Explore Indonesia’s Islands by Air

Home to more than 17,000 islands, Indonesia has plenty of sumptuous spots to choose from. Opt to island-hop by helicopter, or soak up individual island’s beauty from the skies.

Holding the title of the world’s largest archipelago, Indonesia has no shortage of island destinations to discover. From world-class surfing spots and idyllic tropical paradises, to wildlife havens and cultural charm, the country has it all.

Inject some glamour into your explorations and take an aerial tour of the islands from a helicopter, charter a flight and curate your own island-hopping itinerary from the air, or save time and hire a helicopter to travel in style from one island to another. The choices are endless. Here are some of Indonesia’s top islands.

Bali

Undoubtedly the most famous of Indonesia’s islands, beautiful Bali’s charm is on the radar of millions of international travelers annually. The island is home to incredible stretches of coastline, stunning rice terraces, striking volcanic mountains and plenty of ancient sacred sites. Due to its popularity, a range of helicopter tours offer incredible areal views of its iconic attractions, including Tanah Lot Temple, Mount Agung and Jatiluwih Rice Terraces.

Lombok

Lombok boasts a much more laid-back vibe than its neighbor, Bali. Home to a wealth of nature, the island’s offerings take in mountains, beaches, sacred sites and thick forests. Away from its beaches perfect for surfing, many visitors head to the island to hike to the peak of stunning Mount Rinjani to admire its iconic blue crater lake. Soar the skies and enjoy breath-taking bird’s eye views of the island’s bounty of natural beauty.

Gili Islands

Famed for their white coral beaches lapped by turquoise waters, the gorgeous Gili Islands comprise three small islands. Gili Trawangan is the largest and most modern, Gili Meno is a pristine natural paradise, while Gili Air ticks all the boxes for divers, thanks to its vibrant tropical underwater world. Take to the skies and marvel at the islands beauty from the comfort of a helicopter.

Flores

Nestled in East Nusa Tenggara, Flores is a nature-lover’s dream. Home to an abundance of natural charm that takes in mountains, beaches, and incredible tri-colored Kelimutu lake, it is even more enchanting from the sky. Book a helicopter tour online and have your breath blown away as you hover above striking Kelimutu volcano and its three crater lakes that change color over time.

Komodo Island

While the likelihood of being able to spot Komodo Island’s most famous resident, the Komodo dragon, from the air is small, you can charter a helicopter to fly above vast Komodo National Park and the island’s landscape of rolling hills licked by stretches of dazzling white sand. There is the option to land in the city and take an overland tour to meet the magnificent giant lizards.

Belitung

Sitting east of Sumatra, this exotic paradise is home to striking granite boulders that flank a blindingly white coastline. Simply stunning to view from above, the area is also home to a smattering of small offshore islands fringed by coral reefs. This includes Lengkuas Island, home to an iconic 19th century lighthouse.

Bintan Island

Exclusive Bintan Island is only accessible by sea – unless you hire a helicopter and fly over clear waters to the island that sits close to Singapore. Forming part of Riau Province, Bintan is rising in fame among those seeking a slice of luxurious paradise and is home to upscale resorts, golf courses and Southeast Asia’s first seawater lagoon.

Exploring Borobudur by Helicopter

Rising from tropical jungle, magnificent Borobudur stands proud as the world’s largest Buddhist monument. The striking 9th century monastery sits in Indonesia’s Central Java, which is easily accessible by helicopter.

Standing proud as one of Southeast Asia’s cultural icons, Borobudur dominates the sweeping landscapes of lush paddies and thick forest. Nestled atop a hilltop the stunning 9th century temple is a must-see on visitors to Indonesia’s bucket list.

Visiting Borobudur

The sprawling site is home to nine giant stacked platforms – six square and three circular – topped by a central dome decorated with 2,672 ornate relief panels and 504 Buddha statues. In an incredible architectural feat, the structures were built without using cement.

The mighty UNESCO World Heritage-listed complex survived 10 centuries of neglect, and was left forgotten after being buried under volcanic ash. It was rediscovered in 1815 and in the 1970's underwent huge restoration work to return the temple to its former glory.

