Swimsuit

6 Stunning Photos from Lais Ribeiro’s Debut SI Swim Feature in Indonesia

The model has since been featured in the magazine three additional times.

Martha Zaytoun

Lais Ribeiro poses before the bright blue ocean in a vibrant string bikini.

Lais Ribeiro was photographed by James Macari in Sumba Island.

Four-time SI Swimsuit model Lais Ribeiro made her debut with the issue back in 2017. The Brazil native traveled all the way to Sumba Island, Indonesia for her rookie feature, accompanying photographer James Macari around the idyllic island for a series of unreal photos.

She was “very excited” for the opportunity to be featured in the magazine and, likewise, for the incredible location of the photoshoot. “This is amazing,” she gushed of the island. “Not a better place to be.”

The experience required the model to embrace a little bit of her adventurous side, particularly when it came to capturing photos by the waterfalls, which were difficult to get to. But the “place was worth” the challenge, Ribeiro said after she had laid eyes on the incredible location.

And she wouldn’t have changed a thing. Much like us, she found the pictures to be “unbelievable,” and certainly worth the work, particularly those by the waterfall. The whole experience left her with gratitude. “As the newest Sports Illustrated model, I feel very proud of myself,” she said. “I was really, really happy to finally get into the family.”

Likewise, we were happy to have her then (and for three more appearances after). Below are some of the best and most adventurous photos from her Indonesian trip.

Lais Ribeiro poses in a purple and pink string bikini beside a brown horse.
Lais Ribero poses on a waterfall in a vibrant string bikini.
Lais Ribeiro poses on a bamboo bridge in a patterned bikini.
Lais Ribeiro poses in a field of bright green grass in a blue and red bikini set.
Lais Ribeiro stands on natural rocks in front of a waterfall in a bikini.
Lais Ribeiro wades in a pool of bright green water in a silver metallic top.

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Martha Zaytoun
MARTHA ZAYTOUN

Martha Zaytoun is a writer on the Lifestyle and Trending News team for SI Swimsuit. Before joining SI Swimsuit in 2023, she worked on the editorial board of the University of Notre Dame’s student magazine and on the editorial team at Chapel Hill, Durham and Chatham Magazines in North Carolina. When not working, Zaytoun loves to watercolor and oil paint, run and water ski. She is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and a huge Fighting Irish fan.

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