Indonesia has a well-preserved, natural ecosystem with rainforests that stretch over about 57% of Indonesia's land (225 million acres), approximately 2% of which are mangrove systems.
With only 6,000 islands out of 17,000 are permanently inhabited, Indonesia can preserved its natural ecosystem. Forests on Sumatra and Java are examples of popular tourist destinations. Moreover, Indonesia has one of longest coastlines in the world, measuring 54,716 kilometres (33,999 mi), with a number of beaches and island resorts, such as those in southern Bali, Lombok, Bintan and Nias Island. However, most of the well-preserved beaches are those in more isolated and less developed areas, such as Karimunjawa, the Togian Islands, and the Banda Islands.
Diving adventures
With more than 17,508 islands, the largest archipelago in the world, Indonesia marine are consist of about 4000 different species of fish, 20% of the world's coral reefs, and 600 coral species, deep water trenches, volcanic sea mounts, World War II wrecks, and an endless variety of macro life, scuba diving in Indonesia is both excellent and inexpensive.
Diving destination
Raja Ampat
Raja Ampat is located off the northwest tip of Bird's Head Peninsula on the island of New Guinea, in Indonesia's West Papua province. Raja Ampat, or the Four Kings, is an archipelago comprising over 1,500 small islands, cays, and shoals surrounding the four main islands of Misool, Salawati, Batanta, and Waigeo, and the smaller island of Kofiau.
The high marine diversity in Raja Ampat is strongly influenced by its position between the Indian and Pacific Oceans, as coral and fish larvae are more easily shared between the two oceans.
Raja Ampat's coral diversity, resilience, and role as a source for larval dispersal make it a global priority for marine protection. 1,309 fish species, 537 coral species (a remarkable 96% of all scleractinia recorded from Indonesia are likely to occur in these islands and 75% of all species that exist in the world), and 699 mollusk species, the variety of marine life is staggering. Some areas boast enormous schools of fish and regular sightings of sharks, such as wobbegongs.
Bunaken National Marine Park
The Bunaken National Park is a marine park in the north of Sulawesi, Indonesia. The park is located near the center of the Coral Triangle, providing habitat to 390 species of coral as well as many fish, mollusc, reptile and marine mammal species. The Park is representative of Indonesian tropical water ecosystems, consisting of sea grass plain, coral reef, and coastal ecosystems.
Tulamben, Bali
Tulamben is a small fishing village on the north-east coast of Bali.
A wreck dive of international renown. Just off the stony shore of Tulamben lies the most beautifully colorful wreck you can imagine. Easy access, mild conditions and shallow water mean that everyone can enjoy the splendor of this wreck and interact with the myriad species that call it home.
Lombok
Lombok's offshore islands (Gilis) are ringed with beautiful coral reefs, home to a wide variety of sub-aquatic wildlife, with sharks and plentiful turtles livening up the already vibrant display of tropical reef fishes. The Gili sites are excellent for less experienced divers; most dives were in very calm water, no deeper than 18 meters. The 3 gili is the most popular destination in Lombok, Gili Trawangan, Gili Air and Gili Meno have quite good reefs.
Surf breaks
Surf breaks can be found all the way along Sumatra, down to Nusa Tenggara, including Aceh, Bali, Banten, Java, Lombok, the Mentawai Islands, and Sumbawa. Although Indonesia has many world-class surfing spots, the majority of surfers are came from abroad, especially Australia and United States. However, the seed of local surfing enthusiast began develop in Bali and West Java's Pelabuhan Ratu and Pangandaran beach, mostly came from nearby cities of Jakarta and Bandung.
On Bali, there are about 33 surf spots, from West Bali to East Bali including four on the offshore island of Nusa Lembongan. In Sumbawa, Hu'u and Lakey Beach in Cempi Bay is popular surfing spots among surfing enthusiast.
Sumatra is the second island with the most number of surf spots, with 18 altogether. The common time for surfing is around May to September with the trade winds blowing from east to south-east. From October to April, winds tend to come from the west to north-west, so the east coast breaks get the offshore winds.
Two well-known surf breaks in Indonesia are the G-Land in the Bay of Grajagan, East Java, and Lagundri Bay at the southern end of Nias island. G-Land was first identified in 1972, when a surfer saw the break from the window of a plane. Since 6 to 8 foot (Hawaiian scale) waves were discovered by surfers at Lagundri Bay in 1975, the island has become famous for surfing worldwide.
National parks
With rich collections of tropical plants, these gardens is the center of botanical research as well as tourism attraction since colonial era.
There are 50 national parks in Indonesia, of which six are World Heritage listed.
The largest national parks are Gunung Leuser National Park (9,500-square-kilometre), Kerinci Seblat National Park (13,750-square-kilometre), Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park (3,568-square-kilometre) which are located in Sumatra and other national parks on the list are Lorentz National Park in Papua, Komodo National Park in the Lesser Sunda Islands, and Ujung Kulon National Park in the west of Java.
Different national parks offer different biodiversity, as the natural habitat in Indonesia is divided into two areas by the Wallace line. The Wallacea biogeographical distinction means the western part of Indonesia (Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan) have the same flora and fauna characteristics as the Asian continent, whilst the remaining eastern part of Indonesia has similarity with the Australian continent.
Many native species such as Sumatran elephants, Sumatran tigers, Sumatran rhinoceros, Javan rhinoceros and Orangutans are listed as endangered or critically endangered, and the remaining populations are found in national parks and other conservation areas. Sumatran orangutan can be visited in the Bukit Lawang conservation area, while the Bornean orangutan can be visited in Tanjung Puting national park, Central Kalimantan. The world’s largest flower, rafflesia arnoldi, and the tallest flower, titan arum, can be found in Sumatra.
The east side of the Wallacea line offers the most remarkable, rarest, and exotic animals on earth. Birds of Paradise, locally known as cendrawasih, are plumed birds that can be found among other fauna in Papua New Guinea. The largest bird in Papua is the flightless cassowary. One species of lizard, the Komodo dragon can easily be found on Komodo, located in the Nusa Tenggara lesser islands region. Besides Komodo island, this endangered species can also be found on the islands of Rinca, Padar and Flores.
Hiking and camping in the mountains are popular adventure activities. Some mountains contain ridge rivers, offering rafting activity. Though volcanic mountains can be dangerous, they have become major tourist destinations.
Indonesia offers some volcanoes, active or inactive.
Semeru, the highest volcano in Java, located in East Java also known as Mahameru (The Great Mountain). Offers a beautiful sunrise view, and some lake, Ranu Kumbolo is one of them, as a great place to camp.
Rinjani, Indonesia's second highest volcano and a popular destination for climbers visiting Lombok in eastern Indonesia.
Bromo, popular active volcano, 2,329-metre (7,641 ft) high in the East Java province with its scenic volcanic desert around the crater.
Merapi, the most active volcano in Java.
The upturned boat shaped Tangkuban Perahu, and the volcanic crater Kawah Putih, north and south of Bandung
The legendary Krakatau, with its new caldera known as anak krakatau (the child of Krakatau). Gede Pangrango, volcano in West Java is also a popular hiking destination, especially among domestic hikers.
Mount Tambora,in Sumatra with its historical massive volcanic eruption back in 1815 that produced massive caldera also had gained attention among hikers.
In neighboring island of Flores, the three-colored volcanic crater-lake of Kelimutu is also hailed as one of Indonesia's natural wonder and had attracted visitors worldwide.
Puncak Jaya, in the Lorentz National Park, the highest mountain in Indonesia and one of the few mountains with ice caps at the (tropical) equator offers the opportunity of rock climbing.
