When in Wangi-Wangi, a short island-hopping trip to Kapota Island is a wonderful choice. The first settlers of this island came from Lemakera, a Hindu kingdom located in Flores, East Nusa Tenggara. They settled on a hill in the middle of the forest overlooking the entire island. The settlement is called Katiama, which means “the first village”.
Looking to the west from Wangi-Wangi, you can spot the small, white sand ringed island of Kapota. Public boats cross between Wanci and Kapota between 8am and 4pm daily. The boats usually leave every half-hour to hour and take around 30 minutes to complete the journey. Once on the island you can enjoy its many beaches, bamboo and mangrove forests, coconut groves, lake and, for the adventurous types, a bat cave. The best way to explore the island is by motorbike, which can be rented locally. If you do not have experience driving motorbikes it is advisable to hire a driver, as nature has reclaimed some of the roads.
Island's Beauty
The coastline of Kapota Island is blessed with a bounty of unspoiled white sand beaches. The most popular are Aowolio, Kolowowa and Umala. But even these popular spots can be enjoyed to yourself on weekdays, and will be shared with only a few other visitors on weekends. Pine and coconut trees line the beaches, offering shade and shelter from the sun. Another of the island’s natural beauties are its lush mangrove forests, which have built-in roads that allow you to observe the life of these vital ecosystems. Tailaro Nto’oge Lake, which is surrounded by a boardwalk, is a great place for bird watching.
Bat Cave
Those in search of adventure can explore a bat cave, which has a 12m high entrance and caverns full of stalagmites and stalactites and hundreds of bats that hang from the ceiling.
