Indonesia for the 1st time! Would love some travel suggestions

[Seanluge]

Hello all, im coming to Indonesia for 3 weeks to 1 month in April 2026, 2 weeks in Bali with my girlfriends family, we might do a few dives around Bali but its mostly going to be family stuff. But we are staying for a week or more to explore another area of Indonesia.

I feel like Bali might be a bit hectic/over run by tourism for me so I would love to see something a bit more authentic or unique. If you had a week to spend on diving and exploring another part of Indonesia is there anywhere that jumps out thats a must see? Or something a bit off the beaten path? We both love to hike and explore natural environments.

Im really into Photography as well. Any advice would be super appreciated!

Sean

 

[Doc Harry]

If you are transferring in Jakarta from the international terminal to the domestic terminal, allow for extra time. It's not a friendly trek for people dragging bags, and the signage is very poor and confusing in places.

 

[wknight0691]

Hello all, im coming to Indonesia for 3 weeks to 1 month in April 2026, 2 weeks in Bali with my girlfriends family, we might do a few dives around Bali but its mostly going to be family stuff. But we are staying for a week or more to explore another area of Indonesia.

I feel like Bali might be a bit hectic/over run by tourism for me so I would love to see something a bit more authentic or unique. If you had a week to spend on diving and exploring another part of Indonesia is there anywhere that jumps out thats a must see? Or something a bit off the beaten path? We both love to hike and explore natural environments.

Im really into Photography as well. Any advice would be super appreciated!

Sean

If you're really interested in photography then sounds like lembeh could be for you if macro is your favourite. Bigger stuff at bunakin.

 

[Johncn]

Hello all, im coming to Indonesia for 3 weeks to 1 month in April 2026, 2 weeks in Bali with my girlfriends family, we might do a few dives around Bali but its mostly going to be family stuff. But we are staying for a week or more to explore another area of Indonesia.

I feel like Bali might be a bit hectic/over run by tourism for me so I would love to see something a bit more authentic or unique. If you had a week to spend on diving and exploring another part of Indonesia is there anywhere that jumps out thats a must see? Or something a bit off the beaten path? We both love to hike and explore natural environments.

Im really into Photography as well. Any advice would be super appreciated!

Sean

Not all of Bali is overrun by tourists. Just got back from our 15th trip (we think) to Indonesia, and are both divers and photography hobbyists. Spent about three weeks in Bali, and then a week elsewhere. We avoid Kuta and that area by the airport, and stay in East Bali (Tulamben, Amed, Lipah, etc) where it is relatively quiet, and has good diving. This past trip we focused on underwater macro photography, and stayed in Tulamben. It was great, but very specialized, and a very quiet location. Diving is definitely macro other than the Liberty wreck. Amed and Lipah have a mix of coral-focused diving and opportunities for young folks to mix and mingle.

We also stayed in Northwest Bali (Menjangan Island area, Banyuwedang). Very quiet and next to the National Park for hiking and bird / monkey watching. Good wall diving there, and really nice hot springs and monkeys with views of steaming volcanoes on Java just across the strait.

If flying into Denpasar (Bali), it is a short $90 round trip flight to Labuan Bajo (Flores Island, East Nusa Tenggara) to explore the Komodo Islands National Park, and we had a blast there. Did land-based diving with manta rays, as well as drift dives along very healthy coral reefs. Tons of turtles and larger species of reef fishes than in Bali. Also hiked several islands (Padar, etc) and found the Komodo Islands to be among the most beautiful and photogenic places we have ever been. And, yes, we visited the Komodo Dragon preserves in the park, too. Touristy, but there be dragons! ;-)

Hope this helps. Have a great trip!

 

[Searcaigh]

Hello all, im coming to Indonesia for 3 weeks to 1 month in April 2026, 2 weeks in Bali with my girlfriends family, we might do a few dives around Bali but its mostly going to be family stuff. But we are staying for a week or more to explore another area of Indonesia.

I feel like Bali might be a bit hectic/over run by tourism for me so I would love to see something a bit more authentic or unique. If you had a week to spend on diving and exploring another part of Indonesia is there anywhere that jumps out thats a must see? Or something a bit off the beaten path? We both love to hike and explore natural environments.

Im really into Photography as well. Any advice would be super appreciated!

A good starting point is just staying in Bali.

Do the touristy stuff with the family then go to Tulamben and stay there with diving and photography in mind. Tulamben is mainly macro with a few nice angle opportunities at certain sites (USAT Liberty, Kuda Wreck and Drop Off).

Keep your internal travel in Indo to a minimum depending on who you are flying with from BC and if transferring via Jakarta or Singapore. Weather and volcanos can change things very quickly with little warning so don't skimp on insurance.