Jaco Island
A sacred tropical paradise at the edge of the world
A small island gem at Timor-Leste's easternmost tip, with the whitest sand lapped by the clearest and most azure ocean. Transparent waters teem with underwater life. Sacred to the Timorese people, no development or overnight stays are permitted.
Accessible by small fishing boat across a shallow channel from Valu beach, Jaco Island sits within Nino Konis Santana National Park. The island is considered sacred, so visitors come only for the day, leaving no trace behind. The surrounding reef system is among the richest in the Coral Triangle, making it exceptional for snorkelling straight off the beach.
Quick facts about Jaco Island
- Sacred and uninhabited — visitors come only for the day, with no overnight stays
- Marks the easternmost tip of Timor-Leste
- Lies within Nino Konis Santana National Park
- Reached by small fishing boat from Valu Beach (about $10 return)
- Ringed by some of the richest reef in the Coral Triangle — snorkel straight off the beach
Practical Information
From Dili
Full day drive east via Baucau to Tutuala
Access
4WD to Tutuala, then boat from Valu
Best For
Beach lovers, snorkellers, adventurers
Photos
Travel here with care
Reefs, sacred sites, and small communities are easily affected. A few simple choices keep this place as special as you found it.
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