Sulawesi in one map
Sulawesi sits in the middle of Indonesia, between Borneo and the Maluku islands. Its four peninsulas stretch hundreds of kilometres in different directions, which is why the island feels much larger on the ground than it looks on a map.
For travellers it splits into four practical areas:
- North Sulawesi (Manado, Minahasa): Bunaken's reefs, Tangkoko's rainforest, the volcanic highlands of Tomohon, Lembeh Strait and the beaches of Likupang.
- Gorontalo: whale sharks at Botubarani, close to shore when they are around, and coral reefs at Olele, west of Manado.
- Central Sulawesi: the Togean Islands, Lake Poso and the Banggai Islands off Luwuk.
- South Sulawesi (Makassar): the Toraja highlands, the karst of Rammang-Rammang and the beaches of Bira.
Our interactive map shows every destination with the activities you can do there.
How to get to Sulawesi
Most international travellers connect through Jakarta, Bali or Singapore. The two main gateways on the island are:
- Manado, Sam Ratulangi International Airport (MDC) for North Sulawesi. Bunaken, Tangkoko and Tomohon are all within driving or boat distance of the city.
- Makassar, Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport (UPG) for South Sulawesi and Toraja.
Smaller airports serve Gorontalo, Luwuk (for Banggai) and Toraja itself, with limited domestic flights. Distances between regions are long and roads are slow, so between North and South Sulawesi we always suggest a domestic flight.
Entry rules for Indonesia change: check the official Indonesian immigration website for your nationality before you book flights.
How many days do you need?
A rule of thumb from the trips we plan: give each region at least three full days, plus a travel day each time you change region.
5–6 days: the best of North Sulawesi
- Arrive in Manado, transfer to Bunaken.
- Snorkeling or diving in Bunaken National Marine Park.
- Island hopping to Siladen and Nain, back to the mainland.
- Tangkoko Nature Reserve: afternoon walk for macaques, tarsiers at dusk.
- Early morning walk in Tangkoko, then the Tomohon highlands and Lake Linow.
- Departure from Manado.
This route combines our Bunaken Island Escape, the Tangkoko Wildlife Adventure and a Tomohon day.
10 days: North Sulawesi and Toraja
Spend the first six days in the north as above, fly from Manado to Makassar, then continue to Toraja by road or on a short domestic flight. Three days in Toraja let you see the main heritage sites and the highlands at Batutumonga without rushing (see Signature Toraja Experience).
2 weeks: add the islands of Central Sulawesi
With two weeks you can add the Banggai Islands via Luwuk, or the Togean Islands, which are remote and reward slow travel. Our Banggai Islands & Luwuk Escape takes five days.
Things to do in Sulawesi, by interest
- Snorkeling and diving: Bunaken's reef walls, muck diving in Lembeh Strait, the Togean Islands, Olele in Gorontalo.
- Wildlife: black-crested macaques, tarsiers and hornbills in Tangkoko.
- Culture: Tongkonan villages and ancestral burial sites in Toraja; Minahasan food and markets around Tomohon.
- Volcanoes and highlands: Mount Lokon and Mount Mahawu viewpoints, Lake Linow, hot springs.
- Beaches and islands: Likupang, Bira, Banggai, Siladen.
More ideas on our special experiences page, from volcano trekking to cooking classes.
Getting around once you are there
Public transport between sights is limited outside the cities, so most visitors use a private car with a driver. Boats to the islands leave from harbours in Manado and Bitung. On all our tours, transport between the pickup point and the activities is included and arranged by us.
Weather, sea conditions and wildlife activity change the best order of a route. When you write to us with your dates, we plan the sequence around them.
FAQ
Where should I fly into for Sulawesi?
Manado (MDC) for North Sulawesi, Bunaken and Tangkoko; Makassar (UPG) for South Sulawesi and Toraja.
Can I see North Sulawesi and Toraja in one trip?
Yes. Allow about ten days and connect Manado and Makassar with a domestic flight.
Do I need a private driver in Sulawesi?
Outside the cities public transport is limited, so a private car with a driver is the most practical way to reach the sights. It is included in our tours.
We organise private trips across Sulawesi from our base in Tomohon, near Manado: Bunaken, Tangkoko and the Minahasa highlands every week, Toraja and Banggai on request. These guides come from the questions our travellers ask us most.
