Seaside Hut Paradise In Sulawesi Indonesia

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Labengki island (and its unique neighbor Sombori) is perhaps one in all Indonesia’s greatest stored secrets and techniques. This untouched tropical paradise in Sulawesi is impossibly lovely. It’s some of the enchanting locations we’ve visited in our travels.

Labengki and Sombori haven’t been spoiled by tourism but, and English documentation for these locations continues to be just about non-existent on the internet. We half anticipated to see dinosaurs as we explored the lagoons, caves, and jungle lined seashores.

This Labengki journey information will clarify the best way to get there, the place to remain, all the most effective issues to do, and the whole lot else about the best way to expertise this gem of Indonesia your self!

 

The place Is Labengki Island?

Labengki is positioned in Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia.

There’s truly two islands: Labengki Kecil (small) and Labengki Besar (large). A lot of the inhabitants is in a fishing village on Kecil.

Labengki’s fundamental vacationer sights are on Besar, however it’s a mountainous island with steep cliffs so it’s just about inconceivable to settle (test it out within the image under!).

Excursions to Labengki additionally embrace Sombori, a close-by group of islands and lagoons with a few of the identical spectacular surroundings.

Sombori truly sits on the sting of Central Sulawesi province, however it may be visited fairly simply on a day journey from Labengki.

 

How To Get To Labengki Island

Labengki and Sombori are distant islands, so the method of getting there takes a little bit of effort.

Step one is to fly to the town of Kendari (KDI), which requires a transit cease in Makassar (UPG). Makassar is simple to succeed in from Bali or Jakarta, and it has continuous each day flights to Kendari for 300k Rupiah ($20). You may store for flights to Kendari at Skyscanner.

When you arrive in Kendari, you will have to remain an evening relying on once you get there. If that’s the case, we’d advocate the Swiss-Belhotel or Claro Resort Kendari.

From Kendari metropolis, the following step is a drive to the harbor, after which a ship journey to Labengki that can take about 1 hour by speedboat, or 3 hours by picket boat.

 

Labengki Island: What To Anticipate

The preferred approach to go to Labengki and Sombori is with a package deal tour that features your meals, lodging, and boat. You may attempt to prepare these individually, however the worth gained’t actually change.

The usual format is a 3D2N or 4D3N tour, and that’s a bit rushed for my part, however it’s sufficient time to see a few of the high highlights of Labengki/Sombori. As a solo traveler, you are able to do the 4D3N personal tour for as little as 4.5 million Rupiah ($300 USD) for those who keep in a really fundamental homestay.

We paid 15 million Rupiah ($1,000 USD) to improve to a 7 day package deal that included Kendari airport transfers, the boat journey from Kendari to Labengki, 6 nights within the Labengki Seaside Huts, limitless personal boat touring across the islands, and all of our meals for 2 folks. Bear in mind these have been corona costs from 2020 when there have been no vacationers in Indonesia, so throughout regular occasions the costs can be a bit increased.

These costs are fairly excessive for Indonesia, however many of the price is for the personal boat constitution and petrol. There’s little or no wiggle room as a result of it’s such a distant space and exhausting to carry provides of any sort. My spouse is Indonesian and she or he tried negotiating. A deposit can also be required since they’ve to purchase the meals and gasoline earlier than you go.

With that mentioned, the ultimate worth is determined by how lengthy you keep, what sort of boat you employ (picket motor boat vs speedboat), and the place you keep (homestay, seaside huts, or resort). In the event you be part of an open journey (shared journey) these are additionally cheaper, however should be exhausting to seek out.

 

Finest Labengki & Sombori Tour

We organized our whole journey with Oji, a Kendari native with a number of expertise in Labengki and Sombori. He was very useful and dealt with our lodging, meals, and boat excursions.

You may contact his firm ‘Kelas Vakansi’ by way of WhatsApp at ☎ +62 813-4340-6633, and he speaks English. In the event you don’t hear again instantly, he could also be on a visit in the mean time. You can too attempt to contact them on their Instagram web page.

Aspect notice: The locals on the village in Labengki and Sombori communicate little or no English, and that goes for most individuals in Kendari too. This was a non-issue for me since my spouse is Indonesian, however for others it’s one thing to remember.

It’s greatest to iron out any essential particulars earlier than you begin your journey, and if there’s something particular you actually need to see then perhaps save an image of it in your cellphone to indicate your boat man.

 

Finest Issues To Do In Labengki

• Labengki Kecil

This island is the smaller of the 2 Labengki islands. It has a fishing village with a inhabitants of about 500 folks, and a rising variety of low cost homestays for vacationers (extra on that later).

Even for those who don’t keep on Labengki Kecil, it has some cool spots to discover like an previous deserted lighthouse, a number of seashores, and a small limestone cave known as Gua Kolam Renang (Swimming Pool Cave).

 

• Lengthy Sand Seaside (Pantai Pasir Panjang)

That is Labengki’s longest seaside, therefore the title. It’s an ideal stretch of white sand with a palm forest and calm blue water.

In the event you keep on the Labengki Seaside Huts, you’ll be able to attain Pantai Pasir Panjang in 10 minutes by climbing over some limestone rocks!

