Indonesia

Island Survival Adventure in Indonesia

From:

£2,691

Duration:

11 days

Date:

TBC

Max People:

12

Min Age:

18+

An aerial view of a white sandy beach with palm trees in Indonesia.

A vibrant coral reef teaming with fish and corals in Indonesia.

Being rescued after survival phase Indonesia

Tom Williams with clients after being rescued Indonesia

man climbing coconut tree on beach Indonesia

two women and the fish they caught Indonesia

group being rescued after survival phase Indonesia

The Highlights of our Indonesia Adventure

Perfect white beaches

Nesting turtles

Healthy coral

Great fishing

Huge monitor lizards

World’s largest flower spanning 1m

Under 1,000 tourists a year visit this region

Trip Summary

Monkeys, monitor lizards, and untouched coral reefs, oh my!

This island feels unchartered, akin to something you might find on a faded treasure map, and we have only just begun to explore it. This feels remote and wild, and the oceans are rich and vibrant. Did we mention it’s beautiful? It’s really beautiful. Join us as we uncover new parts of this hardly explored island. As with all expeditions we conjure, the blend is one of fun, untouched nature, bushcraft, and a survival challenge. However, this one offers something a little more: an element of uncertainty, frontier delight, and trepidation.

So, this is the plan: we will meet you in Letung, a backwater fishing town only 300 km from Singapore but several hundred years different in its development. This is real Indonesia. We head to the local market for dinner, presented with sights and sounds that leave us asking with curiosity, ‘What is that?’, more than once. You’ll meet your new tribe while we cover the expedition briefing before trying our best to get an early night. Tomorrow is a big day!

The following day, we’ll whisk you off to an uninhabited desert island, taking a 70-minute speedboat ride to the remote, untouched island paradise—your new home.

For five nights, we will train you in all the essential bushcraft skills you’ll need to thrive, from friction fires to fish traps. We’ll dive for lobster by moonlight and marvel at untouched coral. This part is ‘survival-lite’ with all the kit to help. Designed to develop not just your skills but your confidence in this new environment. We sleep in expedition hammocks, and we cook together over the fire, sharing stories and passing around a bottle of rum. Fun is our top priority as we hone your skills throughout chapter one of your adventure. As you get used to tribal life, you won’t want this time to end.

Then, just as you start to get comfortable, sh*t gets real; it’s time to leave the nest and head to a new part of the island to test yourself, with just a handful of items and your newly learned skills for the 72-hour survival phase.

Your instructors are now on the other side of the island, and it’s on you and your tribe to build a shelter, catch food, make fire, and purify water. This might be hard at times, but when you catch that fish as the sun is dipping over the horizon, it must be the highest high you ever feel.

After three days, you are rescued, and fly back to Batam, where a luxury resort awaits you. Four-star becomes ten as you enjoy the best shower of your life and a survival feast.

Sounds like your type of adventure? We hope so!

Day 1

We meet you at Letung Airport (LMU) and head to the guest house for your safety briefing and a meal out.

Day 2

After breakfast, we take a 30-minute minibus to the dock, where we will jump on our speedboats and take a 90-minute ride to our new island home.

Today we get to work on building our shelter and setting up our hammocks.

Day 3

After a breakfast, we spend the morning learn how to make fire by friction. We will spend the afternoon catching our supper off the beach.

Day 4

Today we will look at all the different techniques one can use to find food on a desert island; including which fruits and plants are safe to eat, how to get into a coconut and where to find shellfish.

Day 5

Life on the island slows down. Disconnecting from wifi and phone, you will find yourself thinking about the outside world less and less. Tonight we prepare, cook and eat as a tribe. A bottle of rum and some roasted marshmallows see us off to bed.

Day 6

On the final day of training, we will search for resources that might help you during your final 3 days survival phase. That evening, we’ll talk about the psychology of survival, and you’ll get yourself mentally prepared for the real test to begin.

Day 7

Survival Phase. This is it, the fire is out, the instructors are gone; it’s just you and your fellow castaways. You are left with limited equipment and have to work together. Now is the time to put into practice your newfound skills and apply your ingenuity to survive. What is your greatest priority?

Day 8

Survival Phase

Day 9

Survival Phase

Day 10

Rescue. We head back by speedboat and minibus to the guest house for showers and lunch before jumping on a flight back to Batam (not included) to a stunning resort that now feels like a 10* experience.

Day 11

Departure. Typically, you will take the ferry to Singapore and fly out (don’t forget we lose an hour heading back over the water to Singapore).

