Indonesia is one of those countries that boasts incredible wealth, both natural and cultural. And if you are thinking of visiting, there is one thing you must be aware of – Indonesia is a country that unites more than 17 thousand islands. It is an absolutely huge archipelago, and there is absolutely no shortage of places to visit. The thing is – they are all amazing, and narrowing down the list is quite difficult.
Well, below we’ll take a look at some of Indonesia’s most stunning islands. If you are planning a visit, keep in mind that scattered lands are better explored cruising. So here are the ones you should definitely consider visiting. The more islands you set foot on, the more you get to witness the mesmerizing sites and the wild animals the Emerald of the equator is so proud of.
Banda Islands (Spice Islands)
You will 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 is no doubt that the name is quite suitable – it comes from the fact that at one time, the islands were the only source of nutmeg and mace in the world. Many empires, such as the Roman Empire and the Persian, valued the product from here quite highly. The English and Dutch even fought a few wars to gain control over the trades.
Nowadays, however, you won’t find nutmeg plantations. Instead, what you will find are beautiful corals and marine life. If you’re a diver, you’ll love this place, and there’s a pretty big chance you’ll meet dolphins and whales too. You can reach the islands either by small plane, or by ferry from Ambon, but you can 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 named Alfred Russel Wallace went to Lombok, coming from Bali. Instantly, he knew it was a very unique place he was looking at because while it is only 35 km from Bali, the difference in the distribution of flora and fauna is shockingly different. That’s why you have today the Wallace Linean informal border separating the ecozone transition between Asia and Australia.
Lombok, today, is what you would call a calmer alternative to Bali. It has surf spots, trekking opportunities, and beautiful landscapes that are as good as you will find in Bali, but not nearly enough tourists. That’s 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.
Komodo National Park
Komodo National Park is located within the Lesser Sunda Islands, and is actually made up of multiple islands. However, perhaps the most popular are Padar, Rinca, and Komodo. On these islands, you will find more than 2,500 Komodo dragons, known as the the largest species of lizard in the world. They live there, along with horses, deer, snakes, wild boar, and wild buffalo.
If you’re not all about 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 if the never-ending increase of tourists has had its impact on the uniqueness of this beach, it is still a must-visit attraction. The surrounding waters of the island have a lot to offer if you are keen on diving.
One thing to note is that you will want to plan your visit to Komodo National Park because you have to first arrive in Bali, then fly to Labuan Bajo, and then catch a boat to Komodo Island.
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Bali
You simply cannot talk about Indonesia and not mention Bali. It is by far the most popular island in the whole archipelago, and also the busiest one too. But despite this, you still have no shortage of green rice terraces, palm-lined beaches, and volcanoes to enjoy as a tourist. These are simply things you must see if you are planning a visit to Indonesia.
To add to this, another one of the things that Bali is popular for is the Hindu culture – there is no shortage of temples, such as Pura Ulun Danu Bratan, one of the most famous tourist attractions in Bali. It is far from the only one, though, because there are many like it.
Bali is also notoriously easy to get to – there’s no shortage of carriers that can get you there, and there are plenty of flights from almost anywhere in the world. If you don’t mind sharing it with a bunch of tourists at almost any point, it’s a must.