Top 10 Best Islands in Indonesia
Gili Islands, Lombok
The Gili Islands are a group of islands located off the northwest coast of Lombok, Bali's neighboring island. There are three islands in this group, Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and Gili Air. From postcard-perfect white sandy beaches to colorful coral reefs, stunning sunsets, local culture, and much more to offer, the Gili Islands provide everything you need for a week of relaxation. Gili Trawangan is the largest and liveliest of the three with a bit of nightlife, diving and snorkeling lessons with turtles, and all kinds of marine life. With beautiful coral reefs and majestic underwater life, Gili Air is an emerging paradise for adventurers. In recent years this island has grown a lot and has excellent restaurants and accommodations. On the other hand, Gili Meno, the smallest of the three, is a much more serene and romantic island, making it a popular honeymoon destination. [caption id="attachment_1243" align="aligncenter" width="1920"]
Gili Islands in Northern Lombok[/caption]
Visiting any of these Gili islands is perfect for those who don’t want to be too far from Bali, but crave less traffic and more white sand!
Wakatobi Islands, Sulawesi
Comprised of four islands (Wangi-Wangi, Kaledupa, Tomia & Binongko) in the southern part of Sulawesi, the Wakatobi archipelago is a remote treasure trove of unspoiled natural beauty. This marine national park is the perfect destination for travellers looking for a tranquil island getaway far from the sun-worshipping crowds. With close to 1,000 different kinds of coral, over 700 species of fish and 50 spectacular diving spots, the Wakatobi Islands are regarded as one of the top diving destinations in the world, yet it is far less crowded than some other tourist destinations of Indonesia. Apart from diving and snorkelling, one can also visit Hoga Island for a lazy day on the beach, meet the Bajo people, who have literally been living on the ocean for centuries to witness their unique lifestyle, and watching the awe-inspiring sunsets from the Kahyangan Summit and enjoy the surreal beauty of Sombano Lake while holidaying in Indonesia.
Komodo Island, Nusa Tenggara
Located off the coast of Flores, Komodo Island is one of the most famous islands in Indonesia besides Bali. Jurassic Park comes to life on this island of Indonesia, as it is home to the fearsome Komodo dragons, the largest lizards in the world known for hunting prey as large as water buffalo. Arguably, Komodo is one of the most fascinating creatures on earth and you can only find these wild beasts in the Komodo National Park of Indonesia, which comprises the islands of Komodo, Padar, and Rinca.
The dragons, which can weigh up to 200 pounds, are not as scary as they seem, but they have toxic saliva, so you wouldn’t want to be bitten by one. Aside from these giant lizards, Komodo Island has glorious hills, a famous pink beach, lush tropical hills, and a thriving underwater wildlife. Additionally, you can visit Padar Island, which is popular for an iconic hill with a view of three magnificent bays in one scene during your trip to Indonesia. Diving in Komodo is excellent, but generally for slightly more advanced divers.
Raja Ampat, Papua
Far from the dense and bustling concrete jungles, the congested traffic, the endless annoying noises, and the maddening crowds of tourists, you will find a pristine paradise of Raja Ampat where mother nature and warm, friendly people welcome you with all the exceptional sights. Raja Ampat, in the less-traveled province of West Papua, is an archipelago comprising over 1,500 small islands, cays, and reefs surrounding the four main islands of Waigeo, Batanta, Salawati, and Misool.
These four main islands feature hidden caves, pristine beaches, and mountainous jungles. This archaeology is a paradise for divers and snorkelers, as it has one of the most vibrant underwater scenes on the planet. Once you have finished your underwater mission of the day, you can take a birdwatching trip on the mysterious jungle-covered islands, explore some ancient rock paintings and caves on Misool Island, or the wildlife on Waigeo Island.
Despite all this, it remains largely pristine due to its remote location and vast locality.
