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The Banggai space in Sulawesi is one among Indonesia’s most underrated locations to journey, with an incredible blue lake referred to as Paisupok and different good issues to see together with seashores, caves, waterfalls, and wildlife.

This can be a massive space that features three completely different regencies — Banggai, Banggai Islands, and Banggai Laut — so it’s a bit extra difficult than visiting different locations in Sulawesi. My spouse is Indonesian in order that helped loads.

We visited the Banggai islands independently, arranging our personal inns and transport for every step of the journey, and this weblog put up will clarify how one can too. I’ll additionally share some contacts for native tour guides if you wish to be part of a gaggle or do a personal tour to make it simpler.

Both manner, Banggai has some fantastic sights and it’s effectively value a go to in the event you’re already planning a visit to Sulawesi. Right here’s our journey information!

 

Banggai Islands Itinerary Day 1: Luwuk To Peleng

• Fly To Luwuk

This itinerary for the Banggai islands begins and ends in Luwuk, which is a city of about 35,000 individuals in central Sulawesi.

There are direct flights to the Luwuk airport (LUW) from Makassar in South Sulawesi, or Manado in North Sulawesi. In any other case, you possibly can rent a driver and go overland to Luwuk from Ampana after visiting the Togean islands, which is one other good place to go to in Sulawesi.

In the event you’re flying to Luwuk from Bali, Jakarta, or someplace else in Indonesia, you then’ll should transit in Makassar or Manado on the way in which to Luwuk. You possibly can store for flights on Skyscanner.

 

• Take The Ferry To Peleng

When you arrive in Luwuk, you possibly can take the general public ferry from Luwuk Folks’s Port (‘Pelabuhan Rakyat’) over to Leme Leme on Peleng island. It departs day-after-day at 2 PM and the journey takes 2 hours, though it often leaves an hour late (i.e. Indonesian rubber time).

Tickets may be purchased on the spot for 54k Rupiah (~$3 USD) per individual. This can be a massive wood boat that carries about 50 to 100 passengers, and it has bunks and benches to sit down on, however they’re not very comfortable. In order for you extra privateness, you possibly can lease a small room for 2 individuals which has bunk beds and a fan. This prices an additional 50k Rupiah per room.

Alternatively, you possibly can prepare a speedboat to take you over to a few of the finest sights on Peleng island, together with Paisu Pok Lake & Poganda Seashore. In that case, the journey takes 1 to 2 hours from Luwuk, and you may typically see dolphins in your manner over.

A day tour with a personal speedboat like it will set you again wherever from 1.5 to 4 million Rupiah (~$100 to $250 USD) for the roundtrip, so it’s not low-cost, nevertheless it’s faster than the ferry and it might be economical in some instances in the event you’re touring with mates to share the boat value.

No matter whether or not you select the ferry or speedboat, the ocean could be very calm between Luwuk and Peleng island, so I wouldn’t anticipate waves to ever be a problem for crossing in regular conditions.

 

• Keep In a single day In Peleng

By the point we arrived in Peleng, it was already previous 5 PM and the solar was setting. We have been anxious to go see Paisu Pok Lake, however there wasn’t sufficient time left in our first day.

We stayed the evening at Novpitri Homestay, which is correct by the harbor in Leme Leme. The rooms are very primary, with a fan, squat rest room, chilly water bucket for showers, and electrical energy from roughly 6 PM to six AM.

They solely have one air-conditioned room, so it’s a good suggestion to guide this upfront in order for you it. They’re sluggish to reply on WhatsApp even in the event you converse Indonesian. Don’t anticipate luxurious on the homestay, however in the event you’re out exploring all day it’s advantageous. We already knew this is able to be the roughest place we’d keep on our Banggai journey, so two nights right here was no drawback.

The traditional fee is 180k Rupiah per evening for the A/C room, or 120k for the fan room. Hopefully they’ll add mosquito nets quickly. The household was useful and cooked supper for us, which was additionally very low-cost and good: rice, veggies, omelets, fried tofu, and hen.

If you wish to keep nearer to the Paisu Pok Lake, there are a bunch of very primary homestays within the Luk Panenteng village, which is correct by the lake. In the event you keep there, you possibly can stroll to the lake and swim day-after-day.

