Indonesia is one of those countries boasting incredible wealth, both natural and cultural. And if you’re thinking of visiting, there is one thing you must be aware of – Indonesia is a country that unites over 17 thousand islands. It’s an absolutely massive archipelago, and there is absolutely no shortage of places to visit. The thing is – they’re all amazing, and narrowing down the list is pretty difficult.
Well, below we’ll be taking a look at some of Indonesia’s most stunning islands. If you’re planning a visit, keep in mind that scattered lands are better explored cruising. So here are the ones you certainly should consider visiting. The more islands you step foot on, the more you’ll get to witness from the mesmerizing sites and wildlife the Emerald of the equator is so proud of.
Banda Islands (the Spice Islands)
You’ll find an incredible amount of natural wealth and history if you visit Banda Neira and the surrounding islands, that’s for sure. The place is part of the Banda Indonesia archipelago or better known as the Spice Islands. There’s no denying that the name is rather suitable – it comes from the fact that at one point, the islands were the only source of nutmeg and mace in the world. A lot of empires, like the Roman Empire and the Persian, valued the produce from here quite a lot. The British and the Dutch even fought a few wars in order to get control over the trades.
Nowadays, though, you won’t find the nutmeg plantations. Instead, what you will find are beautiful coral and marine life. If you’re a diver, you’ll love this place, and there is a pretty big chance of encountering dolphins and whales, too. You can reach the islands either by a small plane, or by a ferry from Ambon, but you could also go on a cruise that visits the islands as part of its route.
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Lombok
Back in 1859, a British scientist by the name of Alfred Russel Wallace stepped on Lombok, coming from Bali. Instantly, he knew that it’s a very unique place he’s looking at because while it’s only 35km from Bali, the difference in the distribution of flora and fauna is just staggeringly different. This is why today you have the Wallace Line, an informal boundary that separates the ecozone transition between Asia and Australia.
Lombok, nowadays, is what you’d call a calmer alternative to Bali. It has surf spots, trekking opportunities, and beautiful landscapes that are just as good as you’d find in Bali, but not nearly enough tourists. This is why it’s perfect if you want to experience Indonesia without thousands of people trying to see the same things as you. And if you want to get to Lombok, your best bet is either a boat or a plane from Bali.
The Komodo National Park
The Komodo National Park is located within the Lesser Sunda Islands, and it’s actually made up of multiple islands. However, arguably the most popular ones are Padar, Rinca, and Komodo. On these islands, you will find over 2,500 Komodo dragons, known as the world’s largest species of lizard. They live there, alongside horses, deer, snakes, wild boar, and wild buffalos.
If you aren’t all about the animals, you can enjoy and relax on the famous Pink Beach, which is one of seven in the world that has this specific hue. Even though the neverending surge of tourists has had its impact on the uniqueness of this beach, it’s still an attraction that you must visit. The island’s surrounding waters have a lot to offer if you’re keen on diving.
One thing to note is that you’ll want to plan your visit to Komodo National Park because first you should get to Bali, then fly to Labuan Bajo, and then grab a boat to Komodo Island.
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Bali
You just can’t talk about Indonesia and not mention Bali. It is by far the most popular island in the entire archipelago, and also the most crowded one, too. But even despite this, you still have no shortage of green rice terraces, palm-clad beaches, and volcanoes that you can enjoy as a tourist. These are simply things you must see if you’re planning on a visit to Indonesia.
To add to this, another one of the things Bali is popular for is the Hindu culture – there’s no shortage of temples, like Pura Ulun Danu Bratan, one of the most famous tourist attractions in Bali. It’s far from the only one, though, because there are plenty just like it.
Bali is also notoriously easy to get to – there is no shortage of carriers that can get you there, and there are plenty of flights from pretty much anywhere in the world. If you don’t mind sharing it with a host of tourists at pretty much any point, it’s a must.
