Since Indonesia has 17,000 islands, it is not surprising that most of the tourism comes from the coast. The country with the longest coastline and the largest archipelagic country in the world also has hidden gems of tourist destinations that have never been touched by many people. Like a paradise that spoils the eyes, there are many islands that promise beauty and of course minimal crowds for you to visit. Far from the city center, away from the hustle and bustle of the city, you must visit these 20 hidden tourist attractions in Indonesia.
1. Ngetun Island, Yogyakarta
Yogyakarta is known as the center of culture, education and tourism in Indonesia. It turns out that Yogya is not only centered in the palace, but also has a hidden gem, namely Ngetun Island. The beach is surrounded by lush hills on all sides. In addition to swimming or enjoying the white sandy beach, you can admire the natural panorama from the top of the hill.
2. Pink Island, Lombok
Pink Island, located 3 hours from Senggigi, is famous for its pink sand. This unique color comes from the rocks and plankton that live on the beach.
Apart from swimming, another activity that you can do here is scuba diving because the color of the sea water is still blue and the beauty of the sea creatures that inhabit it.
3. Kakaban Island, Derawan
The next hidden treasure tour takes place in Derawan, precisely in Derawan Regency. This exotic archipelago is quite unique because the beaches form a bottle opener due to the island in the middle.
Uniquely, while swimming and doing other activities on the beach, you can still meet the wildlife that live on the island. Don’t bother them if they don’t bother you first, okay?
4. Padar Island, Labuan Bajo
Padar Island is the third largest island in the Komodo National Park area. It can be said that Padar Island is the most exotic and enchanting island among other islands. Filled with shrubs, trees and meadows that form a beautiful savanna, Padar Island deserves to be the next tourist destination.
In addition, there is Padar Island beach sand which is gray and pink because of the plankton that live on the shoreline.
5. Koka Beach, Maumere, Ende
This pristine beach is located in Maumere, Ende. If you come here, you will only meet local residents who are just passing by or children playing in the water around the beach.
The panorama on Koka Beach is very beautiful, with two beaches separated by land that form a bridge. The waves on this beach are also quite calm, so you can sit and listen to the soft cradle of the wind hitting the surface of the water.
6. Asah Hill, Bali
Bali can be considered as a popular tourist destination both in Indonesia and abroad. However, not all places in Bali are crowded with tourists, and there are many more hidden tourist attractions to visit, one of which is Bukit Asah.
Away from the hustle and bustle of the island’s typical nightlife, Bukit Asah is a steep beach that you can visit to see the view from above. Hiding from tourists, you can relax while looking at the sea view from above.
7. Widi Islands, North Maluku
This place with beautiful natural scenery is little known to tourists. Thanks to the clean beaches and vast expanses of sky, as well as the clear color of the sea water, you feel like you are at the beach by yourself. Whether you want to relax on the beach, swim or go for a walk, you are free to do whatever you want.
8. Misool Island, West Papua
There seems to be a lot of hidden gems in Eastern Indonesia. One of them is Misool Island in West Papua with a unique heart-shaped beach. This island is one of the four main islands of Raja Ampat. The sea water here is so clear that you can see up to 30 meters below sea level.
9. Sangalaki Island, East Kalimantan
Back to Derawan Island, East Kalimantan, this island is suitable for those of you who like to dive and enjoy the scenery beyond sea level. The activity that is most often done by tourists is snorkeling because the marine life is beautiful and untouched by humans.
10. Kenawa Island, West Nusa Tenggara
Kenawa Island is located in the Komodo National Park in West Nusa Tenggara. Unlike Padar Island, Kenawa Island offers a different experience because not many tourists have come to this island. The reason is that the local government limits the number of tourists in order to preserve the existing animals and ecosystems.
11. Kete Kesu Village, Tana Toraja
The next hidden gem tour from the coast to the tourist village is the village of Kete Kesu which is located in Tana Toraja. Kete Kesu village has traditional Tongkonan houses and stone tombs. This village has ancient relics in the form of stone graves which are estimated to be more than 500 years old.
In addition, there are traditional ceremonies that are only performed by the people of Tana Toraja, namely the Rambu Solo or traditional funeral which is carried out lively, and the Rambu Tuka or the ceremony to enter a new traditional house.
12. Trunyan Village, Bali
The next hidden gem tour is a traditional ceremony carried out by the Trunyan village community in Bali when someone dies called the Trunyan Funeral. The uniqueness of Trunyan’s tomb is that it is placed on the ground, covered with white cloth and fenced with wood, and not buried.
Uniquely, although not buried, there is no smell at all. This is because the smell of the corpse is absorbed by the Taru Menyan tree which in the local language means “tree” and “menyan” means fragrant.
13. Sikidang Crater Dieng, Dieng
Unlike other craters, Sikidang Dieng crater keeps moving from one place to another. Formed from a volcanic eruption in the Dieng Plateau, this crater is always moving, like Kidang or Dir in Old Javanese. Therefore, the name is called Sikidang Dieng Crater.
14. Gong Cave, Pasitan
The next hidden gem tour is in Pakitan, East Java, namely Gua Gong. Called Goa Gong because the stalagmites in the cave can sound and sound like a gong. The cave, which is at a depth of 256 meters, is also filled with beautiful stalactites and stalagmites.
15. Lake Sentani, Jayapura
The lake, which is located in the city of Jayapura, has an area of 9,360 hectares and is located on the slopes of the Cyclops Nature Reserve. The lake, located 50 km from Jayapura, consists of 22 islands and 24 villages inhabited by local tribes that can be explored by boat.
16. Kartenz Peak, West Papua
Want to see snow in Indonesia’s tropical climate? You can come to the Puncak Kartenets area. West Papua. This is the only place where snow lies all year round, it is eternal snow. The peak in the Jayawijaya mountains is also one of the highest peaks in the world with an altitude of 4,884 meters above sea level.
But to get to the top of the Kartenets, you need to climb for approximately 12 days. But this struggle pays off when you reach the top of the magnificent Kartenet.
17. Chicken Church, Magelang
The next hidden gem spot is the Chicken Church in Magelang. It is called the chicken church because the shape of the building resembles a chicken, even though it is actually shaped like a dove. Once a filming location for What Ever Happened to Love 2, the Chicken Church became even more popular when it was once just an abandoned building.
18. Venara Wana Mandala Tour, Bali
Let’s return to Bali, but not to the beach, but to a Hindu temple with hundreds of monkeys ready to welcome you. In Ubud you can come to the Sacred Monkey Forest Reserve or Mandala Visata Venara Wana. This place is a long-tailed monkey sanctuary and you can play directly with hundreds of these monkeys. Don’t forget to bring monkey food!
19. Lempuyang Luhur Temple, Bali
However, in Bali, the next hidden gem is the Lempuyang Luhur Temple which is shaped like a gate in Bali. This temple is the most sacred place for the local people. Lempuyang Luhur Temple is one of the oldest temples in Bali and is still visited by many Balinese people who are predominantly Hindu.
20. Phantom Palace Hotel
Not a tourist spot, not a hotel, just a nickname. Ghost Palace Hotel is the nickname given to local residents and foreign tourists who enjoy a mystical experience at this hotel in the Bedugul area.
As the name suggests, this dilapidated yet still standing building exudes a mystical aura. The building has not been fully preserved, the snake statue in the middle of the hotel looks furious, outside there is a strong impression of ghosts, darkness and humidity.
If you go to Bali, don’t forget to stop by this unique hidden gem!