Karimunjawa Islands

The Karimunjawa archipelago is a national marine park that consists of 27 islands, lying just off the coast of Indonesia's Central Java. It's said to have been originally settled by the son of a Muslim Saint, who was responsible for introducing Islam to the island of Java.

The two main islands in the chain are Karimunjawa and Kemujan, the former being the larger and more populous of the two, with a hilly landscape that has peaks as high as 1,083 feet. Kemujan island is known as Karimunjawa's twin, with a short bridge connecting the two islands. Kemujan island has its own sealed airstrip, just under 3,000 feet.

Menjawakan island is another of the islands in the archipelago, which contains one of the largest lagoons in the area. This green, private, tropical paradise is home to only one hotel: Kura Kura Resort. The beaches in this archipelago are immaculate, with fine, white, powdery sand, and many are fringed with vibrant coral reefs. Turtles, sharks, and fish are common sites in the area's pristine waters as well, while friendly birds and deer make up much of the islands' wildlife, roaming amongst the plethora of majestic coconut trees growing on the islands.