With over 17,000 islands, Indonesia has thousands of kilometers of coastline and, unsurprisingly, a great selection of exciting beaches that will appeal not only to expert surfers but also to travelers looking for a beachside experience where they can relax and immerse themselves in a different culture.

When planning your trip to Indonesia, take plenty of time to consider your options, get the best travel insurance package you can afford, and make your reservations well in advance.

While it’s almost impossible to narrow your choice of beaches down to a list of five that will suit everyone, let’s take a look at a wide range on our shortlist.

• Thousand Islands. Taking a ferry from Ancol in North Jakarta, you will find yourself in the pristine blue waters of these islands that offer a variety of accommodations and resorts, as well as some of the most beautiful deserted beaches in the world. The islands closer to Jakarta are more popular, especially with hikers, so if you really want to get away from it all, you’ll have to travel a little further to find yourself on powdery white sand with vast stretches of blue water fringed with coconut palms and no one to share it with you.
• Banda Islands, Moluccas. These islands were once exotically referred to as the Spice Islands, shrouded in mystery and wonder, highly prized by pirates and international traders alike. Today, it has assumed the quieter name of Banda and although spices still grow in abundance, the islands are now a favorite with tourists seeking a quiet break in a noisy world.
• Nusa Dua. Surfers from all over the world know that Indonesia has some of the best surfing beaches in the world and is home to some of the most impressive ocean waves in the southern hemisphere. Even after the terrorist attacks in Bali a few years ago, surfers continued to visit Indonesia in steady numbers, and this was one of their favorite destinations.
• Aloita Resort and Spa. This is an exclusive destination for surfers located in Padang, which was purpose-built to meet all your surfing needs. It is only five minutes away from Telescopes, probably the most famous service destination in Indonesia, if not the world. The resort’s owners promise to share all the local secrets with their guests, but are very discreet about giving out any information prior to arrival. But if you read the reviews from surfers who have visited this area, it promises to be something very special.
• The Mentawai Islands. This collection of around 70 islands is located on the western side of Sumatra and is considered by expert surfers to have the most consistent swell in the world. From June to September the conditions are almost perfect for big waves and as you can imagine it is extremely popular.

Of course, sailing can come with some added dangers, so you should always make sure your vacation insurance policy covers the possibility of an unexpected accident. The five selections above are just a start and you can find additional information from a good travel agent.