27 Beautiful Indonesian Islands: The Best Places To Visi

Believe it or not, many of the best places to visit in Indonesia are still practically unknown to tourists. There are more than 17,000 islands in Indonesia, and most of them are still waiting to be traveled.

Everyone goes to Bali, which is a great place for vacation (don’t get me wrong), but it’s been suffering from overtourism and overdevelopment for years.

If you branch out to the other islands in Indonesia, you can see smoking volcanoes, sulfur lakes, pinksand beaches, tropical rainforests, exotic wildlife, and so much more.

Since Indonesia is my second home (and my wife’s actual home!), we’ve been privileged to do a bunch of exploring in this wonderful country, including some of the most far flung and beautiful islands.

Here’s my complete list of the best places to visit in Indonesia that are not just Bali. If you’ve been to an island that’s missing from this guide, you’re also welcome to recommend it in the comments at the bottom of the article!

27 Beautiful Indonesian Islands To Visit

1. Bali Island

Of course, Asia’s favorite vacation island! Before I mention other places in Indonesia, I have to mention Bali for the newcomers. It’s great for luxury seekers and budget travelers alike. There’s something for everyone here.

Adventure lovers in Bali will have easy access to waterfalls, jungles, cliffs, volcanoes, and more. Or, if you’re the more laid back type, Bali has beaches, temples, and rice terraces for you, along with an endless supply of good restaurants and massages.

If any of that sounds nice, then you’ll fall in love with Bali and its people, just like I did. The only con is that it’s overtraveled. The small island got more than 6 million tourists in 2024.

Jatiluwih Rice Terraces in Bali, the most popular Indonesian island.

Mount Batur volcano in Bali

Sekumpul Waterfall in Bali

 

2. Nusa Penida Island

The wonderful Indonesian island of Nusa Penida lies just 25 kilometers from Bali, and it’s considered part of the Bali province.

It’s a much smaller island than Bali, but it has some of the most exotic and beautiful scenery anywhere in Indonesia. We’ve visited Penida at least a dozen times over the years, but it never gets old.

This island can be visited on a day trip from Bali (same day return), but I think it’s better to spend at least a few days seeing things here.

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It’s home to some famous natural sights like the dinosaur-shaped Kelingking Cliff, and the appropriately named Diamond Beach.

• Things To See: Diamond Beach, Kelingking Beach, Broken Bay, & More

• How To Get There: 1 hour boat trip from Bali

• Book Now: Nusa Penida Day Tour

Rumah Pohon Treehouse in Nusa Penida

Nusa Penida is one of the most scenic Indonesian islands!

Diamond Beach in Nusa Penida

 

3. Nusa Lembongan Island

In addition to the island of Nusa Penida, the province of Bali also includes two smaller islands near it called Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan, respectively.

Popular sights on Nusa Lembongan include a white sand beach called Dream Beach, and the Devil’s Tears, a nice little cliff spot where you can watch the waves crashing on the rocks.

It’s easy to get to Nusa Lembongan from Bali, and you can also travel between any of the Nusa islands with a short and cheap boat ride. Some people even base themselves in Nusa Lembongan or Ceningan while touring Penida island.

• Things To See: Dream Beach, Devil’s Tears, & Mangrove Forest

• How To Get There: 1 hour boat trip from Bali

 

4. Nusa Ceningan Island

Nusa Ceningan is the smallest of the three Nusa islands in Bali, but it still has some nice things to see and do.

The islands of Lembongan and Ceningan are connected to each other by a colorful yellow bridge, and even though they don’t have the epic cliffs and dramatic scenery of Nusa Penida, they’re still worth a visit for the nice hotels, seaside cafes, and laidback atmosphere.

You can get to Nusa Ceningan easily from Lembongan by driving across the iconic yellow bridge or taking a quick boat ride from Penida. From mainland Bali, it’s a 1 hour ride in a speedboat.

Blue Lagoon Avia Villas in Nusa Ceningan

Ocean views at the Blue Lagoon Avia Villas in Nusa Ceningan

 

5. Lombok Island

Lombok is Bali’s neighbor island. It’s the same size as Bali and way less traveled by tourists, but you could argue it’s just as scenic, and the infrastructure is pretty developed.

