last edited Dec 11, 2019
What to See in the Lesser Sunda Islands
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Location Map of Lesser Sunda Islands
Lesser Sunda Islands
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UNESCO World Heritage Sites
The Lesser Sunda Islands have one site inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list:
Komodo National Park (1991)
This is the national park that is home to the famous Komodo dragons. It includes the islands of Komodo, Rinca, and Padar, along with countless other small islands. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
This is the national park that is home to the famous Komodo dragons. It includes the islands of Komodo, Rinca, and Padar, along with countless other small islands. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Flores
Bajawa
This small town in central Flores, built at the foot of a volcano, has preserved its traditional architecture and its inhabitants their customs.
This small town in central Flores, built at the foot of a volcano, has preserved its traditional architecture and its inhabitants their customs.
Labuan Bajo
Located on the west coast, it is the starting point for visiting the islands of Rinca and Komodo. Its surroundings, along with the nearby small islands (Kalong, Kanawa, Seraya), are prime diving spots with beautiful beaches.
Located on the west coast, it is the starting point for visiting the islands of Rinca and Komodo. Its surroundings, along with the nearby small islands (Kalong, Kanawa, Seraya), are prime diving spots with beautiful beaches.
Maumere
On the bay of the same name in the northern part of Flores, Maumere is usually the air gateway to the island. Its bay is renowned for diving.
On the bay of the same name in the northern part of Flores, Maumere is usually the air gateway to the island. Its bay is renowned for diving.
Ngada
In the heart of Flores, this beautiful region is home to many traditional villages where local customs still endure. It’s great for hiking.
In the heart of Flores, this beautiful region is home to many traditional villages where local customs still endure. It’s great for hiking.
Riung
Located on the north coast, this town serves as the gateway to the 17 Islands National Marine Park and is renowned for its diving and beaches.
Located on the north coast, this town serves as the gateway to the 17 Islands National Marine Park and is renowned for its diving and beaches.
Ruteng
Around this small town in western Flores, there are several traditional villages where residents maintain their customs.
Around this small town in western Flores, there are several traditional villages where residents maintain their customs.
Nearby Islands
Komodo
The island is famous for its Komodo dragons. It is part of Komodo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. You can also go diving here and see a unique pink-sand beach.
The island is famous for its Komodo dragons. It is part of Komodo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. You can also go diving here and see a unique pink-sand beach.
Padar
Smaller than its neighbours, this volcanic island is home to no Komodo dragons and sees very few visitors. However, it offers lovely beaches and great surf spots.
Smaller than its neighbours, this volcanic island is home to no Komodo dragons and sees very few visitors. However, it offers lovely beaches and great surf spots.
Rinca
This small island next to Komodo is also part of the national park of the same name. You can also see the famous Komodo dragons here.
This small island next to Komodo is also part of the national park of the same name. You can also see the famous Komodo dragons here.
Natural Heritage
Mount Kelimutu
This volcano in the centre of the island, with its stunning surroundings and three crater lakes, is Flores’ top attraction. Hiking is possible here.
This volcano in the centre of the island, with its stunning surroundings and three crater lakes, is Flores’ top attraction. Hiking is possible here.
Komodo National Park
This is the national park that is home to the famous Komodo dragons. It includes the islands of Komodo, Rinca, and Padar, along with countless other small islands. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
This is the national park that is home to the famous Komodo dragons. It includes the islands of Komodo, Rinca, and Padar, along with countless other small islands. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Lombok
Gili Islands
Still somewhat a backpacker destination, the Gili Islands are three stunning small islands near the northwest coast of Lombok. You can dive, surf, and enjoy their beautiful beaches.
Still somewhat a backpacker destination, the Gili Islands are three stunning small islands near the northwest coast of Lombok. You can dive, surf, and enjoy their beautiful beaches.
Kuta
A namesake of Bali’s famous beach resort, this spot in southern Lombok and its surroundings offer stunning landscapes, white-sand beaches, and excellent surfing spots.
A namesake of Bali’s famous beach resort, this spot in southern Lombok and its surroundings offer stunning landscapes, white-sand beaches, and excellent surfing spots.
Mataram
The capital of Lombok and the Lesser Sunda Islands, Mataram features a few old districts like Ampenan, as well as one of the world’s largest mosques.
The capital of Lombok and the Lesser Sunda Islands, Mataram features a few old districts like Ampenan, as well as one of the world’s largest mosques.
West Sekotong
This is the peninsula (and its small islands) located southwest of Lombok. Still relatively untouristed, it offers beautiful beaches and peaceful small islands.
This is the peninsula (and its small islands) located southwest of Lombok. Still relatively untouristed, it offers beautiful beaches and peaceful small islands.
Senggigi
This is the region stretching north from Mataram to the Gili Islands, known for its beautiful coastal landscapes, pleasant beaches, hotels, and diving opportunities.
This is the region stretching north from Mataram to the Gili Islands, known for its beautiful coastal landscapes, pleasant beaches, hotels, and diving opportunities.
Natural Heritage
Mount Rinjani
At the heart of Lombok, this 3,726 m volcano, designated a national park, can be climbed relatively easily. In addition to treks, the area also offers several waterfalls to discover near the village of Senaru.
At the heart of Lombok, this 3,726 m volcano, designated a national park, can be climbed relatively easily. In addition to treks, the area also offers several waterfalls to discover near the village of Senaru.
Sumbawa
Moyo
This island, with just a few villages and very close to Sumbawa, boasts beautiful beaches, excellent diving and birdwatching opportunities, all within a nature reserve.
This island, with just a few villages and very close to Sumbawa, boasts beautiful beaches, excellent diving and birdwatching opportunities, all within a nature reserve.
