Breathtaking Indonesia Archipelago : Togian Islands

How To Get There

Here is an important information for those of you that are planning to travel to Togean Islands. The first option, which is the slowest option, is from Gorontalo. From Gorontalo’s port, take a ferry & sail about 12 hours straight to Wakai, Togean Islands. Second option, take a plane and make a transit in Palu then take a direct flight to a small city named Ampana. Our suggestion would be from Ampana, because they have Speedboat from Ampana to Wakai, Togean Islands that depart twice a day, 09.00 AM and 13.00 PM. It only takes 2 hours to Wakai, and so does the return boat from Wakai to Ampana.

From Palu to Ampana, it takes about 50 minutes, you’ll arrived in Ampana around 11.30 AM. You can catch the second speedboat to Wakai that departures at 13.00 PM , or you can just stay at Ampana for a night then take the morning speedboat.

 As you arrived in Wakai, you can charter a boat to take you to your Cottages/Resort or if you have already informed your arrival to your Cottage/Resort management, they will arranged a boat to pick you up.

Places For You To Stay

Togean Islands is still an undeveloped region. Please don’t expect a 5 stars hotel here with fine dining and luxury life. The electricity is available only for 6 hours from 17.00 – 23.00 PM and there is no internet signal here. If you wish for a tropical island gateway and some solitude moment with yourself with maximum relaxation, then this place might be perfect for you.

If you want to spend your whole day in the cottages, enjoy a swing on a shady hammock by the high tide hut in an island, then I suggest you to stay at Kadidiri Island. It’s not too far from the main island Wakai, about 15 minutes with a local boat. Many divers call it the unparalleled underwater universe. One of the resorts in this island is Kadidiri Paradise Resort which is a good choice to stay over.

You can rent snorkeling gear in the Resort and jump into the water just right in front of your room and taste Togean just like the locals do. Or if you want to explore the islands, you can ask the price of the boat and the basic trip itineraries to the resort staffs and they will arranged it for you. For diving, don’t worry, you’re in the home of a world-class diving experience. There are plenty of information board in the Cottages/Resort about diving course with PADI/SSI certification, this is really a heaven for divers.

If you want to explore more of the islands, do the island hopping by a boat. If you’re more into that kind of a trip then the best place for you to stay would be at Bolilanga Resort or Fadhila Resort. They’re located in the heart of Togean Islands, you can easily rent a boat with reasonable price to take you to Jellyfish Lake, Karina Beach, California Reef, Reef 1 – Reef 5, Kabalutan Village and any other places. Usually they will charge the price per person with minimum 4 people in one group.

Speaking about price per night, all the resort/cottages in Togean Islands already included 3x meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) per person. The average price per night per person is IDR300,000 – 350,000 per day. Mineral Water, Coffee, and Tea are usually complementary provided by the resort in the dining room.

Where To Go In Togean Islands

KAYOME

This place is perfect for photographers. You can take a local boat to go there, it’s about 1 hour from Kadidiri Islands. The bird view of this place is spectacular, pin this place as one of your bucket-list.

SIATU VILLAGE & SALAKA

Located not too far from Kayome, have a local experience and mingle with the local here. If you ever heard of Kabalutan Village,  then this is the miniature version of Kabalutan.

TRY ONE HOUR SNORKELING AT TAIPI ISLAND

JELLYFISH LAKE/KARINA BEACH

Make sure to visit this place early in the morning as it is the best time to visit. Now is the time to switch your outfit to beachwear and enjoy what the lakes has to offer, stingless jellyfish. This place attracts thousands of tourists each year and you could probably see why. You can swim all day long and see thousand of jellyfishes. Please noted that you’re not allowed to use sunblock or fin (snorkeling shoes) in this lake as it may harm those innocent jellyfish.

SKORKELING TRIP : CALIFORNIA REEF, REEF 1, REEF 4

California Reef is a coral paradise. It’s known for being one of the best spots to snorkeling in the Togean Islands. Coral reefs, surrounding the crystal clear tranquil water, stretch for miles and miles. You can find yourself enjoying the serenity of secluded and tranquil white beaches as it is not known to many tourists.

KABALUTAN ISLAND & PAPAN ISLAND

A day would never be wasted if you spend a day with this two beautiful islands. Kabalutan and Papan Island are home to thousands of Bajau People, well known as sea gypsy. You can spend your day mingle with locals, and prepare yourself to meet thousand of Bajau childrens who are very welcome to every tourists.

BEST DIVING SPOT : UNA – UNA ISLAND

It’s known as one of the best diving spots in the Indonesia because of it’s crystal waters filled with many kinds of reef sharks species, battery of barracuda and other amazing sea creatures roaming the waters.

Summary Itinerary Ideas For 5D4N

DAY 1 – 

13.00 : Take the second speedboat from Ampana Port – Wakai

15.00 : Estimated time arrived in Wakai.

15.00 – 16.00 : Wakai – Resort/Cottages

16.00 – 16.30 : Check in

16.30 – 18.00 : Catching sunset

19.00 : Dinner

Day 2 –

07.00 – 08.00 : Breakfast

08.00 – 10.00 : Siatu Village

10.00 – 11.00 : Salaka Village

11.00 – 12.00 : Lunch

12.00 – 13.00 : Kayome

13.00 – 14.00 : Snorkeling at Taipi Island

14.00 – 16.00 : Pulau Papan

16.00 – 18.00 : Back to cottage

19.00 : Dinner

Day 3 –

07.00 – 08.00 : Breakfast

08.00 – 10.00 : Jellyfish Lake & Karina Beach

10.00 – 12.00 : Kabalutan Village

12.00 – 13.00 : Lunch

13.00 – 16.00 : Snorkeling trip at California Reef, Reef 1, Reef 4, etc.

Day 4 –

07.00 – 08.00 : Breakfast

08.00 – 09.00 : Check out; Cottages/Resort – Wakai

09.00 – 11.00 : Wakai – Ampana

11.00 – 12.00 : Check in Hotel

12.00 – .. : Free time

Day 5 –

08.00 – 09.00 : Breakfast

09.00 – 09.30 : Check out; Hotel – Airport

10.35 – 11.50 : Ampana – Palu