The main attraction is Mount Rinjani, which towers over the whole island. It’s the second tallest volcano in Indonesia, and you can trek it in a few days with a local guide.

Lombok is also known for some stunning beaches and waterfalls scattered across the island, and unlike in Bali, most of these spots are still hidden and free of crowds.

Even though it’s not as popular as Bali, Lombok is undoubtedly one of the most scenic places in Indonesia, and it’s likely to become the next vacation island for people looking to move on from Bali.

• Things To See: Mount Rinjani, Sembalun 7 Summits, Tiu Kelep Waterfall, Tanjung Aan Beach

• How To Get There: Fly to Lombok International Airport (LOP) or take a boat from Bali

Lombok has all kinds of great scenery

 

6. Java Island

Java, the most populated island of Indonesia, is home to some of the most incredible volcanic landscapes in the world.

The smoking craters at Mount Bromo and Kawah Ijen have become famous tourist destinations in East Java, and the center of the island has ancient temples that look like something out of The Jungle Book.

Meanwhile, West Java has surreal crater lakes like Kawah Putih, and dozens of big waterfalls to discover in the Ciletuh Geopark. It’s easily one of the best places to visit in Indonesia!

• Things To See: Ciletuh Geopark, Kawah Putih, Dieng Plateau, Prambanan Temple, Mount Bromo, & More

• How To Get There: Fly to Jakarta (CGK), Jogyakarta (YIA), or Surabaya (SUB)

Dieng Plateau in Java

Mount Bromo in Java — one of the best Indonesian islands!

Sewu Temple in Java

 

7. Flores Island

Flores is wild and wonderful, and there are a lot of good things to see and do, but it’s a very long island, so a road trip is the best way to take it all in.

One of the main tourist attractions here would have to be the Kelimutu Lakes, a pair of amazing turquoise colored volcanic lakes in central Flores, and you can see them without doing any hiking.

If you start from Labuan Bajo, you can do an overland tour of Flores from west to east and see sights like the spiderweb rice fields, Wae Rebo traditional village, Nuca Molas island, Mount Inerie volcano, and much more.

In spite of the lack of publicity and infrastructure, Flores is definitely one of the best places to visit in Indonesia.

• Things To See: Wae Rebo village, Nuca Molas island, Mount Inerie hike, Kelimutu National Park, Koka Beach

• How To Get There: Fly to Labuan Bajo (LBJ), Bajawa (BJW), Ende (ENE), or Maumere (MOF)

Morning views at Wae Rebo village

Kelimutu National Park in Flores

Goa Rangko Cave in Labuan Bajo

 

8. Komodo Island

Komodo Island is famous for being home to the beastly Komodo dragons (the world’s biggest lizard), and it’s full of other ‘bucket list’ travel experiences.

The UNESCO designated Komodo National Park has dozens of islands with white and pink sand beaches, scenic mountains for trekking and coral reefs for diving, and it’s the only place in the world where you can see Komodo dragons up close in the wild!

We’ve visited Komodo a bunch of times over the years and it’s always amazing. One of the great things about its gateway town, Labuan Bajo, is that it’s not far from Bali and it’s easy to reach with a short flight from there.

• Things To See: Komodo Dragons, Padar Island, & Pink Beach

• How To Get There: Fly to Labuan Bajo (LBJ) from Bali (DPS) or Kuala Lumpur (KUL)

• More Info: Komodo Travel Guide

• Book Now: Komodo Liveaboard Tours / Day Tours

The Komodo islands are the only place in the world where you can see Komodo dragons like this in the wild

Komodo has several pinkbeaches with bright pink sand and turquoise water

 

9. Padar Island

Even though Padar island is one of the smallest islands in the Komodo National Park, the scenic viewpoint here has become a famous natural landmark of Indonesia, and it’s even been featured on the 50,000 Rupiah cash note.

You can visit this island easily on a boat tour of the Komodo National Park, and the hike up to the viewpoint is relatively quick and straightforward.

At the viewpoint, you can see a magnificent Jurassic Park landscape and three giant bays with a white beach, black beach, and pink beach.

Each of those sand colors is pretty special in itself, but to see all of them in one place is crazy. This is probably the only place in the world where you can witness that!