Natural Heritage
Mount Tambora
Beautiful landscapes and opportunities to climb this volcano located in the northern part of Sumbawa.
Beautiful landscapes and opportunities to climb this volcano located in the northern part of Sumbawa.
Other Islands
Alor
Off the tourist trail, the Alor Archipelago will appeal first and foremost to fishing and diving enthusiasts. It’s also home to traditional villages inhabited by communities whose customs remain very much alive.
Off the tourist trail, the Alor Archipelago will appeal first and foremost to fishing and diving enthusiasts. It’s also home to traditional villages inhabited by communities whose customs remain very much alive.
Savu
Isolated between Sumba and Timor, the island is home to communities that have preserved their way of life. It also offers some surfing spots.
Isolated between Sumba and Timor, the island is home to communities that have preserved their way of life. It also offers some surfing spots.
Solor
East of Flores, this volcanic archipelago sees few visitors despite its rather pretty landscapes and some hiking opportunities.
East of Flores, this volcanic archipelago sees few visitors despite its rather pretty landscapes and some hiking opportunities.
Sumba
It's a large, sparsely populated island with very few tourists, where traditional cultures remain important in many small villages. An off-the-beaten-path trip with some beautiful beaches and surf spots.
It's a large, sparsely populated island with very few tourists, where traditional cultures remain important in many small villages. An off-the-beaten-path trip with some beautiful beaches and surf spots.
West Timor
The Indonesian part of Timor faces the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste and is the easternmost of the Lesser Sunda Islands. It is completely overlooked by tourists, even though strong local traditions still thrive here.
The Indonesian part of Timor faces the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste and is the easternmost of the Lesser Sunda Islands. It is completely overlooked by tourists, even though strong local traditions still thrive here.
Must-see & highly recommended
Mount Kelimutu
★★★★ This volcano in the centre of the island, with its stunning surroundings and three crater lakes, is Flores’ top attraction. Hiking is…
Komodo National Park
★★★★ This is the national park that is home to the famous Komodo dragons. It includes the islands of Komodo, Rinca, and Padar, along with…
Recommended
Gili Islands
★★★ Still somewhat a backpacker destination, the Gili Islands are three stunning small islands near the northwest coast of Lombok. You can…
Komodo
★★★ The island is famous for its Komodo dragons. It is part of Komodo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. You can also go diving here…
Mount Rinjani
★★★ At the heart of Lombok, this 3,726 m volcano, designated a national park, can be climbed relatively easily. In addition to treks, the area…
Rinca
★★★ This small island next to Komodo is also part of the national park of the same name. You can also see the famous Komodo dragons here.
Worth a look / Other
Alor
★★ Off the tourist trail, the Alor Archipelago will appeal first and foremost to fishing and diving enthusiasts. It’s also home to…
Bajawa
★★ This small town in central Flores, built at the foot of a volcano, has preserved its traditional architecture and its inhabitants their…
Kuta (Lombok)
★★ A namesake of Bali’s famous beach resort, this spot in southern Lombok and its surroundings offer stunning landscapes, white-sand…
Labuan Bajo
★★ Located on the west coast, it is the starting point for visiting the islands of Rinca and Komodo. Its surroundings, along with the nearby…
Mount Tambora
★★ Beautiful landscapes and opportunities to climb this volcano located in the northern part of Sumbawa.
Moyo
★★ This island, with just a few villages and very close to Sumbawa, boasts beautiful beaches, excellent diving and birdwatching opportunities…
Ngada
★★ In the heart of Flores, this beautiful region is home to many traditional villages where local customs still endure. It’s great for…
Padar
★★ Smaller than its neighbours, this volcanic island is home to no Komodo dragons and sees very few visitors. However, it offers lovely…
Riung
★★ Located on the north coast, this town serves as the gateway to the 17 Islands National Marine Park and is renowned for its diving and…
West Sekotong
★★ This is the peninsula (and its small islands) located southwest of Lombok. Still relatively untouristed, it offers beautiful beaches and…
Selong Belanak
★★ South of Mataram, this is a beach popular for diving and surfing.
Senggigi
★★ This is the region stretching north from Mataram to the Gili Islands, known for its beautiful coastal landscapes, pleasant beaches, hotels…
Sumba
★★ It's a large, sparsely populated island with very few tourists, where traditional cultures remain important in many small villages. An…
Bima
★ On the east coast of Sumbawa, this town is locally known for its museum.
Cempi Bay
★ Beaches and great surfing opportunities around this bay in the south of Sumbawa Island.
Ende
★ It's the capital of Flores with ferries to Timor.
Mataram
★ The capital of Lombok and the Lesser Sunda Islands, Mataram features a few old districts like Ampenan, as well as one of the world’s…
Maumere
★ On the bay of the same name in the northern part of Flores, Maumere is usually the air gateway to the island. Its bay is renowned for…
Ruteng
★ Around this small town in western Flores, there are several traditional villages where residents maintain their customs.
Savu
★ Isolated between Sumba and Timor, the island is home to communities that have preserved their way of life. It also offers some surfing…
Sekongkang
★ A great spot for surfing on the southwest coast of the island.
Solor
★ East of Flores, this volcanic archipelago sees few visitors despite its rather pretty landscapes and some hiking opportunities.
Sumbawa Besar
★ The capital of Sumbawa, with just a few colonial-era buildings.
Tanjung
★ This is a beach resort area in northwest Lombok with large hotels and villas.
West Timor
★ The Indonesian part of Timor faces the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste and is the easternmost of the Lesser Sunda Islands. It is…