Indonesia is a captivating island group that offers a journey unlike any other. With over 17,000 islands, this Southeast Asian jewel is a rich mine of cultural treasures, natural beauties, and exciting activities just waiting to be revealed. Whether you're a beach bum, a history buff, or an adrenaline addict, Indonesia has an unlimited selection of activities that will satisfy any type of tourist.
Picture soaking in the sun on Bali's beautiful beaches, diving into the brilliant turquoise waters of Raja Ampat, or hiking through Sumatra's lush jungles. Just imagine yourself standing in awe at the ancient temples of Borobudur and Prambanan, or seeing the raw strength of Mount Bromo's volcanic terrain. From the busy streets of Jakarta to the serene beauty of the Gili Islands, Indonesia's variety is amazing.
Come along as we explore the best things to do in Indonesia, including insider advice, must-see destinations, and hidden treasures to make your vacation unforgettable. Prepare to go on an adventure full of thrills, discoveries, and limitless possibilities in one of the world's most fascinating places!
Indonesia has 400 volcanoes, with up to 130 of them active—more than any other nation in the entire globe. Most of Indonesia's volcanoes are available to tourists for trekking, and others (such as Mount Bromo in Java) allow you to stroll right up to the brink of the boiling crater! This is undoubtedly one of the top things to do in Indonesia! Mount Batur is the most popular volcano to walk for sunrise in Bali, but Mount Agung is also a great option if you want a true challenge. Other excellent volcano treks in Indonesia are Mount Rinjani in Lombok and Mount Dukono in Maluku, however both can be difficult.
Limestone mountains are high in many places of Indonesia, therefore there are plenty of amazing caves. Rammang Rammang in Sulawesi has a dazzling limestone cave to explore, while Rangko Cave in Flores has a blue lake for swimming. Meanwhile, in Tana Toraja, these kind of caverns are still utilized as ceremonial burials. One of Sulawesi's prehistoric caverns has the world's earliest known human-made cave art, which we found incredibly intriguing!
Indonesia is one among those nations where if you don't spend time outside, you're missing out. Don't waste time in cities; instead, get into nature as quickly as possible! Of course, there are islands and beaches, but Indonesia also has a diverse landscape. From Sumatra to Papua, there are numerous lakes, mountains, jungles, enormous stones, sand dunes, and other natural features. Indonesia has several breathtakingly beautiful vivid blue lakes. These include Paisu Pok Lake in Banggai, Sulawesi, Labuan Cermin in Kalimantan, and Sumatra's smaller Danau Kaco.
If you do a little exploration, you will find a minimum of a few breathtaking waterfalls on almost every Indonesian island. Many of Indonesia's greatest waterfalls are found in Sumatra and Java, although smaller islands such as Bali and Lombok also have some outstanding ones. A excellent location to look for waterfalls in Indonesia is the Ciletuh Geopark in West Java, which is a UNESCO-designated geopark with beautiful waterfalls. It's about a half-day drive from Jakarta, and there are several great places to stay near the waterfall. One of the highest falls in Indonesia is the Ponot cascade in North Sumatra, which is a massive three-step cascade near the famed Lake Toba, with a height of over 250 metres.
Indonesia is home to about 20% of the world's animal species, therefore there is plenty of regional wildlife for you to observe here that cannot be seen elsewhere. You could spot the world's largest lizards on Komodo Island, bug-eyed tarsiers at the Tangkoko Reserve in Sulawesi, wild orangutans at Bukit Lawang in Sumatra, and, of course, the famed macaques in the Ubud Monkey Forest in Bali. Wildlife watching is undoubtedly one of the nicest activities to do in Indonesia!
Indonesia makes up part of the Coral Triangle, a region that comprises a tropical maritime wonderland that contains the majority of the world's coral and fish species. Needless to say, it's an excellent site to go diving or snorkeling, where you can view a variety of uncommon species, brilliant corals, sea turtles, manta rays, and, if you're lucky, even swim with a whale shark! We can guarantee a terrific experience snorkeling across Indonesia, but our favorite spot is definitely Belitung Island in south Sumatra.
Lighthouses are possibly the last thing that springs to mind when you think about Indonesia, yet there are a few beautiful ones. Two excellent examples are the colonial Dutch lighthouse on Lengkuas Island in Belitung and the locally constructed lighthouse on Pulau Karang in Sumatra. Its a worthwhile activity.
Indonesia boasts some of the world's most valuable rainforests, but many of them are critically threatened due to widespread deforestation to make more space for palm oil plantations. Rainforest tourism is one approach to provide communities with a means to conserve these areas. Aside from the incredible creatures, you can observe huge banyan trees and the world's largest flowers. The most popular area to do rainforest trekking in Indonesia is Gunung Leuser National Park in Sumatra, but there are plenty of other great options throughout Sumatra and Kalimantan.
When people think of wonderful beaches in the Asian continent, they think of the Maldives or Thailand, but not Indonesia. Indonesia beaches are excellent, but they are often overlooked since many of the best are hidden in isolated areas with little access. On the plus side, you're more likely to have them to yourself! With some exploration, you'll discover the most stunning white sand beaches, sparkling pink beaches, and black volcanic beaches, as well as top-tier surf locations and, on occasion, highly photogenic cliffs, rocks, and shipwrecks.
Indonesia has almost 17,000 islands, so begin hopping! Komodo, Belitung, Bali, and Lombok are some people's favorite destinations to go island hopping by boat, but you can do it pretty much anyplace in Indonesia. In Komodo or Raja Ampat, you may even stay on a comfortable liveaboard boat for many days and wander the waters to your heart's desire.
If you've ever wanted to have your own private tropical island, complete with a rustic house and crystal blue water as far as your eyes can see, Indonesia has it! The finest spots to decompress, unplug from WiFi, and live the Robinson Crusoe lifestyle are on little pristine islands near Sumatra, Sulawesi, and Raja Ampat. Visit Mentawai or the Banyak Islands, for example. On Nusa Penida Island (near Bali), you can even spend the night in a treehouse!
Every Indonesian island and region has its own unique culture. Some of the country's best cultural sites are Sumba, Tana Toraja (one of the world's most unique civilizations), Wae Rebo (a isolated mountain town in Flores), and, of course, Bali. Bali may be a tourist destination, but there is still enough of amazing culture to experience. The Balinese language, clothes, traditions, and architecture have remained mostly unchanged since Bali became popular with outsiders.
As we close with our exploration on the best things to do in Indonesia, it is clear that this lovely country has something special for everyone. From the golden beaches of Bali and the ancient temples of Yogyakarta to the aquatic paradises of Raja Ampat and Borneo's wild forests, Indonesia is a place that promises adventure, beauty, and amazing experiences at every turn.
Whether you've climbed volcanic peaks, discovered ancient ruins, or just immersed yourself in the lively local culture, Indonesia creates a lasting mark that invites you back. Each island and area has its own distinct charm and tale, enticing you to go deeper and uncover the rest of its hidden treasures.
✈️ I'm Rinki Sharma — a passionate traveler and storyteller. Through my travel blogs, I capture the essence of every destination, from hidden gems to well-trodden paths. I believe every journey has a story, and I love sharing mine to inspire others to explore, connect, and discover the world with...View Author Profile
