Indonesia's Natural Attractions: 13 Places Worth Seeing

Indonesia is a vast maritime nation comprising several thousand volcanic and tropical islands in Southeast Asia. The country's natural resources are immense—national parks and reserves, volcanic peaks, ancient lakes, and waterfalls. Let's take a look at Indonesia's most memorable natural sites, striking in their uniqueness.

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Lake Toba, North Sumatra

In the northern part of the large island of Sumatra lies the ancient volcanic Lake Toba. Its incredible scale and natural environment reveal a unique world of ancient nature. The lake extends for 100 kilometers, with a maximum depth of 505 meters. Unsurprisingly, Lake Toba is a UNESCO World Heritage Site . It is the world's largest volcanic lake, formed as a result of a massive eruption approximately 75,000 years ago, triggering the last Ice Age.

Today, Danau Toba is the largest freshwater reserve. The lake has its own island within an island, Samosir. It's a popular tourist destination, offering easy accommodation and an interesting itinerary for exploring the lake's natural landscapes. The lake is undoubtedly one of Indonesia's top natural attractions.

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Mount Bromo, East Java

One of the most visited tourist destinations in East Java and the most iconic peak in Indonesia, Bromo is captivating due to its activity. It is an active volcano, 2,329 meters high, and is part of the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park. The volcano's main cone smolders within a vast caldera covering an area of 10 kilometers.

Otherworldly landscapes, a unique ecosystem with ancient flora and fauna, and authentic Tengger communities offer an incredible experience for even the most jaded traveler.

Taman Safari Bali

Green Canyon, West Java

This natural wonder is hidden in the village of Kertayasa in Siamis County, near Pangandaran Beach. The Green Canyon, or Chukang Taneuh, offers caves and waterfalls surrounded by wild jungle. It is one of the most beautiful and unique places on the island of Java . A motorboat ride along the pristine green Sijulang River is the main excursion from Pangandaran.

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Tanjung Puting National Park, Kalimantan

This vast national park covers over 415,000 hectares of wild forest. It is home to over 200 species of birds, orangutans, gibbons, proboscis monkeys, clouded leopards, porcupines, sun bears, and other Indonesian fauna. It is a renowned ecotourism destination in Kalimantan . Since 1977, Tanjung Puting has been a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve .

Rafting on the Sungai Sekonayer River, which flows through the park, is very popular. Guides make stops at orangutan feeding stations.

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Komodo National Park

Another UNESCO World Heritage Site in Indonesia , the Komodo Islands are home to approximately 6,000 giant lizards , found nowhere else in the world. The islands themselves are mountainous slopes of dry savannah, with virtually no green vegetation. Komodo's particular treasure is its coral reefs and the bright blue waters off the sandy shores. Therefore, in addition to trekking, diving is also popular here. The underwater life consists primarily of 250 species of coral, sea turtles, dolphins, and sharks. Komodo is included in the itineraries of many sea excursions.

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Menjangan Island, Bali

This natural island is part of a national park in western Bali. It's a stunning place to encounter wildlife in its natural habitat. It's home to several species of monkeys, deer, wild boar, and numerous bird species. The marine life is equally diverse, with several excellent diving and snorkeling spots. Menjangan is often visited as part of a day trip from Bali.

Indonesia's Best Islands - Bali and Beyond

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Jayawijaya Mountains, Papua

This amazing place is located in the central highlands of Indonesia's New Guinea and is part of Launz National Park. The highest point is Puncak Mandala, at 4,760 meters. The Mars-like landscapes of Jayawijaya captivate travelers. These mountains are also known as the Orange Ridge. In total, there are seven snow-capped peaks, a rare occurrence in Indonesia. A fantastic destination for adventurous trekking.

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Kelimutu National Park, Flores Island, Nusa Tenggara

Flores Island boasts stunning hills and mountains, among which unusual lakes have formed. Two of them regularly change color due to sunlight and its effect on the mineral composition of the water. The third lake is always shimmering emerald hues, sparkling against the rugged mountains. These three crater lakes are the natural feature of Kelimutu, making it so attractive to travelers. The park also boasts an arboretum with many Indonesian plants, including endemic species.

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Raja Ampat, Papua

This place is often called a living library of coral reefs. It's a group of small islands off the Doberai Peninsula in southwestern New Guinea. This unique archipelago consists of more than 1,500 islets, reefs, and shoals. It's part of the Coral Triangle, considered the most biodiverse on the planet. Raja Ampat is home to approximately 540 species of coral, including over a thousand species of reef fish and 700 species of mollusks, as well as sharks, rays, turtles, and mammals.

