Should a less-visited Indonesian island replace Java or Komodo?
Replace a backbone stop only when the remote island serves a specific purpose—serious diving, a particular landscape or deliberate isolation. Adding it merely because it sounds less discovered usually buys more transport than insight.
Answer
Indonesia's remote islands are not interchangeable upgrades from Java or Komodo. North Sulawesi may suit a dive-led trip; Raja Ampat demands a larger commitment to marine travel; Sumba, Banda and smaller island groups each bring different access, cost and service trade-offs. Choosing by obscurity is a poor basis for the route. Less visited can mean quieter and more distinctive, but it can also mean infrequent connections, operator dependence and fewer ways to recover when weather or transport shifts. Start with the experience that justifies the detour, then build the route around that island instead of attaching it to an already full plan. When the purpose is vague, keep the stronger backbone. Java and Komodo offer more contrast per handover and a clearer first-trip structure.