A phinisi anchored over a reef beside a long wooden jetty, seen from above

Itinerary

10 days: island hopping

Island hopping at an easy pace: beach barbecues, snorkelling, the odd dive and village visits.

Summary

Route overview

Ten days of island hopping: Puah and Malenge, Jellyfish Lake, two nights each on Kadidiri and Bomba, and back by way of Malenge, starting and ending in Luwuk.

Compared with the eight-day route there is more time on the beach. Divers can plan two or three dives on most days.

Last updated

Duration
10 days, 9 nights
Start and end
Luwuk
Islands
Puah, Malenge, Walea Kodi, Kadidiri, Bomba
Diving
Optional, 2–3 dives on most days
Boat
From and back to Pagimana

Day by day

Itinerary

  1. 01 Day 1

    Arrival in Luwuk

    Luwuk

    Arrival at Luwuk Airport and a transfer to the Estrella Hotel, with views over Luwuk Bay. Time to rest by the pool or book a massage at the spa.

    Divers go through their plans on the first day, so that dives can be booked with the dive centres in the islands.

    Overnight: Estrella Hotel, Luwuk

  2. 02 Day 2

    Pagimana to Puah and Malenge

    Puah · Malenge · Walea Kodi · dives possible: 2

    A drive to Pagimana harbour, then a full day at sea on the way to Malenge: white beaches and clear water, with time to snorkel or dive.

    The boat explores Puah Island and its small archipelago and stops for a barbecue of fresh fish on a secluded beach before sailing on to Malenge.

    Overnight: Guesthouse on Malenge

  3. 03 Day 3

    Pulau Papan and the Walea islands

    Malenge · Walea Kodi · dives possible: 2–3

    A day around Malenge and Walea Kodi, with a visit to Pulau Papan, the village known for the long wooden walkway built for its children.

    Time for a walk, a dive or a snorkel, or the white-sand beaches.

    Overnight: Guesthouse on Malenge

  4. 04 Day 4

    Jellyfish Lake and Kadidiri

    Jellyfish Lake · Kadidiri · dives possible: 2

    A sail along the coasts of Kalea and Calya Island, with stops at small beaches and villages, and a swim at Jellyfish Lake on the way.

    At Kadidiri Paradise, the afternoon is for paddleboarding, snorkelling or diving, and walks along the beach and through the forest.

    Overnight: Kadidiri Paradise

  5. 05 Day 5

    A free day on Kadidiri

    Kadidiri · dives possible: 2–3

    Diving for certified divers (two or three dives), or snorkelling and paddleboarding from the beach.

    The rest of the day is for the island’s green interior or the resort, with the sunset from the deck.

    Overnight: Kadidiri Paradise

  6. 06 Day 6

    On to Bomba

    Bomba · dives possible: 2–3

    A sail to Bomba along quiet coasts, stopping at small beaches and villages on the way.

    A bungalow on a private beach with sunset views at Poya Lisa. Dive, snorkel or paddleboard in the afternoon.

    Overnight: Poya Lisa, Bomba

  7. 07 Day 7

    A day around Bomba

    Bomba · dives possible: 2

    Diving for certified divers, or snorkelling and paddleboarding from the beach. In the afternoon, white sand, village visits and dives around the small island of Bomba.

    The day ends with a sunset on a sandbank that rose from the sea only recently.

    Overnight: Poya Lisa, Bomba

  8. 08 Day 8

    Back to Malenge

    Malenge · Walea Kodi · dives possible: 2

    A sail along the coasts of Kalea and Calya Island to the south side of Malenge, stopping at small beaches and villages on the way.

    Overnight: Guesthouse on Malenge

  9. 09 Day 9

    Mangroves and Piala Waterfall

    Pagimana · Piala

    A slow sail back to Pagimana past mangroves, quiet villages and the last views of the islands, then a drive to Luwuk with a stop at Piala Waterfall.

    Overnight: Estrella Hotel, Luwuk

  10. 10 Day 10

    Departure

    Luwuk

    A last morning in Luwuk, a small coastal town in the Banggai region of Central Sulawesi, then the transfer to Luwuk Airport for the flight to Makassar.

Travelling this route

Joining an organised trip

This route follows the Islands Hopper Adventure, a scheduled trip by Togean Safari Cruise on its wooden phinisi Toki Toki, with up to seven guests and nights ashore. It costs €1,560 per person, with accommodation, three meals a day on the islands, airport and land transfers, drinking water, coffee and tea on board, and snorkelling gear and paddleboards included; flights, diving, soft drinks and alcohol, snacks, mobile data and tips for the crew are extra. Dates are on request.

You can also use it as a guide for planning on your own: the places to stay are listed under Stay, and most accommodation arranges the boat to the next island.

Day-by-day route: Togean Safari Cruise.

The Islands Hopper Adventure on togeancruise.com Places to stay

Itineraries

Other itineraries

All itineraries