Pulau Moyo – Sumbawa, Indonesia
Anchorage Review: Pulau Moyo – Labuan Haji, Sumbawa, Indonesia
08°13.241S, 117°29.040E – anchorage M on the Badas Harbour and Pulau Moyo chart
Mooring buoys
The nearby Amanwana resort has maintained its own deep-water moorings, but availability, condition and permission must be confirmed directly with the resort. No dependable public yacht mooring is identified off Labuan Haji. Do not use a local mooring without permission and inspection; otherwise anchor off the village as described below while keeping clear of the fringing reef and coral bank.
Overview
Pulau Moyo lies off the north coast of Sumbawa, within the broad waters influenced by Mount Tambora. The island is known for clear water, diving and the exclusive Amanwana resort, but the small village of Labuan Haji offers cruising yachts a more direct route into rural island life.
The anchorage is especially rewarding because it gives access to Mata Jitu, a series of spring-fed limestone terraces, waterfalls and clear pools hidden inland.
Anchoring
Anchor off Labuan Haji at 08°13.241S, 117°29.040E, within the Pulau Moyo section marked M on the Southeast Asia Pilot chart. The recorded position is about 100m from the short coral-stone jetty in approximately 6–13m.
A broken-coral bank shoals outside the edge of the fringing reef as the jetty is approached. Make the final approach in good light, keep a careful lookout for reef and local craft, and verify the depth and seabed beneath the yacht. Shoal-draft vessels may be able to approach the pier at high water, but this should be assessed by dinghy first.
Facilities
Labuan Haji is a small village rather than a yacht-service centre. Treat the jetty as shore access and do not assume that fuel, potable water, repairs, waste disposal or meaningful provisioning will be available.
Amanwana lies farther south and has resort facilities, pontoons and diving, but visiting arrangements should be made in advance. Resort moorings and hospitality are private facilities, not a public cruising service.
Eating & drinking ashore
Food may be available in the village by local arrangement, while Amanwana dining is only an option with the resort’s agreement. Bring adequate provisions and regard anything organised ashore as part of the visit rather than a guaranteed service.
Highlights
From the Labuan Haji jetty, a route of roughly five kilometres leads through the village and inland towards Mata Jitu. Local guidance is strongly recommended, both for finding the current route and for confirming access, transport and conditions.
At Mata Jitu, mineral-rich spring water has formed a succession of pale limestone rims and clear pools beneath the forest canopy. Allow most of the day, take drinking water and suitable footwear, and avoid soaps, sunscreen contamination or other activity that could damage the pools.
Why we like it
Pulau Moyo delivers the kind of landfall that makes Indonesian cruising memorable: dolphins and clear water offshore, a quiet village landing and an inland destination that feels completely removed from the yacht. Mata Jitu turns a useful anchorage into a genuine expedition.
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