Indonesian islands that are better than Bali

According to statistics, Indonesia has more than 17,000 islands, and the popular tourist island of Bali receives about 40% of the country's visitors per year. While Bali is an incredibly sought-after tourist destination, among Indonesia's thousands of islands there are many hidden gems that remain undeservedly overshadowed but could offer more unique experiences for travelers. And today we want to talk about some of them.

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Lombok Island

With stunning beaches, picturesque scenery, a relaxed atmosphere, friendly locals, excellent food and affordable prices, Lombok is a great alternative to Bali and will provide you with a truly unforgettable experience. And its convenient location and the absence of logistics problems make the island suitable for a family holiday.

Lombok is much less crowded than Bali and is a great place for those looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of the big city. With fewer tourists, lodging, food and entertainment are more affordable. This means you can enjoy the same experience as Bali, but at a lower cost.

Lombok offers guests a variety of activities, including: climbing the famous Volcano Rinjani , which is one of the highest volcanoes in Indonesia, visiting the Segara volcanic lake Anak and Sendang waterfalls Gile , exciting surfing on Desert Point , snorkeling and diving, yoga and massage, as well as a trip to the famous three Gili islands - Air , Meno and Trawangan .

How to get there : by flight from Denpasar , Jakarta, Singapore, Sydney, or by public ferry or speedboat from Bali.

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Gili Islands

Three miniature islands off the northwestern coast of Lombok provide a memorable visit. Convenient location, friendly atmosphere, natural beauty and open spaces for diving and snorkeling attract many travelers to Gili Air , Gili Meno and Gili Trawangan .

Trawangan is the largest and most active of the three islands. Many restaurants and beach parties can be found here. Second largest island of Gili Air offers a more relaxing experience. And the smallest and quietest of the islands is Gili Meno allows you to enjoy complete privacy.

There are no cars on the islands, and the main means of transportation are electric scooters , bicycles or horse-drawn cidomo carts .

How to get there : Direct boat connections from Bali and Lombok .

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Kai Islands ( Kei Islands )

This group of islands lies close to the equator, in one of the most remote parts of Indonesia. They are difficult to access and practically unknown on tourist maps. The reward for those who get here will be kilometers of white sandy beaches that will belong only to you.

You won't find an abundance of tourist accommodation or activities here, although there are a few cottages available for booking online.

Activities include: hiking, relaxing on the beautiful Pasir beach Panjang , visiting the Hoko waterfall , getting to know the culture and life of the local people.

Holidays on the Kai Islands are suitable for experienced, not afraid of logistical difficulties and unpretentious tourists who want to enjoy complete silence and solitude, and will be able to appreciate the beauty of these places.

The islands are best visited during the dry season, which lasts from April to September. Travelers who decide to visit the islands in autumn can witness Meti Kei is an annual natural phenomenon that occurs over a period of several weeks when the ocean recedes 6 kilometers, allowing access to other islands usually separated by water. The event is usually celebrated with a festival.

How to get there : take a flight from Jakarta to the city of Ambon . Next take a flight to the city of Langgur .

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Sumba Island

The distinctive island, located in the province of East Nusa Tenggara , is one of the poorest and at the same time one of the most beautiful islands in Indonesia.

The island has two national parks, stunning beaches, picturesque waterfalls, lush rainforests and rice paddies, giving visitors the opportunity to explore the natural landscape and observe local wildlife, in particular the abundance of birds that densely inhabit this picturesque corner of the planet.

Island entertainment includes: excursions to local villages and familiarization with the life of local residents, horseback riding, trekking and fishing, as well as acquaintance with the traditional weaving craft of ikat . Lovers of surfing and picturesque beaches can visit Tarimbang Bay is a cozy crescent-shaped bay with a fine sandy beach and crystal clear water. In addition to the magnificent beach, travelers will find jungles, waterfalls and small, rarely visited traditional villages. Also worthy of attention are the Tanggedu waterfall and the beaches of Puru. Kambera and Mandorak .

The island is considered one of the poorest in Indonesia and faces shortages of personal hygiene products, school supplies, children's clothing and sports equipment such as badminton, soccer balls and pumps. If you wish, you can put these items in your luggage to share with those who need them. You can also help the locals by purchasing souvenirs while visiting the villages.

It is worth noting that there are no currency exchange offices on the island, so make sure you have cash before arriving in Sumba .

It is also recommended that before traveling to the island you take out good medical insurance that covers medical evacuation, as well as take a first aid kit and repellent with you. When choosing a place to stay, you should pay attention to the presence of mosquito nets.

You can easily find a variety of accommodation options in Mbale. The best resort on the island is NIHI Sumba , one of the top 5 best eco-hotels in the world. The resort offers luxurious villas, cozy restaurants and a wide range of entertainment and educational activities. The hotel has an ATM and credit cards can be used. In addition, the area is actively sprayed to minimize the number of insects.

In addition to the tranquil atmosphere, unspoilt nature and the opportunity to immerse yourself in the local way of life, the island's advantages include a low cost of living. This means travelers can enjoy a more authentic, yet budget-friendly holiday than Bali.

How to get there : by flight from Denpasar .

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Misool Island

Ampat archipelago , this remote and secluded island impresses few visitors with its untouched nature, picturesque beaches and fantastic coral reefs filled with marine life. The island is surrounded by its own 1,220 square kilometer Misool Marine Reserve , which was created in 2005. The filming of documentaries and programs about the incredible riches of the underwater world, in particular the film " Journey", has been filmed here several times. to the South Pacific ."

There are about 60 dive sites scattered around the island, many of which are in no way inferior to the popular dive sites of Bali. Blacktip and gray reef sharks, giant moray eels and trevally , barracudas and octopuses, dugongs, green turtles and many other marine life are regularly found in local waters . There is also a manta cleaning station . Among the most interesting dive sites Nudi Rock , Magic Mountain and Boo Windows .

Due to its remote location, the island does not have many accommodation options, but there are a few guest houses and the private island resort Misool . For entertainment, the resort offers kayak and SUP excursions, bird watching and colorful sunsets, as well as travel through the labyrinth of karst islands and turquoise lagoons, located about 20 minutes from the island.

How to get there : from Sorong city by public ferry or express ferry . Shuttle service is available for Misool Resort guests .

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Flores Island

Flores Island , whose name translates to "flowers", is located in the Indonesian province of East Nusa Tenggara .

This amazing destination offers visitors a much more authentic and relaxing experience than Bali. The island is relatively untouched by mass tourism and retains its pristine beauty. It has some of the most beautiful beaches and landscapes in Indonesia, unspoiled by the overdevelopment that has taken place in Bali.

Flores is a volcanic island with many mountains, hot springs and picturesque beaches. A number of unique plant and animal species are found here, including the Komodo dragon, the world's largest lizard, which can reach 3 meters in length and weigh more than 70 kilograms. And individual representatives of this species can exceed these indicators.

One of the most popular attractions in Flores is the Kelimutu volcano , which contains three crater lakes that can change their color. Other popular attractions include the unique village of Wae Rebo , consisting of 7 houses with original architecture, traditional Ngada villages in the Bajawa region , Mount Inerie , and 17 Islands National Park .

There are a sufficient number of hotels and guest houses on the island, most of which are concentrated in the town of Labuan Bajo . But in other cities and villages visited by tourists, you will not be left without a roof over your head.

Flores is often used by tourists as a launching pad for visiting Komodo Island , home to the famous "dragons" and one of the few pink sand beaches in the world.

How to get there : by flight from Denpasar to Labuan Bajo .

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