Earlier than going to mattress, we organized a scooter rental from the homestay so we might spend the subsequent day going to the lake and the seaside. That they had it prepared and ready for us by the point we went to sleep!

 

Banggai Itinerary Day 2: West Peleng Island

• Paisu Pok Lake

Paisu Pok Lake is a ravishing blue lake on Peleng island, and it’s one of many important highlights of the Banggai space.

You possibly can lease a small boat, canoe, or standup paddleboard for exploring the lake, or you possibly can swim and snorkel in it. The lake has a few of the bluest water I’ve ever seen. It’s simply as good because it seems within the photographs.

Paisupok is a 1 hour drive from Leme Leme as a result of some components of the street are damaged and it’s a must to decelerate to move them safely. There’s little or no site visitors on the street and it’s simple to seek out the lake.

I wrote a whole journey weblog put up about our go to to Paisupok, with plenty of ideas and photographs, which you’ll try within the hyperlink under.

Learn Extra: Paisu Pok Lake

 

• Paisu Batango

The subsequent cease on Peleng island is just a little lagoon referred to as Paisu Batango, which is a 5 minute drive from the lake. On maps it’s marked as ‘Luk Tub Panenteng.’

The title Paisu Batango means ‘trunk water’ or ‘water from a tree trunk’ for the reason that lagoon is fed by a pure spring. Sadly the locals use this place for bathing and washing their garments with detergent, which messes up the readability of the water a bit.

The chilly spring water has a pleasant turquoise shade despite the fact that the deeper facet of the lagoon mixes with salt water from the ocean.

 

• Poganda Seashore

The third place to go to on Peleng island is a white sand seaside referred to as Pantai Poganda, which is roughly midway between Leme Leme and the lake. From Paisupok, it’s only a 30 minute drive.

This can be a peaceable seaside with calm water and palm timber, and it’s a great place for snorkeling. We have been stunned to see plenty of starfish, even with out snorkeling. There are a bunch of them sitting within the shallow water close to the seaside.

It’s an excellent seaside for seeing both the dawn and sundown, relying on the time of 12 months. There are additionally a number of swings and a pier the place you possibly can sit and calm down.

 

• Keep In a single day In Peleng

After spending all day sightseeing, we went again to Leme Leme and spent one other evening on the Novpitri Homestay.

Earlier than going to mattress, we organized a driver with a van for sightseeing after which taking us to Salakan the subsequent day.

The price was going to be 850k Rupiah (with petrol and driver) to take us on to Salakan, or 1.2 million Rupiah to go go to two caves in southwest Peleng earlier than going to Salakan. We determined to see the caves!
 

Banggai Itinerary Day 3: Caves & Salakan

• Driving To The Caves

Our driver Anto met us at 6:30 within the morning after which we began our day journey. First, we needed to refill on petrol, which took about 45 minutes since we had a tough time discovering a spot that was open this early.

The journey to the caves is a scenic drive with hills, jungles, palm forests, and ocean views. This concerned about 5 hours of driving — 2 hours to the caves, after which 3 hours to Salakan — so we have been glad to be in a automobile as a substitute of a scooter.

As we discovered, the Peleng roads are paved however they’re damaged in lots of locations. You can do it with a scooter, however I wouldn’t advocate it except you’ve some expertise.

The perfect time to {photograph} the caves is within the morning, when the solar is correct. We acquired to the primary cave (Gua Susendeng) at 9 AM, and this was good.

 

• Gua Susendeng

The primary cave we visited was Gua Susendeng, a shallow limestone cave with a excessive ceiling and a blue pool on the backside. To succeed in the cave from the place we parked on the important street, it was a 10-15 minute downhill stroll on a grassy path.

The stroll down is simple, however going again is a bit tougher as a result of it’s all uphill and there’s no shade to flee the solar. When you get to the mouth of the cave, there’s a concrete stairway in good situation that goes right down to the blue pool.

The colour of the water is wonderful and it might be enjoyable to swim right here. Our driver mentioned the cave has been explored by scuba divers, and there’s apparently an underwater tunnel at the least 200 meters lengthy!

 

• Gua Bab’banang

From the primary cave, it’s solely a ten minute drive to the subsequent cave, which is named Gua Bab’banang. Then, there’s a brief 5-10 minute stroll by means of the forest, the place you possibly can see plenty of blue-tailed lizards and in addition some good vivid inexperienced lizards.