• How To Get There: Fly to Labuan Bajo (LBJ) from Bali (DPS) or Jakarta (CGK)

• More Info: Padar Island Guide

• Book Now: Komodo Liveaboard Tours / Day Tours

The famous view at Padar Island in Komodo National Park

 

10. Nuca Molas Island

Nuca Molas is another gem that gets compared to Jurassic Park or Moana because of its exotic landscapes.

It’s a small island, but it’s well worth a visit if you’re road tripping through Flores or planning to visit the nearby village of Wae Rebo.

The scenery is spectacular, and you can climb the lighthouse or hike one of the hills for better views of the mountain in the middle of the island. It also has a bat cave and several nice white sand beaches to explore.

The location is a bit remote, but that keeps the crowds away!

• How To Get There: Fly to Labuan Bajo (LBJ), drive to Dintor, and take a boat from the harbor

• More Info: Nuca Molas Travel Guide

• Book Now: 2D1N Nuca Molas Group Tour

Nuca Molas island

Epic landscapes in the center of the island

The lighthouse and main peak at Mules island

 

11. Misool Island (Raja Ampat)

The island of Misool has some of the most amazing sights in the Raja Ampat archipelago, and because of its remoteness, it’s still a bit of a hidden gem.

This place has it all: stunning scenery, great snorkeling, heart-shaped lagoons, limestone caves, and even a lake where you can swim with stingless jellyfish.

I spent a week in Misool recently, and didn’t want to leave. Most of the accommodation there is very basic, but it’s worth it for the experience. Definitely add this one to your bucket list.

• Things To See: Balbulol lagoon, Dafalen love lake, Yapap rocks, Lenmakana jellyfish lake

• How To Get There: Fly to Sorong (SOQ) in West Papua, then take an 8+ hour ferry to Misool

Awesome landscapes in Misool

The Balbulol lagoon looks like an alien planet

Swimming with stingless jellyfish

 

12. Sulawesi Island

Sulawesi is one of my favorite islands to explore in Indonesia. Many of the strangest things we’ve ever seen have been on this island.

You can see volcanic hot springs and megalithic stone faces, karst mountains, bug-eyed tarsiers, prehistoric cave art, and extreme meat markets.

Sulawesi is also home to one of the most bizarre cultures on Earth (Tana Toraja), where they dig up their dead relatives every year to wash the corpses and change their clothes.

• Things To See: Rammang Rammang, Tana Toraja, Tangkoko Nature Reserve, & More

• How To Get There: Fly to Makassar (UPG) in south Sulawesi, or Manado (MDC) in north Sulawesi

Sulawesi is one of the most beautiful Indonesian islands. Seen here is Rammang Rammang village.

Bukit Kasih in Sulawesi

Tangkoko Nature Reserve in Sulawesi

 

13. Banggai Islands

The Banggai area is one of the most underrated places in central Sulawesi, and there are a bunch of great islands to explore here.

Peleng island is easily reachable by ferry from Luwuk city in mainland Sulawesi, and it’s home to Paisu Pok Lake, one of the bluest lakes in Indonesia and possibly the world. Peleng also has some spectacular white sand beaches, limestone caves, and wildlife (including tarsiers).

Further southeast of Peleng island is the Banggai Laut regency, which has more beaches, caves, and sea arches. There’s even a lake where you can swim with stingless jellyfish on Mbuang-Mbaung island.

• Things To See: Paisu Pok Lake, Mandel Beach, Paisu Batongan Jellyfish Lake, & More

• How To Get There: Fly to Luwuk (LUW) in central Sulawesi, then take the ferry to Peleng or Banggai Laut

Paisu Pok Lake in the Banggai islands of Sulawesi.

Drone picture of the amazingly blue Paisu Pok Lake.

Mandel Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in the Banggai islands.

 

14. Buka Buka Island

Buka Buka is a small private island at the gateway to the Togean island chain, in Central Sulawesi.

It’s home to the eco friendly Reconnect Resort, which has a dive center, volleyball court, restaurant, WiFi, and everything else you need to be comfortable. Think of it like glamping in nature.

Buka Buka is the perfect place for relaxing, snorkeling, and kayaking. It has a nice house reef and multiple white sand beaches, including a sandbar on the northeast corner of the island.

If you’re planning a visit to the Togeans, don’t forget to stop here too!

