Satonda Island

Satonda Island is a small uninhabited volcanic island off the north coast of Sumbawa in Pekat District, Dompu Regency, West Nusa Tenggara. It is notable for its flooded volcanic crater forming Lake Motitoi, a saltwater lake in the island's center. Formed by volcanic activity and altered by the 1815 Mount Tambora eruption, the island is known for its coral reefs, white sand beaches, and natural scenery within the Tambora region.

Visitors can expect an uninhabited volcanic island with a central crater lake (Danau Motitoi) surrounded by forested crater walls, white and black sand beaches, and fringing coral reefs. Access is by chartered boat from Nangamiro or Calabai in Pekat. Areas to explore include the crater lake shoreline, short trekking trails to the crater rim and viewpoint, beach areas for swimming and snorkeling, and reef areas for diving. Facilities are minimal and the environment is natural and quiet.

Satonda is a dormant volcanic island with a crater formed by volcanic activity. Its crater lake was originally freshwater but was flooded with seawater by the tsunami generated by the catastrophic eruption of Mount Tambora in April 1815, located on the Sanggar Peninsula opposite the island. The lake is now alkaline saltwater and is studied for its geological and ecological characteristics linked to the Tambora eruption.

The island holds local cultural significance centered on Danau Motitoi and the Pohon Harapan (Wishing Tree) near the lake, where visitors hang stones or corals with wishes. The lake and island are considered to have natural and spiritual value by local communities in Dompu and are part of the cultural landscape associated with the Tambora region.