Due to its size, visitors can spend the day exploring the expansive site. This makes hiring a helicopter the ideal way to enjoy unparalleled views of Borobudur from above, especially for those tight on time.

Helicopter also makes it easy to fit a visit to incredible Prambanan Hindu complex easily into the same day.

Prambanan

Located close to Yogyakarta in Central Java, impressive Prambanan comprises the remains of 244 temples featuring sculptures, carvings and stone spires.

The UNESCO World Heritage-listed complex stands as Indonesia's largest Hindu site and one of Southeast Asia's top attractions. The sprawling site’s main focus is the central compound, home to eight main and eight minor temples on a raised platform.

The largest temple is dedicated to Shiva, with the two smaller structures to its right and left dedicated to Brahma. The tallest temple rises to 47 meters high, dominating the surrounding landscape.

After hundreds of years of neglect, Prambanan was rediscovered by the Dutch in 1733 and has since undergone huge restoration. With the site and surrounding park dotted with temples and religious relics, visitors can spend hours on foot – a special experience that can be enhanced from the air.

Indonesia's Volcanoes: Views from Above

Indonesia is home to more than 17,000 islands and a spectacular smattering of active volcanoes. Hire a helicopter and soak up the best breath-taking views from the sky.

Many Indonesian islands are dominated by piercing volcanic mountains that rise from the earth. A highlight for many visitors is hiking to the peak to stare into the mouth of these active volcanoes.

However, those tight on time or lacking the desire to spend hours – sometimes days – tackling winding trails that skirt up mountain slopes need not miss out. Instead, add the wow factor to volcano viewing and hire a helicopter in Indonesia and get on a high in the sky.

Sunrise at Mount Batur

Sunrise at Mount Batur is one of the most sought-after experiences in Bali. Daily ahead of dawn, thousands of visitors pack the hiking trails to Batur’s 1,717-meter peak to enjoy watching the sun push through the horizon behind surrounding spectacular peaks. Skip the 3-hour trek and the crowds, and soak up striking bird’s eye views of the impressive volcanic crater and picturesque double caldera from the comfort of a helicopter.

Sacred Mount Agung

Standing as Bali’s highest point, Mount Agung’s peak teeters at 3,031 metres above sea level and is one of the popular island’s most sacred sites. At the foot of the volcano sits Bali’s largest temple complex, Besakih, which looks spectacular from above. Book a helicopter and climb high into the sky to circle this incredible volcano.

Explore Mount Rinjani

Indonesia’s second highest volcano looms over the idyllic island of Lombok. It takes an arduous three- to four-day trek to reach its 3,726-meter peak. While this is rewarded with simply spectacular views that take in the gorgeous Segara Anak crater lake and sweeping vistas of the island and beyond, the journey there and back isn’t for everyone. Instead, hover at a height in a helicopter and enjoy magnificent views sprawling below.

Beautiful Mount Bromo

This impressive active volcano in East Java attracts scores of visitors daily wanting to mount its 2,329-meter peak. Skip the crowds and instead enjoy a thrilling helicopter tour lapping up unprecedented aerial views of Bromo’s bounty of breath-taking beauty, which includes its blown-off top, surrounding peaks and waterfalls that dot its base.

Majestic Ijen Crater

Chase Ijen Crater’s majestic blue flames from above. The mysterious blue flames found at Mount Ijen’s caldera is a rare natural phenomenon that has piqued the interest of visitors for decades. A truly special experience is hovering in the sky and watching the flames ignite from the tranquil turquoise waters from above.

Mount Kelimutu’s Coloured Lakes

Famed for its striking tri-colored lakes perched at its summit, Mount Kelimutu is one of Flores’ main attractions. At its peak sits three incredible lakes that differ in color, and are undoubtedly best enjoyed from the sky. Hire a helicopter and stare into Mount Kelimutu’s mouth and breath-taking bodies of water that vary from black to startling turquoise.