The Banggai Islands lie off the eastern tip of Central Sulawesi, a few hours by ferry from Luwuk. It’s a remote part of Indonesia that few travellers make the journey to, but there’s plenty to see once you get there, from Paisu Pok, a freshwater lake so clear you can see the bottom from a boat, to quiet white-sand beaches and snorkeling spots just off the shore. We offer the trip in 3, 4, and 5 days, all starting and ending in Luwuk.

The trip is simple and focused on exploring the islands. Most nights are spent in basic local homestays with a fan. You’ll also get to try simple local food along the way and experience the slower pace of life on the islands.

This is not a luxury trip, and the accommodation and transportation are basic. What you get instead is the chance to experience a quieter side of Indonesia, with beautiful lakes, beaches, clear water, local food, and small island communities that are still far from the usual tourist route.

Where the trip goes

Most of the time is spent on Peleng, the largest island in the group. The ferry from Luwuk lands at Leme-leme, and you stay near Paisu Pok. The 4 and 5-day trips carry on by speedboat to Banggai Laut, and the 5-day trip goes further, to the island of Mbuang-mbuang.

• Paisu Pok Lake: Visited at 6:00 AM for a “morning dew” trip on an iconic boat, where a guide films the still water with a drone and you keep the footage.

• Paisu Batango Spring: A spring-fed pool visited for a morning trip and swim.

• Poganda Beach: A stopover spot for a sunset chill with a coconut.
• Kawalu Bay: A bay explored by stand-up paddleboard.
• Mandel Beach: A beach on Peleng used for swimming, snorkeling, and stopping for lunch breaks provided by the team.
• Bone Pompon Beach: A beach destination on Peleng for swimming and snorkeling, visited alongside Mandel Beach.
• Cape Ndulubas: Visited on the afternoon of Day 2 of the 4-day itinerary, from Paisupok Homestay.
• Oyama Beach, Long Beach, and Tanjung Gundul Beach: A trio of beaches around Banggai Laut visited for swimming and snorkeling by speedboat hopping.

• Mbuang-mbuang Island: The most remote part of the route (exclusive to the 5-day trip), featuring a salt lake where you can swim among stingless jellyfish that cannot hurt you.

• Popisi Hill: A trekking destination explored during the morning in Mbuang-mbuang.
• Pelelan Island Lighthouse: A lighthouse trip included in the Mbuang-mbuang morning exploration.
• Liang Tadul Bay: A bay on the 5-day trip specifically for drift snorkeling by current.
• Palanggang Beach: A beach visited during the afternoon island hopping in Mbuang-mbuang.
• Gigantic Clam Point: A specific snorkeling reef in Mbuang-mbuang to see giant clams.

Itineraries

3 days, 2 nights

The short version covers the lake, the spring and the best beaches on Peleng.

DAY 1. (Lunch, Dinner) MEETING POINT: LUWUK HARBOUR

• 12:00: Registration and check-in for the public boat to Leme-leme, Banggai. Lunch at the harbour provided by our team (please let us know if you have any food allergies).
• 13:00: Check-in to the boat, private cabin for 2 persons per room.
• 14:00: Cross from Luwuk to Leme-leme (2,5-3 hours depending on the weather).
• 17:00-18:00: Arrive in Leme-leme, transfer to Paisupok Homestay (1 room for 2 persons, fan). Stop over at Poganda Beach for a sunset chill with a coconut.
• 19:00: Dinner and briefing for tomorrow’s trip.

DAY 2. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

• 06:00: Morning dew Paisu Pok Lake trip by iconic boat with drone footage.
• 07:00: Return to the homestay for breakfast and preparation for the day trip by car to Salakan.
• 08:00: Destinations: 1. Kawalu Bay by stand-up paddle, 2. Mandel Beach, 3. Bone Pompon Beach. Break for lunch at Mandel Beach (provided by our team).
• 16:00: Return to Paisupok Homestay for dinner and briefing.

DAY 3. (Breakfast)

• 07:00: Paisu Batango Spring trip.
• 08:00: Breakfast, check out of the homestay, and prepare for transfer out to Luwuk from Leme-leme.
• 09:00: Check in to the public boat (private cabin, fan).
• 10:00: Cross to Luwuk (3 hours depending on the weather).
• 13:00: Arrive in Luwuk, drop off at the airport or a hotel in Luwuk.

