95 miles from Kupang
Approach from WSW favouring the south reef and surf break. Anchor in the calm basin in 7-14 metres on sand. Rote Island and the small islets off its southern shores are Indonesia’s southernmost populated islands. Nembrala is a favourite surf destination on this coast with a few small resorts and restaurants ashore, but limited supplies.
The capital Ba’a is 24 miles northeast in the middle of the north coast and is better for fuel and provisions. Protected during the southeast season, the Ba’a anchorage at 10°43.316S, 123°2.642 is on sand northeast of the ferry jetty in 8-10 metres.
This group has beautiful inlets, sand beaches and topography for unbelievable explorations. Other worthwhile anchorages of note on Rote are on the north coast of Do’o Island at 10°49.405S, 122°44.605E on sand in 7-12 metres and deep into Korobafo Bay anywhere with comfortable depth in the protected basin north of the government dock.
Up around the corner the best all-weather shelter at Papela Bay is tucked in behind the reef in 6-15 metres off the town fishing docks at 10°35.724S, 123°22.760E.
Rote is fast becoming known as a unique and isolated surf location. The coastal fringing reef surrounds the island and, as with many Indonesian islands, the drop off is steep if not vertical in some places. Off the south coast, the 200m contour is only 0.7nm offshore. The southern coastline is open to the southern ocean swell providing world-class surf breaks.
Being an ex-Portuguese colony, the people have an interesting history and culture, whilst maintaining the warm welcoming signature Indonesian traits.