• How To Get There: Fly to Luwuk from Bali or Jakarta via Makassar, drive 5 hours to Ampana, then take a 30 minute boat ride to Buka Buka island

• Where To Stay: Reconnect Resort

© Reconnect Resort on Buka Buka island

Beachfront villa bedroom at © Reconnect Resort

 

15. Labengki Island

Labengki Island (and its exotic neighbor Sombori) might be Indonesia’s best kept secret. This untouched tropical paradise in Sulawesi is impossibly beautiful. It’s one of the most enchanting places we’ve visited in our travels.

Labengki and Sombori haven’t been spoiled by tourism yet, and English documentation for these places is still almost non-existent on the web. We half expected to see dinosaurs as we explored the lagoons, caves, and jungle covered beaches.

It’s pretty remote, so the process of getting there takes a bit of effort, but this is one of the most fantastic Indonesian islands we’ve seen.

• How To Get There: Fly to Kendari (KDI) from Makassar, then take a 3 hour boat ride to Labengki island

• Book Now: 3D2N Labengki/Sombori Private Tour

Red Sand Beach at Labengki island

Love Bay at Labengki

Blue Lagoon in Labengki

 

16. Sombori Islands

Sombori Island has to be one of the most wonderful places we’ve seen in Indonesia. The hundreds of paradise islands and lagoons have earned it the nickname of ‘the Raja Ampat of Sulawesi’ because it looks just like the famous islands in West Papua.

This is a very remote island, but getting there is worth the hassle! We discovered several hidden lagoons and beaches that hadn’t even been named yet, and saw wildlife ranging from giant sea clams to hornbill birds.

• How To Get There: Fly to Kendari (KDI), take a 3 hour boat ride to Labengki, then a 2 hour boat ride to Sombori

• Book Now: 3D2N Labengki/Sombori Private Tour

Sombori Island

Endless lagoons

Tropical paradise of Sombori — one of the best places to visit in Indonesia!

 

17. Bunaken Islands

Bunaken is a small island north of Manado, the capital of North Sulawesi.

The Bunaken Marine Park has some of the most popular Indonesian islands for snorkeling and scuba diving, and there’s even a big sandbar you can walk around on when the tide is low.

We visited Bunaken on a day tour from Manado, but you can also come with a public ferry if you plan to stay longer. The main island has lots of accommodation so you can stay close to the action.

How To Get There: Fly to Manado (MDC) + 1 hour boat ride

Bunaken Marine Park

Snorkeling in Bunaken

Siladen island in Bunaken

 

18. Siau Island

Siau is a small volcanic island north of Manado, but it’s more remote than Bunaken and not as well known, although it probably deserves to be.

The reason I’ve listed it as one of the best places to visit in Indonesia is because of its nature and scenery. It’s outstanding, but still pretty much unknown to international tourists.

Siau island is home to one of Indonesia’s most active and amazing volcanoes (Mount Karangetang), and the island also has its own unique species of tarsier.

This is definitely one of the more obscure islands to visit in Indonesia, but that means you’ll be the only tourist around!

• Things To See: Siau Island Tarsier, Mount Karangetang, Mahoro Island

• How To Get There: Fly to Siau (NAH) from Manado (MDC), or take the 4 hour fast ferry

Smoking twin craters on Mount Karangetang volcano

Pulau Mahoro is one of the best islands you can visit off the coast of Siau, Indonesia

Tarsier spotting in Siau Island

 

19. Selayar Island

Selayar is a long, skinny island south of Makassar, the capital of South Sulawesi.

This is another good place for snorkeling and island hopping, or you can stay directly on a private white sand beach at Selayar Eco Resort.

Sadly some of the beaches in Selayar have been ruined by plastic trash, which is common in many of the Indonesian islands, but if you look around you can still find good ones that are cleaned regularly by the resorts.

It’s easy to reach Selayar nowadays. You can get there from Bali by flying with a short transit stop in Makassar, or take the ferry from Bira.

• Things To See: Bahuluang island, Bone Malea beach, Batukarapu sea arch

• How To Get There: Drive 5-6 hours from Makassar to Bira, then take the 2 hour ferry ride to Selayar, or alternatively fly 45 minutes to Selayar (KSR) from Makassar (UPG)

Bahuluang is one of the islands you can visit on a day trip from Selayar

Snow white sand at Bone Malea beach

Bukit Nane from above

 

20. Sumatra Island

Sumatra is the biggest island in the country, and it has the biggest volcanic lake in the world (Toba). It also has some of Indonesia’s biggest waterfalls.

