Solor Archipelago is an island group in Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. It comprises three main islands (Adonara, Lembata and Solor) as well as numerous smaller islands, just east of Flores and west of the Alor Archipelago.

Understand

Towns

• Lewoleba — Lembata's main town is also a regional centre and has some useful facilities (transport connections, ATMs, internet)
• Waiwerang — the main town Adonara

Villages

• Lamalera — a small village on Lembata, known for its whale-hunters

Talk

English is not widely spoken, so it's helpful to learn a little Bahasa Indonesia. However, even the national language is not spoken everywhere. The local language is Lamaholot.

Get in

By plane

TransNusa operates flights from Lembata Airport to El Tari Airport in Kupang (West Timor), which has good connections to the rest of the country.

By boat

A daily wooden ferry links Larantuka on the eastern tip of Flores to Adonara (stopping at Waiwerang, Rp 12,000) and Lembata (stopping at Lewoleba, Rp 30,000). There is also a speed boat several times a day connecting Larantuka and Lewoleba (Rp 100,000) via Weiwarang in 1 hour. Another ferry connects Lewoleba to Kupang (ekonomi class 70,000 including small meal, 12 hours). Pelni ships also serve the area.

Go next

• The Alor Archipelago, further east, is renowned for its diving
• Flores to the west offers some beautiful scenery, such as the colourful lakes of Mount Kelimutu