Key Takeaways
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Bali may be the most familiar name, but it is only one part of Indonesia. Beyond its well-known beaches and resorts, the country stretches across more than 17,000 islands, each with its own landscape and character.
Some Indonesian islands have well-developed coastal areas, while others lead to quiet villages, thick rainforest and far-flung coastlines. Volcanoes also shape much of the country, with Indonesia sitting along the Pacific Ring of Fire.
This guide brings together some of the best islands in Indonesia, covering the places and experiences that make each one worth adding to your trip.
Best Islands to Visit in Indonesia
Indonesia has thousands of islands, each with different landscapes, cultures and experiences. From Bali and Lombok to remote islands such as Alor and Raja Ampat, here are some of the best islands to visit in Indonesia.
1. Bali
Bali is arguably the most famous island in Indonesia, with temples, rice terraces, world-class surf spots, mountain landscapes, and traditional art.
Top places and experiences in Bali include:
- Ubud: Visit Ubud’s waterfalls, rice terraces, Hindu temples, art galleries and traditional villages. It is also a great place to see Balinese dance, browse local crafts and spend time in Bali‘s quieter parts.
- Uluwatu: A coastal area in southern Bali with the famous cliffside Uluwatu Temple. Visit the temple in the late afternoon and stay for a Kecak dance performance around sunset.
- Mount Batur: Take an early-morning trek for views over the volcanic landscape and Lake Batur.
- Tanah Lot Temple: A famous Balinese Hindu temple set on a rocky sea outcrop off Bali’s southwest coast.
Best Time to Visit: April to October
How to Reach Bali: Fly to I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport near Denpasar. Delhi and Bengaluru now have direct flight options to Bali.
2. Nusa Islands
The Nusa Islands are a group of three islands, Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan, just off Bali’s southeastern coast. Nusa Penida is the largest and has the most dramatic viewpoints, while Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan are smaller islands connected by a yellow suspension bridge.
Here are the major highlights across the three Nusa Islands:
- Kelingking Beach: One of Nusa Penida’s most recognisable viewpoints, with a cliff shaped like a T-Rex.
- Diamond Beach: A cliffside viewpoint on Nusa Penida’s eastern coast, with a staircase leading down to a white-sand beach framed by rocky cliffs.
- Nusa Lembongan: Visit Dream Beach and Devil’s Tear, or go snorkelling and diving around the island.
- Nusa Ceningan: Blue Lagoon, Mahana Point and Secret Point Beach are a few of Nusa Ceningan’s top highlights.
Best Time to Visit: April to October
How to Reach Nusa Islands: Fast boats connect mainland Bali with the Nusa Islands, with Sanur and Kusamba among the main departure points for Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan. Local boats run between Penida and Lembongan, while Lembongan and Ceningan are joined by the Yellow Bridge.
3. Gili Islands
The Gili Islands are an archipelago of three small islands near Lombok’s northwest coast: Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air. Gili Trawangan is the most developed, with a lively nightlife; Gili Meno is the quietest; and Gili Air’s energy lies somewhere in the middle.
Best things to do across the Gili Islands are:
- Snorkelling and Island Hopping: Take a boat tour between all three islands to see rich coral gardens and tropical fish.
- Scuba Diving: With more than 25 dive sites and marine life such as turtles, sharks and rays, scuba diving is one of the top activities in the Gili Islands.
- Gili Trawangan Night Market: A great spot for grilled seafood, satay, and Indonesian sweets.
- Cycling Around the Islands: Rent a bicycle and ride along the sandy paths around the islands, since cars and motorbikes are not allowed.
Best Time to Visit: May to September/October
How to Reach Gili Islands: Speedboats connect the Gili Islands to Bali and Lombok, with regular services from both destinations.
4. Lombok
Lombok sits east of Bali and has less developed, quiet stretches of coastline, traditional Sasak villages and the majestic Mount Rinjani. The Mandalika area in the south is one of its main coastal bases.
Lombok’s main highlights include:
- Mount Rinjani: Trekking routes lead to the crater rim and views over Segara Anak Lake. Check current trail conditions and regulations before planning a hike.
- Tanjung Aan: Spend time at this sandy beach in southern Lombok, where clear waters make it suitable for swimming and snorkelling.
- Kuta Mandalika: Stay around Kuta and use it as a base for nearby beaches such as Gerupuk, Seger and Tanjung Aan. The area also has great restaurants, cafes and surf spots.
- Sasak Villages: Visit traditional Sasak communities such as Sade and Ende to see traditional houses, learn about weaving and experience local Sasak culture.
Best Time to Visit: May to September/October
How to Reach Lombok: Either fly from Bali to Lombok International Airport, which takes about 30-45 minutes, or travel by a fast boat.
