Tanimbar
Goodstone is excited to be developing a new company in Tanimbar, focused on community development and ready to deliver support services for a large oil and gas development in the region.
Why Choose Tanimbar
The Tanimbar Islands (Kepulauan Tanimbar) are a remote group of roughly 65 islands in the Maluku province of eastern Indonesia, located between the Banda Sea and the Arafura Sea.
They remain a major centre for the production of traditional crafts like ikat cloth and carved wooden statues in Maluku and have their own forms of music and dance.
Cultural attractions apart, the Tanimbar’s also have their own distinct fauna, including 8 species of bird’s endemic to the archipelago, and the usual fine beaches.
Most of the above attractions can be found on Yamdena which is the largest and most central of the islands. Yamdena is also home to the regional capital Saumlaki. This is the most accessible of the islands, and the main focus of most visits.
Of the other islands, Larat in the north, with its town of the same name is the most accessible one, and the only one to offer any facilities.
Key Facts
Largest Island: Yamdena is the largest island in the chain, hosting the main town and administrative capital, Saumlaki.
Other Key Islands: Larat and Fordata to the north, Selaru to the south, and Sera to the west.
Population: Around 132,000 residents, the majority of whom are Christian (Protestant and Catholic), alongside a local Muslim community.
Custom & Culture: Governed traditionally by the duan-lolat social system, and renowned for hand-woven ikat textiles, intricate woodcarvings, and unique endemic wildlife like the Tanimbar corella.
Economy: Focused on small-scale fishing, swidden agriculture, copra production, and future regional energy developments such as the InpexMasela Block natural gas project.
Getting There
By Air: Fly into Pattimura Airport in Ambon, then take a connecting flight to Matilda Batlayeri Airport in Saumlaki (about 1 hour and 45 minutes).
By Sea: PeriodicPelni passenger ships (such as KM Leuser or KM Tatamau) sail to Saumlaki from Ambon, taking roughly 8 to 9 days.
Would you like to know more about travel logistics, local culture, or Goodstones projects in Saumlaki?
