INA ROA — An Austronesian House Experience
Warbal Island · Kei Islands · Indonesia
Ina Roa offers a unique community-based Austronesian House experience, developed collaboratively with the local families and captains of Warbal Island. Nestled beneath swaying coconut trees and just a few steps away from the stunning lagoon and the renowned Ngurtafur sandbank, this Kei Islands camp provides a simple, serene, and authentic way to immerse yourself in island life. It serves as an ideal base for those looking to slow down, disconnect, and explore the surrounding islands—ranging from picturesque sandbanks and lush mangroves to vibrant reefs, productive fishing grounds, and remote villages. This isn't a resort; it’s a cozy and intimate Warbal Island accommodation that fosters a deep connection with the sea, local families, and traditional practices.
The camp features traditional Austronesian houses crafted with care, standing among the palm trees. Each house is elevated on posts, adorned with palm thatch roofs, and designed with intricately woven bamboo walls that showcase diamond patterns. Life here embraces simplicity: ikat-covered daybeds and cushions are arranged on woven mats, hammocks dangle in shaded spots, and open verandas present magnificent views of the sea.
A central gathering place lies at the heart of the camp, featuring a communal house that invites the sky inside. It showcases carved wooden screens in herringbone patterns, stone benches surrounding a central hearth, and a pebble-and-painted floor where guests and hosts come together for shared meals, storytelling, and evening fires.
Getting to Warbal Island is an adventure in itself; travel by boat with our skilled captains enhances the experience as you glide over turquoise waters, pass sandbanks, and receive a warm welcome from the families who call this island home.
Embracing the essence of simplicity, our Kei Islands camp is free from running water and electricity; washing is done by mandi (bucket bath). Each house includes a private bathroom just outside, complemented by shared facilities consisting of a bathroom, kitchen, and mandi. A generator is available upon request for charging phones and cameras, providing you with an opportunity to truly disconnect.
At a glance:
- Traditional Austronesian thatched houses on Warbal Island
- Private bathroom outside each house + shared bathroom, kitchen & mandi
- No running water, no electricity — generator on request
- Accessed by boat only, with our Warbal captains
- Steps from the Ngurtafur sandbank & lagoon
- Three meals a day, shared around the communal house