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Sianok Canyon, West Sumatra

The deep canyon near Bukittinggi is the region's main natural attraction. The valley stretches for 15 kilometers, with sheer cliffs reaching 200 meters. The canyon forms part of a tectonic fault line between two Sumatra islands. The valley's pristine flora and rich fauna are incredibly diverse. Exotic rafflesias, with flowers up to 1 meter in diameter and weighing around 10 kilograms, also thrive here. Sianok is a recognized symbol of tourism and the most visited destination in West Sumatra.

Indonesia: Exotic Island Vacations

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Ujung Kulon National Park, Banten, West Java

Ujung Kulon is Indonesia's first officially designated national park. It also includes the volcanic islands of Krakatoa. The park has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991. Ujung Kulon is home to the endangered Javan rhinoceros. It is also home to several dozen rare plants and mammals.

Java's tour operators offer a variety of experiences within the reserve, including expedition tours, trekking, hikes to Krakatoa, boat tours, and waterfall-seeking excursions. The journey will be filled with Indonesia's pristine nature and awe-inspiring encounters.

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Taman Nasional Bukit Barisan Selatan, South Sumatra

The national park is located along the Bukit Barisan mountain range and covers the territories of three provinces - Bengkulu, Lampung and South Sumatra.

The trio of national parks—Bukit Barisan, Kerinci Seblat, and Gunung Leuser— are collectively designated as Sumatra's UNESCO World Heritage Site . The vast expanses of the park are home to Sumatran elephants, tigers, and rhinoceroses. Bukit Barisan Park covers over 350,000 hectares, 70% of which is comprised of endangered ancient tropical forests.

Tourist infrastructure is minimal. Permits to visit the reserve are issued in Bandar Lampung, from where transportation can be arranged to Kota Agung, where there are plenty of guided hikes available.

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Wai Kambas National Park, South Sumatra

Way Kambas National Park in Lampung Province, southern Sumatra, is the best place to encounter Sumatran elephants. Besides elephants, the reserve is home to Sumatran rhinoceroses and tigers, honey bears, and tapirs. The park boasts approximately 50 mammal species and over 400 bird species, including several dozen endemic species found only in Way Kambas.

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Derawan Archipelago, Kalimantan

The archipelago, located off the coast of Kalimantan, consists of 31 islands, the largest of which are Derawan, Maratua, Sangalaki, and Kakaban. These areas are famous for their largest nesting sites for giant green turtles in Indonesia, an endangered species. Derawan is a vast marine reserve with an extraordinary ecosystem. It boasts isolated, untouched coastlines, pristine tropics, and incredible biodiversity on land and underwater. After Raja Ampat , Derawan has the second-highest number of coral and fish species. Boat tours to the islands depart from Tanjung Redeb.

Bali Barat, Bali

A national park in western Bali, encompassing a vast tract of land, coastline, and a strait with coral reefs. The park was created to preserve Bali's pristine ecosystem, so approximately 90% of the area is closed to the public. The trekking areas of Bali Barat, particularly on the Prapat Agung Peninsula, have tourist infrastructure and designated trails. It's an excellent place to explore Balinese wildlife.

Bukit Peninsula, Bali

The southern tip of Bali offers a wealth of stunning landscapes. Bukit literally translates as "hill." This area is renowned for its stunningly beautiful rolling landscapes along the snow-white coastline of southern Bali. Bukit attracts surfers and those seeking scenic hiking trails. The peninsula's main attraction is the Uluwatu Temple, built into the sea on a 70-meter-high cliff. Garuda Wisnu Kencana National Park is also one of the most visited sites.

Gunung Batur, Bali

Batur in Bali is arguably Indonesia's most visited volcano. Of its several calderas, one remains active, attracting tourists. Numerous legends are associated with Batur, which your guide will share during the tour. A captivating panorama opens from the summit on a clear day. At the base lies a lake of the same name, formed by a powerful eruption. Lake Batur changes color depending on its sulfur content. Batur also offers a geopark with a dedicated tourist area.

The volcano climb takes half a day and begins before dawn. The infrastructure is well-established, with comfortable trails through dense jungle, a large parking lot, and cafes and snack bars at the foot of the mountain.

Lake Bratan, Bali

An equally beautiful natural attraction in Bali is Lake Bratan, a volcanic lake formed at an altitude of 1,239 meters above sea level, between Mount Bratan and Mount Catur. Bali's second-largest lake is located near the village of Candi Kuning, in the Tabanan district.

A well-developed tourist destination offering all the necessary infrastructure, motorboating, water skiing, and canoeing. These and other activities are available at the local water park, Taman Rekreasi Bedugul. On the shore of a mountain lake lies a local tourist gem: the Hindu temple of Pura Ulun Danu, built in the 17th century. The temple complex's tall pagodas rise above the waters of Lake Bratan. The incredible landscapes surrounding the lake offer memorable treks among green hills, wild forests, and traditional villages.

Indonesia's natural attractions don't end there. The islands boast an incredible number of other stunning sites that are a must-see.

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