Ora Beach on Seram Island offers turquoise lagoons, dramatic cliffs and near-empty sands that feel like a Maldives getaway for a fraction of the price, yet travel to such places remains slow, costly and logistically tricky — a problem that is keeping many visitors clustered in Bali while smaller islands plead for better connections and investment. ( Want a cheap Maldives-like holiday in Indonesia? The problem is getting there — SCMP )
Indonesia’s sprawling archipelago contains countless postcard beaches, coral reefs and secluded villages that have the potential to attract sun-seeking tourists at much lower costs than the Maldives. That promise matters not only to international travellers looking for value but also to local economies across the country’s many provinces that have seen steady visitor growth since the pandemic. Yet a pattern has emerged in recent reporting and government planning: infrastructure and airline connectivity have lagged, while political and marketing attention remains heavily focused on Bali and a handful of “super-priority” destinations. ( Indonesia’s Bali tourism plan sees other islands miss out on visitors — Bloomberg ) ( Kementerian Pariwisata — Ministry of Tourism Indonesia )
The practical barrier is travel time and transfers. To reach Ora Beach on Seram, most travellers must fly to Ambon’s Pattimura Airport, then transfer by land to a ferry terminal, cross to Seram via a two‑hour boat or car–ferry service, and take further local transport to remote beaches and villages. That can turn a “short” holiday into a full day or more of travel and increase costs for tourists who value convenience as much as price. Independent travel guides and local operators note that the sequence of flights, ferries and road transfers — sometimes on low-frequency schedules — is the main deterrent for mass-market visitors. ( Ora Beach travel guide — TheWorldTravelGuy ) ( Ora Beach practical info — Amalia’s Travels & Adventures )
At the same time, Indonesia’s overall tourism numbers show recovery and growth but reveal a concentration of arrivals at main gateways. Statistics Indonesia (BPS) reported steady monthly increases through 2025 while also flagging shifts in visitor spending and length of stay — indicators that markets anchored by frequent direct flights (notably Bali’s Ngurah Rai) continue to capture disproportionate share. Officials have acknowledged that increased flight numbers to Bali have helped push arrival figures even as spending per visit has been variable. Tourism operators in less-connected regions say that without more direct air links, better sea transport and targeted investment, their areas will remain niche rather than mainstream alternatives. ( Indonesia foreign tourist arrivals hit 1.42M in June 2025 — InvestIndonesia / BPS reporting )
Why this matters to Thai travellers and the regional market is twofold. First, many Thais seek new, affordable island holidays beyond the usual Thai hotspots; Indonesian alternatives with Maldives-style lagoons would be especially attractive to price-conscious families and couples. Second, the concentration of flights and crowds in Bali has produced well-documented problems — traffic congestion, noise and visible plastic waste in urban and tourist precincts — that push some travellers to look for quieter, more “authentic” islands. The Indonesian government’s policy choices therefore shape where regional visitors end up, and whether destinations outside Bali can scale safely and sustainably. ( Want a cheap Maldives-like holiday — SCMP on Bali overcrowding and pollution )
Government strategy partly explains the disparity. Since the original “10 New Balis” idea of 2016 was reconfigured during the pandemic, Jakarta has concentrated resources on a reduced list of priority destinations — often renamed or reorganised into five or so “super-priority” sites — to drive quality tourism and events. That focus channels budgetary, marketing and aviation support to sites judged ready to scale. The result: smaller islands and lesser-known provincial gems receive less direct support for airport upgrades, regular ferry services, and local tourism infrastructure. Local operators say they are left to lobby for private investment or piece together transport links with limited returns. ( The 10 New Balis / Super-priority destinations context — research and government sources ) ( Government tourism site — Kemenparekraf )
Tourism operators and local stakeholders have been vocal in news coverage and industry reporting, describing “crying out” needs for better ports, reliable electricity, waste management and more frequent scheduled flights. Those requests include incentives to bring low-cost carriers and regional airlines into secondary airports, subsidies for seasonal routes, and capital for environmentally sensitive lodge development. Several articles and travel industry analysts argue that transport connectivity — not a lack of scenic beauty — is the principal bottleneck preventing destinations such as Seram from reaching broader markets. ( Indonesia’s Bali tourism plan… — Bloomberg analysis of regional imbalances )
