Although leaping from Bali to Lombok is easy – it takes just two hours by fast ferry – this little slice of paradise doesn’t see anywhere near the same amount of tourist crowds as its famous neighbour. A hidden treasure of peaceful beaches, delicious food and hiking havens (the volcanic valleys of Gunung Rinjani are spectacular) you’ll find all the spoils of Bali and more.

An island of fascinating contrasts, Java packs Indonesia’s biggest cities, most impressive temples and active volcanoes within its vibrant bounds. So varied is Java that you could be crawling through busy Jakarta traffic one day, or wandering through the scaly spires of the temples that populate the Yogyakarta region the next. No two days need be the same in Java (unless you’re stationed under a swaying palm on one of the island’s stunning stretches of sand, that is). 

Place a picture of “the Gilis” next to an image of the Maldives and you’d struggle to tell the difference. With shore breaks of powdered-sugar sand and water as blue as glacier veins, the Gili archipelago has the kind of scenery summer holiday dreams are made of. Gili Meno is the smallest (and the quietest) of this sprinkle of atolls, reachable from Bali’s ports of Padangbai and Serangan Harbour, with a journey time of anywhere between two and three hours, depending on weather conditions. 

The unfathomably beautiful terrain of Flores has been shaped over millennia by its unique position within Indonesia’s volcanic belt and tropical climate. As a result, there are multiple pristine lakes and a staggering 17 volcanoes on Flores with many hikers choosing to tackle Mount Kelimutu where three colour-changing freshwater lakes reside. The best part? You can fly directly from Bali and arrive in just over an hour.

Geopolitically part of Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia, Borneo is a treasure trove of experiences suited to outdoor adventurers and is less than two hours’ flying time from Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta. Due to its proximity to the equator, it’s hot, humid and rainy here; ideal conditions for teak and conifers to thrive, as well as an incredible range of bucket-list-ticking wildlife. On a well-planned wander through one of the island’s many national parks and sanctuaries, visitors can spot orangutans, gibbons, Bornean clouded leopards and the vibrant fleshy red petals of the rafflesia – the world’s largest flower.

Divers, snorkellers and wildlife enthusiasts will adore Sulawesi, a sprawling haven that’s just over two hours’ flying time from Jakarta. The incredibly remote Togean Islands to the east (where internet and phone signals are delightfully unreliable) are where determined divers travel for reefs that have few visitors to compete with. Endangered green turtles nest in these sands, dugongs meet in the meadows of seagrass and the speckled Togean pygmy seahorse puts on a show in the shallows.

An hour’s flight from Bali and a short ferry ride over, the island of Komodo is dedicated to its namesake national park which spans woodland savannah, tropical rainforest and deciduous forest. Here, you’ll find the home of the Komodo dragon, the heaviest lizard in the world. Not only can visitors discover them in their natural habitat – hiking with a park ranger is compulsory – they can also snorkel or dive around among the impressive marine life of the island, too. It’s not unusual to be shoulder to shoulder with sea turtles and dolphins.

Some of the world’s most biodiverse rainforests reside on seductive Sumatra, just a two hour-long flight from Jakarta. In this spectacular setting, endemic tigers, rhinos and elephants roam free, with backdrops of soaring mountain ranges and wide, mirrored lakes. Hikers can summit volcanoes or traverse thick jungle – it’s all down to your sense of adventure. 

The mini-archipelago of the Banyak Islands lies just off the western coast of Sumatra and is a haven for surfers. The isle’s Banyak Surf Resort includes a set-up of huts with front balcony hammocks that hang over the ocean and is within a boat ride’s distance from some of the world’s most impressive breaks. There are few people to compete with here and that’s because it’s tricky travel territory (plane from Jakarta to Medan in Sumatra, followed by a journey to the port of Singkil, then a ferry to Banyak). The payoff, as those who’ve been will tell you, is worth the extra mileage.

Twitchers will be delighted by the birdwatching potential in Manusela National Park, a dedicated conservation area of almost 200,000 hectares. Within it, there are natural wonders aplenty, from patchwork waters in all shades of blue cushioned by forest-blanketed mountains, as well as ample bird species to spot from cassowaries to cockatoos and beyond. (You won’t be disappointed, even after a four-hour flight from Jakarta to Ambon and a speedboat on to the island.)

Revered as serious surfing territory, the four main islands comprising the Mentawais chain are hallowed ground for the initiated. In South Sipora particularly, there are perfect rights and lefts, with the most notable spot being Lance’s Right, which consistently pumps out barrels renowned the world over for their pristine curl. There are also great fishing opportunities on the island, with mackerel, wahu and tuna being popular catches in the area.