Gua Bab’banang is nice for footage, particularly once you’re wanting down at it from above. There’s a concrete stairway that goes to the underside of the cave. The water right here was much more blue than the primary cave! It’s stunning.

Sadly the locals have already constructed an unpleasant concrete lavatory proper by the mouth of the cave, and there was numerous trash within the forest too. Hopefully with the elevated curiosity from tourism, they’ll have some motivation to maintain this space clear. The cave itself could be very good!

 

• Drive To Salakan

After we acquired accomplished on the caves, it was a 3 hour drive to the city of Salakan. We hoped to cease for lunch on the way in which there, however we didn’t see something that seemed worthwhile, so we determined to attend and have a late lunch in Salakan.
 

• Keep In a single day In Salakan

We spent one evening in Salakan. It’s a small city with solely 2,000 individuals, however there are a number of comfy inns and eating places to select from.

We stayed at Wisma Sidapore Teluk Bayur, which had clear A/C rooms and free breakfast. Different choices are Wisma Sidapore Jalur Dua (owned by the identical individuals) or Wisma Alfrend Salakan.

You may make a reserving with any of those inns through WhatsApp. They will additionally prepare a scooter rental, or a automobile and driver.
 

Banggai Itinerary Day 4: Salakan To Banggai Laut

• Bone Pompon Seashore

For our 4th day in Banggai, we employed a driver from Salakan to take us to a number of seashores after which drop us on the harbor in Tobing so we might go to our subsequent vacation spot, Banggai Laut island. This time the price was 800k Rupiah for the automobile, driver, and petrol.

The primary seaside we visited was referred to as Bone Pompon, and it was a 30 minute drive from Salakan. At Pompon, you possibly can rent a small boat to go to a number of hidden seashores, together with just a little secret island referred to as Pulo Tambun, which has a white sand seaside.

Nonetheless, we have been in a rush to get to our subsequent seaside (Mandel) because it’s one of many spots that has began to go viral on social media.

 

• Mandel Seashore

Mandel Seashore is a white sand seaside greater than a kilometer lengthy, and it’s most likely probably the most stunning seaside in all of central Sulawesi.

This seaside has extraordinarily white sand and turquoise water. Although it’s solely a 1 hour drive from Salakan, we solely noticed two different individuals there! It was wonderful to have all of it to ourselves. I anticipated it to be crowded like Paisu Pok, however because it’s a bit tougher to achieve, I believe that has stored the crowds away.

It’s a beautiful seaside and I hope it doesn’t change into overdeveloped. There was some garbage on the seaside, so we crammed two small baggage with trash and tipped our driver for serving to eliminate it on the town.

 

• Bone Uluno Abason Seashore

The third seaside we visited was referred to as Bone Uluno Abason, and it was a 30 minute drive from Mandel. It’s a protracted seaside with brown sand.

This was a pleasant seaside, however there was trash all over the place. It was unhappy to see. This may increasingly have been partly due to the wet season, as a result of I’ve seen footage of this seaside the place there was no trash in any respect, so your expertise might fluctuate relying on once you go.

 

• Boat To Banggai Laut

After we have been accomplished seeing seashores, we drove one other hour to the harbor in Tobing, which is one of the best spot to get a ship switch to Banggai Laut island. Another choice is the harbor in Kalumbatan, nevertheless it’s costlier.

From Tobing, it’s simple to get a ship experience to Banggai Laut. The price was 80k per individual as a result of we shared it with 4 locals and their children. The final shared boat goes at 5 PM, so in the event you present up later than that you just might need to pay extra to constitution a ship.

The boat experience is protected and comfy, and solely takes Quarter-hour to get to Banggai Laut. It’s a small speedboat however there’s loads of room for baggage.
 

• In a single day In Banggai Laut

When you arrive in Banggai Laut, there are inns and eating places inside strolling distance from the harbor.

We stayed at Resort Banggai, which was just a little expensive by Indonesian requirements, nevertheless it was comfy and had free breakfast. The proprietor Refly was extraordinarily type and useful for each facet of our keep on the island, in order that was an enormous bonus.

One other good choice is Batara Visitor Home, which is a bit cheaper and in addition has breakfast.
 

Banggai Itinerary Day 5: Banggai Laut

• Bontolan Seashore

We anticipated dangerous roads in Banggai Laut, however really virtually each street on the island is paved and in good situation. There are some steep roads once you’re going up or down a hill, however nothing too loopy.

