Banggai Islands Travel Guide

The Banggai Islands are a sizeable archipelago in the eastern region of Central Sulawesi. There are two main islands here and dozens of smaller ones and the options for snorkeling and diving are superb.

The Molucca and Banda seas surround the Banggai Islands, which lie about 30kms offshore from the tip of Central Sulawesi. The largest of the Banggai Islands is Peleng; a haphazardly-shaped island that dwarfs all the others. It has the densest forest cover and highest mountains and also has a slew of delectable bays.

The main town in the Banggai Islands archipelago is the town of Banggai, which resides on the west coast of Banggai Island to the east. It has the best facilities in the island group and comes with some amazing snorkeling. Along with a massive amount of corals and exotic fish are dugong and whale. Island-hopping by speedboat among the Banggai Islands is also popular.

Getting There & Away

The most convenient way to the Banggai Islands is to fly to Luwuk Airport, 100kms northwest of Banggai town on the mainland, from either Palu (the Central Sulawesi capital) or Manado in the north. Manado has regular connections with Jakarta’s large international airport (3 hours, 15 minutes). It is then a 2 hour journey by speedboat from Luwuk to the closest of the Banggai Islands.