Indonesia Tours Guide: Komodo, Raja Ampat, Bali and Lombok

Back to the Southeast Asia travel guide

Indonesia has more than 17,000 islands spread across three time zones. Trying to see all of it on one trip is a mistake. The better approach is to pick one or two regions and go deep. This guide groups the tours we list on JetlyGo’s Indonesia tours page by region, from the easy-to-reach west to the remote reefs of the east.

Bali: the easy start

Bali is where most visitors land, and it deserves its reputation: rice terraces, temples, surf and a food scene that punches far above the island’s size. It also has traffic, so pick tours that do not spend half the day in a minibus.

Surf lessons

Bali is one of the best places in the world to learn to surf, with soft sand-bottom breaks on the west coast. Beginners usually start with surf lessons in Kuta and Seminyak. Families can book kids surf lessons in Bali, and those staying a week can join a Bali surf camp package.

Diving in Amed and Tulamben

On the quieter east coast, Tulamben is home to the USAT Liberty, a Second World War cargo ship wrecked just off the beach in water shallow enough to snorkel over. The Liberty wreck dive at Tulamben is one of the most accessible wreck dives anywhere. Non-divers can try a discover scuba dive in Amed, or get certified with a PADI Open Water course in Amed.

Nusa Lembongan and the manta rays

A 30-minute fast boat from Sanur reaches Nusa Lembongan, a small island of mangroves, seaweed farms and clear water. The Nusa Lembongan day trip from Bali covers the highlights. Nearby, the Manta Point snorkeling day trip visits a cleaning station where reef manta rays gather most of the year.

Browse every Bali tour and day trip.

Java: volcanoes and temples

Java is Indonesia’s most populous island and the home of Borobudur, the world’s largest Buddhist temple. Its other draw is volcanoes. Mount Bromo at sunrise and the blue fire of Ijen crater are both on the Bromo and Ijen tour from Surabaya to Bali, which conveniently ends on Bali. For culture plus volcanoes, the Yogyakarta, Bromo and Ijen 5 day tour adds Borobudur and Prambanan.

Lombok and the Gili Islands

Lombok is Bali’s quieter neighbour, with emptier beaches and the volcano Rinjani. Off its northwest coast lie the three Gili Islands, where there are no cars or motorbikes, only bicycles and horse carts.

The Gilis are famous for sea turtles. The Gili Islands snorkeling trip visits the best turtle spots, and certified divers can book Gili Islands fun diving. On the south coast, the Kuta Lombok snorkeling trip to Pink Beach reaches small islands most visitors never see. More on the Lombok tours page.

Komodo National Park and Labuan Bajo

Komodo National Park is the only place on Earth where Komodo dragons live in the wild, and it also has some of the richest reefs in the world. The town of Labuan Bajo on Flores is the gateway, with direct flights from Bali.

There are three ways to see it:

  1. Day trips. Fast boats reach the dragons, Pink Beach and Padar Island viewpoint in one day. Compare Komodo day trips from Labuan Bajo or book a Komodo private speedboat.
  2. Open trips. Shared two or three day boat trips where you sleep on board at a lower price. See the Komodo open trips.
  3. Liveaboards. Traditional wooden phinisi boats with cabins, crew and dive guides, running three nights or longer. These are the best way to dive the park. Popular choices include the Samara phinisi liveaboard and the Gandiva phinisi in Komodo.

See every boat on the Labuan Bajo and Komodo tours page.

Raja Ampat

Raja Ampat, off the western tip of New Guinea, sits at the heart of the Coral Triangle. Scientists have recorded more species of reef fish and coral here than anywhere else on the planet. It is remote, it takes effort to reach, and almost everyone who goes says it was worth it.

You either stay on land at an eco-resort or dive from a liveaboard. Resort options include Kri Eco Resort in Raja Ampat and Sorido Bay Resort. Snorkelers have a dedicated option in the Raja Ampat 7 day snorkeling liveaboard. Compare all options on the Raja Ampat tours page.

North Sulawesi: Bunaken and Lembeh

For macro photographers, Lembeh Strait is legendary: frogfish, mimic octopus and hairy shrimp living on black sand. Thalassa Lembeh Dive Resort is a well-run base. A short drive away, Thalassa Manado on Bunaken gives access to Bunaken’s dramatic coral walls.

When to visit Indonesia

Region Best months Notes
Bali and Lombok April to October Dry season; July and August are busiest
Komodo April to November Seas can be rough in January and February
Raja Ampat October to April Calmer seas; many liveaboards relocate mid-year
North Sulawesi Year round Lembeh is good in any month

Going further

All of these trips can be booked on jetlygo.com.