Togian Islands — The Forgotten Paradise★★
The Togian Islands lie in the Tomini Bay of Central Sulawesi and are one of Indonesia's last true insider tips. An archipelago of 56 islands with white sandy beaches, untouched coral reefs, turquoise water — and almost no tourists.
What makes the Togians special: The seclusion. The journey via Ampana (East Coast of Sulawesi) with a shaky ferry (3–5 hours, irregular schedule) filters out the masses. Those who make it here are rewarded with a Robinson Crusoe atmosphere: simple bamboo bungalows right on the beach, electricity only for a few hours, no Wi-Fi — and that's the point.
Underwater, the Togians offer a coral reef in excellent condition because there is hardly any diving: turtles, reef sharks, schools of barracudas, and the famous Jellyfish Lake — an enclosed lake full of non-stinging jellyfish where you can swim (similar to the famous lake in Palau, but without tourists).
On some islands, Bajo sea nomads live in stilt houses over the water — a people who spend their entire lives at sea and are genetically adapted to diving (enlarged spleen for longer dive times without equipment).
💡 Tipp
Bring enough cash — there are no ATMs on the Togian Islands! The ferry from Ampana usually runs on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, but the schedule changes constantly. Plan for at least 3–4 nights to get into the rhythm of the islands. Kadidiri and Malenge are the most popular islands for visitors.
