Cruising Indonesia – The Best Destinations to visit
If you’re considering going on a cruise, here’s a tip – check out Cruising Indonesia! The country has over 18 thousand islands, almost half of which are populated, and each island has something different to offer. From traditions to stunning temples, from mind-blowing food to modern architecture, Indonesia is an incredible place when it comes to variety.
And one of the best ways to head there is a private cruise, where you get to enjoy everything Indonesia has to offer, and relax in a luxurious boat in the meantime, with all the bells and whistles you could ever need. With that in mind, here are the prime spots you should head to if you’re visiting Indonesia!
Bali
You can’t talk about Indonesia without mentioning Bali – the place is a tourist paradise. However, this does mean that not everyone loves it because privacy and intimacy is not really a thing. But we’ve got an alternative, with a few points about things to know before going to Bali.
Bali is popular because it gets you pretty much everything Indonesia has to offer and puts it in one place. If you don’t mind the fact that it’s crowded, read on, because Bali is a destination you mustn’t miss out on.
When you first head there, you might feel overwhelmed. There’s a little bit of everything on the island, from sandy beaches perfect for cocktails to parties unlike anywhere else. And everything is close, so you could head to a party and move to a beach within ten minutes.
However, when you start to explore a bit, you’re looking at some stunning temples that are scattered throughout the city, and they’re an incredible testament to the importance of Balinese Hinduism on the island.
And if you decide to go for it, here’s a tip to keep in mind – a scooter, or a tuk-tuk, is your best bet when it comes to getting around the island. The traffic is crazy, and you want something that’s small and easy to get around in.
Lombok
If you like to get 80% of the experience you’ll get in Bali, but don’t want to share that with thousands of tourists at any moment, Lombok is your alternative. It’s located right off the coast of Bali, but as a location, it gets you much more intimacy and privacy. The place is a paradise for people who want to relax and stay away from crazy parties.
Of course, not everything is that relaxed, because Lombok is known as one of the best surfing spots in all of Indonesia, if not the whole of South-East Asia. The waves are crazy, and there’s a surfer culture that’s unlike anything else in the country.
The coral life is also magnificent, so you can either dive or snorkel, meaning the place is great for just about anyone who wants relaxation. Oh, and it’s a perfect spot for a honeymoon, too.
Spice Islands
The Spice Islands are another interesting destination, thanks to their historical significance for Indonesia. They’re now known as the Maluku Islands, and at one point, soon after they were discovered, people figured out that they’re the only location where you can find nutmeg in the entire world.
This led to a war that lasted for over a hundred years, after which the Dutch gained control over pretty much the entire nutmeg trade.
The beauty of the Spice Islands is, among other things, the architecture. There is a lot of architecture that the Dutch built during their reign over the trade, and it is nowadays in a surprisingly nice shape. You can enjoy stunning buildings that look like they were built a year ago, not five hundred years ago.
And it’s not all just history and architecture – you also have, similarly to Lombok, incredible coral life. You will get the opportunity to dive and snorkel, but you’ll also get to swim with whales and dolphins if you’re lucky.
Raja Ampat
Speaking of coral life, Raja Ampat is basically a diver’s paradise. The place is made of over 600 small islands, and the largest four are Waigeo, Bantanta, Salawati, and Misool. These are the best-developed ones, which is why the area is called Raja Ampat – it translates into Four Kings.
As we mentioned, coral life is the prime reason to check out Raja Ampat, but you also have some of the nicest white sand kind of beaches. You can sip a cocktail, enjoy an hour or two of snorkelling, and then head back to your cruise ship. And even if it’s a bit windy, many beaches are sheltered in lagoons, so you won’t feel the wind as a problem.
Oh, and lest we forget, there’s also the Papua Paradise Eco Resort, which is a fascinating place for any bird-watching fans. There are over 800 species for you to check out, and if this is something that piques your interest, it’s definitely worth it.