SHELTER

Hammock and tarp setup and care
Shelter building
Palm thatching
Machete and knife safety, sharpening and skills

Fire

Fire theory
Friction fire skills (bow drill and hand drill)

Water

Transpiration bags
Solar still
Evaporation techniques
Boiling water in bottles over fire

FOOD

Fishing with hand line
Coconut opening & cream extraction
Tree climbing
Hawaiian sling (hand spear)
Primitive cooking and fish preparation
Trap building
Wild edible identification

OTHER

Psychology discussion and case studies
Astro-navigation

The Island

Monkeys, monitor lizards, and pristine reefs, oh my! Embark on an extraordinary adventure with our Indonesia Desert Island Survival Experience, where you’ll discover the untouched beauty of an island so exquisite it’s often dubbed the “Maldives of Asia”.

This hidden gem, one of Indonesia’s best-kept secrets, welcomes fewer than a thousand travellers each year. Offering you, dear castaway-to-be, an exclusive retreat into nature’s unspoiled wonders.

Asia’s Hidden Maldives

This hidden gem looks like the Maldives but is nestled in a tranquil, seldom-visited corner of Asia and attracts less than a thousand tourists each year. It is one of the most perfect islands we have seen, with a rich tropical jungle flanked by the whitest sand, populated by massive elephant-grey boulders, and surrounded by a deep turquoise sea and vibrant reef. This is the perfect place for your unique Indonesian bushcraft holiday.

Vibrant reefs and biodiverse ecosystems

We are picky about marine life, and the reefs here are some of the healthiest and most biodiverse ecosystems that we have had the privilege of snorkelling. Sharks and turtles are common on every snorkel, as well as microfauna such as nudibranchs (neon slugs). This all makes these reefs excellent for fishing and selective spearfishing. The island is extremely isolated, with little to no lights on the horizon, making incredible stargazing. Your adventure commences in Letong, a sleepy fishing village on stilts, when we arrived to view the island we were the only non-native travellers on the plane.

Nesting Turtles

The island is a sanctuary of natural wonders, from expansive white beaches to the serene spectacle of nesting turtles and plucky monitor lizards. Ideal for those seeking a bushcraft holiday where they can learn and apply sustainable living techniques in a pristine environment. The thriving coral reefs and rich fishing grounds provide ample opportunities for practical survival training, while the island’s unique flora, including the world’s largest flower, offers a unique touch to your survival curriculum. This setting is not just a holiday destination but a classroom under the open sky, where every experience is an opportunity to learn, connect with nature and challenge yourself.

24 hours in Singapore

The best way to get here is to fly into Singapore’s futuristic cityscape. We highly recommend adding 24 hours before or after to see the sites. Don’t leave before you enjoy a laksa soup at a hawker market. Your travel pack comes with our top 10 Singapore travel tips.

1 uninhabited private island
5 days of survival training by a world-class bushcraft guide.
General kit (incl. hammocks, camping gear, machetes, etc.). There are a few essential items that you need to bring.
3-day survival challenge
1 night in a simple guesthouse on Letung (single rooms)
1 night in a beach hotel (single rooms)
All food and drinks

International flights
Domestic flights
Airport transfers
Visas, if required
Personal travel insurance
Personal kit. You can check out the general kit list here, however, we will be sending you a more detailled version after booking.
Personal expenses

There are several ways to reach Batam:

From Singapore: One of the most popular ways (and also our favourite) is to reach Batam from Singapore due to its proximity. You can take a ferry from Singapore’s Harborfront Centre to Batam. The ferry ride takes approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour and arrives at one of several terminals in Batam, such as Batam Centre, Sekupang, or Harbour Bay. There are multiple ferry services with frequent departures daily.
From Jakarta, Indonesia: If you’re coming from Jakarta or another part of Indonesia, you can take a domestic flight to Hang Nadim Airport in Batam. Several Indonesian airlines operate daily flights from Jakarta to Batam, making it a convenient option for domestic travelers.
From Kuala Lumpa (Malysia) to Batam (Indonesia) Batik air fly once a day from Kuala lumpa to Batam at 3:30pm but be sure to check their schedule to ensure it remains correct and lines up.
From Other International Locations: If you’re traveling from other international locations, you may need to fly into Singapore or Jakarta first and then continue your journey to Batam as described above. Direct international flights to Batam are limited, so transiting through these major hubs is a common route.
By Sea from Other Indonesian Islands: If you’re exploring other parts of Indonesia, you might also consider reaching Batam by sea. There are ferry services connecting Batam with other Indonesian islands, though the availability and frequency can vary, so it’s essential to check the schedules in advance.

For the training phase, we’ll pamper you with breakfast, lunch, and dinner, ranging from flavorful Thai fish curries to pasta dishes infused with red wine and chorizo. We’ll also teach you how to wrap and prepare fish using natural leaves and cordage to cook directly on the coals.

After five days of indulging in scrumptious food while learning, it’s time for you to put your newly acquired skills to the test and survive on your own findings and catches. Upon rescue, we’ll kick off your return with a brunch that’s sure to satisfy any cravings. Later that evening, we’ll take you out for a grand celebration meal.

