5 Hidden Holiday Destinations In Indonesia

Indonesia is a big, vast, and relatively under-explored country that presents many opportunities for taking holidays that go way off the beaten track. Indonesia is an expansive archipelago that is made up of roughly 18,000 islands — only 900 of which are permanently inhabited — that covers a distance nearly equivalent of that from London to Tehran. This means that there are plenty of places to revel in getting lost in and enjoy the thrill of finding something new. After you’ve traveled down the length of Java and had a good long look at Yogyakarta — complete with a Traveloka.com booked stay at the Hotel Tentrem Yogyakarta — be sure to check out Indonesia’s lesser known holiday destinations.

The Togean Islands

The Togean Islands are a little visited tropical paradise that is cast away in the Gulf of Tomina, a jaunt from the Central Sulawesi coast. There is no internet here, only scant cellphone reception, and no power during daylight hours. But there are more white sand beaches than you’ll know what to do with, underwater ecosystems to dive or snorkel to, and a relaxed atmosphere that’s the polar opposite of most tourist destinations. Oh yeah, and you’ll have to live in a wooden beach-side bungalow.

Raja Ampat

Raja Ampat is an archipelago that stretches away from the northwest coast of New Guinea. While it’s an UNESCO World Heritage Site, it can still rank as an “off the beaten track” type of destination due to its shear lack of visitors due to its out of the way location. When we start daydreaming about beautiful far flung beaches in obscure stretches of remote countries, this is the place we envision. The beaches of Raja Ampat have see-through clear water and the reefs are full of vibrantly colorful coral. Of its 1,500 islands there are only 5,000 people — how’s that for “getting away?”

Sabang

Sabang is positioned off the tip of Sumatra on Weh Island. This is one of the best destinations in the world for underwater activities. But this isn’t the ordinary dive spot, as there is a submerged volcano called Pulau Weh just 30 feet below the water’s surface where you can swim through the spout of warm bubbles that emanate upwards from it.

Wakatobi

Wakatobi is a series of four islands that extend away from the southeast coast of Sulawesi that consist of over 400 world-class reefs for a diving experience that can seldom be had anywhere else.

Lake Sentani

Positioned a few hours from Jayapura, Lake Sentani is a massive lake on Papua island that has scenery that will have you dreaming of the Jurassic Age. Green mountains surround the lake which are dotted with small villages where you can stop in to take a unique glimpse at interesting cultures.

Conclusion

Indonesia is one of the world’s most diverse and engaging countries to travel in, so leave the crowds behind in the bars and hostels and go see what this incredible place really has to offer.