Experts and officials point to both opportunity and caution. A senior statistics official noted that arrivals are rising even as per-visit spending has slipped, suggesting policy should balance attracting higher visitor numbers with creating higher-value, longer-stay experiences that distribute tourists more evenly across islands. Tourism planners warn that rapid connectivity improvements without environmental safeguards risk replicating Bali’s problems of congestion, waste and erosion of local culture. Sustainable, community-led development and careful route planning were recommended as ways to expand access while preserving the islands that markets deem most attractive. ( BPS reporting on arrivals and spending trends — InvestIndonesia summarising BPS briefing )
For Thai tourists considering a Maldives-style trip in Indonesia, the practical implications are clear. Expect longer transfer times, limited direct schedules, and the need to book coordinated packages that combine flights, ferries and local transfers. Low-cost options exist but often require flexible timing and tolerance for basic facilities en route. Tour operators that specialise in eastern Indonesia typically bundle transport and island stays to simplify logistics; these packages are currently the most reliable way to reach remote beaches like those on Seram without losing a day to connections. ( Ora Beach tour packages and routes — Wandernesia and local operators’ listings ) ( Practical route notes to Ora Beach — travel blogs and TripAdvisor summaries )
Cultural context helps explain both demand and local sensitivities. Bali’s experience shows how quickly spiritual customs, temple life and village routines can be overshadowed when tourism scales without regulation. Indonesian communities outside Bali often hold stronger ties to traditional livelihoods and local religious practices that do not always welcome mass tourism. Respect for local norms, small-group eco-tourism models and community benefit-sharing are important considerations for Thai travellers who prize respectful, family-friendly experiences. That aligns with wider Southeast Asian travel values where family reputation, environmental stewardship and community harmony are culturally significant. ( Coverage of Bali’s overtourism impacts and community concerns — SCMP reporting and travel analyses )
Looking ahead, the most likely path to opening up cheap, Maldives-like Indonesian escapes for more travellers involves a mix of targeted infrastructure upgrades and policy nudges. Upgrading regional airports (runways, terminal facilities), funding reliable ferry routes, incentivising airlines to add seasonal direct flights, and promoting integrated tourism packages would reduce the “getting there” tax on time and money. Equally crucial is investment in waste management, water, and community-run hospitality to prevent environmental degradation as visitor numbers grow. Without simultaneous attention to these operational and sustainability issues, many of Indonesia’s hidden paradises will remain accessible only to determined adventurers. ( Policy context on super-priority destinations and infrastructure needs — government and industry reports ) ( Industry commentary on unlocking hidden tourism through infrastructure — travel industry analysis )
For Thai holidaymakers and travel planners, immediate practical advice can make a difference. First, plan for longer door-to-door travel times and factor in overnight stays when island connections are infrequent. Second, favour reputable local operators that include transfers in one booking to avoid missed connections. Third, prioritise accommodations and operators that demonstrate sustainable practices — community partnerships, waste reduction and reef-protection initiatives. Finally, consider shoulder-season travel where flight and ferry schedules may be more forgiving and local communities can better accommodate visitors without strain. ( Ora Beach practical tips and operator recommendations — travel guides and operator listings )
Indonesia’s hidden islands offer a genuine price and experience alternative to the Maldives, but that bargain has a caveat: much of the savings come from lower on-island costs, not easier travel. To turn these islands from niche wonders into mainstream options, policymakers must re-balance tourism investment beyond Bali and close the connectivity gap that keeps coral lagoons out of reach for many regional travellers. For Thai travellers seeking quiet blue lagoons and white sand without Maldives prices, the choice today is to accept the journey as part of the adventure — or to wait until investment and infrastructure catch up. ( SCMP feature on the attractiveness and accessibility challenges of islands like Seram ) ( BPS data and industry context on arrivals and spending trends — InvestIndonesia summarising BPS briefing )