The Kei Islands' main draw is the beaches and the sea. Pasir Panjang on Kei Kecil is the standout — a long arc of white sand with water the colour of a swimming pool, consistently ranked among Indonesia's finest beaches. Snorkelling and diving are exceptional: the reefs around Kei Kecil and the straits between the islands are in good condition with strong coral and clear visibility.
Kei Besar rewards the more adventurous traveller: a larger and more mountainous island with traditional villages, forested hillsides, and a largely unvisited coastline. The regional capital Tual has limited attractions but is the logistical hub for the islands. War Debris Beach near Tual has the rusting remains of World War Two aircraft and equipment visible both on the beach and just offshore — a haunting and unusual attraction.