4 days, 3 nights

One more day on Peleng, then a night in Banggai Laut and its beaches.

DAY 1. (Lunch, Dinner) MEETING POINT: LUWUK HARBOUR

• 12:00: Registration and check-in for the public boat to Leme-leme, Banggai. Lunch at the harbour provided by our team (please let us know if you have any food allergies).
• 13:00: Check-in to the boat, private cabin for 2 persons per room.
• 14:00: Cross from Luwuk to Leme-leme (2,5-3 hours depending on the weather).
• 17:00-18:00: Arrive in Leme-leme, transfer to Paisupok Homestay (1 room for 2 persons, fan).
• 19:00: Dinner and briefing for tomorrow’s trip.

DAY 2. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

• 06:00: Morning dew Paisu Pok Lake trip by iconic boat with drone footage.
• 07:30: Return to the homestay for breakfast and preparation for the day trip.
• 08:30:
  • Morning: 1. Poganda Beach, 2. Paisu Batango Spring. Break for lunch at the homestay (provided by our team).
  • Afternoon: 1. Kawalu Bay by stand-up paddle, 2. Cape Ndulubas. Return to Paisupok Homestay for dinner and briefing.

DAY 3. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

• 07:00: Breakfast, check out of the homestay, and prepare for the trip.
• 08:00: Destinations: 1. Mandel Beach, 2. Bone Pompon Beach. Break for lunch (provided by our team). Ride to Tobing and transfer to Banggai Laut by speedboat. Arrive in Banggai Laut, check-in to Banggai Laut Hotel (1 room for 2 persons, AC).
• 19:00: Dinner and briefing for tomorrow’s trip.

DAY 4. (Breakfast, Lunch)

• 06:00: Light breakfast, trip to Oyama Beach, Long Beach, and Tanjung Gundul Beach.
• 12:00: Return to the hotel, check out, and check in to the public boat to Luwuk (private cabin for 2 persons per room, lunch box on the boat).
• 13:00: Cross to Luwuk (6 to 7 hours depending on the weather), break for lunch on the boat (provided by our team).
• 19:00/20:00: Arrive in Luwuk, drop off at a hotel in Luwuk.

5 days, 4 nights

The full trip adds Mbuang-mbuang and its jellyfish lake, the most remote part of the route.

DAY 1. (Lunch, Dinner) MEETING POINT: LUWUK HARBOUR

• 12:00: Registration and check-in for the public boat to Leme-leme, Banggai. Lunch at the harbour provided by our team (please let us know if you have any food allergies).
• 13:00: Check-in to the boat, private cabin for 2 persons per room.
• 14:00: Cross from Luwuk to Leme-leme (2,5-3 hours depending on the weather).
• 17:00-18:00: Arrive in Leme-leme, transfer to Paisupok Homestay (1 room for 2 persons, fan). Stop over at Poganda Beach for a sunset chill with a coconut.
• 19:00: Check in to the homestay, dinner, and briefing for tomorrow’s trip.

DAY 2. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

• 06:00: Morning dew Paisu Pok Lake trip by iconic boat with drone footage.
• 07:30: Return to the homestay for breakfast and preparation for the day trip.
• 08:30:
  • Morning: 1. Kawalu Bay by stand-up paddle, 2. Paisu Batango Spring. Break for lunch at the homestay (provided by our team), check out at 12:00, and ride to Salakan.
  • Afternoon: 1. Mandel Beach, 2. Bone Pompon Beach. Check in to Salakan Homestay (fan), dinner, and briefing.

DAY 3. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

• 07:30: Breakfast, check out of the homestay, and prepare for the trip to Banggai Laut.
• Ride to Tobing and transfer to Banggai Laut by speedboat, directly hopping the beaches by speedboat. Destinations: Oyama Beach, Long Beach, Tanjung Gundul Beach.
• Break for lunch and coconut on the beach.
• 17:00: Cross to Banggai Laut port, arrive in Banggai Laut, and check-in to Banggai Laut Hotel (1 room for 2 persons, AC).
• 19:00: Dinner and briefing for tomorrow’s trip.

