Discover Indonesia

Top Regions & Destinations

Java
The island of Java – best known for the discovery of the Java Man fossil, the oldest example of homo erectus – is the most populated and houses the capital, Jakarta, on the northern coast overlooking the Java Sea. 

On the southern side of the island, in Yogyakarta, stands the Sultan’s Grand Palace, Keraton Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat, an architectural delight. Discover for yourself. Built in the 18th century, it is still used by the country’s royalty. The city is known for its fine batik fabrics, jewelry, leather goods and wood carvings.

Pentaran in East Java is home to the largest complex of Hindu temple ruins in Biltar Regency. The 12th to 15th-century temples were constructed on the slope of a volcano. Travel further east to Malang, then north to the Singosari Temple, a Hindu-Buddhist temple that highlights the Singosari Kingdom. Located in a valley and surrounded by gardens, it was built in the 13th century. You can also find other temples and mosques in East Java. Nearby, find Mount Bromo National Park, a popular and busy location for a sunrise experience.

Sumatra
The island of Sumatra, northwest of Java, is known for its dense forest, namesake tigers, elephants, rhinos and gibbons. In the capital city of North Sumatra, discover the octagonal Grand Mosque of Medan which was originally part of the Maimum Palace, the royal palace of Sultanate of Deli.

Borneo
North of Java is the island of Borneo. It is home to rainforests, elephants, endangered orangutans, leopards, rhinos and massive numbers of endemic plant species. The western three-quarters of the island is  Kalimantan, which is divided almost in half horizontally by the equator.

Sulawesi
To Java’s southeast is Sulawesi, an island comprised of four (4) irregular-shaped peninsulas. It is a study in contrast between modern cultures and primitive days. As an example, dating back to the 1500s, Pinisi-style, two-masted schooners continue to be built in shipbuilding villages along the southern Sulawesi coast. All Star Aurora was built in this style.

Lembeh Strait
Just off Sulawesi’s eastern tip is Lembeh Strait. Often called the muck diving capital of the world, this body of water is famous for its extraordinary diversity of rare, macro marine life. Underwater photographers travel from around the globe to search for blue ring octopus, flamboyant cuttlefish, mimic octopus, frogfish, nudibranchs and countless other unusual critters.

Bunaken National Park
Located just offshore from Manado in North Sulawesi, near Bitung, and due west of the Lembeh Strait, Bunaken National Park is internationally recognized for its dramatic underwater coral walls, exceptional visibility, abundant sea turtles, and incredible biodiversity. Many visitors combine this park with nearby Bangka Island and Lembeh Strait, creating one of Indonesia’s most diverse diving itineraries.

Raja Ampat
On the northwest tip of New Guinea, accessible via flights to Sorong, Raja Ampat is widely considered the crown jewel of Indonesian diving. It is home to the highest marine biodiversity on the planet, with limestone karst formations, 1,500 species of fish, 500 species of corals and 15 species of mammals. Because most dives are drift dives, you’ll need advanced skills. Dive locations can include Waigei, Batanta, Salawati, Misool National Park, Dampier Strait, Penemu, Farondi and Arborek.  

Maluka
Southeast of North Sulawesi is Ambon, part of the colorful Maluku island, and the seasonal departure point for our All Star Avalon and All Star Velocean dive liveaboards excursions that explore dive sites in the southern Maluku waters of Banda Sea and Banda Neira. 

The former Spice Islands played a pivotal role in world history as the source of nutmeg, mace and cloves. Today, the Banda Sea is famous for crystal-clear water, beautiful coral islands, historic Dutch forts, volcanic islands, pristine reefs, seasonal schooling hammerhead sharks and tropical beaches.

Alor
Southwest of Ambon and south of the Banda Sea is Alor, the Forgotten Islands. One of Indonesia’s hidden underwater gems, its waters offer spectacular walls, healthy coral reefs, colorful volcanic landscapes, traditional villages and encounters with rare marine life, including pygmy seahorses, rhinopias (ray-finned fish) and seasonal thresher sharks. Its remote location and relatively few visitors make Alor one of Indonesia’s most rewarding dive destinations. Some of our trips depart from Alor’s Maumere.

Wakatobi National Park
North of the Alor Archipelago are the four main islands of Wangi Wangi, Kaledupa, Tomia, and Binongko, which make up Wakatobi National Park. Known for drift dives, this area requires more advanced skills. Discover tunnels and caverns, and batfish, bigeye trevallies, fusiliers, dogtooth tuna, eagle rays, barracudas, turtles, giant groupers, manta rays, schools of surgeonfish, wobbegong sharks, dolphins and whales.

Komodo National Park
West of Alor (Forgotten Islands) and east of Bali is Komodo National Park. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the park is renowned for its legendary Komodo dragons, impressive volcanic islands, pink sand beaches and some of the world’s best drift diving. The nutrient-rich waters attract manta rays, reef sharks, turtles, dolphins and enormous schools of fish, while the rugged islands offer unforgettable hiking and panoramic vistas.

Bali
West of Komodo National Park is Indonesia’s most famous island, which blends beautiful beaches, lush rice terraces, ancient temples, rich arts and culture, wellness retreats and world-class resorts. 

Rural areas are known for rice paddies with picturesque views of terraced fields amid steep banks. Balinese people convey their culture through ancient, colorful traditions, their temples and ceremonies.

The Bali Museum & Garden in Denpasar features a range of arts and crafts, wood carvings and intricate palm leaf fans. Artifacts range from the Mesolithic Age to the modern era. A temple (puri) features three (3) sections – kahyangan, pura and meraja.

In eastern Bali, visitors can discover the Elephant Cave or Goa Gajah, an ancient 9th-century Hindu shrine/temple ruin with bathing pools, a Hindu altar, holy springs and a sacred cave with an unusual doorway.

The Besakih Temple, built on the side of the sacred volcano Mount Agung, is a Hindu pura temple. It is Bali’s largest and holiest temples. It is considered the most important or Mother Temple due to its size. The complex contains more than 80 public and private temples, dating back to 1007 AC. Entrance fee and dress requirements. Each temple has a unique story.

Peliatran Royal Place is located in the village of the same name. It is one of the most important palaces because of its unique connection to the classic arts. It was designed to protect the royal family, their jewelry and weaponry. Constructed in the 17th century, the temple also has water features. Special events include dinner and an evening of Barong dance entertainment. Fee.

The Ubud Monkey Forest, one of several, is the most famous and home to Balinese monkeys.

Nearby, Ubud Art Village Market is filled with works of art by local artisans, culture, temples and restaurants.