Ask anyone who’s ever had the pleasure of visiting the beautiful islands of Indonesia, and they’ll tell you that this country has a lot to offer. With over 18,000 islands, this is a paradise for pretty much anyone, and almost half of them are inhabited, too. It’s a really massive archipelago, and there’s something for everyone’s taste.
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Indonesia’s Most Beautiful Islands
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O. M. G. So many islands, so little time. Welcome to the islands of Indonesia! However, that’s also what makes it a bit tricky. Unless you’ll be staying there for a year, it’s difficult to visit more than a couple of them at a time. And with that in mind, if you’re going there for a week or two, here’s a guide to the most beautiful islands of Indonesia, so you know where to head first.
The Spice Islands
Arguably the go-to place for anyone looking to visit Indonesia, the Spice Islands are a stunning place from every possible point of view. They’re named rather suitably because at one point in time they were the only source of nutmeg. The spice used to be worth more than gold by weight and was a contesting point for many battles fought between the 16th and 18th centuries.
But that’s not all you’ll see if you embark on something like a Spice Islands cruise. There are some stunning architectures that date back to that period, and to make things better, with some of them it’s like time has stopped completely. They’re untouched, and you can enjoy them like they were meant to be enjoyed back in the days.
Of course, there’s also the fact that the Spice Islands have some of the most beautiful coral life, too. If you’re a fan of snorkeling and diving, there is a lot for you to enjoy, and you’ll probably get to see some dolphins and whales, too.
Bali
You probably saw this coming – Bali is a tourist destination that’s been extremely popular in the last couple of years, and there are a lot of reasons for that. On one hand, you might not like the fact that there’s a massive amount of tourists at any point in time, but on the other hand, Bali is a combination of more or less everything Indonesia has to offer.
There’s a massive variety of things you can see, from temples that honor Balinese Hinduism, to sandy beaches where you can enjoy cocktails under palm trees, and everything in between. You can even visit some stunning volcanoes. And if you want to make the most of visiting Bali, we’d honestly advise that you get a scooter. The traffic is a bit of a mess, and getting around on two wheels makes things a bit easier. Or you can hire a driver, that’s an option too, but you’ll waste a bit of time.
Lombok
A bit to the east of Bali, you will find an island that is a lot less known than Bali but is just as beautiful. The name is Lombok, and the island is home to a few smaller cities which offer a vast variety of things to see. For example, Kuta is a beach destination where you can surf to your heart’s content. With a laid-back atmosphere, it’s perfect for things like backpacking.
If you’d rather enjoy a bit of culture, Mataram, the biggest city on the island, is where you should be heading. It has a lot to offer, such as the Taman Narmada, which is a Hindu temple that has been turned into a park. In that park, you’ll find everyone from travelers and residents, to kings, and they’re all there to relax and enjoy a bit.
Raja Ampat
Technically, Raja Ampat is made up of over 600 individual islands. But you can’t possibly visit all of them, which is why there are four major islands to go to – Salawati, Bantanta, Waigeo and Misool. The four islands offer a vast biological diversity, which is why they’re a stunning place for scuba divers and bird watchers. Not only is the coral life just stunning, but there are rare birds like the Wilson Birds of Paradise that you can see.
If you’d rather relax and enjoy long, sandy beaches that are quite frankly spectacular, Raja Ampat is a good choice. The shallow blue waters are stunning, and you have fine white sand that makes for a beautiful experience. The lagoons will shelter you from any wind, and you’ll be able to enjoy every moment of it.
Oh, and we mustn’t forget that Raja Ampat allows you to experience living with some of the locals on the islands. Not only will you see how they spend their days and free time, but you’ll also get to learn some of the local crafts and skills if you want to.
