Sports and leisure activities Indonesia

Budget & Tips

Most globetrotters to Indonesia are drawn to the pleasures of the sea, whether it's riding the waves, exploring the seabed with a mask and snorkel, or indulging in scuba diving.

Diving. When it comes to diving, Indonesia is home to some of the best sites on the planet. Alor in Nusa Tenggara, the Togian Islands, Flores or Pulau Bunaken in Sulawesi, and for the more adventurous, Raja Ampat in Papua, are dream sites for deep-sea enthusiasts. In Bali, the best-value dive sites are Tulamben and Amed, where you can explore the Liberty wreck in calm, shallow waters. Tulamben and Pemuteran offer good, easy conditions for learning to dive or taking your advanced course. Cenderawasih Bay offers a breathtaking spectacle of whale sharks all year round, although most cruises prefer to venture there between April and October. Muck diving is gaining in popularity and it seems that all over Indonesia, it boasts excellent dive sites. A number of highly professional agencies (some with French-speaking staff) are well established, and some even have offices in the Indonesian capital. Although high-end resorts offer diving centers, adventure is often to be found in the open sea, with cruises starting from around 700,000 Rp per day. Generally, you can make up to 4 dives a day. A typical day starts at 7 a.m. and ends at sunset or on a night dive. You have around 3 hours between dives at your convenience. Make sure you bring all your personal equipment (except tanks, weights and weight belts): swimsuit, flip-flops, towel, toiletries, T-shirts, shorts and sunscreen.

Surfing. Surfing is a huge success in Indonesia, and the country is full of great spots for wave-hunters. Bali and Lombok are home to the most popular breaks, especially for young surfers from Australia and Europe, but all Indonesian coasts are potentially affordable, from the northern tip of Sumatra (especially Pulau Weh) to Nusa Tenggara and the farthest reaches of Timor. The best time to surf is generally between April and October, but each region has its own seasonal conditions. Other destinations such as G-Land (Grajagan) on Java, Krui in southern Sumatra, Sumba, the Mentawai Islands and Lhoknga in Aceh are just as extraordinary. Websites such as surfindonesia.com, baliwaves.com and perfectwavetravel.com provide useful information for enthusiasts.

Hiking. Inland, outdoor enthusiasts can indulge in spellbinding hikes, whether climbing volcanoes, observing wildlife in national parks or cycling through lush countryside. Volcanoes such as Bali's Gunung Batur and Java's Gunung Bromo and Gunung Merapi are popular choices. Lombok's Gunung Rinjani and Sumatra's Gunung Sinabung are more challenging. Sumatra's Gunung Leuser National Park, the largest in Southeast Asia, is also home to the famous orangutan at Bukit Lawang. In some remote regions (Kalimantan, Papua), this is the only way to reach minority ethnic groups or observe endangered animal species. Make sure you have the right equipment and are in impeccable physical condition!

Rafting. Rafting is available on the Bali side of the island, with options such as the Ayung and Telaga Waja rivers. It's also accessible in West Java, with rivers such as the Progo, Pekalen and Elo. For thrill-seekers, there's the Gunung Leuser National Park on the island of Sumatra, and the Asahan River in North Sumatra province. There are also some interesting rivers to explore in Kalimantan and Sulawesi. In general, the best time for rafting is during the dry season, which generally runs from May to September.

Climbing. To get the most out of exploring the country's cliffs, we recommend teaming up with local climbers. The YouTube channel Climbing Partner offers a wealth of information on routes, otherwise theCrag.com is the main source of information, covering most areas of Java in varying levels of detail. The websites 27crags.com and wikiloc.com are other important resources. It is strongly recommended to plan your climbs during the dry season. It is important to note that sport climbing has not reached the same level of development here as in other countries, and that infrastructure and safety standards may vary from site to site. It's vital to be familiar with the site you're going to climb and to find out about current conditions.

MOUNTAIN BIKING. Outdoor sports enthusiasts will find plenty of opportunities for mountain biking, whether on mountain trails, the rim of a volcanic crater, forest tracks or specially prepared areas.

Yoga and well-being. Bali is often considered a sanctuary for yoga and wellness enthusiasts, attracting visitors from all over the world in search of inner peace, relaxation and revitalization. The island is home to many renowned yoga centers, offering a variety of styles, from Hatha to Vinyasa to Kundalini. Places like Ubud are particularly famous for their world-class yoga studios and teachers. Here, a multitude of yoga retreats are offered in delightful surroundings, often surrounded by rice paddies or close to beaches. Luxury spas and wellness centers are also abundant in the region, offering a full range of traditional Balinese treatments, massages, body treatments and meditation sessions. Several establishments offer holistic retreats focused on healing and integral well-being.

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