Comments on: Banggai Islands Travel Guide & Itinerary For Sulawesi

By: David & Intan

David & Intan — Sun, 16 Feb 2025 13:12:50 +0000

In reply to Alex. Hi! Here's what I was able to find for the ferry schedule:
https://theworldtravelguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/FB_IMG_1739710952901.jpg
I think this is the right schedule for 2025, but our contact in Luwuk said it changes a lot, so you might want to message the WhatsApp number on there to confirm.
I hope this helps.

By: Alex

Alex — Sat, 15 Feb 2025 08:26:32 +0000

Hello guys! Thank you very much for the colorful blog, thanks to which we visited Karang Island in Sumatra. I have plans for the summer to travel around Sulawesi from Makassar to Siau. Please help me with the summer schedule for the 25th year of the ferry from Luwuk or Pagiman port to Gorontalo. I can’t find information. Thank you very much!

By: David & Intan

David & Intan — Fri, 14 Feb 2025 03:18:58 +0000

In reply to Butros. Thanks and take care.

By: Butros

Butros — Fri, 08 Nov 2024 07:50:49 +0000

Hi, thank you for entering my name and contact as a local tour guide into this blog, this is very helpful to me. may you always be healthy and happy always . Best regards ' Butros

By: David & Intan

David & Intan — Sun, 20 Oct 2024 00:24:27 +0000

In reply to Tiago. Thanks for the trip report! That's good to know about the airport taxis. Sounds like it might be best to arrange a pickup in advance then, or else take a motorbike like you did. I agree too about Mandel beach being the best. Hope they can improve some of the roads!

By: Tiago

Tiago — Sat, 19 Oct 2024 13:20:30 +0000

UPDATE:
1) Taxis at the Luwuk airport now charge 100k, and they try to make a deal very quickly with an “official” paper that has the 100k value written “DEAL? DEAL? DEAL”. I speak indonesian and told them it was too expensive and took a motorbike to the town for 50k.
2) There’s a lady at the airport ready to help tourists getting informations, homestays, etc.
3) I had to pay 200k for the boat from Desa Lokotoy to Oyama. I was alone and it was end of day.
4) Parts of the road from Leme-Leme to Paisupok are pretty bad, mostly if it rains. I saw an old indonesian couple falling bit time in front of me, close to Paisupok. Be careful if you ride a motorbike.
5) The road from Salakan to Mandel beach is pretty bad. Part of it is under reconstruction and if it rains It can get pretty awful. Feasible with a motorbike though.
6) You should take the road that goes from Tobing to Salakan and crosses the middle of the island. The views are quite nice.
7) You should go early to the harbours to transit between Peleng island and Banggai Laut. I waited more than 2hours for the speedboat to depart because there was not enough people and ended up paying more so we could depart, as I didn’t want to wait longer.

Btw, Mandel is, in my opinion, a clearly better beach than Oyama. I didn’t find the visit to Banggai very special honestly… but that’s me 🙂

David & Intan thanks again for all the valuable information!

By: Tiago Afonso

Tiago Afonso — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 17:08:02 +0000

In reply to Sonia. Hi Sonia. I'm in Bali and going there this monday 14th of october. I plant to mostly ride a motorbike. Would love to have a partner and share costs. This applies to anyone interested as I'm solo traveller. David & Intan thanks so much for the valuable information.

By: Sonia

Sonia — Tue, 17 Sep 2024 01:05:12 +0000

Hi David and Intan, wow, such great and clear information, thanks a lot. Because I’ve been living in Bali for 4 years and doing solo trips outside of Bali and your blog convinced me to visit Paisu Pok. I have been to Kalibiru West Papua and this will be even more spectacular. I ride my scooter everywhere by myself, so I’m glad to hear that the roads are fine there.
If anyone is going there at the turn of October/November (I’m flexible), I’d be happy to travel with someone.

By: David & Intan

David & Intan — Mon, 05 Aug 2024 00:56:45 +0000

In reply to TONI. Thanks Toni! We didn't do Togean yet, but plan to do it next time we're in Banggai. From what I understand, there's probably more to see and do in Banggai since it's a bigger area with more variety in the scenery (lakes, waterfalls, animals, etc), but Togean seems like a better place to relax and stay on the beach. It definitely has more resorts to choose from than Banggai, but neither place should be too developed or touristy.

By: TONI

TONI — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 08:13:24 +0000

Hi David & Intan, thanks so much for such a valuable post!
I have big my doubts in deciding wether I explore Togean or Banggai have increased more after reading your post. Have you visited Togean? If that is the case, would you please describe the differences?
Thanks again!