Indonesia’s coastal regions are among the most climate-vulnerable globally, facing escalating threats from sea-level rise, coastal flooding, and land subsidence. By 2050, up to 12 million people could be exposed to severe coastal floods, and as many as 2000 small islands will be at risk of submersion. More than 90% of Indonesia’s disasters in the past decade have been linked to climate-related hazards, threatening lives, livelihoods, infrastructure, public health, and long-term development, particularly in densely populated coastal areas. This study explores the intersection of disaster management and climate change adaptation in Indonesia’s coastal zones through a secondary qualitative analysis. Data sources included a review of relevant policy documents and a secondary analysis of eight stakeholder roundtables held in September 2024 in North Jakarta, Demak, Pekalongan, and Semarang. The roundtables, involving government representatives and community members, were part of a collaborative initiative between the National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia (BRIN), Universitas Diponegoro, and Griffith University, funded by the Knowledge and Innovation Exchange (KONEKSI) and supported by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). Five core themes emerged: (1) relocation as a last resort; (2) the centrality of livelihoods and adaptive capacity; (3) the integration of gender and social equity; (4) the need to incorporate health and social protection in resilience strategies; and (5) inclusive, participatory decision-making. Findings reveal a persistent gap between national policy frameworks and local realities, particularly regarding slow-onset hazards such as land subsidence and sea-level rise, which remain underrecognised in formal planning and response. This study calls for moving beyond top-down, uniform solutions toward adaptive, co-produced strategies that are context-specific, equity-focused, and grounded in community priorities—essential to safeguarding not only the physical environment but also the dignity, livelihoods, and well-being of Indonesia’s coastal populations in the face of a changing climate.