Atauro Island

About this place

Atauro is a quiet, mountainous island north of Dili, the capital of Timor-Leste. Green and rocky hills slope down to clear turquoise water, small white-sand beaches lie among the trees, and simple fishing villages line the shore. The island lies 23.5 km north of Dili and is 22 km long, 5 to 10 km wide and 150 km² in area. Its name means «goat» in the local language, after the many goats kept there. It was formed from old undersea volcanoes pushed up above the water, with areas of uplifted coral limestone. It became a separate municipality in 2022. A 2016 scientific survey found unusually high reef-fish diversity around it. You swim and snorkel over the coral reefs, walk the paths between villages and watch the sunset over the sea. The largest village is Vila Maumeta, linked by a paved road to Pala. You reach the island by ferry from Dili in about two hours, or on fishermen's boats. Book lodging ahead at the small guesthouses and bring enough cash, as services are few.