This is definitely one of the best places to visit in Indonesia. We spent 2 months in North Sumatra and barely scratched the surface of this island.

There are so many amazing things to see and do, but the critically endangered rainforests and wildlife would have to be at the top of the list.

On a short jungle trek you can see orangutans, gibbons, leaf monkeys, rare birds and lizards, and many other animals.

• Things To See: Lake Toba, Sumatra waterfalls, Bukit Lawang rainforest

• How To Get There: Fly to Medan (KNO) from Kuala Lumpur (KUL) or Jakarta (CGK)

Orangutan viewing at Bukit Lawang is a highlight of Sumatra

Lake Toba is the biggest volcanic lake in the world

Sipiso Piso waterfall in Sumatra

 

21. Belitung Island

Belitung is a Bali-sized island off the coast of south Sumatra, and just like Bali it has so many amazing things to see and do. It’s even been recognized as a UNESCO Geopark for its unique landscapes.

We spent two weeks here and were blown away by the picture perfect islands and white sand beaches with granite boulders. This is island hopping paradise at its best.

The main thing to do here is the island hopping boat tour in northwest Belitung. You’ll see perfect white sand beaches, turquoise water, rocky granite islands, underwater coral reefs, and even a Dutch lighthouse from the 1800s.

• Things To See: Island Hopping Tour, Tanjung Tinggi Beach, & Batu Baginda Rocks

• How To Get There: Fly to Tanjung Pandan (TJQ) from Kuala Lumpur (KUL) or Jakarta (CGK)

Tanjung Tinggi Beach in Belitung — one of the best places to visit in Indonesia!

Batu Baginda giant boulders. A spectacular hidden spot in the Indonesian island of Belitung.

Batu Berlayar island in Belitung

 

22. Banyak Islands

The Banyak Islands are a group of barely inhabited paradise islands northwest of Sumatra, Indonesia.

For accommodation, you have a basic bungalow on an almost private island, with white sand beaches and crystal clear water in all directions. Infrastructure is very limited, but that’s part of the fun.

This place is pretty remote, but if you’re looking for an Indonesian island where you can live out the Robinson Crusoe lifestyle, it doesn’t get much better than this!

• How To Get There: Fly to Medan (KNO), drive 8-10 hours to Singkil, then ride a boat 1-3 hours to Pulau Banyak.

• 

The Banyak Islands are full of fantastic beaches like this

Drone pic of this island paradise in Indonesia

Beach scenes near the Palambak Island Resort in Banyak Islands

 

23. Karang Island

Pulau Karang is a small island off the coast of North Sumatra that you can visit on a quick boat ride from Barus. It’s close enough to mainland Sumatra to be visible from the shore.

We went to Pulau Karang on a day trip from Singkil, shortly after our visit to the Banyak Islands. Like the Banyaks, this is a relatively remote island, but if you already happen to be passing through the area, it’s worth a detour to see it!

Even though there’s no hotel or other place to stay on the island yet, Pulau Karang has wonderful palm-covered white sand beaches, and there’s a little lighthouse on the south side of the island.

• How To Get There: Drive 3.5 hours from Singkil or 2 hours from Sibolga, then take a 30 minute boat ride

Drone picture of Pulau Karang

Beautiful beach!

 

24. Borneo Island (Kalimantan)

Borneo is the third biggest island in the world, and it’s split between three countries: Brunei, Indonesia, and Malaysia.

The Indonesian part of Borneo is called Kalimantan, and it covers almost 75% of the vast territory on Borneo island. Kalimantan is a great destination for nature and animal lovers since it’s home to lots of endemic species, including the Bornean orangutan.

The island of Borneo is especially famous for its orangutans, which you can see on a river boat cruise at Tanjung Puting National Park, in Central Kalimantan. Sleeping on the river boat is a fun adventure in itself!

Aside from the national parks, there are other noteworthy sights in Borneo as well, like the Terinting Waterfall in West Kalimantan.