Vegetarian or other dietary requirements? Don’t worry we will adapt the menu for you.

What is the accommodation going to be like?

The hotel in Letung is a simle guesthouse. In Batam we will stay in a lovely beach hotel. All hotel accommodation is on shared basis. Single room supplement is available and can be requested on the booking form. However, this is subject to availability.

During the training phase you will sleep in an expedition Hennessy Hammock with built in mosquito nets. You will learn how to build your own sleeping space in the wild for your survival phase.

Our island expeditions are typically 11 days / 10 nights long. The first and last night are spent at a boutique hotel, and the 8 nights sandwiched between on the desert island. The first 5 nights on the island are your bushcraft course. This is survival light, where you learn all the skills to equip you for the final 3-day survival phase. For these 5 nights, you are sleeping in a hammock, eating very well, playing all sorts of games, and passing around a bottle of rum around the fire. The final 3 days after this are your survival phase, the true test of your mettle before you are rescued and head to what now feels like a 10-star hotel.

Absolutely! We’re equipped to accommodate your dietary preferences by adjusting our meal plans for the initial 5 days of training. Even during the last 3 days of the survival phase, you’ll find an array of plant-based food options at your disposal. If you’re concerned about not consuming fish, we can provide alternatives to ensure your nutritional needs are met. It’s worth noting that some vegetarians opt to pause their dietary restrictions during this immersive survival experience, but the decision is entirely yours. We respect your dietary choices, so please inform us of any specific requirements when you book your adventure.

When it comes to selecting deserted islands for our adventures, safety is our top priority. We meticulously choose islands that are free from hazardous wildlife and protected against strong ocean currents that could pose a danger. Before embarking on your journey, we provide a comprehensive safety orientation to prepare you for minor incidents, such as encountering a crab or dealing with sunburn. Our team of instructors is certified in wilderness first aid, ensuring you’re in capable hands throughout your adventure. While we can’t eliminate all risks, our informed consent process keeps you well-informed about potential dangers. For more details on the thrilling challenges you might encounter during our expeditions, please visit this page.

You’ll learn the following bushcraft skills:

Making Coconut bowls
Traps and hunting
Jungle sanitation and hygiene
Jungle navigation
Rescue: Techniques for gaining attention
How to make cordage from natural fibers
Coconuts: opening and various uses
Primitive spearfishing
Palm weaving
Shelter: building techniques
Water: physiology, collection and disinfection. Solar stills, transpiration.
Fire making: Bow drill, hand drill, bamboo fire saw as well as fire steel.
Identification of flora and fauna for food, fire and other utilities.
Fishing techniques: Making and using traps, spears.
Fish identification, preparing and cooking fish
Traditional cooking methods: Bamboo pot, leaf wraps, clay bakes and smoking racks.

Check out our other FAQs or contact us here.

First off, one of the most important considerations is travel time from your home country. Then you should consider whether domestic travel is required when you arrive. We love the website flight connections to help with travel time.

Indonesia – Easy to get to Singapore then a ferry and domestic flight required

First you need to get to Singapore, which has the best airport on the planet and is a tourist attraction in its own right. There are direct flights to most hubs. From here we take a 1hr ferry to Batam and a 1hr flight to Letung, the Anambas. We would put it as a medium on the travel challenge scale.

Google flights is our favourite flight search engines, however, we always recommend booking directly with the airline once you have found your flights as you will have a preferential cancellation policy and better upgrade potential. We also find flightconnection very useful for looking at different routes and their frequency.

Check out our Indonesia Travel Guide for more information about the destination, or check out our blog for Indonesia-related articles.

Indonesia Travel Guide

Indonesia Blog Posts

People love us

“Best trip ever with the best group ever! I’ve done Survival trips in the past, but Tom & the team have a way to make the trip so enjoyable and exciting that it was the best one I’ve done. I completely recommend this trip to anyone looking for a lifetime adventure.”

Baptiste Desfarge

“This was a once in a lifetime experience for me. Every day had something unforgettable happend – from catching a shark, to going spearfishing for triggerfish, to having deep conversations or the biggest belly laugh of your life with your island mates, learning a critical survival skill, starting a fire using bow drills, watching dozens of baby sea turtles crawl across the beach, or staring at an incredible sunset or night sky filled with stars.”

A group of friends are celebrating the sunset on the beach. Silhouetted against the vibrant orange and pink sky, they are posing and enjoying the beautiful moment together. The image captures a sense of joy and camaraderie as they share this special time.

Peter M

“WHAT AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE!!! Finally we did it, highly recommended. Tom took care of every detail. I’m glad I’ve done this.. it’s a one life experience that I was really looking forward. It was a very good thing to start this adventure with Tom, and have his help and advice. Really nice person, extremely helpful and nice to know”