Following Princess Diana’s Footsteps: Sailing to Moyo Island
There are places you visit once and think, “That was lovely,” and then never return. And then there’s Moyo Island, a place I keep coming back to again and again, despite the hundreds of other islands in Indonesia I should be checking off my list. But nope. I find myself rerouting trips just to swing by Moyo.
Is it the diving? The waterfalls? The rice paddies? The cacao trees? Or is it the fact that I’ve never seen another human being on one of my favorite beaches there? Honestly, it’s all of the above.
If you’re into sailing in Indonesia and want a stop that combines jungle, reef, waterfalls, wildlife, and zero crowds, then let me tell you why Moyo Island is your next obsession.
Where is Moyo Island and Why It's Still a Hidden Gem
Moyo Island is off the north coast of Sumbawa, east of Lombok and west of Komodo. It’s close enough to major sailing routes to be accessible, but remote enough to keep the Insta-hordes away. And that’s the beauty of it.
The island is mostly untouched. There’s a smattering of small villages, one fancy ecolodge (Amanwana), a whole lot of wilderness, and the kind of quiet that makes you question why you ever thought a beach club was relaxing.
Getting There the Best Way: By Sea
You can get to Moyo via local boats or flights followed by more boats. But trust me, sailing to Moyo Island is the way to go.
Coming from Lombok or heading toward Komodo, it’s the perfect stop for a night or two (or five, if you're like me and easily seduced by good snorkeling and local fried bananas).
We usually anchor off Labuan Aji village. It’s a great jumping-off point to explore the waterfalls, snorkel sites, and inland trails. Or, if you’re on a longer charter, detour to the southern or southwestern corners for more remote stretches of paradise.
What to Do on Moyo Island
Snorkel Coral Walls That Will Ruin You for Life
I wasn’t ready the first time I dropped into the water at Angel Reef. One second you're floating over shallow coral gardens, and the next, boom, you’re staring into the blue abyss of a drop-off that feels like falling off the edge of the Earth.
Snorkeling in Moyo Island is world-class. Angel Reef, Takat Sagele, and the fringing reef near Labuan Aji are all bursting with life. We’ve spotted turtles, reef sharks, schools of trevally, and the occasional napoleons just cruising by like royalty. The coral health is phenomenal, soft corals, hard corals, you name it.
And somehow, there’s never anyone else there.
Hike Through Jungle to Hidden Waterfalls (Princess Diana Did!)
I’m not one to chase royal travel routes, but even I admit, it’s kind of cool that Mata Jitu Waterfall was visited by Princess Diana back in the day. And to be fair, she had great taste.
From the village, you can ride a scooter or hike into the jungle, past butterflies, wild orchids, and trees that look older than time itself. The waterfall is multi-tiered, with natural limestone pools and dreamy turquoise water. The sound of water cascading through the forest? Chef’s kiss.
Want a little adventure? Keep climbing past the main falls to find the hidden upper pools. Every time I go up there, I feel like Indiana Jones in flip-flops.
Walk Through Lush Rice Paddies and Cacao Groves
One of my favorite things to do on land is just wander. From the village, there’s a narrow path leading past locals’ homes and into lush green rice paddies that feel like a Studio Ghibli backdrop. Birds chirp. Buffaloes stare. Farmers wave. And sometimes, if you’re lucky, you can catch the smell of freshly fermented cacao pods, grown right here on the island.
Yes, Moyo Island produces cacao. No, I haven’t figured out how to smuggle some home to turn it into artisanal single-origin Moyo chocolate bars, but a girl can dream.
Watch for Wildlife: Wild Boar, Monkeys, and Bird Nests
If you're into wildlife, Moyo delivers.
The island is part of a nature reserve, so you might spot wild boar darting across the trail, monkeys leaping through the canopy, and tons of birds: kingfishers, megapodes, and even birds whose nests are prized for the famous (and slightly controversial) edible bird’s nest soup.
Yep, Aerodramus fuciphagus, or the “edible-nest swiftlet,” nests here in limestone caves. Local collectors climb insane heights to harvest the nests, which are sold across Asia as a delicacy.
Tanjung Pasir: The Beach I Shouldn’t Even Be Telling You About
Okay, if you’re still reading, here’s your reward.
To the southwest of Moyo Island lies Tanjung Pasir, which might just be the most underrated beach in Indonesia. Picture a long stretch of white sand, crystal-clear water, and a coral reef that looks like it was drawn by a kid with a crayon box: bright, chaotic, and full of life.
The kicker? I’ve never seen another soul there. Not once. No fishermen, no tourists, no snack sellers, no boats. Just me, my snorkel, and the occasional sea turtle minding its business.
Swim with Whale Sharks in Saleh Bay
And if you thought this couldn’t get better, just south of Moyo lies Saleh Bay, a massive sheltered inlet where whale sharks come to hang out near local fishing platforms.
These gentle giants are often spotted circling the bagan (floating fishing platforms), drawn in by the anchovy fishermen. You can swim alongside them early in the morning, and yes, it’s every bit as surreal as it sounds.
A heads up: This part of the adventure requires a bit more planning. I always arrange it with locals who know the area and have the right contacts to get close safely and responsibly. But if you can make it work, it’s one for the books.
When to Visit Moyo Island
You’ll want to plan your sailing trip to Moyo Island between April and October, when the skies are dry, the water is clear, and the trails are walkable. June to September is peak visibility for snorkeling and diving.
I’ve visited outside those months too, November’s not bad, but avoid the wet season (January to March) unless you’re super into indoor card games and watching rain bounce off your deck.
Practical Tips for Visiting Moyo Island
1. Pack Reef-Safe Sunscreen
Because the coral here is healthy and deserves to stay that way.
2. Bring Cash and Snacks
There’s no ATM. Also, while you can buy noodles and instant coffee in the village, don’t expect matcha lattes or kombucha.
3. Download Offline Maps
Signal is spotty. I use Maps.me and Google Maps offline, life savers when navigating jungle trails.
4. Respect the Wildlife and Locals
Don’t touch coral. Don’t chase whale sharks. And definitely don’t drone-bomb someone’s peaceful rice field.
5. Stay Longer if You Can
One night isn’t enough. Two nights is better. Three and you’ll start fantasizing about quitting your job and becoming a cacao farmer.
Moyo Island Deserves the Spotlight (But Not Too Much)
Moyo is like that quiet kid in school who turns out to be a secret rockstar. It doesn’t yell for attention. It just sits there being ridiculously cool waiting for the right people to notice.
From cascading waterfalls and coral walls to rice paddies and whale sharks, sailing to Moyo Island always feels like sneaking away to nature’s VIP lounge. And every time I leave, I start scheming ways to come back.
So yeah, maybe I shouldn’t be writing this blog and spilling the beans.
But I figure, if you’ve read this far, you’re probably the kind of traveler who gets it. The kind who’ll visit respectfully, tread lightly, and leave the place better than you found it.
Welcome to Moyo. You’re gonna love it here.
Thanks for reading and now back to happily roaming!