• Things To See: Gunung Palung National Park, Sebangau National Park, Tanjung Puting National Park, Terinting Waterfall

• How To Get There: Fly to Pangkalan Bun (PKN) or Pontianak (PNK) from Jakarta or Surabaya

• Book Now: Shared / Private Orangutan Boat Tours

A giant male Bornean orangutan at Tanjung Puting National Park in Kalimantan

The river boat cruise at Tanjung Puting is a great way to see wildlife

Mom and baby orangutan in the treetops

 

25. Halmahera Island

Halmahera is the biggest island in the Maluku archipelago, and it’s loaded with rainforests, volcanoes, and hidden beaches.

In my opinion though, the main reason to come to Halmahera is for the spectacular active volcanoes, Mount Dukono and Mount Ibu. You can visit either one on a day hike, but it’s more popular to spend a couple days on each mountain since they’re tough to reach and the views are incredible.

This is the closest you will ever get to an erupting volcano! Think Mount Bromo, except more intense and without the tourist crowds. Halmahera is definitely one of the best places to visit in Indonesia.

• Things To See: Mount Dukono, Mount Ibu, and Kahatola Islands

• How To Get There: Fly to Kao (KAZ) or Galela (GLX) from Manado, or take a speedboat from Ternate

Drone pic of the erupting Dukono volcano

Walking through old lava fields at Mount Dukono

The Dukono volcano has been erupting non-stop since 1933

 

26. Ternate Island

Ternate is a small, cone-shaped volcanic island in the North Maluku province of eastern Indonesia. It isn’t likely to ever become a big vacation spot for tourists, but it has some interesting sights and history.

A long time ago, Ternate was one of the most important kingdoms in the pre-colonial ‘Spice Islands’ of the Moluccas, and European powers fought over control of the spice trade there. Even today, this little island is still the main gateway to the North Maluku province.

It only takes 1.5 hours to drive around the whole island in a circle, but there are several neat things to see. You can climb the active volcano in the center of the island (Mount Gamalama), or visit the scenic lakes and black sand beaches on the banks of the mountain.

• Things To See: Ngade Lake, Mount Gamalama, Tolire Lake

• How To Get There: Fly to Ternate (TTE) from Jakarta, Makassar, Manado, or Ambon

The north side of Ternate island with Lake Tolire visible

Fort Tolukko was built by the Portuguese in 1512 to control the spice trade in Ternate

Ngade Lake with the Tidore volcano in the distance

 

27. Seram Island

Seram island is another uncharted paradise in Maluku with fantastic mountains and rainforests, including the highest point in the Moluccas (Mount Binaiya).

Seram island is best known for Ora Beach, a secluded private resort with views like Bora Bora. The island also has Manusela National Park, which is home to lots of exotic and colorful birds and butterflies, and the deepest known cave in Indonesia (Goa Hatusaka).

Seram island is a bit hard to reach, but it’s definitely one of the best places to visit in Indonesia!

• Things To See: Ora Beach, Manusela National Park, Mount Binaiya

• How To Get There: Fly to Ambon (AMQ) + 2 hour ferry from Tulehu to Amahai

Ora beach views in Seram island. Is Indonesia beautiful or what?

Giant limestone cliffs in Seram island

Ora Beach Resort

 

Honorable Mentions: More Islands To Visit

• Bangka Island

Bangka is the bigger brother of Belitung island in south Sumatra, and it has some of the same scenery, with white sand beaches and giant boulders.

This place has a lot of natural beauty, and the beaches and sandbars are exceptional. It’s not to be confused with the much smaller Bangka island in Sulawesi, which is known for being a diving destination.

The main reason I haven’t listed Bangka, Sumatra as one of my favorite islands in Indonesia is just because it’s so long and spread out, so there’s quite a bit of driving needed if you want to see anything.

We also saw a fair amount of trash on the beaches, which was sad, because with better conservation they could be world class.

• Things To See: Ketawai island, Gusung Asem sandbar, Turun Aban beach, Siangau beach

• How To Get There: Fly to Pangkal Pinang (PGK) from Jakarta (CGK) or Tanjung Pandan (TJQ)

• 

Siangau Beach in Bangka, Sumatra

Drone pic of Siangau beach

Drone pic of the Pulau Panjang sandbar

 

• Ambon Island

Ambon is the capital and main gateway of Maluku province, which holds a lot of hidden gems.

