Ministry of Health Notices:
The Indonesia Ministry of Health announced in June 2022 that yachts arriving from the list of countries/ports given below must anchor on arrival at the Quarantine mooring ground at the chosen port of entry for clearance.
The countries/ports in the list are deemed to be Malarial Ports where Anti-Malarial Spraying has to be conducted in the yachts on arrival before proceeding to dock.
- Papua New Guinea
- Vanuatu
- Solomon Islands
- Brisbane, Australia
- Gold Coast, Australia
- East Indies
- Asia
The Master/Captain of the vessel will be contacted for transportation of the Health Officer from the marina/port to the Yacht.
Health Care in Indonesia:
Treatment for minor conditions can be accessed in the larger cities, however, for serious conditions, you will have to leave Indonesia. Most large cities have clinics for travelers, which although more expensive, have a higher standard of care. It is difficult to find reliable medical care in rural areas.
Medical evacuation is expensive. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance.
Indonesia has some highly qualified and experienced dentists. If you are in Jakarta or Bali, it should be easy to find an excellent local private practice. Bali is a destination for medical tourism and treats patients from Australia and other Southeast Asian countries. Dental care prices in Indonesia are not the cheapest in the world, although they can be much lower than in some Western countries.
Diving is a popular activity in Indonesia, with several dive spots available. Therefore, there are a reasonable number of Hyperbaric Chambers across the country.
Vaccine-Preventable Diseases:
Be sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccinations.
Vaccinations against hepatitis A and B, as well as typhoid, are advised.
Poliovirus has been detected in Indonesia within the last year. Travelers are at a higher risk of contracting poliovirus. Make sure you are up to date on your polio vaccines before your trip. For further details, visit the
CDC Travel notice - Global Polio.
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travelers aged 9 months or over arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission.
Food and Water Concerns:
Tap water is not safe to drink in Indonesia.
Indonesia is at high risk for leptospirosis.
Ciguatera Fish Poisoning:
Ciguatera fish poisoning (CFP) is a foodborne illness caused by consuming fish contaminated with ciguatoxins, which are produced by dinoflagellates that live on coral reefs. While reports of CFP in Indonesia are not widespread, it is still a concern, particularly in areas with active coral reef ecosystems.
Carolyn Shearlock from The Boat Gallery has written a cautionary article to raise awareness about Ciguatera after speaking with many cruisers who were not aware that eating reef fish can make you sick.
Mosquito-borne Diseases:
Visitors going to certain areas of Indonesia are recommended to take prescription medicine to prevent malaria. For more information, see the
CDC Malaria information for Indonesia.
Long-stay travelers to rural areas are at the highest risk for Japanese Encephalitis, especially if they cannot avoid mosquito bites. Vaccination is recommended.
Dengue fever is a risk in Jakarta, Bali, and other parts of Indonesia. Local outbreaks can happen at any time, but they are more common during the rainy season, which typically lasts from October to April.
In Indonesia, there is also a risk of
Zika and
chikungunya.
Because of the pregnancy risks, travelers should consult the
CDC Travelers’ Health website for the most current recommendations for Zika.
Prevention:
- Use a repellent containing 20%-30% DEET or 20% Picaridin on exposed skin. Re-apply according to the manufacturer's directions.
- Wear neutral-colored (beige, light grey) long-sleeved clothing.
- Pre-soak or spray the outer layer of clothing and gear with permethrin.
- Ensure that the hatch and window screens work properly.
Other Diseases:
Animals:
Rabid dogs are prevalent in Indonesia. If you are bitten or scratched by a dog or other mammal while in Indonesia, rabies treatment may be limited or unavailable. If your activities will expose you to dogs or wildlife, consider getting a rabies vaccination before your trip.
The biggest danger is infected cuts and bites, but local doctors offer good treatment.
HIV is a major problem in many Asian countries, and Bali has one of the highest rates of HIV infection in Indonesia.
Prescription Drugs:
If you are planning to take prescription medicines into Indonesia for your personal use, it is advised to keep your prescription medication in its original container and carry a copy of your doctor's prescription with you.
Emergency Numbers:
See
Emergencies.
Useful links:
Last updated: April 2025
