Indonesia is home to over 17,000 islands that stretch between two oceans, boasting impressive natural landscapes and colorful marine life. If you make the journey to these far-flung islands, you’ll be rewarded with some of the clearest waters you’ll ever find, which are perfect for surfing, snorkeling, diving or swimming. Those looking for a holiday of leisure can walk along the shoreline and admire mesmerizing sunsets. Ready to get off the grid? Dig your toes in the sand and enjoy the gentle sound of waves crashing on the shore at one of these top beaches in Indonesia.
Pink Beach, Komodo
Boasting stunning scenery, colorful underwater life and beautiful pink sands, Pink Beach on Komodo Islands is one of only seven pink beaches in the world. Found on the komodo-filled Komodo National Park, it is not only a unique sight, but its natural splendor stretches to its waters where you’ll find a captivating landscape that is perfect for a snorkeling adventure. Getting its color from microscopic animals called Foraminifera, its soft pink color is visible along the shoreline and makes the perfect backdrop for its green rolling hills and turquoise seas.
Karimunjawa Beach, Java Island
Surrounded by mangrove forests and picturesque white bays, Karimunjawa Beach on Java Island is an idyllic place to enjoy sparkling bays. You’ll no doubt be lured by its silky white sands and stunning turquoise waters that create a postcard-perfect backdrop for your day at the beach. You can even spend an entire day watching both the sunrise and sunset in the same day at this beach. To beat the heat, visit the handful of warungs selling drinks, from fresh coconut to a cold beer, and enjoy plates of authentic Indonesian cuisine.
Banyak Islands
Catch the perfect wave on the Banyak Islands, where its uncrowded barrels attracts surfers looking for the ultimate paradise. In addition to its memorable, world-class waves, the Islands are a paradise for nature lovers, where you can indulge in a day of snorkeling, fishing, exploring the jungle or simply digging your toes in the sand. Considered one of the last surf frontiers of Indonesia, it is composed of 99 islands and islets and is a great place to get away from it all and enjoy a tranquil vacation of beach and sun.
Raja Ampat Islands
A crown jewel in Indonesia, the Raja Ampat Islands is one of the world’s best places for a snorkeling excursion. An untouched paradise made up of 1,500 smaller islands, this region is home to species of underwater life that you won’t find anywhere else, as its pristine landscapes have so many unexplored areas full of blue water mangroves and over 1,000 tropical fish species. Lined with resorts sitting directly on the beach, you will feel like you’ve traveled to another planet as you take in your surroundings.
Balangan Beach, Bali
A white sandy beach that offers panoramic views of the Indian Ocean, Balangan Beach is blessed with picturesque landscapes and spectacular sunsets. Located in the south part of Bali Island in Uluwatu peninsula, it is also considered one of the best surfing spots in the area. Even if you’re not there to catch a wave, its tropical atmosphere and sea breeze are fringed by palm trees and tide pools where you can simply soak up the laid-back atmosphere.
Derawan Beach, East Kalimantan
Located in Berau, Derawan Beach in East Kalimantan is one of the best snorkeling and diving destinations in Indonesia. Its unique coastal ecosystem lures travelers in with its coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangrove forests. There is a lot of protected wildlife to spot here as well, from whales and dolphins to clams, coconut crabs and other species, as well as endangered green and hawksbill sea turtles. Its white-sand beaches will melt your worries away, as the natural landscapes are simply mesmerizing.
Gili Islands, West Nusa Tenggara
Gili Islands is a famous hotspot for snorkeling enthusiasts, where three small islands are fringed by white-sand beaches and colorful coral reefs. Sunseekers flock to these islands from around the world to get close-up to turtles hanging out by the shoreline. While swimming with the curious turtles is the main attraction of this area, there is plenty to enjoy along its pristine beaches. Head to Gili Meno for a quiet stretch of sand where you can enjoy memorable adventures in a secluded setting.
Kanawa Island, Flores
Are you looking for a vacation of seclusion? Head to Kanawa Island on Flores to discover white sand beaches and excellent snorkeling opportunities. Nestled on an island within Komodo National Park, the tranquil beach waters are filled with sea turtles happily swimming by. In the shallow waters, its bright corals see a variety of lionfish and batfish, and if you can peel yourself away from the water, its fine sands offer the perfect ambiance for a relaxing day in the sunshine.
Canggu Beach, Bali Island
Canggu Beach on Bali Island features a unique landscape with a chilled-out surfer’s atmosphere. You’ll find serious breaks that captivate both beginning surfers and experts alike, while those looking to watch from the shoreline can indulge in the beach’s showcase of island life in its collection of fantastic restaurants, bars, and buzzing nightlife scene. Sitting between Seminyak and Tanah Lot, its countryside features verdant rice fields that ate dotted with villas and resorts.
Kelingking Beach, Nusa Penida Island
One of the most photogenic spots in Bali, Kelingking Beach on Nusa Penida Island offers a mesmerizing view with white cliffs contrasting its turquoise blue waters. While its clifftop views are an Instagram hotspot, sitting on the beach is just as alluring. The horseshoe-shaped beach is also referred to as “Kelingking Secret Point Beach” and can be reached by walking down a natural road that is equipped with bamboo handholds. Take a dip in its waters, and when you’ve worked up an appetite, grab some snacks and drinks from one of the local huts nearby.
