5 Best Things to Do in Banggai Islands, Indonesia: Your Ultimate Guide!

What to do on Banggai Islands Indonesia?

Check the map showing the islands of the Banggai Islands archipelago, located east of Central Sulawesi, a province of Indonesia.

The odd-shaped Sulawesi Island is very large and thus divided into different provinces that include:

North Sulawesi
Central Sulawesi
South Sulawesi
West Sulawesi
Southeast Sulawesi
Gorantalo

Banggai is a Regency in Central Sulawesi. It includes the Banggai Islands archipelago.

In 1999, it was split into two to form the Banggai Islands Regency.

Another split occurred in 2012. From the existing Banggai Islands Regency, some islands located in the south of the archipelago were separated to form the Banggai Laut Regency.

This latest (2012) ‘Regency’ is also known as Banggai Sea Regency. 40 islands and islets constitute the Banggai Sea Regency.

Strangely, the main island called Banggai is now part of the Banggai Laut Regency.

Peleng Island, the main island of Banggai Islands Regency, is my main topic today.

‘Regency’ in Indonesia is an administrative division that comes under a ‘province’.

‘Regency’ is further divided into districts.

How many islands form the Banggai Islands Regency?

Nearly 100 floating lands form this regency.

How to reach Peleng Island, the main island of the Banggai Islands Regency?

Peleng Island is located about 50 km north of the city of Luwuk in Central Sulawesi. Ferries ply between these two points.

To reach Luwuk, you can fly from Bali. The flight duration is four hours, and fifty minutes.

From the island of Java also, you can fly to Luwuk. Though this is not a long haul flight, it makes a stopover at Makassar, the capital of South Sulawesi.

1100 km is the distance from Makassar to Luwuk. The flight takes 80 minutes between the two destinations.

Incidentally, Palu City is the capital of Central Sulawesi. Luwuk is just a small city that happens to be the capital of Banggai Regency in Central Sulawesi.

Though, there are ferries from Bali to Central Sulawesi, don’t consider that option.

Which sea surrounds the Banggai Islands?

Two seas form the borders. Sulu Sea and Molucca Sea. Actually, a third water body is involved. Peleng Straits is the diving water body between Sulawesi Island and Peleng Island.

How is the geography of Banggai?

Coral reefs are abundant in the surrounding waters.

The island is blessed with lush mountains, mangrove forests, waterfalls, cascades, and very clear waters. I think the waters don’t get much ship traffic.

In fact, I guess the Banggai Islands are unfortunately under-visited in spite of being a clean tropical paradise.

The beaches are not very commercialized and hence retain a serene appearance.

Overall, the islands, and islets possess spectacular natural beauty.

How big is the archipelago?

The nearly 100 islands and islets constitute a big 2500 sq. km!

Best Things to Do in Banggai Islands, Indonesia

Best Things to do in these Banggai Islands?

Beaches

Naturally, you will be spending most of the morning ( up to 11 AM) and the evening ( from 5 pm to 9 pm) on the beaches and in the water.

Beaches you will be stepping on, on Peleng Island:

Tanjung Bungah

It is one of the highly visited beaches because many tourists will stay in the sea-facing resorts near this beach.

Batu Ferringhi Beach

Snorkelers and scuba divers throng this beach for no obvious reason.

Monkey Beach

Inexplicably, the sand is white here.

Kerachut Beach

Swimming, and snorkeling

Both are possible. While the children and women can splash around the water near the beach (splashing around is swimming for them), men can hire snorkeling masks, and go in a boat to some distance in the sea.

Then jump to enter the water and watch the myriad marine life swim around them.

If coral reef stimulates your interest, you can go near them, and feel the coral reefs.

Tanjung API National Park

It is a national wildlife reserve in Central Sulawesi. Look at some of the animals that you can watch.

Anoa (Pigmy Buffalo)
Babirusa

Snakes (countless species) and crocodiles are found in the lush forests.

Burning Cliff

Fire Cape is the more popular name for this natural wonder. Simply said, it is known as the ‘eternal flame’.

Since the fire caused by some leaking gas from the earth is noticed on a beach, I wonder how it got the name ‘burning cliffs’,

Anyway, the eternal flame in Tanjung API National Park is a big crowd-puller. Even the unique Proboscis Monkeys take the back seat.

Island hopping

Overall, about 130 islands are there in both the Banggai Regencies. From Peleng Island, you can board a ferry to Banggai Island that is located 68 km south.

Interestingly, you will depart from Sulu Sea and reach Molucca Sea.

Togian Islands

You are in for a treat, dear seafarer! 56 islands make up the Togian archipelago.

The islands’ geography is inclusive of thick rain forests, and coral reefs.

The Togian Islands are floating in the Togian Gulf that lies between the Central, and North Sulawesi.

Three main islands are where the tourists can wet their feet and these islands’ names are:

Togian
Batudaka
Una-Una

Sulawesi map that shows clearly the location of Peleng Islands, Banagai Islands, and Togian Islands.

Please enlarge the image to see the islands mentioned above.

There is a gulf within another gulf.

Gulf of Poso is situated within the Togian Gulf.

Togian Islands are covered in dense rainforests. The offshore waters support a range of reefs.

The rarely-sighted Dugong can be seen here. Giving the Sea Cow, the company includes the Green, and Hawksbill turtles.

The Togian Babirusa is said to be endemic to Togian Islands.

It is odd to find such a big mammal on a remote island. More intriguing is the fact that it is endemic.

Snorkelers will swim along with jellyfish.

The islands’ coral reef and numerous species of marine life beckon scuba divers in large numbers. Interestingly, over the years, several diving spots were identified that make the job easier for the divers.

Resorts in Togian Islands

To serve the needs of the tourists, about 20+ resorts have come to Togian Islands.

Buka Buka Island invites you to a resort named Reconnect.

Wow! The island is a tropical haven and looks pristine.

Una-Una Island too has a resort.

Katipa Island has independent cottages. I think they will be cheaper than resorts.

Another option to stay will be on Malenge Island.

These small islands are part of Togian Islands.

It is advisable to keep Luwuk city as your base and visit the Banggai, Peleng, and Togian Islands if you feel the islands’ accommodations may not suit your preferences.