which is a 15-minute car/scooter ride from the airport and a 20-minute car/scooter ride from the bus station. However, during the rainy season (November to March), the boats may depart from Pelabuhan Badas, which is an additional 10-minute car or scooter ride away from Pelabuhan Goa. Please note that ride-hailing apps like Grab, Gojek, and Bluebird are not widely available in Sumbawa, so you’ll be getting your ride from the locals the old-school way. At the airport and bus station, you'll find plenty of people offering rides to the port. A car ride from the airport typically costs around 100,000 IDR, while a scooter ride costs around 50,000 IDR.
To get from Sumbawa Besar to Moyo Island, you can take a public boat or opt for a private speedboat. The public boat departs daily at around 1 pm and arrives in Labuan Aji, the main village on Moyo Island, after a 2 to 2.5-hour journey. The fare is 100,000 IDR per person, with an additional 100,000 IDR fee if you're bringing a scooter. You pay the captain directly upon boarding; there's no need to purchase tickets in advance. The public boat is a locally built wooden vessel, offering a unique local experience. It can be a bit noisy and slow, but if it’s not overly crowded, you’ll be able to lie down and rest during the trip. However, if the boat is crowded, it might feel a bit cramped. We recommend bringing water and snacks for the journey, which you can purchase on the way to the port. Keep in mind that the departure times are not always fixed,
and the boat may be delayed due to reasons such as waiting to be fully stocked with supplies for the island. Though it’s very rare, there’s a possibility that the boat may not run on certain days due to supplies not being needed on the island so be prepared for the chance of needing to stay overnight in Sumbawa Besar. This is unfortunately out of our control, but generally, if the boat doesn't run on a particular day, it's likely to operate the following day since the island will need restocking. This unpredictability is part of the charm of visiting remote areas.
On the other hand, a private speedboat journey takes approximately 40 to 60 minutes and costs between 1,500,000 and 2,200,000 IDR. If you're traveling in a group, this might be a more convenient option, although it comes at a higher cost. While we can assist in trying to find others to share the speedboat with, we cannot guarantee that other passengers will be traveling on the same day or willing to share the additional cost. The speedboat will operate according to your schedule, weather permitting, and high tide may even allow for a drop-off directly at our private pier.
Upon arrival in Labuan Aji, whether by public boat or speedboat, one of our staff members will be there to assist you and arrange transportation to Blue Emocean Resort. The approximately 15-minute journey can be made in a small truck or on a scooter.
Recommendations for Sumbawa Besar
If you arrive by plane at 10:15 am, you’ll have plenty of time to catch the public boat at 1 pm. If you choose to travel by land, you may need to spend a night in Sumbawa Besar.
Whether you have just a few hours and want a quick bite to eat or plan to stay overnight in Sumbawa Besar, here are some recommendations for food and accommodations. Andrew’s favourite place for food is Fifa Lalapan, a small warung near the pier.
Andrew's top picks from this place are beef rendang, Kari nangka (jackfruit curry), BBQ chicken, and their green sambal.
For those looking for restaurants offering a mix of Indonesian and Western cuisine with a comfortable, air-conditioned environment, BOOS CAFE and ARL RESTO & CAFE are recommended. Additionally, BOOS CAFE often features live music in the evenings.
If you need to spend a night in Sumbawa Besar, there are various accommodation options available. For a budget-friendly and basic stay, Pondok Daun Homestay is a good choice, offering clean rooms with AC and a bathroom with a shower for around 250,000 IDR per night. For a more special experience, consider Kaloka Airport Hotel, which offers a rooftop bar with live music and is priced at around 730,000 IDR per night.
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