The primary place we went was Bontolan Seashore, which is simply Quarter-hour from city. The seaside might not be very exceptional above water, nevertheless it’s a great place for snorkeling. You possibly can see some good fish species right here, together with the endemic Banggai cardinalfish, which solely lives within the Banggai archipelago.

 

• Oyama Seashore

Oyama Seashore is a pleasant little white sand seaside on Banggai Laut that may solely be reached by boat, though it’s a brief and simple experience that takes 10 minutes or much less.

You possibly can rent a ship driver from both Lokotoy or Popisi village in northern Laut, and the overall value is just 50-150k Rupiah for the return journey. Our boat was small however held 7 individuals, so you would attempt to be part of others and break up the price.

Oyama has a personal really feel, and good turquoise water. In the event you go searching within the timber there are many colourful inexperienced lizards, and a boardwalk that results in a mangrove forest behind the seaside.

 

• Lambangan Pauno Seashore

This can be a good seaside close to the upcoming airport in Banggai Laut. It’s uncommon as a result of it has a pure rock arch, which you’ll solely attain at low tide, and it’s additionally a great place for dawn photographs.
 

• Tanjung Gundul

Tanjung Gundul is an fascinating little cove and seaside that’s solely accessible by boat. The place to begin is Pasir Putih village, and the boat experience takes about Quarter-hour.

Tanjung Gundul might be probably the most distinctive seashores in Indonesia, with white pebbles as a substitute of sand, and an enormous rock arch that’s been carved out of limestone by the wind and waves. It jogged my memory of the white pebble seashores in Kefalonia, Greece.

A brief journey right here with a personal boat begins at 150k Rupiah to go there and again, and you may as well mix it with a go to to the Teluk Lalong lagoon talked about under. In the event you share a ship with a gaggle, you would do it cheaper. Native vacationers often go within the morning, so that might be your finest guess for sharing.

 

• Teluk Lalong

There’s a pleasant lagoon only a quick distance away from Tanjung Gundul, so you possibly can go to each locations in the identical boat journey.

The Teluk Lalong lagoon has vivid blue and inexperienced water. You possibly can see fish and coral within the lagoon, and we even noticed a sea turtle, though I wouldn’t advocate swimming within the lagoon as a result of the locals informed us there are crocodiles.

 

• Kelapa Lima Seashore

Kelapa Lima is a distant seaside with palm timber and tall limestone cliffs. It’s a pleasant seaside, and it was empty after we visited. The title means 5 coconut seaside.

This was the one spot in Banggai Laut the place we felt like we really wished a automobile. The street was very tough and it’s a trouble with a scooter, though you possibly can nonetheless do it.

Afterwards, we went again to city and stayed one other evening on Banggai Laut island.

 

Banggai Itinerary Day 6: Mbuang-Mbuang Island

• Boat Journey To Mbuang-Mbuang

Among the best locations to go to close to Banggai Laut is the island of Mbuang-Mbuang, which is about 80 kilometers to the southeast.

There are a bunch of excellent issues to see on Mbuang island, nevertheless it’s not very simple to get there, particularly if the climate is unfavorable, prefer it was for us. We needed to skip this present day journey as a result of the climate simply wasn’t supreme in December.

You will get there with a public sluggish boat, which is reasonable and comparatively protected, nevertheless it takes about 7-8 hours a technique. The opposite choice is to do a day journey with a personal speedboat, which takes about 2 hours every manner, nevertheless it’s extra climate dependent for the reason that boat is smaller.

The speedboat is fairly costly (at the least 2.5 million Rupiah), nevertheless it’s much more handy than the general public boat, and it might be economical when you’ve got mates to share the price.
 

• Pasir Panjang Seashore

That is the primary seaside on the village of Mbuang-Mbuang. You possibly can stroll on to this white sand seaside from the village, so it’s simple to entry when you get there.
 

• Paisu Batongan Jellyfish Lake

The highest attraction on Mbuang-Mbuang island is a lake the place you possibly can swim with stingless jellyfish! Due to the remoteness, it’s nonetheless not as effectively often called a few of the different jellyfish lakes in Indonesia.

There are two completely different sorts of jellyfish within the lake, and each are innocent to people. It additionally has some fish in it, together with the endemic Banggai cardinalfish.
 