5. Komodo Island
Komodo Island forms part of Komodo National Park and is a famous UNESCO World Heritage site. The park also includes Rinca, Padar and numerous smaller islands, with Komodo dragons, coral reefs and marine habitats being the main reasons to visit.
Top attractions and experiences on Komodo Island include:
- Seeing Komodo Dragons: Hike with a local ranger to see the world’s largest lizards in their natural habitat, a species found on only a few Indonesian islands.
- Pink Beach: One of Komodo Island’s distinctive beaches, where white sand mixed with red coral fragments and microscopic marine organisms gives the shoreline its pink hue.
- Snorkelling and Diving: The waters around Komodo Island have coral reefs and marine life such as turtles, reef fish and manta rays, making them good spots for underwater activities.
Best Time to Visit: April to September/October
How to Reach Komodo Island in Indonesia: Fly to Labuan Bajo on Flores Island, then join a boat tour to Komodo.
6. Flores
Flores is a wild, rugged, and culturally rich island in Indonesia. It brings together volcanic landscapes, traditional villages, and road-trip routes, with Labuan Bajo serving as the main gateway in the west.
Here are the top highlights in Flores:
- Mount Kelimutu: Climb to the viewpoint early in the morning to see the three volcanic crater lakes, whose colours change over time.
- Wae Rebo: Hike up to this traditional mountain village, where the distinctive cone-shaped Mbaru Niang houses are surrounded by forest and hills.
- Bena (Bajawa): Visit this old village to see traditional houses arranged around a central ceremonial courtyard, with ancestral shrines and megalithic stones.
- Hot Springs: Mengeruda Hot Spring near Bajawa makes a pleasant stop while visiting the highland villages and attractions.
Best Time to Visit: April to October
How to Reach Flores: Fly through Bali to Komodo International Airport in Labuan Bajo.
7. Raja Ampat
Raja Ampat is an archipelago in Indonesia’s Southwest Papua province. Waigeo, Misool, Salawati and Batanta are its main islands, surrounded by hundreds of smaller islands and some of Indonesia’s richest marine environments.
The best of Raja Ampat lies both above and below the water:
- Wayag Islands: One of Raja Ampat’s most photographed landscapes. Hike up to its viewpoints to see the limestone islets scattered across turquoise lagoons.
- Diving and Snorkelling: Raja Ampat is a world-class diving destination, with its reefs home to manta rays, turtles, reef fish and a huge range of marine life. You can also go snorkelling in shallow reef areas.
- Waigeo Island: Raja Ampat’s largest island for access to forests, beaches, waterfalls and marine sites. It is also one of the main islands used for stays and boat trips around the archipelago.
Best Time to Visit: October to April
How to Reach Raja Ampat: Fly to Sorong from Jakarta, Makassar or Bali. From Sorong, take a ferry or speedboat to Waisai on Waigeo Island, which takes about 2 hours.
8. Java
Java is one of the best islands in Indonesia for combining ancient temples, active volcanoes and deep historical roots. It is a huge island, so focus on a specific route rather than trying to cover the whole island.
These are some of Java’s key stops:
- Yogyakarta: The cultural heart of Java, with royal heritage, traditional arts, local markets and historic sites across the city.
- Borobudur: Visit this UNESCO-listed Buddhist temple in Central Java to see its stone terraces, stupas and carved walls.
- Mount Bromo: Take an early-morning trip to Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park to see Mount Bromo at sunrise, with views across the surrounding caldera.
- Mount Ijen: Hike to the Ijen crater to see its turquoise volcanic lake and active sulphur mines, with blue flames visible before sunrise when conditions align, and access is permitted.
Best Time to Visit: May to October
How to Reach Java: Fly to Jakarta, Yogyakarta or Surabaya. There are direct flight services from Mumbai to Jakarta.
9. Sumatra
Sumatra is a vast Indonesian island with rainforest, volcanic landscapes, highland lakes and rich wildlife. People come here to see orangutans in their natural habitat, visit Lake Toba and experience the island’s forests and mountain regions.
Here are the places worth adding to your Sumatra itinerary:
- Lake Toba: Visit the world’s largest volcanic lake and take a boat to Samosir Island, where you can see traditional Batak villages and houses.
- Bukit Lawang: This small village on the edge of the rainforest serves as a base for guided treks in the Gunung Leuser National Park area, where you can spot orangutans.
- Berastagi: Head to this cool mountain town for views of volcanic peaks, farmland and nearby hot springs.
- Pulau Weh: Travel to this small volcanic island off northern Sumatra for clear waters, coral reefs, snorkelling and diving.
