:: Togian Islands - Central Sulawesi Travel Guides ::
The Togian (or Togean)
Islands is the name for an archipelago of 56 islands and
islets, located in the Gulf of Tomini, off the coast of
Central Sulawesi, Indonesia.
Formed by volcanic activity, the islands are covered by
lush rainforest and surrounded by ancient coral reef
formations, which provide habitat and breeding areas for
hawksbill turtle, Green Turtle and the Dugong. The
Tonkean Macaque is found in the islands' forests. The
Togian Hawk-owl, discovered in 1999, is endemic to the
islands.
There are 37 villages on the islands.
When crossing Sulawesi from
South to North or North to South most travellers now
choose for a stopover of at least
several days at the Togian Islands. The Togians are a
picturesque archipelago of 56 islands and inlets,
located in the Tomini Bay. Formed by volcanic activity,
the islands are covered by lush rainforest and
surrounded by ancient coral reef
formations. Both the terrestrial and marine ecosystems
teem with exotic wildlife - much of which is extremely
rare or endangered. The reefs and coastal areas provide
habitat and breeding areas for hawksbill turtle, the
green turtle and the dugong. Togian forests and skies
are filled with exotic creatures such as the Togian
Macaque, the babirusa, the Sulawesi Hornbill, and
hanging parrots. Within this tropical paradise, 37
villages provide bright spots of gaiety and culture of
several ethnicities, including the Bobongko, Togian,
Suluan and the Bajau.
How to get there:
KM. Puspita, a 150 ton wooden ferry with 8 cabins plus
large public sleeping decks is now running from
Gorontalo to the Togian Islands (Wakai) twice a week.
There is even a telephone on board if you need to phone
home.
Gorontalo - Wakai: Wed & Sat, dep. 11pm - arr. Wakai
11am (12hr trip)
Wakai - Gorontalo: Mon & Thu, dep. 4pm - arr. Gorontalo
6am (so you can connect direct to Manado same day!)
Price: Rp. 87,500 pp (Bed in Cabin extra Rp. 100,000)
Please note: Schedules are changing frequently,
so no guarantees possible. Not even Pak Alex at Melati
Hotel always knows the exact schedule, so better try to
find out yourself.
Price: Rp. 250,000 -
500,000 pp, depending on ship.
Please note: Schedules are changing frequently,
so no guarantees possible. Not even Pak Alex at Melati
Hotel always knows the exact schedule, so better try to
find out yourself.
There is a ferry from
Gorontalo to Pagimana/Central Sulawesi every other
evening. From Pagimana by bemo, car, bus or anything to
Ampana (4 to 6 hours). Stay one night in Ampana and take
one of the boats to the Togians the next morning (none
on Fridays!). The Black Marlin
Dive Centre can arrange charters from Bunta (half
way from Pagiamana to Ampana) in about 2-3 hrs to
Kadidiri.
