For generations, Sumbanese horses have been guided into the ocean — a ritual both practical and poetic. At NIHI, you are invited to honour this tradition.
Ride bareback along Nihiwatu Beach, then together enter the crystal-clear Indian Ocean just in front of the resort. Feel the horse’s calm strength beneath you, the pull of the tide around you.
An encounter you’ll long remember.
Meet your Sumba pony on Nihiwatu® Beach as the tide recedes. Bareback and guided, your horseman leads you gently into the Indian Ocean by the Boathouse — where cool water meets warm light, and both horse and rider find their ease.
DURATION
30 min
NOTES
Weight Limit: 85kg.
Additional fee required for photographer
A truly unique wellness experience awaits at NIHI’s Equine Sanctuary.
Beneath swaying palms and beside the sound of the ocean, retired sea horses become gentle partners in relaxation and healing. This deeply calming equine massage invites guests to slow down, reconnect, and experience the quiet presence of these remarkable horses.
Part of NIHI Spa’s Equine Wellness offering, alongside equine reiki and yoga, this experience can be included as part of your half or full day at NIHI Spa.
Raw, simple moments.
Two horses lingering at the water’s edge, their wet hooves sinking into the sand as waves roll in and out around them. No saddles, no riders, no destination. Just the quiet rhythm of the ocean and the freedom to simply be.
These are the moments that stay with you long after Sumba.
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#nihigram @lina_jyoga
When the early morning mist still sits over Nihiwatu Beach and you wake up to breakfast overlooking wild horses living free along the shore. There’s nowhere else on earth quite like this. @nihi is less a destination and more a dream you never want to leave.
As the sun rises, Sumba and a daily life that harks back to a bygone era awakens. The island of Sumba is one that is raw in its beauty and rich with culture. @nihi takes you beyond the resort and into the culture of Sumba where you can feel the true soul of the island.
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#nihigram by @gedewahyuu_
Morning begins with the ocean stretched out before you. Set in an elevated position within the heart of @nihi, Wulla Marapu offers an expansive view of the full curve of Nihiwatu Beach. Designed for relaxed family living, Wulla Marapu is a three-bedroom villa that brings together Sumbanese heritage, tranquil open-air spaces, and the natural beauty of Sumba.
From 1–14 June, we welcome visiting practitioner Carol, NIHI’s renowned Horse Whisperer.
Lie in the quiet presence of our horses as Carol guides a deeply restorative Reiki experience. Through gentle energy work and the horses’ calm, heart-centred presence, stress softens and you are gently returned to the present moment, where healing begins.
Set beneath swaying palms at NIHI Spa, and accompanied by the soothing rhythm of the ocean, this unique Equine Wellness experience invites guests to slow down, reconnect, and experience the profound sense of peace that can arise in the presence of horses.
Raw beauty, untamed adventure, and moments that stay with you forever. Welcome to @nihi. A place that stays with you long after you’ve left. Experience the magic in the spaces between nature and luxury. A retreat from the modern world out on the Edge of Wildness. Remote by nature, refined by design.
Experience the place where Sumba’s raw beauty meets soulful renewal. Welcome to Nihioka, home of NIHI Spa.
The journey is part of the magic. Ride on horseback along the coast, travel by jeep through rolling hills, or trek at sunrise past rice fields and villages before arriving at this secluded sanctuary by the sea.
Beneath swaying palms and to the rhythm of the Indian Ocean, discover treatments designed to restore balance to body and spirit. Among Nihioka’s most unique offerings is its Equine Wellness experience, where retired horses guide guests through moments of connection, calm, and healing.
From equine reiki and yoga to the signature horse massage, guests are invited to experience the gentle presence of these remarkable animals in a way found nowhere else. Whether enjoying a Spa Safari, spending a day immersed in wellness, or simply lying in stillness among the horses, every moment is designed to reconnect you with nature and yourself.
Be wild. Be free. Be well.
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#nihigram by @catalinavonbonin @jonaways
As the sun sets over @nihi, guests gather on Nihiwatu Beach to witness Mini Pasola, a captivating celebration of Sumba’s rich heritage where young riders from neighboring villages race horses across the white sand in a spirited display of skill, tradition, and community.
More than just a spectacle, this immersive event also supports the @sumbafoundation, with proceeds helping provide vital school supplies for local children.
For those visiting outside of Pasola season, Mini Pasolas offer a meaningful glimpse into this sacred ritual, traditionally held during February and March.
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#nihigram by @catalinavonbonin @jonaways
Perched above the wild beauty of Nihiwatu, @nihi’s Putri Hillrise Villa looks out across endless ocean views, rolling coastline, and glowing sunsets. This two-bedroom sanctuary was designed for slowing down, switching off, and disappearing into nature. Drift between quiet mornings by the pool and evenings where the sky melts into the sea.
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