Finding the Charm of Black Sands Beach
Monday, 11 June 2018by adminstube
Have you ever heard the name of Black Sands beach? Some people will frown their forehead when they are asked? Yet having visited, even never heard about it, as many people have less information about it. Black Sands Beach is a beach with black sands, located in Middle Sumba, precisely at Mananga village, Mamboro district.The Black Sands beach is still underestimated not only by the government but also the people due to the belief that the beach is not widely known and the black sand itself is not considered as beneficial thing to be promoted. However, many tourists with special interests came to see the beach with unique black sands.
Despite its name, there is no clear historical record about the place, however, this black sand is believed as a heritage from the ancestors and described as a hidden black pearl. The black sand itself is unique, in addition to its blackness, the sand is glossy. When it’s combined with the coral cliffs and the exotic coral caves, it completes the savanna that drapes the path to the beach.
Majority of the people who live near the beach believe in Islam due to their origins which is not from Sumba, and to make a living they work as fishermen. This location had a substantial fish deposits so it’s rare seeing fishermen come back with empty basket, this makes people flocks to the location to purchase sea products, apart from the beach.
The 140-kilometer trip from Waingapu to Black Sands Beach takes up three to four hours to reach Waibakul in Middle Sumba, then turning right to Mamboro’s harbor. Unluckily, there is no public transport available to bring you there. Therefore, you’ll be better to rent a car or a motorcycle.
Black Sands Beach can be an alternative destination for the tourists in Sumba in which they can find many things, such as the uniqueness of the black sand, relieving their wear and tire from working routine, enjoying the tree-capped coral cliffs, seeing the vast savanna, and buying fishermen’s recently caught fishes. But it needs to be aware, that there are not many facilities on the beach, therefore tourists who want to experience the beach needs to bring their own meal. (Jekson H. Tana)