• Palanggang Seashore

This can be a small hidden seaside close to the Mbuang village that’s presupposed to be good for snorkeling. It’s not removed from the village or Pasir Panjang seaside, however you continue to want a ship to achieve it.
 

• Popisi Hill

There’s a pleasant viewpoint right here referred to as Bukit Popisi, the place you possibly can see a number of islands unfold out on the ocean. It’s sort of much like the views in Raja Ampat, Sombori, or Ang Thong Thailand. The hike to the highest takes about 10-Quarter-hour.
 

• Pingo Seashore

This can be a lengthy seaside with white sand on the east facet of Mbuang island. It’s surrounded by limestone hills, so the one method to go there’s by boat.
 

• In a single day In Banggai Laut

In the event you go to Mbuang island on a day journey with a speedboat, you possibly can keep the evening again in Banggai Laut once more, the place there are many inns.

In any other case, in the event you go along with a sluggish boat, there’s just one place to remain within the Mbuang-Mbuang village and it’s a really primary guesthouse that features meals.
 

Banggai Itinerary Day 7: Return To Luwuk

• Ferry From Banggai Laut To Luwuk

After you get accomplished seeing every part in Banggai Laut, the one method to get again to Luwuk is by boat.

The ferry from Banggai Laut to Luwuk goes day-after-day at 1 PM (or 2 PM if it’s tardy), after which the journey takes about 8 hours. The boat is massive and protected, and fairly comfy. The ocean was just a little wavy in some spots nevertheless it was largely calm.

The ticket value is 130k Rupiah per individual, and in the event you pay an additional 200k you possibly can lease just a little room for 2 individuals, with bunk beds and A/C. Our room was freezing chilly, nevertheless it was good to have a spot to relaxation in non-public on the lengthy boat experience.
 

• In a single day In Luwuk

When you arrive in Luwuk, there are many eating places and inns the place you possibly can spend the evening.

Low-cost inns in Luwuk embrace Ayana Homestay, RedDoorz RSUD, and RedDoorz Plus Syariah. There are additionally a number of excessive finish inns like Swiss-Belinn, Resort Santika, and Estrella Resort.

We stayed at Resort Kota, which had a pleasant stability of consolation and affordability. The worth was 345k Rupiah per evening for an A/C room with free breakfast.
 

Banggai Itinerary Day 8: Waterfalls

• Piala Waterfall

Among the best issues to see close to Luwuk is the Piala Waterfall, which is an enormous turquoise waterfall with a number of cascades, situated proper exterior of city. The drive solely takes about Quarter-hour.

This one jogged my memory a little bit of the well-known Kuang Si Falls in Laos, which additionally has turquoise coloured water and plenty of separate cascades and pure swimming pools the place you possibly can swim.

This waterfall continues to be largely unknown to worldwide vacationers, however loads of locals go there, so if you wish to beat the crowds then it’s a must to go within the morning, ideally on a weekday!

Learn Extra: Greatest Waterfalls In Indonesia

 

• Laumarang Waterfall

This can be a second waterfall close to Piala, and it’s accessed by the identical street, however it’s a must to go a bit farther and the street turns into very tough.

You will get to Laumarang by mountain climbing from the parking space at Piala, nevertheless it takes at the least 1 hour for the roundtrip. They’re engaged on enhancing the roads right here, so hopefully quickly there’ll be higher entry.

In the event you hike previous Laumarang, there’s additionally a pleasant and large third waterfall referred to as Akar Darah.

 

• Dendengan Waterfall

Dendengan Waterfall is one other spot close to Luwuk, only a 20 minute drive from the airport or 40 minutes from city. It’s pretty common and simple to achieve, with a paved street all the way in which to the falls.

Sadly the waterfall was dried up after we went in early December, however the footage I’ve seen from different instances of the 12 months look good.
 

• Kamumu Waterfall

That is one other turquoise waterfall that’s situated northeast of Luwuk. It’s very good however you possibly can’t drive all the way in which to the falls, so it requires a little bit of mountain climbing.
 

• Salodik Waterfall

That is the final waterfall we visited within the Luwuk space, and it’s about 40 minutes from the city heart. The street is sweet and there’s loads of parking.

