The 17,508 islands of Indonesia
Indonesian islands are the largest archipelago in the world. It consists of five major islands and about 30 smaller groups. There is a total number of 17,508 islands of which about 6.000 are inhabited. The number changes as new islands are discovered and registered.
We will take you to a selected few out of the many thousands. Bali is not one of them, but we cover it separately and extensively.
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Borobudur temple and buddha statue
What are the main groups of Indonesian Islands?
Sunda Islands
Greater Sunda Islands
Sumatra, formerly Swarna Dwipa.
Java, formerly Jawa Dwipa.
Borneo: divided between the Indonesian region Kalimantan, the country of Brunei, and the country of Malaysia’s states of Sabah and Sarawak.
Sulawesi, formerly Celebes.
Lesser Sunda Islands: the island of Timor is divided between Indonesian West Timor and the country of East Timor
Maluku Islands (Moluccas)
New Guinea: divided between the two Indonesian provinces of Papua and West Papua and the country of Papua New Guinea.
A totally new travel destination to explore
Indonesian islands have more to offer than taking time away from daily stress and life’s efforts to visit an enchanting place is something everyone is looking forward to. Indonesia, with its Hindu and Buddhist customs, is the island best known for its art and craftsmanship, as well as its holiday destinations. Every year more and more foreign tourists come to Indonesia, enchanted by its natural beauty, loving and welcoming locals. Tourism in Indonesia is at an all-time high.
Indonesia is a country of contrasting landscapes, ranging from exquisite and attractive beaches to wide and rugged mountain ranges. The green color of the hillsides dominates the rice fields, offering a magnificent and stunning view. Indonesia’s natural beauty and heritage have shaped the islands of Indonesia to what they are today.
Moving away from the stunning Indonesian islands and beaches, Indonesia also offers many rural towns full of rich civilization and heritage. Holidays on the island of Indonesia are not complete without visiting at least one of the cities and meeting the locals.
The Indonesian islands of Wakatobi
The group of Wakatobi Islands is a collective name for the four islands that make up a mini-archipelago in South Sulawesi and consists of Wangi-Wangi, Kaledupa, Tomia, and Binongko.
The Wakatobi Islands are known to be fantastic diving and snorkeling spots, so if you want to explore the waves in Indonesia, this is the place to do it.
This underwater paradise is still an unknown destination in the Southeast, and It’s not easy to travel there, but totally worth it. There are plenty of things to do in Wakatobi, and, if you are an average swimmer without a diving certification, no worries you can enjoy the island too. Stay in Wakatobi 3 days for your first trip, time enough to explore some islands, enjoy nature, learn about their culture and fall in love.
The islands are also part of the larger Wakatobi National Park, which has been formed to preserve the diversity of marine life here, and you can also enjoy trekking around the islands as well as snorkeling or swimming.
You’ll have to go through Bali to get to the Wakatobi Islands, but a long travel is well worth a visit to an unspoiled paradise beach that most tourists will never see.
Wakatobi Resort is a dive resort in southeastern Sulawesi, Indonesia. In a tranquil island setting far from crowds and cities, with no other divers for at least 100 miles, Wakatobi seamlessly blends five-star amenities and civilized comforts with a pristine natural environment; a pairing that has secured its reputation as one of the world’s finest diving and snorkeling destinations.
Raja Ampat, Indonesia, surrounded by limestone islands
The more than 600 Indonesian islands named Raja Ampati Islands
The Raja Ampat Islands are situated in the Papua region of Indonesia. While there are over 600 individual islands that make up Raja Ampat, the four main islands are Waigeo, Misoo, Bananta and Salawati. These islands are known for their ecological diversity, making them a top destination for divers, snorkelers and bird watchers.
You will spot uncommon birds including Cendrawasih and Wilson Birds of Paradise in Raja Ampat. These islands are home to beautiful beaches, with shallow blue waters and fine white sand. The lagoons provide protection from the wind and a special place for relaxing in paradise. Living with locals and learning local crafts and skills are also common in the islands.
The best time to visit is from October to April.
Bunaken, Diver, Indonesia
Bunaken, see the amazing National Marine Park
Bunaken is situated off the coast of far northeastern Sulawesi, the starting point for those wishing to explore Bunaken National Marine Park. When you learn that this marine park is home to 70% of all fish species in the Indo-Western Pacific Ocean, it’s easy to see why Bunaken is such a common spot for divers and snorkelers. Overall, the dive sites are geared toward experienced divers with good swimming skills. However, snorkeling in shallower coral reefs closer to the shore is becoming increasingly common. After a day of operation, try the local liqueur, a type of distilled white wine served with lemon and known as Cap Tikus.
