Worth a DetourBeachesIslandsHistory

Banda Islands

Remote volcanic spice islands where nutmeg once fueled empires, with Dutch forts, a smoking volcano and superb coral reefs.

Photo: Photo by Mark Richards · CC BY-SA 3.0
Best Time to Go
Mar–Apr, Sep–Nov
Our full guide to Banda Islands is being written. It's on the Sulawesi and Papua list as Worth a Detour.

Go Next

1–3 of 18
Must-See
Beaches · Diving

Raja Ampat

West Papua
About 303 miles away

The world's richest coral reefs, among mushroom islets.

Guide Coming Soon
Must-See
Nature · UNESCO

Komodo National Park

East Nusa Tenggara
About 766 miles away

Giant dragons, pink beaches and great diving.

Guide Coming Soon
Worth a Detour
Nature · Volcanoes

Flores

East Nusa Tenggara
About 650 miles away

A long volcanic island of villages and rice fields, with Kelimutu's three colored crater lakes.

1 Sight

The Full Short List

Sulawesi and Papua

Toraja culture and Raja Ampat's reefs.

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