I’ve spent time traveling across Indonesia, from the jungles of Sumatra to the small islands around Komodo. The country is spread over thousands of islands, but I focus most of my time on four: Sumatra, Komodo, Bali, and Java. The best months to visit are April through October during the dry season.
Exploring Sumatra
Sumatra feels wild and less visited. I go there for the rainforests, volcanoes, and wildlife. Bukit Lawang is the best place to see orangutans in the wild, and Mount Sibayak offers a good first volcano hike near Berastagi. Lake Toba, formed from a massive volcanic crater, is quiet and worth staying a few nights to explore local Batak villages.
Komodo Islands
The Komodo Islands are one of the best places in the world for diving and marine life. I base myself in Labuan Bajo, where dive boats and liveaboards leave daily. The reefs are full of manta rays, sea turtles, and strong currents. On land, Komodo and Rinca Islands are where the Komodo dragons live. I go early in the morning before tour boats crowd the trails.
Bali
Bali is the easiest island to travel around. I stay in Ubud when I want rice terraces, art, and quiet guesthouses, and head to Canggu or Uluwatu for surfing and sunsets. The north side around Amed is good for diving and snorkeling. While it’s touristy in parts, it’s still one of the best places for first-time visitors to start in Indonesia.
Java
Java is busy and full of history. I visit Yogyakarta for temples like Borobudur and Prambanan, and I climb Mount Bromo for sunrise views. Jakarta is mainly a transit stop for me, but trains across the island are comfortable and make travel easy.
I usually book domestic flights between islands, but ferries and short hops are an option if you’re not in a rush. Indonesia is large, and every island feels different, so picking a few and traveling slowly makes the trip better.
If you want to read more about other island destinations, visit my destinations page.
