Off the Beaten Path: Exploring 5 Indonesian Islands Beyond Bali
Indonesia’s beautiful tropical paradise of Bali has become a social media gem in recent years, with throngs of travelers exploring the winding hiking trails, getting themselves photographed in flowy dresses on swings, and sunning on gorgeous beaches. It’s become the bucket list destination for the globetrotting set, hitting the ideal travel trifecta of being picturesque, having great food, and being within a generally affordable pricing bracket.
Discover more: Best hikes in the world
But the numbers don’t lie: Bali’s annual visitor numbers are swiftly on the rise, with nearly 7 million travelers recorded in 2025. That’s a lot of people in a relatively small space with not-endless resources, and rumblings have begun of tourist taxes, proof of financial viability, and visitor quotas. Whatever choices are made by the government, the message is loud and clear – it’s not that you’re not welcome on Bali, but maybe consider other options?
Fortunately, Indonesia is a surprisingly vast country, possibly numbering up to and beyond a jaw-dropping 17,000 islands. Even with only about 6,000 known to be inhabited, that’s still an awful lot of land outside of Bali that we could be exploring! I’d like to introduce you to a few islands near Bali that offer hidden charms and excellent escape options with somewhat less crowding.
Java
Bali’s immediate neighbor to the west is the island of Java, Indonesia’s geographic and economic center. Java can sometimes be overlooked as a destination as many folks only think about the capital city of Jakarta, which doesn’t often top a traveler’s destination wish list. Leave the capital, however, and you’ll find some incredible treats. Yogyakarta is a particular standout here; a former capital of Indonesia itself, Jogja (as it is popularly known) is now an epicenter for Javanese culture.
Wayang Kulit, or shadow puppetry, is still on display here, along with traditional dances and gamelan music. On lively Malioboro Street, you can buy traditional batik pieces and other art from local artisans; other streets are full of art galleries to explore and murals to admire. And of course, there’s the Kraton, the breathtaking palace complex and cultural center, which can take up a whole day of your travels, so full of wonders it is.
Jogja is also home to the stunning Borobudur Temple, the world’s largest Buddhist temple, not to mention the grand Hindu complex of Prambanan. And if you’re looking for natural wonders, there’s no lack of them. The beautiful beaches of Gunung Kidal make for an exquisite landing spot for sun worshipers; those who get their kicks underground will thrill to plumb the depths of the magical Jomblang Cave.
Lombok
For those who love Bali’s beaches but want perhaps fewer crowds, I say head east to neighboring Lombok. A 30 minute flight or three hour boat ride will land you on the shores of heaven for sure! Here, you can hike up verdant Mount Rinjani, Indonesia’s second-tallest volcano, where the volcanic soil has turned the landscape into a jungle paradise. Animal lovers will appreciate the Pusuk Pass Monkey Forest, where precious long-tailed macaques are protected and housed in their own environment; it’s a lovely area to drive through, and the macaques put on an entertaining nature show. And, of course, the beaches here are pristine, some white sand and some black volcanic sand, but all gorgeous and less packed than on Bali.
Lombok has a bit of a package deal going on here, too–the tiny tropical Gili Islands are just off her coast, and they’re stunning little gems. There are no vehicles allowed here, so you can enjoy leisurely strolls or bike rides through the charming villages. I think the ideal itinerary would be to spend some quality time on the pristine beaches of Gili Trawangan and stuff yourself silly on the myriad offerings at the beachside cafes; then if you so desire, you can romp through the lively night scene here.
Nusa Lembongan
Just southeast of Bali are the Nusa islands, of which Nusa Lembongan is the largest and most populated. Easily accessible from Bali via a 45 minute boat ride, I believe that Nusa Lembongan is an incredible destination for the adventurous set. It’s a great little playground for surfers, snorkelers, zip liners, cliff jumpers, hikers and more… not bad at all for an island that caps out at eight square kilometers!
If you’re not an adrenaline junkie, not to worry; there are quieter options and I would be right alongside you! The beach scene is smaller on Nusa Lembongan than on, say, Lombok or the Gili islands, but it does still exist, with Dream Beach being one of the best offerings. Otherwise, there’s some small local shopping to be done, plenty of tasty eats around, or you can just relax outside of your villa with a good book and a sun umbrella. There’s a lot to be said for some down time, right?
Komodo Islands
Yes, Komodo as in the huge lizards! About an hour and a half flight from Bali, Komodo Island isn’t one too many travelers can stay on, as it’s a whole national park dedicated to the preservation of the massive, venomous Komodo dragon. There are some small resorts and lodges on Komodo, but they book quickly and at higher rates. For the best experience, you might want to stay either on a liveaboard boat, or in the nearby town of Labuan Bajo, but it’s quite easy to book connecting travel into Komodo from there.
Exploring the park is a rich experience of all that nature has to offer; not only can you observe the wild dragon in its own habitat, you can climb the volcanic mountain of Gunung Satalibo or go snorkeling in the crystal blue waters surrounding the island, where the aquatic life is abundant and absolutely beautiful. Komodo is absolutely my first choice of destination when I’m considering an Indonesian journey.
Flores
The real underrated gem of Indonesia may be Flores. Nearby to Komodo National Park–in fact, this is where Labuan Bajo is located–in my opinion, this island is more than worth exploring on its own.
Mother Nature has really taken her paintbrush to Flores with a delightfully heavy hand! Have you ever seen a pink beach? Red coral in the waters surrounding Flores helps to tint the sand of the beaches here a pretty pale pink, something unique in a world that values pristine snowy white beaches. The water here is lovely and clear, great for snorkeling, and there’s plenty of water wildlife to observe while you’re down there. Prefer lofty heights? No problem–hike volcanic Kelimutu for striking views and the breathtaking beauty of her three colorful crater lakes that shine in hues of red, blue, and green. Flores may well be the closest we get to paradise on Earth.
Think Different, See More
As beautiful as Bali is, with thousands of other Indonesian islands just waiting to be explored, there’s no better time than now to go off the charted track and find yourself a brand new Indonesian adventure. From dragons to temples to colorful beaches, the Indonesia beyond Bali is waiting for you… will you answer her siren call?
