Southeast Asia - Clean Breaks: 500 New Ways to See the World - page 298

centre and a spa to relax in after a day counting
hundreds of different fish. There's one fish
you almost certainly won't see, however - the
coelacanth, which has been swimming deep
in these waters for over seven million years.
Thankfully with the controls the reserve has put
in place, a great deal more species now stand to
survive a long way into the future too.

seven bungalows and three villas, the resort
overlooks its own private beach (accessible only
to residents), and while it has room for up to
twenty guests, it will only allow nine surfers to
stay at any one time.
Everything at Nihiwatu has been designed to
maximize the feeling of exclusivity and luxury:
the 2km beach is hemmed in by cliffs and
headlands, while the spa, built in the style of a
traditional Sumba spirit-house, offers massages,
yoga and Pilates. If you want to intersperse the
relaxation with action, the resort also organizes
game-fishing, horse-riding and day-trips to
meet Sumba's indigenous people. They are big
fans of Nihiwatu, which through its Sumba
Foundation has built many schools and clinics,
developed organic agriculture projects and
helped to protect them from less sensitive tourist
developments. Whether you come searching for
legendary waves, encounters with traditional
cultures or just an escape from the rat race,
there are few places more idyllic.

The beach at Nihiwatu

Need to know Bunaken is about 45min-1hr
by boat from Manado; entry to the reserve costs
Rp50,000 (US$6) per day. For accommodation
options, dive operators and further information on
Bunaken Marine Reserve, visit W www.sulawesi-
info.com/bunaken.php. Siladen Resort and Spa:
W www.siladen.com; T [phone].

401 sUrf yoUr own wavE at
nihiwatU, indonEsia

Seventy metres from the shoreline the wave
breaks, a lone surfer skillfully riding it in.
Known as Occy's Left - after the former surfing
champion Mark Occhilupo - this particular wave
has achieved legendary status; all the more so
because so few get to surf it. The reason for this
is Nihiwatu, a luxury resort located here on the
remote island of Sumba in Bali. Made up of just

Need to know The minimum stay is five nights
and you'll need to spend a night in Bali in order
to get the connecting flight. For accommodation,
dining, prices and reservations see W www.
nihiwatu.com; T [phone].