A Vacation to Exotic Destinations in Indonesia: Ultimate Guide from OnBali
This is a collaborative post
It’s impossible to travel to every part of Indonesia, even when you spend a year in the country. The massive size of the country is one sufficient reason. While you’re familiar with Bali and can find various recommendations on OnBali.com, Indonesia has other islands with more breathtaking beauty. I won’t blame you if, after visiting these places, you want to settle in the country. As the biggest archipelago country in the world, it’s not a secret the ocean has become the main draw for people to visit. From snorkeling, diving, or surfing, Indonesia is fortunate with world-class reef breaks and diverse marine life. As one of the most volcanic countries in the world, I say exploring the mountains and the landscape on the land should also become part of the conversation.
Are you ready to find the gems of Indonesia? Let’s get started…
1. Uluwatu – Bali
Let’s start with one area in Bali where people often label the whole Bukit Peninsula as the surfer’s paradise. However, according to OnBali’s expert Mariia Ipatova, “Uluwatu is starting to become the hotspot for dining with the booming cafe and restaurant scene. Branding it only as a destination for surfers is far from misleading.” Beyond the resurgence of the culinary landscape, Uluwatu is also home to some of the most beautiful beaches in Bali, such as Padang Padang, Dreamland, Bingin, and Thomas Beach.
2. Gili Islands – Lombok
Moving on to the next islands of Bali are the famous three Gili Islands. While people make a big deal of Gili Trawangan because it’s the biggest among the three and also renowned as the party scene, there’s also merit in visiting Gili Air or Gili Meno. What’s impressive about the Gili Islands is that no motorized vehicles are owed. You have to explore the islands by foot, bicycle, and cidomo (or horse carriage). But since the islands are small, you can circle them in three hours or less.
3. Ijen Crater – East Java
The remarkable blue fire at Ijen Crater has attracted tourists worldwide. If you are already in Bali, consider making a trip to Ijen for the brightest blue fire you will ever see. Located in East Java, the sulfuric gases within the crater create the fire while the temperature can reach 40°C (104°F). Start hiking at 1 or 2 AM to reach the summit as the striking blue fire phenomenon looks otherworldly before sunrise. While hiking, you will also see miners who extract and carry sulfur from the crater. This unique experience is often highlighted in a Bali travel guide as a side trip for adventurous travelers.
4. Borobudur Temple – Central Java
Among many manmade architectures in Indonesia, Borobudur Temple should definitely be part of your itinerary. The Buddhist temple is believed to have been built in the 9th century when the Syailendra Dynasty reigned and stood majestically in Magelang, Central Java. It is still the holy place for Buddhists in Indonesia to pray during many of their sacred celebrations.
Borobudur is the largest Buddhist temple in the world, with nine stacked platforms that resemble a mandala when seen from above. Due to its significant role for Buddhists, visitors are only allowed to explore the ground floor when purchasing the ticket. If you want to reach the top, you need a guide because the number of visitors is limited.
5. Kakaban Lake – Kalimantan/Borneo
The name Kakaban is unusual and only one of three lakes in Indonesia (the others are located in Papua and Sulawesi), where you can swim with the stingless jellyfish. Yep, you’ve heard it right.
The jellyfish evolved due to the sea and freshwater mixture as the result of the elevation of a coral atoll. The isolation made their stings harmless for humans. UNESCO declared Kakaban Lake on Indonesia’s World Heritage List, and it is undoubtedly one of the unique places you can visit in Indonesia.
6. Raja Ampat – Papua
No matter whether you’ve just delved into the diving world or have been diving your whole life, describing Raja Ampat is a herculean task. Where to start? Raja Ampat, or Four Kings, is a group of islands and islets in Papua with the world’s richest marine diversity. A holy grail diving destination in Indonesia, you can encounter more than 500 coral reef species, which is 75% of the world’s population, and an astounding 1,300 fish species.
But Raja Ampat’s wow factor doesn’t stop with the diverse marine species. It is home to some endemic creatures, including the rare walking and speckled carpet sharks. If you think diving with the manta rays is special, wait until you swim alongside the black manta rays. Raja Ampat is one of the two places in the world where a population of black manta rays resides, the other being Ecuador.
7. Mentawai Islands – Sumatra
Off the coast in West Sumatra, the chain of 70 islands called Mentawai Islands is where serious surfers go to chase the waves. While most people know Bali as a surf paradise, serious surfers chase the waves around the Mentawai Islands.
The isolated nature of Mentawai makes it one of the few islands in Indonesia where the indigenous tribe of Mentawai still live on the islands. Surfing spots like Telescopes, Pagai, and Sipora have reached legendary status among surfers around the world thanks to their constant left-hand and right-hand breaks. Mentawai Islands is often considered one of the best surf spots in the world.
Conclusions
I can’t possibly condense all the interesting places in Indonesia in one post, but the seven I mentioned in the article should give you an idea of how large and diverse the landscapes in Indonesia are. Stretching from the east to the west, I doubt you can even list all the worthy destinations simply because there are too many! Let’s not forget the hidden gems and places that haven’t been explored yet.
While the beauty of Bali lies in nature and its Hindu culture, if you have the chance to explore other islands, never hesitate to jump right in! You may find other spots besides Bali to be your favorite. Pick Bali as your base, and then travel to these places mentioned, for an unforgettable adventure.
