A piece of farmland on Buton Island.jpg

Adamantarctica CC BY 4.0 Wikimedia Commons

Buton

Island

Buton island in Southeast Sulawesi centers on Bau-Bau city and the Buton Palace complex. Travelers come for fortified palaces, local weaving traditions, coastal reefs for diving and island markets selling sea products.

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In this guide

Buton essentials

Address: Buton Island, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia
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About Buton

Buton is an island in Southeast Sulawesi province of Indonesia, located off the southeast coast of Sulawesi and forming part of the region’s island chain.

The island’s principal town is Baubau, which serves as the main port and administrative centre and contains the island’s primary services and markets. Coastal areas include fishing villages and beaches used by local communities.

Historically the island was the seat of the local Buton polity and has a long history of settlement, trade and local governance.

Geographically it sits off the southeastern coast of Sulawesi within Indonesia’s maritime archipelago and is part of Southeast Sulawesi province.

  • Transport hub: Baubau functions as the island’s principal transport and service centre, with ferry and air links to Sulawesi and other parts of Indonesia.

What to See#

  • Baubau: The main urban centre and seaport on the island, serving as the administrative and commercial hub for the surrounding region.
When to Go

Best Time to Visit Buton

The dry season (April-October) is generally preferable for getting around the island and for outdoor activities.

Dry season
April-October · Day 26-32°C (79-90°F)
More comfortable for travel and beach activities.
Wet season
November-March · Day 25-30°C (77-86°F)
Heavy showers and occasional storms can affect transport.

Weather & Climate near Buton

Climate

Buton's climate is classified as Tropical Monsoon - Tropical Monsoon climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 22°C to 32°C. Abundant rainfall (1784 mm/year), wettest in May.

Air Quality: AQI 41 Good
Best Time to Visit
AugustSeptemberOctober
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
34°
Warmest Month
22°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Acceptable 24° - 31° 32° 186 mm overcast 86% 1.7 m/s 2.3 extreme 12.2h
February Acceptable 24° - 31° 31° 197 mm overcast 87% 2.0 m/s 2.4 extreme 12.1h
March Acceptable 24° - 31° 31° 204 mm overcast 86% 1.3 m/s 2.4 extreme 12.0h
April Acceptable 23° - 31° 31° 201 mm overcast 86% 1.6 m/s 2.2 extreme 11.9h
May Acceptable 23° - 30° 27° 244 mm overcast 88% 1.6 m/s 1.9 very high 11.8h
June Good 23° - 30° 26° 224 mm overcast 87% 1.9 m/s 1.7 very high 11.7h
July Very Good 22° - 30° 26° 139 mm partly cloudy 84% 2.1 m/s 1.8 very high 11.8h
August Excellent 22° - 30° 26° 65 mm partly cloudy 80% 2.2 m/s 2.2 extreme 11.9h
September Excellent 22° - 31° 27° 41 mm some cloud 79% 2.1 m/s 2.5 extreme 12.0h
October Excellent 23° - 32° 31° 34 mm some cloud 77% 1.7 m/s 2.5 extreme 12.1h
November Good 24° - 32° 31° 84 mm partly cloudy 78% 1.6 m/s 2.4 extreme 12.2h
December Acceptable 24° - 31° 31° 165 mm overcast 84% 1.6 m/s 2.2 extreme 12.3h
Getting There & Around

How to Get to Buton

Buton is reachable by ferry and by regional air services that connect to Sulawesi’s larger hubs. Local ports and small airports serve inter-island connections; schedules can be irregular.

Tips for Visiting Buton

  • Inter-island ferries between Buton and neighboring Sulawesi islands run irregularly; check schedules and book flexible onward transport.
  • Buton has significant Islamic cultural sites; dress respectfully when visiting mosques and local villages.
  • If exploring remote beaches or reefs, hire local guides - conditions and access are variable.