Samosir Island, Sumatra
Approximately the size of Singapore, Samosir Island or Palau Samosir is a large volcanic island located in the middle of Lake Toba in Sumatra, the largest volcanic lake in the world. The island was formed by the cone of a new volcano that rose from the bottom of the lake and is the largest island within an island in the world. The beautiful landscape, idyllic hot springs for relaxation, fresh air, pine-covered slopes descending into the deep blue of the water, wide views in all directions, the relaxed pace of life, and the absence of crowds make Samosir an ideal place for those seeking a different kind of island experience. While in Samosir, one can swim in the lake or take a boat tour on the waters and witness the unique and fascinating Batak heritage.
Bangka Belitung Islands, Sumatra
Located off the southeast coast of the mainland of Sumatra, the Bangka-Belitung province comprises two main islands, Bangka and Belitung, and several smaller ones. With wonderful white sandy beaches, incredibly clear waters, unique rock formations, and mesmerizing sunsets, the Bangka and Belitung islands are the most beautiful islands in the archipelago and fantastic places to escape from the asphalt jungle. Here are seven islands you can visit as part of a boat tour, and many of them are covered with tropical flora and fauna. One of them is Lengkuas Island, famous for its iconic 19th-century lighthouse overlooking the translucent sea. With crystal-clear waters and coral formations, this is the best place for snorkeling and diving.
Sumba Island, East Nusa Tenggara
With its rugged rolling savannas, low limestone hills interwoven with cornfields, empty beaches, crazy clan houses with thatched roofs, and prehistoric cultures, Sumba Island in the province of East Nusa Tenggara offers its own distinctive splendors, unlike the volcanic islands of northern Indonesia. It is located east of Bali, but curiously very few tourists visit this island, and those who make the journey here are usually surfers, as Sumba has a surprising surf scene. As if that weren’t reason enough to visit Sumba, you can also take the opportunity to learn more about the local culture, allowing you a fascinating glimpse into structures like megalithic tombs around the capital of West Sumba, Waikabubak, and observe unique rituals and traditions following the ancient Marapu belief. If you want to explore a different side of this vast archipelago, this is a place you should not miss on your Indonesia tour itinerary.
Nusa Islands
Whether you have been to Bali before or want to break away from the chaos of the mainland, why not explore its beyond? With stunning natural wonders, beautiful lagoons, dusty beaches, and much less of Bali's overly touristy scene, the chain of three islands of Nusa: Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa Ceningan off the coast of Bali allows you to beat the crowd in peace and serenity. Nusa Lembongan is the most famous, but each island has its own specialty, which are perfect for diving and snorkeling due to the splendid underwater scenes beneath the calm and translucent ocean surface. Don’t miss the cliff jumps at Nusa Ceningan, cross the yellow bridge between Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan, and admire the iconic Kelingking Beach on Nusa Penida while on holiday in this part of Indonesia.
Bintan Island, Riau
Located just a ferry ride away from Singapore or Johor Bahru in Malaysia, Bintan is the most popular and the largest of the 3,200 islands that make up the Riau archipelago in Indonesia. It offers the perfect getaway to a tropical island with its pristine white sandy beaches, beautiful nature, picturesque coastal villages, fascinating local culture, world-class golf courses, and an impressive list of high-end resorts. While in Bintan, head to the secluded Trikora Beach on the east coast, or for more amenities, visit one of the many beaches around Sebung Village. Besides the beaches, be sure to visit cultural attractions such as the Masjid Raya Sultan mosque on Penyengat Island and the famous Maritria temple or Vihara Avalokitesvara on the nearby Senggarang Island.
Kalimantan, Borneo
If you want to get back to nature and visit a part of Indonesia that is far from tourists, head to Kalimantan, the Indonesian part of the island of Borneo shared by Brunei, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Kalimantan, known for its tropical forests, winding rivers, rugged landscapes, and exotic wildlife, offers a unique and unexplored world. Cruise on a klotok along the Sekonyer River through Tanjung Puting National Park to see orangutans in the wild, sail to nearby Derawan Island for a quiet beach holiday, and head to the small islands of Samaná or Kakaban to swim or snorkel to admire the non-poisonous golden and moon jellyfish floating around you while in Kalimantan. For adventurers, this island offers rafting facilities along some of the most challenging rivers in the world.