The beach at Tutuala is famous for the powerful current that sweeps through the narrow channel. This rushing water carries nutrients from the deep sea up to the surface, which is why the reefs nearby are so full of life. Divers and snorkellers come from around the world to drift with the current and watch the sea creatures flash past.
From the clifftop village you look straight down onto the beach and across to Jaco Island, which seems so close you could almost throw a stone to it. Local children grow up with this spectacular view every single morning. The village is small and quiet, with families who have lived here for many generations.
The area around Tutuala also has some of the oldest rock art in Southeast Asia, hidden in limestone caves on the cliffside. These ancient paintings, made with red ochre, show animals and human figures from thousands of years ago. They are a reminder that people have always been drawn to this beautiful corner of the world.
Getting to Tutuala takes a long drive through mountains and forest, along roads that wind past rice terraces and small villages. The journey itself is an adventure, with views across the hilly interior of Timor-Leste opening up as you drive east.