Best Time to Visit: May to September
How to Reach Sumatra: Medan is the main gateway to northern Sumatra, with domestic flights connecting it to major cities across Indonesia.
10. Sulawesi
Sulawesi provides some of Indonesia’s best diving and snorkelling, along with volcanic landscapes and distinctive local cultures. North Sulawesi is the main area for marine activities, while the central parts of the island have cultural sites and traditional communities.
Sulawesi’s highlights include:
- Bunaken National Park (North): Stay in Manado and take a boat to Bunaken National Park for diving and snorkelling around coral walls and rich marine life.
- Tana Toraja: A highland region in South Sulawesi, home to traditional villages, distinctive houses and unique burial traditions.
- Tangkoko National Park (North): Join a forest walk to spot Sulawesi’s wildlife, including black macaques and the tiny spectral tarsier.
- Togean Islands: Travel to this group of islands in Central Sulawesi for white-sand beaches, clear lagoons and coral reefs suited to snorkelling.
Best Time to Visit: May to October
How to Reach Sulawesi: Fly to Sam Ratulangi International Airport in Manado for North Sulawesi, or Makassar for southern and central regions.
11. Alor Island
Alor is a remote island in Indonesia and the main island of the Alor Archipelago. The area has several diving sites around Alor and nearby Pantar Island, as well as indigenous communities.
A few of Alor’s must-visit spots and experiences include:
- Scuba Diving: The Pantar Strait has several dive sites with coral reefs, colourful reef fish and other marine life.
- Island Hopping: Take a local wooden boat to nearby islands such as Ternate, Pura and Kepa for quiet beaches and clear waters.
- Takpala Village: A small village of the indigenous Abui community, where you can learn about local customs, watch traditional performances and meet members of the community.
- Museum of Thousand Mokos: You can see traditional bronze moko drums, handwoven textiles and other items connected to Alor’s cultural heritage.
Best Time to Visit: April to October/November
How to Reach Alor Island: Fly through Kupang in West Timor from Jakarta, Bali or other Indonesian cities, then take a domestic flight to Mali Airport on Alor Island.
Conclusion
The top Indonesian islands covered in this list differ in how easy they are to reach, so plan transport from the start. Bali is obviously the easiest starting point for many travellers, with the Nusa Islands, Lombok and the Gili Islands close enough to include in the same trip.
Raja Ampat, Sulawesi and Alor are more remote choices, requiring more travel time but rewarding travellers with some of Indonesia’s best diving and snorkelling. For help putting together a practical Indonesian island itinerary, contact Dimaak Tours.
FAQs About Indonesian Islands
1. What are the best islands to visit in Indonesia?
Bali, Lombok, Raja Ampat and Komodo are some of the best islands to visit in Indonesia. Bali has a mix of beaches, temples, culture and outdoor activities; Komodo is a great choice for its Komodo dragons and marine life; Raja Ampat is the top pick for diving and snorkelling; and Lombok stands out for its Sasak culture and Mount Rinjani, a favourite among travellers seeking a volcano trekking experience.
2. Which Indonesian island is best for first-time visitors?
Bali is the obvious choice for first-time visitors. Its location also makes it convenient to add the Nusa Islands, Lombok or the Gili Islands to the same trip.
3. Which Indonesian islands are best for snorkelling and diving?
Raja Ampat and Komodo Island are world-class diving destinations. Sulawesi and Alor are also top choices. Raja Ampat has rich coral reefs and marine life, while Komodo has reefs with turtles, reef fish and manta rays. Sulawesi is home to Bunaken National Park, with coral walls and abundant marine life, and Alor has several dive sites in the Pantar Strait.
4. Which Indonesian island is best for a honeymoon?
Bali is the best and most convenient choice for a honeymoon. It has beaches and resorts alongside temples, mountain scenery and cultural experiences. Couples can also add the Nusa Islands, Lombok or the Gili Islands for a few quieter days by the sea.
5. Which Indonesian islands are best for adventure and outdoor activities?
Lombok, Java, Flores, and Sumatra have plenty of adventures and outdoor activities in store. Lombok is a favourite for volcano trekking and surfing, while Java is great for sunrise trips to Mount Bromo and Mount Ijen. Flores suits mountain village visits, while Sumatra is a good choice for rainforest treks and orangutan sightings.
6. What is the best time to visit the islands of Indonesia?
No single time works for all Indonesian islands because weather varies by region. April to October is a good time to visit Bali, the Nusa Islands, Flores, Alor and Komodo, while May to September/October suits Lombok, the Gili Islands, Java, Sumatra and Sulawesi. Raja Ampat is best visited from October to April.
