Indonesia is made up of around 18,000 islands of which 922 are inhabited. Some of these are excellent tourist destinations with so much beauty to behold, adventure both above and below water, and relaxation to recharge you from the vigours of modern life. Here’s a selection of five unique islands that are well worth visiting.
1. Flores
The name Flores, Portuguese for “flowers,” is perfectly matched to such a beautiful place. Situated east of Sumbawa and west of the Solor Archipelago, it is surrounded by pristine beaches of white sands including one of only a small number of pink beaches in the world. The island has been shaped by a line of volcanoes that divide up the landscape in such a way that many distinct ethnic groups have emerged, making it a fascinating place to visit.
Home to such an array of amazing aquatic life, there are 50 dive sites offering you the opportunity to swim in crystal clear waters alongside vibrantly coloured marine life, as well as larger sea creatures such as dugongs, dolphins and manta rays. Kayaking is also very popular along the coast and mangrove shores.
To witness Flores’ dazzling colours on land, visit Mt. Kelimutu located near Maumere which is home to three lakes of different colours, colours which transform depending on the light. A number of beautiful waterfalls are located on the island such as the Cunca Waterfalls in the west, a great place to swim in refreshing, clear pools nestled enchantingly within stone formations and dense forest.
If you’d like to absorb some of the local culture, Larantuka on the eastern tip of the island is a fascinating place where locals still continue Easter Portuguese traditions, imported to Flores some 500 years ago.
Interestingly, Flores has also recently become famous for the discovery of the “Flores Hobbit” a new species of human found in the caves of Liang Bua.
2. Komodo (Eastern Indonesia)
Komodo is part of the Lesser Sundra chain of islands as well as the Komodo National Park. It is an island of rugged volcanic hills, savannah and forests that was first declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in order to protect the habitat of the world’s largest lizard, the Komodo Dragon. This has now expanded to cover the much wider biodiversity, both in terms of marine life and terrestrial wildlife.
The result of this continued protection of the environment is that, as tourists, we can be lucky enough to observe one of the 4,000 Komodo Dragons living in their natural habitat. These prehistoric creatures are both mesmerising and intimidating, growing as long as 3 metres and weighing as much as 70kg. Seeing them in the wild is truly a once in a lifetime experience.
Also, not to be overlooked is the diversity of Komodo’s marine environment which is vast and impressive. It consists of 260 species of coral, 70 species of sponges, manta rays, sharks, sea turtles, dolphins, whales, crustaceans and dugongs, as well as 1,000 or so different species of bony fishes.
The snorkelling is exceptional at Pantai Merah, (the aptly named “Pink Beach”) which is one of only seven pink beaches in the world. The clear, glassy waters allow you to witness beautiful coral and many bright coloured fish species with spectacular clarity. Diving and snorkelling can be arranged from cruises on Silolona, Si Datu Bua or Alila Purnama.
3. Lombok
Lombok is east of Bali and west of Sumbawa and although not as famous as its neighbour to the east, it is only a matter of time before this island becomes a rival destination. Hopefully this doesn’t happen too soon as the low key environment sets it apart for the discerning traveller, providing a relaxing alternative, yet still with plenty on offer.
Tugu Lombok, Sire beach
The beaches are exquisite here, with white sandy stretches and pristine water. If you are a skilled surfer, or if you just love observing the beautiful curling waves, Desert Point is known to be one of the best sets of waves in the world. For the less experienced there are many other options, for example Kuta-Lombok or Belongas Bay (near Jeeva Beloam Beach Camp).
Aside from its reputation for immaculate sandy beaches and world class surf breaks, there is much more to Lombok than just this. Lombok is also home to Indonesia’s second largest volcano – Gunung Rinjani, a sacred site which is still active. Helicopter tours are a great way to see the breath-taking lake atop the volcano named Segara Anak, and trekking on one of the many hiking trails that traverse the lush, unblemished forestation below is another opportunity to experience Lombok and its diverse expanses of wilderness.
4. Misool (West Papua)
Bordering the Seram Sea, a busy laneway of large marine life, is Misool, one of the four major islands in the Raja Ampat Islands in West Papua. Misool boasts an incredible 75% of all known ornamental fish and coral in the entire world and as such the clear turquoise water is just as intriguing as it is beautiful.
The water is so clear at times that even on a boat trip you can witness a plethora of colourful underwater life and coral, with a visibility range reaching as far down as 30m below the surface.
The terrain itself on Misool is predominantly limestone covered with lush vegetation, mangrove swamps and green jungle.
Misool Eco Resort, private bay
Not only can you enjoy relaxing on the beach, swimming and snorkelling, but the island is also home to some very important historical and cultural sites. There are petroglyphs on the caves throughout the island that can be up to 5,000 years old. Some have even described the Raja Ampat islands as Indonesia’s answer to France’s famed Lascaux Palaeolithic cave paintings.
5. Belitung
Located on the east coast of Sumatra in the Java Sea, Belitung is considered to be one of the most beautiful islands not only in Indonesia, but in South East Asia. It truly is a rare gem, with beaches of pure white sand and shimmering blue waters, the perfect place to enjoy the hypnotic charm of untouched nature, but without the crowds of other Asian beach destinations.
One of the most interesting and defining features of the beaches at Belitung are the granite rock formations, which sometimes have small tunnels providing an enjoyable place to swim and relax.
Visit some of the small, offshore, uninhabited islands on one of the local tours and marvel at the beauty and quiet serenity of this paradise.
Arumdalu Belitung, white sand beach
