Walakiri beach Stargazing & Astronomy Report

Key Sky Quality Metrics

SQM (mag/arcsec²)

21.75

Bortle class

Class 2 (Class 2)

Darkness Quotient

91%

Dataset

May 2026

Typical truly dark site

Walakiri beach: The Practical Verdict

Walakiri beach, located in the remote expanse of East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, offers a prime opportunity for stargazing. As a remote dark site, the location boasts a truly impressive sky quality that firmly supports the observation of deep-sky objects. With an SQM of 21.75, the sky here is classified as a Very Dark Sky with Bortle Class 2. The Milky Way is clearly visible on moonless nights, revealing its structure and contrast.

Under these conditions, you can optimistically target galaxies, nebulae, and clusters alongside delighting in meteor showers. The place is perfect for both visual deep-sky observing and broadband imaging due to the strong sky quality. Given the lack of significant light pollution and a clean horizon to the north-north-east, observing conditions are near-optimal at this location itself.

Though Prai Bokul to the south-south-west offers comparable dark sky at a minor improvement, Walakiri beach stands strong on its own. Travelling for darker skies isn't necessary since this beach already provides a robust stargazing experience.

At a Glance

Overall

Very strong dark sky - This is a very strong dark-sky location where the Milky Way, faint stars, nebulae, and galaxies are realistically accessible.

Milky Way

Clearly visible - The Milky Way should be prominent on moonless nights, with visible structure and strong contrast.

Best targets from here

Milky Way, galaxies, nebulae, globular clusters, open clusters, meteor showers

Do not prioritise

none due to light pollution alone

Already a strong sky

Walakiri beach is already a strong astronomy location. There is no obvious reason to travel for a darker sky.

Good dark window

Walakiri beach retains astronomical darkness throughout the year, so seasonality is less extreme than at higher latitudes. The main limitation is light pollution, not the length of the dark window.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you see the Milky Way from Walakiri beach?

Yes. Walakiri beach reaches Bortle 2, dark enough that the Milky Way is clearly visible on clear, moonless nights.

What Bortle class is Walakiri beach?

Walakiri beach is Bortle Class 2 (SQM 21.75), a very strong dark sky for astronomy.

Is Walakiri beach good for stargazing?

Yes. Walakiri beach is a very strong dark sky and supports serious stargazing including deep-sky observing.

Is Walakiri beach good for astrophotography?

Broadband deep-sky imaging is realistic from Walakiri beach. Narrowband imaging of bright emission nebulae remains viable from Walakiri beach with appropriate Ha or OIII filters.

What can you observe from Walakiri beach?

Primary targets from Walakiri beach include Milky Way, galaxies, nebulae, globular clusters, open clusters. Targets such as none due to light pollution alone are not realistic from this sky.

Where are darker skies near Walakiri beach?

No meaningfully darker mapped site was found within the search radius around Walakiri beach.

When is the sky darkest in Walakiri beach?

The sky over Walakiri beach is darkest around June, July.

Is light pollution in Walakiri beach getting better or worse?

Long-term light pollution over Walakiri beach has been broadly stable across the available measurements.

• Prai Bokul, East Nusa Tenggara

  Direction

  SSW

  Distance (km)

  43.7

  SQM

  21.84

  Bortle

  2

• Waikanabu, East Nusa Tenggara

  Direction

  SW

  Distance (km)

  45.7

  SQM

  21.83

  Bortle

  2

• Kombapari, East Nusa Tenggara

  Direction

  WSW

  Distance (km)

  53.9

  SQM

  21.83

  Bortle

  2