Atauro
Timor-Leste · Asia
About Atauro
Atauro is an island off the Timorese North Coast near Dili in Timor-Leste. Atauro is one of East Timor's undiscovered diving paradises. Besides tropical beaches, it also offers many hiking opportunities and relaxed eco-lodges along the east-coast village of Beloi.
Atauro travel guide
Understand
Atauro is primarily visited for snorkelling and scuba diving. The main village area is Beloi, with accommodation clustered near the beach. Mass tourism is still a long way off in Atauro, just as it is in the rest of East Timor. However, a small infrastructure has slowly developed here, gently opening the island to visitors. The tourism association ATKOMA offers excellent assistance in organizing excursions and visits to the sights. As a nature and ecotourism destination, it received 1st place at the Green Destinations Story Awards 2022.
Getting there
Ferry services and day-trip boats operate between Dili and Atauro (seasonal; check locally).
Getting around
Distances are walkable around Beloi; boats and motorbikes are used for travel farther along the coast. Most roads are unpaved; often there are only footpaths. Walking is often the best way to get from one place to another. Bicycles can also be rented. The island's main road runs along the east coast and is paved. You can hire off-road vehicles and small trucks with a driver, or try hitching a ride on one of the trucks. Especially when venturing off the main road, you'll be glad to have a driver with experience behind the wheel. The three-wheeled motorcycle taxis (locally called tuk-tuks as in Thailand) form the backbone of public transport on the island. They can reach virtually every village, but like regular bus services, each driver is limited to a single route between two villages. They can be booked 24 hours a day, but with 30 minutes' notice. To book, contact the ATKOMA reception at Barry's Place, Atauro Dive Resort, Compass Diving, or Beloi Beach Hotel, or the manager at +670 7515 3278. Each vehicle can accommodate a maximum of six to eight people. Fitun Galileia is a private, local company that offers transportation services, among other things. It operates local boats, trucks, and pickups, which are also available for booking. The drivers are knowledgeable and reliable. Boats, both pirogues and more modern motorboats, are an alternative way to reach coastal towns.
See
1 Vila Maumeta. Vila is the island's main town, located on the southeast coast. It's home to government offices and NGOs. Around 1,800 people live in this idyllic village with its unpaved streets lined with vibrant red flowers. Cars? A rare sight. Many of the numerous cooperatives sell their products here. Boneca sells unique dolls, and Biojoia sells jewelry. The women earn their living with their handcrafted goods. You can stroll through the town, hike to a viewpoint, or attend a lively church service. There are the remains of an Indonesian-era dungeon, the Catholic parish church of Nossa Senhora do Rosario , and a larger Protestant church. From Beloi, Vila can be reached in 10 minutes by motorbike taxi or 45 minutes on foot. 2 Beloi. Beloi is the port where most visitors arrive by ferry to the island. The arrival of the ships is used as an opportunity to operate a small market. With its lively atmosphere, it is somewhat vying with the sleepy Vila for the title of capital. Beloi is developing into the island's tourist center, offering accommodations, restaurants, and entertainment. While in Beloi, you should definitely take advantage of the opportunity to go hiking, for example to Adara or Akrema. Souvenirs can be purchased at Empreza Di'ak . 3 Maquili. This fishing village lies about an hour's walk south of Vila, along a beautiful path along the rugged coastline. Maquili is known for its woodwork. Boats are built here (half-finished ones, still under construction, can be found here and there along the coast), and dance masks, as well as figures of men and women, are carved. There were also carvings of mermaids and eels, which are said to allude to an island creation myth. Even today, masks can be found on Atauro hanging from trees, believed to protect gardens from thieves. Warriors and dancers also used these masks. The coastal path is exciting, but it's best to walk it at low tide, as waves can easily sweep you off your feet. At least the spray provides a deaf
Do
Diving on Atauro. Operators arrange dives around Atauro’s coral reefs, plus snorkeling trips and courses.
Sleep
Atauro Dive Resort. Dive-focused accommodation and trips (bookable via Rezerva). Barry's Place Eco-Lodge. Beachside eco-lodge with simple bungalows (bookable via Rezerva). Compass Atauro Lodge. Eco-lodge near Beloi with sea views (bookable via Rezerva). Beloi Beach Hotel. Beachfront hotel in Beloi (bookable via Rezerva). Through the tourist information offices, you can find accommodation with local host families; there are also small hotels. Beloi offers the most accommodations. Local families offer room and board for those on a budget or seeking direct contact with the locals. In Vila you will find the Manucoco Rek Guesthouse & Restaurant and the Vila Gracia Guesthouse . In Anartuto, the village chief, offers accommodation for an afternoon or even several nights. For $20 per person per night, guests also receive a comfortable bed and a meal. In addition, the chief and his wife offer wood carvings and woven baskets. Pinorana Homestay in Biqueli is only open when the owner opens it. Therefore, you must contact him in advance if you wish to stay there. Mario's Place (Adara Eco-Resort) is the only accommodation option in Adara. Mario is a local from Adara who opened the first accommodation in his village in 2016 and was instrumental in establishing the Tara Bandu marine conservation systems around the island. The Afonsu Ecolodge on the west coast can be reached by boat from Beloi and Adara. Nearby is the Moises Ecolodge, which can also be used for overnight stays from Atekru. The Guesthouse Padre Luis is located in the Fatulela district of Maquili. It is indeed possible to rent a holiday apartment, but these are sometimes rather remote, so you should make sure you have the name and mobile phone number of a motorcycle taxi driver. Providers include Iti Muran House and Uma Ba Futuru. In Akrema you can camp on the beach for a small fee, provided you have brought your own camping equipment.
Overview adapted from Wikipedia, travel guide fromWikivoyage (CC BY-SA)。Photography via Wikimedia Commons.