Indonesia Adds 63 New Islands – Is Bali About to Get Some Competition?

The Indonesian Geospatial Information Agency (BIG) has announced the discovery of 63 new islands scattered across various regions of the archipelago.

BIG’s head, Muh Aris Marfai, stated that the new islands were identified during recent field surveys conducted in collaboration with relevant technical ministries and local authorities. Technologies such as LiDAR (laser mapping) and satellite imagery were used to document the new landmasses.

In total, experts confirmed the existence of 63 new islands located in different areas, including near the Bangka-Belitung group, Southeast Sulawesi, North Maluku, and West Kalimantan. These islands are far enough from previously known ones, which is why they have only now been discovered. Another factor contributing to the increase is geographic dynamics driven by natural processes, meaning these lands did not exist previously.

Thanks to these discoveries, Indonesia now officially has 17,380 named islands with precise coordinates, further solidifying its position as the largest archipelago in the world.

Indonesia regularly adds new land every year. For instance, in 2022, the country officially had 17,024 islands, and in 2020, 16,771 islands.

“Given the vast number of islands and dynamic geographic conditions, BIG continues to update island data annually. This ensures the accuracy of information used in various national strategies,” said Aris.

The dozens of newly recognized Indonesian islands meet key criteria outlined in government laws and regulations regarding spatial planning. All the islands were formed naturally, are surrounded by water, and remain above the high tide line.

According to BIG’s head, the increase in the number of islands is a significant achievement for Indonesia. It supports the optimal use of natural resources for society’s benefit while reinforcing sovereignty, territorial management, and the preservation of cultural and historical heritage.

The number of islands in Indonesia may continue to change due to natural processes such as abrasion (land erosion caused by waves), sedimentation, or merging with other landforms. Additionally, islands may be lost due to erosion and ecosystem changes.

Experts note that classifying islands is no simple task, particularly with challenges posed by small and artificial islands and the phenomenon of islands disappearing due to rising sea levels and human activity.

The news of these new islands highlights the many untouched and naturally stunning locations in Indonesia, accessible by plane, boat, or ferry, including from Bali. Popular destinations include Nusa Penida, the Gili Islands, Lombok, and Komodo.

However, for the recently discovered and geographically isolated islands, they will likely remain out of reach for the average tourist.

Sources: Antara Bali, Kompas.