The Timor Sea sits between northern Australia and the island of Timor, a working seascape shaped by fisheries, oil and gas developments, and important shipping lanes. Its mix of shallow shelves and deeper basins makes coastal measurements and maritime boundaries especially consequential for local economies.
There are 3 Timor Sea Bordering Countries, ranging from Australia to Timor-Leste (including Indonesia). For each, the data are organized as Flag (emoji),Coast on Timor Sea (km),Key maritime notes — you’ll find below.
Which countries border the Timor Sea?
The sea is bordered by Australia, Indonesia, and Timor-Leste; Australia occupies the southern margin, Indonesia includes West Timor and nearby islands, and Timor-Leste covers the eastern part of Timor island, with each country holding distinct coastal extents and maritime claims.
How current and reliable are the coast lengths and maritime notes?
Coastline lengths depend on measurement method and scale, and maritime notes reflect treaties, EEZ declarations, and resource agreements that can change; for the most reliable, up-to-date figures check national hydrographic offices, official maritime boundary treaties, and international nautical chart providers.
Timor Sea Bordering Countries
| Name | Flag (emoji) | Coast on Timor Sea (km) | Key maritime notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 🇦🇺 | 2,400 | Large EEZ; major oil and gas fields; past boundary disputes |
| Indonesia | 🇮🇩 | 1,100 | Shared EEZ areas; fisheries; oil/gas prospects; boundary complexities |
| Timor-Leste | 🇹🇱 | 700 | EEZ claims; Greater Sunrise oil/gas; revenue-sharing disputes |
Images and Descriptions
Australia
Australia’s northern coast along the Timor Sea (Northern Territory and northwest Western Australia) hosts a large EEZ and major offshore oil and gas developments. Historic maritime boundary disputes with Timor-Leste ended with recent treaties; important fisheries and Indigenous coastal communities remain.
Indonesia
Indonesia’s southern islands (West Timor, Rote, nearby Lesser Sundas) border the Timor Sea. Rich fisheries, localized oil and gas prospects, and complex maritime boundaries with Timor-Leste and Australia shape resource sharing and occasional disputes.
Timor-Leste
Timor-Leste’s southern coast faces the Timor Sea; it’s central to the country’s economy due to offshore oil and gas (notably Greater Sunrise). Ongoing maritime boundary arrangements and revenue-sharing agreements with Australia remain politically significant for development.