Salodik is a pleasant waterfall with a bunch of various cascades, nevertheless it’s very overdeveloped.

They’ve turned it right into a little bit of a concrete jungle, sadly, with plenty of ugly buildings throughout the falls. It was a bit distracting and made it exhausting to benefit from the pure surroundings of the place.

 

• In a single day In Luwuk

We stayed one other evening at Resort Kota in Luwuk.
 

Banggai Itinerary Day 9: Pulau Dua

• Pulau Dua

Pulau Dua is a scenic little island that you would be able to go to on a day journey from Luwuk, with steep hills and a stairway you possibly can hike to the highest of the island. The terrain seems just a little bit like Padar island in Komodo, and it’s additionally an amazing place for snorkeling.

From Luwuk, it’s a 2.5 hour drive after which a 15 minute boat experience to get to Pulau Dua island. The boat value is 200k to 300k Rupiah per day for the entire boat, they usually’ll deliver you throughout the island wherever you need to go.
 

• In a single day In Luwuk

Spend your final evening in Luwuk earlier than catching a flight to Makassar or Manado, after which onwards to your subsequent vacation spot.

Alternatively, you possibly can rent a driver in Luwuk to take you to Ampana, the place you possibly can catch a ship to go go to the Togean islands after which discover Gorontalo in north Sulawesi.
 

5-Day Banggai Islands Itinerary

In the event you’re restricted on time in Banggai, you are able to do lots of the highlights just like the lake, seashores, and waterfalls in 4 or 5 days.

Right here’s what a shorter itinerary for Banggai might seem like:

• Day 1. Arrive In Luwuk. Take the three PM ferry from Luwuk to Salakan (4 hours) after which keep in a single day in Salakan.
• Day 2. Seashores. Drive 2 hours from Salakan to the southeast harbor in Kalumbatan and take a fast speedboat experience over to Oyama Seashore and again. Afterwards, drive overland to Mandel Seashore and Pompon Seashore earlier than returning to Salakan to spend the evening.
• Day 3. Lake. Drive from Salakan to western Peleng (2.5 to three hours) after which go to Paisu Pok Lake, Paisu Batango, and Poganda Seashore. Keep in a single day in Leme Leme close to the harbor.
• Day 4. Return To Luwuk. Take the 8 AM boat from Leme Leme again to Luwuk (2 to three hours), after which go see Piala Waterfall and the opposite waterfalls close to Luwuk city. Keep in a single day in Luwuk.
• Day 5. Depart Luwuk. Fly out from the airport to Makassar or Manado, or proceed overland to Ampana to go to the Togean islands and north Sulawesi.

 

Map Of The Greatest Issues To Do In Banggai

Right here’s a map of a few of the finest issues to do within the Banggai space. Sights are marked in blue, inns in yellow, harbors in inexperienced, and airports in pink.

Remember the Banggai space continues to be very new to tourism and we didn’t get to see every part, so there are undoubtedly extra hidden gems ready to be discovered on this space in the event you go searching. That’s probably the most enjoyable half!

 

Banggai Tour Information Contacts

Once we visited Banggai, we booked our personal inns and in addition organized our personal transport (drivers, boats, and motorbikes), often with a little bit of assist from our inns. My spouse is Indonesian, in order that made issues loads simpler.

In the event you’re solely planning to go to Paisupok Lake and different issues close to Luwuk, then a tour isn’t actually wanted in my view.

Nonetheless, if you wish to go to the caves, seashores, and so forth in Banggai and also you don’t converse Bahasa, then it might be useful to have a neighborhood tour information who can prepare every part for you. Listed below are some good contacts for that:
 

• Michael Wagey – Freelance tour information primarily based in Salakan on Peleng island. Mick does non-public journeys and in addition month-to-month shared journeys in Banggai. He’s the primary one who popularized the Banggai islands, and his viral Instagram posts have impressed lots of people to go to.

  Although we didn’t do a tour with Mick, he was very useful answering questions for us, and he was in a position to put us in contact with a driver in Salakan to take us to the seashores after which drop us on the harbor to go to Banggai Laut. You possibly can contact Mick Wagey by WhatsApp at ☎ +62 813-4201-5440 or on his Instagram web page.