Mountains, ocean bay with boats. Aerial shot. Padar. Wonderful panoramic overview bay with the sand beaches surrounded by the mountains. The landscape of Padar island. Komodo National Park. Indonesia.
National Park of Komodo, a top pick in Indonesian Islands
Located in the Tiny Sunda Islands, Komodo National Park is made up of several islands, mostly Komodo, Rinca and Padar. It is estimated that there are over 2,500 Komodo dragons-the largest species of lizard in the world-living on the islands, along with horses, deer, wild boars, snakes and wild buffaloes.
Komodovaran – Wikipedia
The iconic Pink Beach, one of the only seven beaches in the world to feature this particular color, is quite an attraction-although there is an increasing number of visitors who have had a disastrous effect on this destination, and the beach is frequently polluted with garbage. It was on the coast. Despite this, the island’s surrounding waters continue to draw divers, with vibrant fish schools, aquatic invertebrates and luminescent corals concealed beneath the waves.
A journey to Komodo National Park
A journey to Komodo National Park needs some planning. You need to get to Bali first, then go to Labuan Bajo on Flores Island (or take a ferry, but be mindful that the journey from Bali to Labuan Bajo takes 36 hours). You’re taking a cruise from Labuan Bajo to Komodo Island
Beach rest pavilion in Gili island, Indonesia
The islands of Gili very popular spot to travel to in Indonesian Islands
One of the most popular tourist destinations in the Indonesian islands is the Gili Islands, situated just off the coast of Lombok. Once a mecca for backpackers who want to think beyond the cage, the Gili Islands are no longer a secret place to fly. The largest of the Gili Islands, Gili Trawangan, is the ideal place to try scuba diving, relax with a week-long yoga retreat or surf. The island of Gili Meno is regarded as the most romantic of the Gilis and is popular with honeymooners. The third island, Gili Air, is very popular with serious divers who want unparalleled conditions without huge crowds in the sea.
Volcanic lakes Ato Polo and Nuamuri Koo Fai. National park Kelimutu.
Savu and Flores. are one of the most beautiful places in the Indonesian Islands
A lush mountain barrier between the seas of Savu and Flores, Flores is one of the most attractive landscapes in the archipelago. The volcanic spine of the island rises to 2,500m, and the torrential wet seasons result in the lushness that distinguishes Flores from its scorched neighbors. It is also religiously different-95% of islanders are Catholics. The most beautiful sight in Flores is the majestic Kelimut, near Moni, northeast of Ende. Each of the three craters of this extinct volcano contains a lake of distinct, vivid and gradually changing colors. High-quality ikat weaving continues to evolve in Eastern Flores. At the western end of the island, Labuanbajo has beautiful coral gardens and is also a ferry port to and from Sumbawa.
Mentawai islands, Indonesia
Mentawaiian Islands, small unknown and beautiful Indonesian Islands
The Mentawai Islands are a collection of over 70 islands located off the western coast of the island of Sumatra.
The best way to think of Mentawais (as they are sometimes referred to is as some kind of Sumatran version of Bali, as there is a well-developed surfing community here that attracts surfing aficionados from all over the world.
There are a lot of surfing tournaments held here every year, and some of the best surfing in Southeast Asia is said to be in the Mentawais.
If you don’t want to enjoy the waves, you can take boat trips that let you jump into small coves and coves, or you can stroll through the interior of many islands and explore lush rainforests.
Karimunjawa archipelago island in Indonesia
Karimunjawa Islands (Jawa Karimun), tropical forests and coral reefs
Located north of Semarang, the capital of the Central Java Province, the Karimunjawa Islands are full of biodiversity, tropical forests and coral reefs. Designated as a Marine National Park and made up of 27 islands spread across the calm Sea of Java, this idyllic archipelago is extremely camera-friendly-its white sandy beaches, and turquoise seas are exquisite.
The aquatic flora and fauna of Karimunjawa are unbelievable. 444 species of fish, 11 species of seagrass and 9 species of algae are among the most important. The favorite snorkeling spots are Gosong Island, Menjangan Kecil Island, Tengah Island and Tanjung Gelam Island.
Only five of the 27 islands are inhabited and are home to a variety of cultures-mostly Javanese, but some Buginese and other people.
The Madurai ethnic group is also living here.