While Ambon is not a great island in and of itself (too rainy, dirty, and noisy), it does have some nice scenery and you’ll be passing through here anyway if you plan to see some of the other islands in Maluku, like Seram.

My favorite thing we saw in Ambon was the turquoise-colored Telaga Pange waterfall, which is a short and easy hike located just 15 minutes from the city.

• Things To See: Pintu Kota beach, Telaga Pange waterfall, Liang beach

• How To Get There: Fly to Ambon (AMQ) from Jakarta, Makassar, Ternate, etc

The turquoise colored Telaga Pange waterfall on Ambon island

Liang Beach in northeast Ambon

Pintu Kota beach in south Ambon

 

How To Travel Indonesian Islands Outside Of Bali

Now that I’ve listed some of the best places to travel in Indonesia that aren’t Bali, it’s time to go over some practical information.

If this is your first time traveling to new islands in Indonesia, here are some things you should know:

• Infrastructure. When you’re traveling in remote Indonesian islands, infrastructure may be limited. Oftentimes that means no WiFi or air-conditioning (fan only), and sometimes it means washing yourself with a simple water scoop instead of a shower. On more remote islands (such as the Banyaks), you may have no electricity at all except by generator in the evening.
  
  Living without these daily luxuries takes some getting used to, but it’s worth it to see some hidden gems. The infrastructure will catch up over time as tourism continues to grow in new areas. For now, enjoy the wilderness for what it is.

• Religion. Most of the Indonesian islands are Muslim majority, unlike Bali, which is Hindu. You’ll still come across some friendly people in your travels, but you might miss the smiles, warmth, and overall vibe of the Balinese people.
  
  Terrorism is not a significant issue in Indonesia anymore, and attitudes toward foreigners are generally welcoming, but the culture is much more conservative when you’re not in Bali, so it’s important to dress modestly. Alcohol is usually not easy to find in these places either.
  
  In Muslim areas, you can expect noisy loudspeakers from the mosques, often at all hours of the day and night, so it’s a good idea to pack ear plugs to help you sleep.

• Safety. In terms of crime, Indonesia is one of the safest countries in the world, with a very low murder rate of 0.5 per 100k inhabitants (92% lower than the global average), according to the United Nations yearly study. I’ve traveled alone in many Indonesian islands and haven’t really witnessed any crime. Just take normal precautions.

• People. If you travel outside of Bali, especially in remote parts of Java or Sulawesi, you’ll probably get lots of funny photo requests from the locals excited to see a rare ‘bule’ (foreigner).

• Mosquitoes. Indonesia has made a lot of progress in getting rid of malaria, but many parts of the country still have at least some of it. Dengue fever is also common in all of the islands, including Bali. Malaria is mainly a problem in West Papua and the Mentawai islands, as well as some smaller pockets of Kalimantan, Sumatra, and Sulawesi.
  
  You can find a helpful map of the main risk areas for malaria in this study from 2018. The malaria risk areas have shrunk quite a bit now, but there are still some places in Indonesia you may want to take anti-malarial pills. Mosquito spray and bed nets are usually a good idea wherever you travel in Indonesia, especially in the rainy season and outside of the city.

Kabut Pelangi waterfall in East Java

 

My Indonesia Drone Video

Here’s a 4K drone video I filmed during our many travels across Indonesia.

This video has some of my favorite places in Indonesia, including Bali, Nusa Penida, Java, Flores, Maluku, Sumatra, Belitung, Sulawesi, Labengki, Sombori, and other islands.

 

Our To-Do List: More Indonesian Islands To See

Thanks for looking! I hope you enjoyed this list of the best places to visit in Indonesia that are not Bali!

We’re still missing many places like Sumba, Gili, Sumbawa, Rote, Madura, Karimunjawa, Mentawai, Nias, Simeulue, Pulau Weh, Riau (Natuna), Bintan, Bawah, Derawan / Maratua, Enggano, Sangihe, Togian / Togean, Wakatobi, Morotai, Buton, Muna, Banda, the Kei islands, West Papua, and some of the other islands in Raja Ampat.

I realize those are easily some of the best places to visit in Indonesia, but we haven’t had a chance to really explore them yet.

Hopefully we can visit more of those places soon! Check back for updates to this travel guide.

All of these roots are from one giant tree