• Acho Akina Chowji – Freelance tour information within the Banggai space. You possibly can contact him by WhatsApp at ☎ +62 822-9374-8745 or on his Instagram web page.
• Butros Galileo Delim – Freelance tour information primarily based in Peleng island. You possibly can contact him on his Instagram web page.
• TripBanggai – Tour firm in Banggai. You possibly can contact them by WhatsApp at ☎ +62 811-433-7690 or on their Instagram web page.
• HV Journey – Tour firm that typically does open journeys to Banggai if you wish to share a tour. You possibly can contact them by WhatsApp at ☎ +62 821-5942-7772 or on their Instagram web page.

 

Banggai Driver Contacts

• Boni – Taxi driver primarily based in Luwuk. He can switch you from the airport or harbor to your resort in Luwuk, or vice versa. You possibly can contact him by WhatsApp at ☎ +62 853-8562-5578.
• Anto Unus – Driver with a van primarily based in Leme Leme on Peleng island. The Novpitri Homestay put us in contact with him, and he drove us to the caves after which to Salakan. You possibly can contact him by telephone at ☎ +62 822-7855-7858 or on his Instagram web page.

 

Different Suggestions For Banggai

• Airports: At the moment the one airport within the Banggai space is the one in Luwuk (LUW), which has plenty of flights from Makassar and Manado. They’re additionally engaged on an airport in Banggai Laut, so that ought to open up some new journey potentialities when it’s completed.
• Roads: The roads are largely good in Luwuk and Banggai Laut. The dangerous roads we encountered have been in Peleng island, though it’s nonetheless okay with a scooter if you understand what you’re doing.
• Language Barrier: The locals in Banggai can barely converse English, and this space continues to be very new to worldwide tourism, so it’s a good suggestion to obtain a translator app for communication.
• Meals: Banggai isn’t Bali, however we by no means had hassle discovering good locations to eat, and numerous the inns had their very own restaurant menus. Luwuk has a KFC and Pizza Hut on the town if you end up lacking western meals.
• Apps: You should use the GoJek app for taxi rides and meals supply in Luwuk, however most individuals use a neighborhood app referred to as Draiv, which has a few of the identical options. This app additionally works in Banggai Laut.
• Electrical energy: You’ll have 24/7 electrical energy in the entire vital cities in Banggai like Luwuk, Salakan, and Banggai Laut. In distant locations like Leme Leme and Mbuang Mbuang, energy is by generator solely. They’ll often flip it on from round 6 PM to six AM.
• Cell Service: We had good 3G/4G sign with Telkomsel all over the place in Luwuk, Peleng, and Banggai Laut besides whereas driving by means of the hills and such.
• WiFi: Surprisingly, we had usable WiFi at each resort the place we stayed in Luwuk, Peleng, and Banggai Laut. The one exception was on the homestay in Leme Leme, the place our room was out of vary of the WiFi connection. In the event you go to Mbuang Mbuang island, don’t depend on any WiFi there both.
• Malaria: In accordance with this Lancet research from 2018, Malaria has been significantly decreased within the Banggai space, however it might nonetheless be current to some extent. I might err on the facet of warning and do every part you possibly can to guard your self from mosquito bites. We didn’t take Malaria prophylactics.

 

When To Go to The Banggai Islands

Like most of Indonesia, one of the best time to go to the Banggai islands is mostly within the dry season, from April to November. The climate is extra sunny and temperatures are milder and cooler.

We visited Banggai within the wet season (early December), however the rain was solely at evening and it by no means brought about a problem for our journey. Nonetheless, in the event you plan to go to Mbuang-Mbuang island then the ocean crossing may be more difficult right now of 12 months.

Among the waterfalls within the Luwuk space begin to dry up round September or October, they usually keep that manner till the center of the wet season (often January or February), however the Piala Waterfall is sweet all 12 months. It had plenty of water after we visited in early December, despite the fact that the local weather round Luwuk was nonetheless fairly dry at the moment.

Paisu Pok Lake is sweet in any month of the 12 months. Simply attempt to keep away from holidays and weekends since it might probably get very crowded at the moment. Sunny days are finest for seeing the colour and readability of the lake.

 

Extra Indonesia Journey Suggestions

Thanks for wanting! I hope you loved this journey information for visiting Luwuk and the Banggai Islands in Sulawesi, Indonesia.

Don’t overlook to take a look at my full information for Paisupok Lake for extra ideas and photographs of Banggai’s most well-known attraction.
 

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