Discover a Summer That Never Ends 12 Private Island Escapes in Indonesia

Sitting in the Singapore Strait between Indonesia and Singapore, Telunas Private Island is home to just 15 villas—all of which are built over water, so you can wade in as soon as you wake up each morning. Made from upcycled wooden boats, each villa features high ceilings and wrap-around balconies for sea views from every angle. Elsewhere on the island? Travelers can choose from a long menu of activities, including kayaking, trekking, massages, village walks, and even private candlelit dinners by the water.

If Bali’s tourist-clogged arteries are starting to feel like a drag, Nihi Sumba Island might be more your speed. Set on a remote island that’s shared with the Sumbanese people, the wellness-oriented resort sets out to spoil guests with romantic canopy beds and locally made chocolate (free in the mini bars), jungle hikes, open-air yoga sessions, and surf lessons. One of the most indulgent adventures is the full-day Nihi Oka Spa Safari, which begins with a guided trek across the countryside, followed by a beachfront breakfast, and a series of customized treatments atop a cliffside spa bale.

A little island that takes just 30 minutes to circumnavigate by kayak, Pulau Pangkil Private Island Resort sits off Indonesia’s Bintan Island (though it’s easiest to access via Singapore’s Tanah Merah Ferry, near Changi Airport). If an aerial view doesn’t make you drop everything and book tickets, then the ultra-exclusive services certainly will. Guests have free rein of the entire island, from the 10 villas (endearingly dubbed “driftwood palaces”) to the volleyball court, tree houses, kitchen, pools, and more.

Stretching across 15 hectares of rainforest and pristine beaches—about two and half hours east of Singapore by ferry—Nikoi Island is all about “serious relaxation.” Shaded by massive Banyan trees, the simple yet sophisticated beach houses have been built using traditional techniques, such as a double-layered grass roof that naturally ventilates the rooms with no need for air-conditioning. Go out for the day to explore the coral reefs and jungle, or simply linger by the pool amidst the granite boulders.

This posh private getaway lays claim to Moyo Island, reached most easily from Bali aboard an hour-long seaplane transfer. Set in the middle of a marine reserve, Amanwana strikes a happy balance between five-star resort and safari adventure. There’s a choice of two tent styles—Ocean or Jungle—all 20 of which are peppered along the coastline for added privacy. The large windows frame misty mornings and occasionally casual appearances by monkeys or deer. Meanwhile, the Flores Sea, at your doorstep, is a hotspot for scuba divers. Turtles and puffer fish make regular appearances in the neon coral reefs. Don’t dive quite yet? No problem! There’s a dive center on the island where you can get your PADI certification.

This snail-shaped island ticks all the boxes: crescent white-sand beaches, clear seas, luxury wooden villas and a relatively easy-to-reach location off the coast of Singapore, in Indonesia’s Riau Archipelago. At Pulau Joyo, there are just 9 villas scattered across the jungle-hugged shoreline, all sporting hand-made details such as door carvings and grass roofs. Your days might consist of spa treatments, private picnics, kayaking, snorkeling or scuba diving. Come nightfall? Tuck into a sundowner from your beach bungalow or dine beside a blazing bonfire.

This jaw-dropper makes barefoot luxury seem like the only civilized way to live. On the approach to Cempedak—off the coast of Bintan, about two and a half hours from Singapore—the first thing you’ll notice are the crescent-shaped villas, artfully crafted out of grass and bamboo. If the private plunge pools, high vaulted ceilings, and balconies don’t sweep you off your feet, then the island’s tennis and croquet courts should do the trick. The island is known for its rainforests and massive granite boulders, but travelers aren’t the only ones flocking here: eagles, otters, and even pangolins (an endangered species that looks like an anteater) are also known to enjoy the sea views.