Why stop at just Bali on your next trip to Indonesia? The archipelago boasts more than 17,000 spectacular islands, each waiting to be discovered: think tropical cocktails, swaying palms on white sands and brilliant blue seas. Read on to discover Indonesia‘s best islands, each just a hop, skip and jump away from Bali.
Bali
How can we talk about the islands of Indonesia without mentioning Bali? Our favourite destination is not only packed with stunning beaches, private pool villas and world-class dining options, it’s also the perfect launchpad for your island adventures. Fly to Lombok, Sumba or Flores/Komodo from I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) or catch a ferry to the tranquil shores of Nusa Lembongan.
Lombok
Just a two-hour speedboat trip or a 45-minute flight from Bali lies tranquil Lombok, with its uncrowded beaches and lush, forested hills. Lombok’s west coast is home to Senggigi Beach, a favourite with tourists for its pristine white sand, peaceful waters that are perfect for families and incredible sunset views of Mount Agung.
Though many come here to relax, Lombok also offers epic treks, including the chance to climb Mount Rinjani, Indonesia’s second-highest volcano.
Gili Islands
Off the coast of Lombok, these three tiny beaches adrift in a turquoise sea are the very picture of paradise. With no vehicles allowed on the islands, nothing disturbs the tranquillity but the jingle of the locals’ horse-drawn carts.
Gili Trawangan, the biggest of the three islands, has a buzzing nightlife and restaurant scene that attracts a younger crowd. Here you’ll find the Gili Swings, eight swings perched over the ocean that are the best spot to take those postcard-perfect photos. To disconnect totally, head to Gili Meno to visit Jason deCaires Taylor’s underwater statue Nest and sea turtles in their natural habitat.
The laid-back Gili Air is best for honeymooners and families: it’s the ideal combination of serene by day and lively by night. Hop on a bike to cycle around the island or, for a unique experience, saddle up to explore the island on horseback.
Nusa Lembongan
Bali’s ‘little sister’ has a big personality. Take a 40-minute boat ride from Bali and you’ll find yourself on Nusa Lembongan, an island known for its waters that are teeming with marine life.
For a truly unique experience, take part in a hands-on tour of a local seaweed farm – they’re vital to the island’s economy. Nusa Lembongan now boasts a thriving dining and nightlife scene, and a choice of accommodation that ranges from a cosy shack on the beach to opulent villas with private plunge pools and out-of-this-world views.
Sumba
A short 1.5-hour flight will get you to Sumba, an untouched island that’s known for its brightly coloured houses and freely roaming buffalo and pigs. Sumba’s west is home to traditional Indonesian villages like Ratenggaro Village, where each thatched-roof house is up to 20 metres tall, and natural wonders like the vibrant blue Weekuri Lagoon. Venture east to the must-see Tenau Hills, the perfect place to enjoy a picnic and take in superb sunset views.
Flores
Long the secret favourite of divers and trekkers, Flores has grown in popularity with tourists in recent years because of its famed beauty. In the main town, Labuan Bajo, you’ll find high-end accommodation, delicious seafood and a modest restaurant and nightlife scene. The star of the show is Kelimutu volcano with its three lakes – the blue Lake of Old People, the green Lake of Young Men and Women, and the red Bewitched Lake – that change colour throughout the year.
Flores is also the gateway to other smaller islands in the area, including Komodo. Did we also mention that it’s just a one-hour flight from Bali?
Komodo
You’ve probably heard of this island’s most famous resident, the Komodo dragon. These incredible creatures are both the heaviest and largest lizards in the world, and the Komodo National Park is one of the few places where you can see them up close.
But the incredible Komodo National Park is just one drawcard of what may be one of the most fascinating places to visit in Indonesia, where jagged hills hide white-sand coves, kaleidoscopic crater lakes, hot springs and otherworldly caves. While you’re there, stop by Pink Beach to snap a photo of its crystal-clear waters and millennial pink-coloured sand. Komodo is accessible from Flores by boat from Labuan Bajo.
Bangka Belitung Islands
Newly recognised as a UNESCO Geopark, the islands of Bangka and Belitung are not only bucket-list-worthy destinations themselves but are also the gateway to many smaller, unique islands. Hopping between these islands is a breeze, with tours taking adventurers by boat to the best scenic spots, snorkelling havens and even to the top of an 18th-century Dutch lighthouse.
No trip to the Bangka Belitung Islands would be complete without a stop at Pasir Island, a crescent-shaped sandbar that only appears for a few hours each day. Here you’ll find the local population of giant starfish lazing on the shore, waiting for the tide to return them to the sea.
