We’d be suspicious of any holiday plan that makes you pack your suitcase every other morning. With so many indonesian islands to choose from, it’s easy to end up doing exactly that. Another airport. Another transfer. Somewhere in between, you’re supposed to be having a holiday.
Our suggestion? Choose one island for the main stay, then add a nearby region if you have enough time. Bali and a sailing trip around Komodo can make a lovely combination. Java deserves proper time on land. You don’t have to fit both into the same visit.
The rest can wait.
You don’t have to see all the Indonesian islands in one trip.
Choosing Indonesian islands starts with your kind of day
Forget the map for a moment. What would you actually enjoy tomorrow morning? If your answer involves a slow breakfast and nowhere to be until lunch, we’d be careful about filling your route with early departures and boat connections.
Java would catch our attention for temples and city stays. Sumatra would pull us towards a journey focused on a particular forest region. For Bali, we’d think about where you want to sleep before deciding how much sightseeing to add. Crossing the island repeatedly isn’t everyone’s idea of a break.
We’d also keep the 5 main islands of Indonesia separate from a holiday shortlist. Being large doesn’t make an island easy to explore in a few days, and Borneo and New Guinea are both shared between countries. That map takes a little unpacking.
Seven islands we’d consider without squeezing them all in
Our shortlist includes Java and Sumatra, then Bali with neighbouring Lombok. Farther east, we’d look at Flores and the nearby islands of Komodo and Padar. Seven names. Definitely not seven stops we’d try to sell you for a short holiday.
With Java, we’d leave some space between sightseeing days. A temple visit can be wonderful; another early alarm the following morning may be less welcome. Sumatra calls for an even narrower decision about where you’re going. We’d choose an area first and work out the connections from there.
Bali or Lombok? We’d want to hear about the beach you have in mind. The hotel location can change the whole experience, especially if you picture walking out for dinner but book somewhere that involves a drive each evening.
Flores brings you closer to our part of the journey. Labuan Bajo is at its western end, with boats heading towards the Komodo area. We’d treat the town as your departure base, though. Komodo and Padar are separate islands, not places you can reach by taking a taxi from your hotel.
Why we’d give the Komodo area its own time
For us, the appeal of sailing begins with not having to go back ashore that evening. Your bag stays put. Among the indonesian islands on your shortlist, the Komodo area offers a chance to make the boat part of the holiday rather than simply a way to reach the next stop.
A 3D2N open trip can suit you if sharing meals and chatting with other travellers sounds enjoyable. For a family or a couple wanting their own space, we’d talk through a Komodo private boat tour and the boats available for their dates.
There’s a limit to that flexibility, of course. A private booking doesn’t overrule the harbourmaster, and we’d never promise to follow a route regardless of the weather. Government rules and sea conditions can change what happens on the day.
Prefer a hotel bed? Fair enough. A one day speedboat trip may suit you better. The Lombok to Labuan Bajo 4D3N sailing route is another option, but we’d discuss the time aboard before you book it as a connection between two land stays.
The little things aboard can decide the trip
That wide sundeck looks lovely in a photograph. We’d still want to see the cabin. If you’re spending several nights aboard, the sleeping arrangement deserves a proper conversation, particularly when one person in your group sleeps lightly or wants more privacy.
Then there’s the bathroom.
It isn’t the glamorous part of choosing a boat, but we’d settle those details early. The same goes for AC arrangements. Facilities vary with the boat and package, so we’d avoid assuming that everything pictured across the website comes with every booking.
Meals may be included, along with snorkeling equipment. We’d discuss dietary requirements before departure, when there’s still time to make arrangements. Much easier for everyone.
We’d take a similar approach to the Kelor island viewpoint. The climb may be short, but an exposed uphill path can feel quite different once you’re standing on it in the heat. Staying nearer the beach is a perfectly reasonable choice.
We’d leave room for a changed plan
We know why manta rays end up high on a wish list. We’d be excited too. But a trip through indonesian islands can’t come with an appointment to meet wildlife, and we’d be wary of any booking conversation that makes it sound that way.
Komodo dragon sightings aren’t guaranteed either. Neither is that clear sunrise over Padar you’ve saved on your phone. We’d plan for the opportunity while leaving room for what actually happens.
A missed sighting can be disappointing. We won’t pretend otherwise.
Still, chasing a manta for footage isn’t something we’d encourage. We’d follow the guide’s instructions and give wildlife space, with the same care around coral. Rubbish goes back aboard, and anyone uncomfortable about a swim should feel able to say so before entering the water.
Can I combine Bali with a Komodo sailing trip?
Yes. We’d work backwards from the boat’s confirmed meeting arrangements, then look at flights and time ashore, because a tight connection leaves very little room if your journey changes.
A night in Labuan Bajo can take some pressure off.
Is an open trip suitable for couples?
Yes, if you like company. Sharing a boat can be a fun part of the trip, although we’d discuss the cabin arrangement before recommending it to anyone picturing a very private honeymoon.
It’s a personal choice.
Do I have to snorkel at every stop?
No. You’re allowed to sit one out, and we’d want you to tell the crew how confident you feel so they can discuss the conditions with you.
No need to force it.
How many islands should I include?
Probably fewer than you’ve saved. We’d leave enough time between your chosen indonesian islands to enjoy being there, especially when a flight or boat journey takes up part of the day.
There’s no prize for rushing.
If you’re ready to choose the sailing part, come to the official Sailing Labuan Bajo website with your dates and an idea of who is coming. We can discuss available boats and trip types, then work through the proposed itinerary with you. Ask us about the pickup point and current weather considerations before booking. We’d like you looking forward to your time aboard with a clear picture of the package you’ve chosen.