Green sea turtle resting on the reefs in Derawan, Kalimantan, Indonesia
The Islands of Derawan
Situated in the province of East Kalimantan, this tropical array of 31 beautiful islands is collectively referred to as the Derawan Islands. While still relatively difficult to access compared to the other islands on this list, the trip is well worth it to those interested in diving and nature-and that’s because the islands are part of the Coral Triangle, an area known to contain some of the world’s largest marine biodiversity. Expect to see vibrant marine life – giant turtles, manta rays, dugongs, and dolphins, to name a few – among 460 different species of coral.
Kakaban Island is another hidden gem. Its large lake (which makes up almost two-thirds of the island) is full of stingless jellyfish. Because they are confined to the lake with no predators to fear, these jellyfish have lost their natural defenses, and this island is one of the few places in the world where this phenomenon exists.
The Derawan Islands have been free from large crowds of honeymooners and bikini-clad tourists, but this may soon change as Tanjung Redeb Airport has been extended to accommodate more flights-on arrival, tourists can take a boat to one of the Derawan Islands.
Raja Ampat, Indonesia, surrounded by limestone islands
The Banda Islands
Famous for the production of spices, the Banda Islands Group is a fascinating place with a rich history that has not always been as beautiful as the views of the island. This is because, at one time, the Banda Islands were the only source of nutmeg and mace in the world. Many empires valued the products of these islands-from Persia to the Roman Empire and eventually to the colonial powers of the Portuguese, Dutch and British, who waged a few bloody wars to gain control of lucrative trade.
Nowadays, nutmeg plantations are long gone, and the islands are a hot spot for the affluent tourists who come here for their beautiful coral and marine life, where divers regularly encounter large schools of dolphins and whales frolicking in the sea. ‘The water.
Banda can be reached by a small plane or by ferry from Ambon; both modes of transport operate seasonally.
Banda Island in Indonesia is also a perfect place to go hiking and trekking.
If hiking is your pack, you could do a lot worse than going to the Banda Islands. Famous hikes include Gunung Api, which is the centerpiece of the two main islands, Neira and Banda Besar, miraculously curl. The highest point of the archipelago is Banda Api, which rises to 666 meters and is also an active volcano. At the tip, you can walk a loop from the rim in search of the smoldering vents that dot the rim of the crater before returning to the Perfect Shore.
Jungut Batu Beach (Nusa Lembongan)
Mushroom Beach Nuss Lembongan
Nusa Lembongan Island is a great choice if you don’t want to travel too far off the beaten track, but you still want to stay away from the tourist areas.
Located off the coast of Bali, many people mistakenly believe that Nusa Lembongan is part of the same area despite being in fact, a different regiment on its own
Despite being close to Bali and Lombok, Nusa Lembongan is often overlooked by visitors, which means that it still maintains a serene atmosphere and a relaxed pace. If you’re on a dive, it’s a much better choice than most parts of Bali because visibility is clearer. And you’ve got a fair chance to see sharks, rays and turtles.
The island of Ternate
The Maluku Islands, once known simply as the Spice Islands, were the only place in the world where nutmeg, mace, cloves and many other precious spices were grown. Today, travelers are mostly off the beaten track. Ternate, a tiny island that is now the capital of the province, is one of the most intriguing of the Maluka Islands. Since Ternate once had such a lucrative trade in spices, the island is home to several fortresses, many of which are now in ruins. History buffs would probably want to visit Fort Oranje, founded by the Dutch, and Fort Tolukko, built by the Portuguese, Dutch and Spanish. There are also many lovely swimming areas, including the calm waters of Sulamadaha Beach. Dominating Ternate is the volcano of Gamalama, which erupted as recently as 2011
Sumbawa’s
Most of the travelers passing through the scorched, mountainous island of Sumbawa, east of Lombok, experience it only through the window of a long-distance bus. But public transport does not do justice to this friendly and relaxed island, with its beautiful beaches and surf, the islands off the coast and the traditional villages. Sumbawa has earned a reputation for offering some of the best surfing in Indonesia, without the crowds you will find in Bali. Getting to the beaches with a surfboard can be a daunting task unless you hire a car in Sumbawa Besar, but once there you’ll find plenty of accommodation and facilities. The main breaks are Hu’u, Lakey Beach and Maluk Beach on the west coast.
Seribu
Seribu is the ideal place for a short weekend.
One of the “Thousand Islands” of the Bay of Jakarta, Seribu’s popularity is largely due to its proximity to the capital, which makes it a great weekend getaway if you’re short on time. Certainly, for this reason alone, one of the best islands in Indonesia, its proximity to Jakarta does nothing to undermine the island’s appeal, with swimming, diving, sunbathing and snorkeling on offer. For those who are looking for the necessary rest and relaxation.
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