Overtourism in Bali: Here's 8 Alternatives for Crowd-Free Holiday in Indonesia

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia is known for its diverse tourist destinations. In fact, some of the destinations in the country are overcrowded with tourists, such as Bali which experienced overtourism in 2023 according to the World Travel & Tourism Council.

On the other hand, Indonesia still has lesser-known tourist destinations. Not only offering mesmerizing views, these destinations are unspoiled by too many people. The following are 8 recommendations for lesser-known tourist destinations in Indonesia.

1. Kakaban Lake

Quoted from Traveloka, Kakaban Lake is located in Berau Regency, East Kalimantan. Inhabited by stingless jellyfish, Kakaban Lake is one of the two places in the world where stingless jellyfish reside, the other being Jellyfish Lake in Micronesia. Thus, visitors to this beautiful lake are able to swim freely without worrying about getting hurt. 

2. Wedi Ombo Beach

Located at the tip of Gunung Kidul Regency, Yogjakarta, Wedi Ombo Beach is dominated by coral rocks and white sand. Apart from its charming views, visitors can enjoy the beach by snorkeling, surfing, fishing or just relaxing and watching the sunset at Wedi Ombo.

3. Giliyang Beach

Giliyang Beach is located in Sumenep Regency, Madura, East Java. This island is known for having the best oxygen quality in the world. The oxygen level on this beach is above average, namely 21 percent. Not only enjoying clean air, tourists can visit other adjacent destinations such as beaches and caves.

4. Pink Beach, East Nusa Tenggara

There are only seven beaches across the globe that have pink sand, and one of them is on Komodo Island, East Nusa Tenggara. The color of the sand comes from grains of white sand mixed with pink coral fragments. The seawater around Pink Beach is crystal clear, making it suitable for snorkeling or diving.

5. Kiti Kiti Waterfall

Quoted from Bobobox.com, Kiti Kiti Waterfall is located in Fakfak Regency, West Papua. Unlike your usual waterfalls,  Kiti Kiti Waterfall empties into the open sea in the Nusalasi Bay area. Thus, visitors can enjoy two tours at once.

6. Lake Labuan Cermin 

Lake Labuan Cermin is in the East Kalimantan. This lake is known for its dual layer with fresh water at the top and salt water at the bottom. This duality also creates a mirror-like mirage on the water.

7. Widi Islands

Widi Islands in Maluku consist of around 100 islands and are suitable for tourists who like snorkeling, diving, and island hopping. Additionally, this archipelago is known as the angler’s paradise because of its abundance of yellowfin tuna and dogtooth tuna.

8. Nihiwatu Beach

Quoted from Kemenparekraf.go.id, Nihiwatu Beach was once included in the list of "100 Best Beaches in the World” Located in West Sumba, East Nusa Tenggara, Nihiwatu Beach offers a combination of white sand, coral rocks, and clear blue sea water. Visitors usually lounge on the beach while waiting for sunsets, but some are pulled to try and ride out the waves as it’s known as a challenging surfing spot.

KHUMAR MAHENDRA

Editor’s Choice: 8 Slow Travel Destinations in Asia, Including in Indonesia

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