5 Best Islands In Indonesia That AREN’T Bali

When you think of Indonesia, one place tends to spring to mind...Bali. This small island has been made famous by Eat, Pray, Love, and hoards of tourists flock to this spot every year to lap up the culture, or to party on the cheap. As this beautiful Indonesian island has grown in popularity, the crowd it has attracted has got younger, and it might not appeal to those who are traveling over 40 anymore. Although Bali has its charms and is still a fantastic place to visit, like with any destination that grows in popularity, over time some of its authenticity is lost. This is why today we're talking about these 5 destinations that may be lesser-known but are some of the best islands in Indonesia.

With over 17,000 islands, there are plenty to choose from. It is the variety that makes Indonesia such a fascinating destination to visit. The islands we've picked have fewer tourists than Bali, better beaches (in our opinion), and less western influence, which is why if you're looking for an authentic Indonesian experience, you'll want to head to some of these spots.

It's worth noting that Indonesia is predominantly Muslim, and when you visit islands that are less westernized, you'll be expected to respect the religion by covering yourself appropriately. This includes when you're on the beach, and even swimming, so double-check the etiquette of the island before you travel to ensure you're not stuck with one suitable outfit for a 3-week trip.

5 Best Islands In Indonesia

With so many islands, we could go on and on about which are the best islands in Indonesia, but we've reigned ourselves in, and instead will run you through the top 5 destinations that you can't miss!

Sumatra Island

An easy, hour-long flight over from neighboring Malaysia, Sumatra is home to stunning jungles, wonderful people, and more monkeys than you could shake a stick at. 

Right in the heart of it is Lake Toba and the island that sits in the middle, Samosir island. Yes, it's a mouthful, an island on a lake on an island on the sea, but once you get your head around the confusion, Samosir island is a truly beautiful spot. You can stay in traditional Batak houses with tiny doors which will need you to crouch down to enter (they're built this way to keep out bad spirits), eat delicious Sambal, and hike, bike, or kayak around the island, lapping up the scenery.

Another adventure you can't miss in Sumatra is climbing Mount Sibayak, an easy-to-hike volcano, which whilst on its own is impressive enough, once you get to the top, you'll see why it's so special. Alongside stunning views of Sumatra, you can see a second, active volcano, Mount Sinabung. The village nearest the volcano was evacuated years ago, and the villagers haven't been able to return since, as the volcano is so unpredictable. It last erupted in 2020, and if you're lucky, you'll be able to see steam blowing out the top from the safety of Mount Sibayak.

Komodo National Park

If you want an insight into what Jurassic Park would have felt like, Komodo Island is the place to find out. The Komodo National Park is made up of many islands within the Lesser Sunda islands, but the three main ones are Komodo, Rinca, and Padar. These islands are home to more than 4,000 Komodo dragons, among other species such as water buffalo, horses, wild boar, and macaques. In order to see the magnificent but unpredictable Komodo dragons, you must be accompanied by a guide. It's not just the dragons that pull tourists to the national park though. The scuba diving here is phenomenal, so nature lovers are in for a treat. If you're up for a hike whilst in Komodo National Park, head to Padar island which allows you to see not 1, not 2, but 3 stunning bays from the top, with deep blue waves lapping at white-sand shores.

Gili Islands

Just off the coast of Lombok, a short ferry ride away from bustling Bali, exists the peacefulness you need after enduring the sound of endless motorbike horns as you navigate Ubud. The Gili Islands are made up of 3 islands, Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and Gili Air.

Gili Trawangan, or Gili T as it's affectionately known is the busiest of the 3 islands, with a heavy nightlife scene once the sun goes down, but Gili Meno and Gili Air are a heavenly retreat if you need to recharge your batteries with a little R&R. Although there is still a heavy Western influence on the islands, the views of surrounding Lombok are truly breathtaking, the islands feel extremely safe which is good for those traveling solo, and the lack of motorized vehicles enables travelers to explore the island at a more leisurely pace, by foot (or horse and cart).

While you're here, you can't miss the underwater statues, just off the coast of Gili Meno. There are 48 of these famous statues, which, as well as being an attraction by themselves, are also a thriving underwater spot full of marine life.  The statues were designed to create a man-made reef where coral would grow quickly. The figures themselves represent the circle of life. If you want to avoid the crowds, try heading to this spot early in the day (before 9 am) or at dusk.

Java Island

The island of Java was formed by volcanic eruptions, which is a reason to visit in itself (Mount Merapi is easily accessible from the city). But, the reason we've named it one of the best islands in Indonesia is due to the cultural city of Yogyakarta. This city is known for being a hub of arts and historic culture and is home to not 1, but 2 UNESCO heritage sites, Prambanan temple, and Borobudur temple. These two ancient temple remains are not to be missed. Their stunning architecture and interesting history will leave your jaw on the floor. For an extra thrill, try visiting at sunrise or sunset. Aside from the many temples to explore, there is also a nighttime food market, museums, art and craft workshops, and more. If diving isn't up your street, but learning to make Javanese art is, Yogyakarta (pronounced Jogjakarta) is for you.

Raja Ampat

Rama Ampat is heaven for those who like to be under the water. No, scratch that, Raja Ampat is just heaven, full stop. Talk about a photogenic place. Let’s start by speaking about what goes on under the sea. Raja Ampat is extremely diverse, with 75% of the world’s species living here. There are huge coral reefs for divers to explore. You can see plenty of schools of fish, turtles, manta rays, seahorses... In fact, it would probably be quicker to list what you can’t find in these waters. If that wasn’t enough, you only need to peep above the waters to see why Raja Ampat is one of the best islands in Indonesia. It’s made up of an archipelago of islands that are full of deep green palm trees against the backdrop of the bluest seas you’ve probably ever seen. Rama Ampat is home to a tribe of Asmat people, who are friendly to visitors, but even friendlier if you give a gift of candy or areca nuts.

Final Thoughts 

Whether you’re traveling over 40, traveling over 50, solo traveling, or traveling with friends, there really is something for everyone in Indonesia, nature nerds, and culture connoisseurs alike. With so many islands in close proximity, your idea of the perfect destination is never more than a hop, skip, and a boat ride away.

If you choose to visit any of these stunning islands, be sure to tell us all about it, in our community, where we love to hear about your experiences!

For more information on Indonesia, as well as other great solo destinations, insight and inspiration from like-minded women, and to be part of a fantastic female travel community, come and join us here at Wander and Soul.