DAY 4. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

• 06:00: Light breakfast, trip to Mbuang-mbuang Island by speedboat (3 hours).
• 09:00: Explore Mbuang-mbuang. Destinations: Pelelan Island lighthouse trip, Popisi Hill trekking, stingless jellyfish lake.
• 12:00: Check in to Local Homestay on Mbuang-mbuang Island (fan) and break for lunch.
• 13:30: Trip Destinations: Liang Tadul Bay (drift snorkeling by current), Palanggang Beach, snorkeling at the gigantic clam point.
• 17:00: Dinner and briefing for tomorrow’s trip.

DAY 5. (Breakfast, Lunch)

• 07:30: Breakfast, check out of the homestay, and prepare for the crossing back to Banggai Laut.
• 11:00: Arrive in Banggai Laut, check in to the public boat to Luwuk (private cabin for 2 persons per room, lunch box on the boat).
• 13:00: Cross to Luwuk (6 to 7 hours depending on the weather), break for lunch on the boat (provided by our team).
• 19:00/20:00: Arrive in Luwuk, drop off at a hotel in Luwuk.

Prices

Prices are per person, in Indonesian rupiah, and depend on how many people travel together.

Group size	3 days, 2 nights	4 days, 3 nights	5 days, 4 nights
1 to 2 people	IDR 5,820,000 about USD 320 / EUR 285	IDR 7,500,000 about USD 410 / EUR 370	IDR 8,340,000 about USD 460 / EUR 410
3 to 4 people	IDR 4,980,000 about USD 275 / EUR 245	IDR 6,420,000 about USD 355 / EUR 315	IDR 7,740,000 about USD 425 / EUR 380
5 to 7 people	IDR 3,900,000 about USD 215 / EUR 190	IDR 5,580,000 about USD 305 / EUR 275	IDR 7,140,000 about USD 395 / EUR 350
8 to 10 people	IDR 3,300,000 about USD 180 / EUR 160	IDR 4,740,000 about USD 260 / EUR 230	IDR 6,420,000 about USD 355 / EUR 315

We invoice in Indonesian rupiah. The USD and EUR prices are a guide only, converted at the rate of 22 October 2026, so the amount your bank charges may differ.

What the price includes

• Rooms in homestays and hotels, two people to a room (Paisupok Homestay, Salakan Homestay, Luk Panenteng Homestay, Banggai Laut Hotel)
• Ferries with a private cabin for two, and the speedboat transfers
• Car transport on the islands
• The meals listed for each day
• All entrance fees
• An English-speaking guide and a local guide
• Drone footage of the trip

Not included

• Flights to and from Luwuk
• Hotel nights in Luwuk before and after the trip
• Snorkeling gear: bring your own mask, snorkel and fins
• Extra food and drinks, laundry and personal spending

Getting to Luwuk

Luwuk airport (LUW) has no direct flights from Bali. Most travellers connect through Makassar, and there are also flights via Jakarta. The trip starts at noon at Luwuk harbour and the earliest flights land around 11:30, so plan to arrive the day before.

The 4 and 5-day trips get back to Luwuk in the evening, so you need a night there before your flight out. The 3-day trip is back around 1 pm, but ferries can run late, so a night in Luwuk is the safe choice there too. Luwuk is also the road gateway to Ampana and the Togian Islands, which you can add with our 12-day Sulawesi tour through Toraja and the Togians.

What to bring

• Your own mask, snorkel and fins, since almost every stop is a snorkeling stop
• Sandals or light shoes you can walk and hike in
• A refillable water bottle
• Sunscreen, insect repellent, sunglasses and any medicine you need
• Cash for personal spending

Tell us about any food allergies when you book. On the reefs, keep your hands and fins off the coral: our snorkeling etiquette guide covers the rest.

Weather and changes

The ferries between Luwuk and the islands are public boats, and the operator cancels crossings in bad weather. If that happens on your start date, or the trip has to stop for safety reasons or a natural disaster, we move it to another date, change the route, or refund you. We send the full booking and cancellation terms with your quote.

To book, send us your dates and group size through our trip planner. For more of the island, see our Sulawesi guide.