Asik OriginalFrom
$50
Saleh Bay, Sumbawa
Whale Shark Snorkeling, Saleh Bay
New experience
1 DaySmall groups
Tiered limestone pools on Moyo Island, the spot Princess Diana made famous in 1993.
Mata Jitu sits inland on Moyo Island, where a spring-fed stream drops over pale limestone in a series of short tiers. The water carries dissolved minerals that tint the pools a soft blue-green and build up smooth travertine lips you can sit on. There are several levels and a string of natural basins shallow enough to wade and swim in.
Locals call it the Queen's Waterfall after Princess Diana, who swam here during a 1993 visit to the island. It stays cool and shaded, with vines and roots framing the upper drops.
It is gentle rather than dramatic, more a place to soak and float than to gawp at sheer volume.
Getting there
First reach Moyo Island by boat from the Sumbawa Besar area, landing at Labuan Aji on the south coast. From the village it is roughly a 20-minute motorbike-taxi ride (around 50,000 IDR) on a rough track, or about an hour on foot through cashew orchards and paddy. Most day tours include the transfer from the boat.
Best time
May to September, the dry season, keeps the access track firm and the pools clear with a gentle, pretty flow. After heavy rain the water can turn cloudy and the trail muddy.
Good to know
Wear sandals with grip, as the wet travertine is slick, and bring water since there is little for sale at the falls. Go early to beat day-trip boats arriving from the mainland.
Yes, the tiered pools are shallow and calm, which makes them good for wading and a relaxed dip. It is more about soaking than diving into deep water.
Princess Diana visited and swam here in 1993, and the nickname stuck with locals ever since.
There is a small local conservation or village fee, usually a few tens of thousands of rupiah, collected on Moyo or at the site. Carry cash, as cards are not accepted.
Add it to a route across Indonesia and we will work out the travel time and cost between every stop.
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