Indonesia & Bali

Indonesia & Bali family holidays

Indonesia is Asia in microcosm, with lush green rice terraces, smoking volcanoes, idyllic palm-fringed beaches, picture-postcard temples and wildlife-rich jungles. It is a vast country, stretching over 5,000 kilometres from Sumatra to New Guinea and featuring more than 17,000 islands. This makes is an absolutely perfect destination for a family holiday as there is something for everyone!

With so many islands, and such an extensive coastline, it’s perhaps not surprising that one of the biggest draw cards for Indonesia are its many glorious beaches. This is a country where it’s not hard to find a patch of beautiful white sand under a swaying palm tree, with turquoise water lapping at your feet.

Some parts of the country have a well-developed tourist infrastructure, so offer fantastic family-friendly hotels and a tantalising selection of superb restaurants, cafes and shops. Other areas are very little visited so it’s possible to get properly off the beaten track, with stays in small villages where the lack of comfort is made up for by the warm welcome.

Family enjoying a pool in Bali, surrounded by rainforest

Relax in a tropical paradise, the kids will love it

Why take the kids to Indonesia?

Our team of travel experts have travelled extensively in Indonesia and will be able to recommend the best islands and activities for your family.

Some of our favourite activities on Indonesia family holidays include:

Rafting, cycling and hiking amidst beautiful scenery
Whipping up local delicacies in a cookery class
Enjoying sunrise on the crater rim of a live volcano
Learning how to make a batik
Snorkelling past turtles and manta rays amidst beautiful coral
Eating out of a banana leaf alongside the locals at a night market
Getting up close to monkeys, birds of paradise and Komodo Dragons
Watching your kids exploring the incredible temples at Borobudur

A guided cannyoning excursion is great fun for active families

Which is the best island in Indonesia for families?

By far the most popular island to visit is Bali, famous for the stunning beaches that line its south coast. However our Bali family holidays also head away from the crowds to the gorgeous rice terraces of the interior where you can enjoy extraordinarily beautiful scenery (and stay in wonderfully family-friendly hotels). We also love the north coast, which is much quieter and offers world-class snorkelling.

Nearby Lombok is also a gem, with lofty volcanoes, beautiful beaches, and a distinctive culture that is all its own. The Gili Islands are strung like a string of pearls off the coast here, and are justifiably famous for their powder-white sand, turquoise water and superb snorkelling.

Teenagers enjoying a rickshaw ride at night on a family holiday in Indonesia

Explore exciting cities by rickshaw on our Indonesia family holidays

Other islands also feature on an Indonesia family holiday, with Flores and the Komodo Islands a great add on to a family holiday in Bali. Here you can take a 3 or 4 day trip on a private phinisi (wooden sailing boat) to see the Komodo Dragons, the largest lizard on earth. You can also swim with manta rays and turtles and explore hidden coves and beaches.

There are plenty more islands too; Java is the most populous and offers culture and history including the world’s largest Buddhist temple, Borobudur. Nearby Sumatra features jungle and adventure, and Kalimantan offers orang-utans in the wild. How to choose? Our Places to visit guide may help or contact us to speak with an expert.

Example Indonesia & Bali itineraries

All of our itineraries are bespoke, which means that they are tailor-made for your own specific family, taking into account the ages of your children, your interests, your budget, and so on.

However, to give you an idea of what you could do on an Indonesia and Bali family holiday, have a look at our sample itineraries, Relaxing Bali & Lombok and Active Bali & Komodo. See some of the other places that you might like to visit on your trip, and if you need further inspiration, have a look at our photo gallery.

You can also read our Indonesia and Bali customer reviews, and don’t forget to see what the weather will be like at the time that you want to travel. Or simply give us a ring and we’ll be delighted to advise you on the best holiday for your family.