Travel in Bali and around Indonesia is more accessible and affordable than ever. Here at The Bali Sun, we are always exploring new ways of experiencing everything that the archipelago has to offer.
Island hopping is one of the most exciting ways to travel through both Bali Province and Indonesia more broadly, but the real question is, is it worth the hype?
In short….yes! We love island hopping, but our recommendations come with some conditions.
One of the biggest errors we see holidaymakers and tourists make when it comes to island hopping is trying to do too much and trying to move too quickly.
It is easier than ever to hop between the islands of Bali. For the uninitiated, let’s get you up to speed. Bali Province is actually made of six islands: the main island Bali, Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Ceningan, Serangan Island, and Menjangan Island in West Bali National Park.
There are also a series of other islands that are easily accessible for tourists by fast boat and ferry, which sit within other provinces. It is possible to reach Java from Bali by ferry and fast boat…though Java is such a huge landmass that it doesn’t always offer island vibes! Heading eastward, there are plenty of opportunities to island hop from Bali.
For decades, it has been a popular option for tourists to hop from Bali to Lombok via the Gili Islands. The small islands of Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and Gili Air have long been picture-postcard vacation destinations that offer island vibes by the bucketload.
In 2026, for the adventurous amongst us, hopping from Bali to Lombok, via the Gili Islands, is really just the start.
It is then possible, and highly recommended, to travel overland through Lombok, before hopping onwards to Sumbawa and the wonders of West Nusa Tenggara. In fact, why stop there? Travel onwards to the Flores Islands and Komodo National Park for an extra special volcanic island adventure that features real-life dragons.
Bringing us back to Bali, we stand by our advice that the trick with island hopping is to go slower than you might think. It is easy to realise how simple it is to hop from one destination to another and think that it is a smart choice to cram as much as possible into an itinerary. Here at The Bali Sun, we’re here to implore you to slow down!
This is why we apply the ‘Plus One Night’ rule. However many nights you initially think you want to stay on an island, add one more. Want to stay two nights in Nusa Penida, make it three.
Think you need only three nights on Gili T, make it four. Do you really think four nights on idyllic Nusa Lembongan is long enough to fully soak in everything that the magical island has to offer? Book one more night.
See what years of travel in Bali and all around Indonesia have taught us: pace isn’t everything. Life in Indonesia moves at a different pace than many of us are used to, from where we come from.
Island life especially moves at the pace of the sun and tide, not at the speed at which we want to tick off our bucket lists. Everyone always says that they want more time.
It is important to leave space for spontaneity while exploring Bali’s islands. There are so many hidden gems to discover, and visitors often find that once they start relaxing into the gentler pace of life, they no longer want to rush from one spot to the next.
There are also very practical considerations. While Bali’s islands are better connected than ever, fast boat services are at the mercy of the weather and the tides.
It is not uncommon for fast boat and ferry services to be delayed or even canceled in extreme weather, especially in the rainy seasons. This is an important note for travel in Indonesia as a whole, not only for island hopping. Always leave a healthy margin for delays and travel plans to take an unexpected turn!
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