Which Indonesian Islands to Visit for Families with Children

In this article, we will tell you why Indonesia is attractive for traveling with children and what entertainment is available for young travelers. You will also learn which islands in Indonesia are best for a vacation with children.

Bali

When it comes to the best islands for a family holiday in Indonesia, Bali is definitely the king. It has everything you need to ensure your children have an unforgettable holiday: well-developed infrastructure, great family resorts, beautiful beaches, shopping malls and plenty of entertainment for children of all ages.

Here are some reasons why Bali is a great place to visit with kids.

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Family resorts​

Bali is known for its luxurious family resorts that provide a full range of services for children, including babysitting services. Such resorts have well-equipped kids' clubs with entertainment programs, pools with water slides and even children's spa treatments. During educational sessions at kids' clubs, children can participate in traditional Balinese dances, learn about local crafts, create their own culinary masterpieces and learn about the amazing Indonesian culture.

Many resort restaurants offer children's menus and additional amenities for children.

Among the best resorts for holidays with children:

• Ayana Resort Bali;
• Movenpick Resort & Spa Jimbaran Bali;
• Padma Resort Legian;
• The Westin Resort Nusa Dua.

Padma Resort Legian

Theme parks and water park

There is a large water park on the island. Waterbomb Bali (Kuta), a zoo, as well as a number of themed parks that are extremely popular among vacationers with children. Among them:

• Bali Safari & Marine Park;
• Bali Bird Park;
• Mason Elephant Park & Lodge;
• Monkey forest.

In such locations, children can interact as closely as possible with wildlife, watch the ritual of feeding birds, feed and pet animals themselves, and even ride on the back of an elephant. And in the famous Monkey forest, both adults and young visitors can observe monkeys in their natural habitat.

Bali Safari & Marine Park

Active entertainment

The proximity of cultural and entertainment venues makes it easy for families to combine a beach holiday with cultural and educational activities. Bali offers a variety of outdoor activities, such as rice terrace walks, cycling and boat trips, which can be interesting for older children.

Beach holiday

Bali has many beaches with gentle slopes and moderate waves, making them safe for children. However, even on these beaches, parents should remain vigilant and supervise their children to ensure complete safety during their vacation.

In turn, the soft waves and warm ocean create ideal conditions for water activities, including surfing for children.

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Friendly locals

Bali is famous for its hospitality, and locals usually treat children with warmth and care. This creates an additional level of comfort for families vacationing on the island.

How to get there: Direct flights from Jakarta, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Istanbul, Doha, Melbourne and Sydney.

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Lombok

Lombok is a relatively quiet island. The cost of living on Lombok is slightly lower than on neighboring Bali, making holidays here more affordable.

At the same time, the island has good resorts suitable for family holidays, including the Sheraton Senggigi Beach Resort and Pullman Lombok Merujani Mandalika Beach Resort .

The island offers a range of activities, but most are suitable for older children. For example:

• wildlife exploration in lombok Wildlife Park , where visitors can expect to meet elephants and orangutans, reptiles, birds and other numerous inhabitants of the park;
• Visit Taman Narmada Lombok - a park complex with picturesque pools, green gardens and historical temples;
• a boat trip to the famous three Gili Islands located off the coast of Lombok - Gili Trawangan , Gili Meno and Gili Air;
• Climbing the legendary stratovolcano Rinjani;
• trips to waterfalls and visits to traditional Indonesian villages;
• snorkeling and diving;
• participating in a ritual of releasing baby turtles into the ocean to help the dwindling population of local sea turtles.

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

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Bintan

The Indonesian island of Bintan is located near Singapore and also offers good opportunities for a holiday with children thanks to its beautiful nature, varied entertainment and family-friendly atmosphere.

Family resorts

Many resorts in Bintan are family-friendly, offering special services and amenities for children, such as kids' clubs with interactive games, swimming pools and fun activities for children and teenagers.

Among the best:

• Angsana Bintan;
• Club Med Bintan Island;
• Nirwana Gardens;
• Cassia Bintan.

Nirwana Gardens Bintan

Active entertainment

On Bintan Island you can enjoy a beach holiday, as well as active entertainment on the water and on land. Banana boat rides, parasailing and snorkeling, archery and feeding horses, jungle walks and meeting baby turtles, boat excursions through the mangroves, learning the basics of diving, swimming in the purest Crystal Lagoon is just one of the activities available to the island's young guests.

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Theme parks

For a wildlife experience, include this on your must-see list: visit Safari Lagoi & Eco Farm is a family entertainment center located within the Bintan tourist complex. Beach International Resorts . Here you will meet animals and birds that are endangered and rescued from illegal trade, which cannot be released into the wild and need care .

If you are travelling to Bintan Island via Singapore, take an extra day to visit Adventure Cove Waterpark , where guests can expect water slides full of high-speed turns and a host of exciting rides for children and adults.

Safari Lagoi & Eco Farm

Rumah Imaji 3D Imagination House

This unique attraction allows you to immerse yourself in an alternate world by interacting with over 50 different 3D decorations, including hand-painted illusion murals created by talented Yogyakarta artists.

The attraction is located on the Plaza territory Lagoi.

How to get there: by ferry from Singapore or by flight to Batam Island, and then by ferry.

Bintan Resorts

Flores

Komodo National Park, one of the richest and most diverse marine environments on earth. It is home to over 1,000 species of fish, 260 species of coral, and numerous species of dolphins, whales, sharks, manta rays, and turtles.

The highlight of the park is the legendary "Komodo dragon" - a giant lizard whose average length is 2 to 3 meters. Excursions that include watching the dragons and visiting the pink beach of Komodo are sure to appeal to teenage adventurers.

Other activities for young visitors to Flores Island include exciting excursions to the Limestone Caves Mirror Cave and Rangko Sea Pool Cave, snorkeling, diving, glass bottom boat rides and cycling.

For a family holiday with children, we recommend considering the Ayana hotel Komodo Resort, which offers excellent facilities, including a kids' club, as well as a range of entertaining and educational activities for children.

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

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Java

The island of Java has all the conditions for children to have a fun and interesting time: good hotels, mountains, volcanoes, tropical forests, beaches, zoos, amusement parks, museums and water parks.

Theme parks

Taman Impian Jaya Ancol , also known as Ancol Dreamland is part of Ancol Bay City - a resort located along the Jakarta waterfront. It features exciting rides, a water park, a large aquarium, a bird sanctuary and many other attractive locations for children and adults.

Trans Studio Bandung presents an indoor themed play area with world-class attractions.

Wisata Bahari Lamongan is a 17-hectare tourist destination in East Java that combines numerous activities on land, water and air.

Wisata Bahari Lamongan

Zoos

For animal lovers, we recommend visiting zoos such as:

• Ragunan Zoo (Jakarta);
• Taman Safari Indonesia (Bogor);
• Kebun Binatang Bandung (Bandung);
• Gembira Loka Zoo (Yogyakarta).

Here children and adults will be able to see many different representatives of fauna, including rare and endangered species.

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Water parks

A holiday with children cannot be called complete without water entertainment. Among them, water parks occupy a special place. Some of the most popular water parks in Java are:

• Owabong Water Park Purbalingga;
• Grand Puri Water Park;
• Taman Safari Indonesia.

Java's water parks offer a variety of pools, water slides, saunas and spas, so there is something for everyone.

How to get there: There are flights to various countries, as well as ferry services to Singapore, Sumatra and other destinations.

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