Indonesia is famous for its natural beauty. Among the more than 17 thousand islands that exist, at least one has hidden tourist destination whose nature is so enchanting. It’s no wonder that Indonesia is able to win a number of awards in the tourism sector, one them is World’s Best Island 2018 which was named by Travel and Leisure. However, there are actually many ‘heaven on earth’ in Indonesia that so beautiful, but rarely visited and even known to the public. Let’s find out the six hidden paradises of Indonesia in the following section.
Pulau Weh
Many think that the farthest island of Indonesia in the western hemisphere is Sabang. In fact, Sabang itself is the city name of an island called Pulau Weh. Not only being the western tip of Indonesia, in fact, Pulau Weh has a myriad of beauties. To enjoy its beauty, you can do snorkeling or scuba diving. This is because you can see various kinds of fauna in the waters of Pulau Weh. One of the best diving spots is on Rubiah Island where you can meet whales, sharks, dolphins, turtles and manta rays.
Kiluan Bay
Lampung also has a hidden paradise. Located in Tanggamus Regency, Teluk Kiluan is really a must-visit for those of you who like marine tours. Apart from the charm of white sand and clear water, there are many water activities that you can do, from swimming in Laguna Gayau, boating, snorkeling, to fishing. However, the most interesting activity that can be done is seeing dolphins. You can watch a flock of bottlenose dolphins or long beaks while boating. Ideally, to meet these dolphins, you must be ready on the spot since 6 am. Cool, right?
Riung 17 Island Marine Park
You might think that there are 17 islands that lie in Riung. In fact, there are at least 24 island clusters in Taman Laut 17 Riung Island, East Nusa Tenggara. The number ’17’ itself was inspired by Indonesia’s independence day and was included so that the name was easy to remember. Of course, the attraction of this destination is the islands. You can rent a boat to explore the uniqueness of the entire island. For example, you can snorkel in the waters of Pulau Tiga; climbing the hill on Rutong Island; or visit the mangrove forest which is infested by bats on Ontoloe Island.
Misool Island
Talking about hidden paradise, Misool Island cannot be missed at all. Is one of the largest islands in the Raja Ampat Islands, West Papua, you don’t need to doubt the panorama and beauty of Misool Island. What’s more, because Raja Ampat is included in the world’s coral triangle, it is not yet complete if you don’t try snorkeling and diving to see various types of fish, rays, and even whales enjoying swimming. Also take the time to visit Telaga Love, ancient palm paintings, and the existing small villages.
Sangalaki Island
Located in the Derawan Islands, Berau Regency, East Kalimantan, Sangalaki Island is popular for its turtle conservation. Naturally, because for about 3,700 turtles, the island is considered safe to bury their eggs. Because it functions as a conservation place, Sangalaki Island tends to look deserted because there are not many tourists hanging around. Not only about turtles, you also have to explore the underwater park from this destination. The reason is, there are many exotic marine animals, such as barracudas, manta rays, or starfish, that live in the waters of this island. In addition, you can relax on the white sands of Sangalaki Island amidst the thick coconut trees.
Ngurtafur Beach
Are you a photo addict? So, you must add Ngurtafur Beach to your holiday wishlist. With its beautiful, clean white sand, this beach in the Kei Islands, Southeast Maluku offers extraordinary photo spots, and of course Instagramable. Ngurtafur Beach’s sand is also very unique because it only appears at low tide and looks as if it is splitting the ocean in two. In addition, you can also meet several animals on Ngurtafur Beach, a group of pelicans and leatherback turtles.
–sh