 

• Love Bay (Teluk Cinta)

That is Labengki’s most well-known coronary heart formed bay that you will have seen on Instagram. Teluk Cinta is Indonesian for Love Bay, and it sits close to the Labengki Nirwana Resort.

You will get some nice views right here by climbing Kimaboe Hill, however to actually see the guts form you’ll want a drone.

 

• Blue Lagoon (Laguna Mahumalalang)

The Blue Lagoon is a hidden pool you could attain by climbing a ladder over some jagged limestone rocks.

A greater title for this spot is perhaps the inexperienced lagoon. The colour of this water is like nothing I’ve seen earlier than! We known as it Gumby Lake.

 

• Twin Lagoon (Danau Kembar)

It is a pair of lagoons separated by a small mound of limestone rocks. You’ll undoubtedly need some sort of footwear for climbing on the rocks, as a result of they are often tremendous sharp.

Our information advised us a narrative about how the lagoon at one time (years in the past) was utilized by native fishermen for catching and breeding sharks! We additionally noticed a few Sulawesi Hornbill birds right here.

 

• Tobelo Lake (Danau Tobelo)

It is a hidden lake that may solely be reached by wading by a small cave linked to the ocean.

Inside, there’s a spotless turquoise lagoon with fish and coral. In the event you fly above the lake with a drone, it’s even formed like an ideal coronary heart!

Tobelo Lake is simply reachable at low tide, when the water stage is under the cave. Even then, our boat man advised us the tide situations are solely proper for one week per 30 days.

For sure, we contemplate it an enormous privilege that we obtained to see this spot!

 

• Crimson Sand Seaside (Pantai Pasir Merah)

The Indonesian title for this seaside is Pantai Pasir Merah and it means Crimson Sand Seaside — a reputation that comes from the reddish-orange coloration of the sand.

The large cliffs and bent palm timber on this seaside are image excellent. It was hands-down my favourite seaside in Labengki, and one in all my favorites wherever in Indonesia!

 

• Shark Lagoon (Laguna Hiu)

On the way in which to Crimson Sand Seaside, you’ll cross this hidden lagoon that sits up in opposition to the steep shoreline of Labengki island.

It’s exhausting to see at first, as a result of the timber mix in with the remainder of the cliffs, however for those who get nearer you’ll see that there are literally two lagoons inside: one large and one small.

We didn’t go for a swim, however our boat man mentioned he’s seen a lot of sand tiger sharks within the lagoon, therefore the title!

 

• Labengki Seaside (Pantai Labengki)

It is a lengthy white sand seaside on the south finish of Labengki island, close to the Nirwana Resort.

Most excursions don’t cease right here, and the seaside was empty apart from a palm forest, however we thought it was one of many nicest seashores we noticed in Labengki.

 

• Jellyfish Lake

There’s a newly found jellyfish lake in Tarape island (between Labengki and Sombori) the place you’ll be able to swim with tens of millions of stingless jellyfish!

This lake was solely found in 2023 so it’s not very well-known but, however you’ll be able to see footage from our Labengki tour firm on their Instagram web page and it appears superb.
 

• Sombori Island

After you end exploring Labengki Island, there’s heaps extra to see and do in close by Sombori, one other group of islands and lagoons about 2 hours north of Labengki.

A typical 3-day or 4-day Labengki/Sombori tour spends a full day in Sombori, or for those who’re staying longer (like we did) then you can simply spend one other day or two exploring Sombori.

The surroundings in Sombori is no less than as superb as Labengki. It’s a wonderful tropical paradise loaded with lagoons, limestone peaks, and hidden caves.

Learn Extra: Sombori Island

 

Pattern Labengki Itinerary

That is what a typical 4D3N Labengki itinerary will appear to be:

• Day 1: Journey from Kendari to Labengki. Verify in at lodge and go swimming on the seaside (Pantai Pasir Panjang).
• Day 2: Sombori day journey. Go to sights just like the Kayangan Viewpoints, Diamond Cave, Grandma’s Home, Koko Island, and extra.
• Day 3: Island hopping close to Labengki. Go to sights just like the Labengki Kecil Lighthouse, Blue Lagoon, Swimming Pool Cave, and extra.
• Day 4: Extra Labengki islands. Go to sights like Kimaboe Hill, Love Bay, and different mini islands. Head again to Kendari.

 

The place To Keep In Labengki Island

• Labengki Seaside Hut

We stayed on the Labengki Seaside Huts on the massive island (Labengki Besar), and I actually assume it’s the most effective place to remain for those who can match it in your funds.

The situation is magic. 10 little seaside huts sit on the backside of the steep cliffs, and you’ve got a non-public seaside proper in entrance of your room. One other white sand seaside (Pantai Pasir Panjang) could be reached in 10 minutes of mountaineering.

The meals is implausible and there’s a lot of selection in each meal. We had contemporary fish, squid, hen, rice, veggies, shrimp, fruit, eggs, pancakes, and too many different issues to listing.

       
 
The worth we paid included each day breakfast, lunch, and dinner, together with free move tea and occasional. For on a regular basis consuming water, they’d large containers of unpolluted mineral water so we might refill our bottles from the faucet.
 
The rooms are cozy, however very fundamental. There’s no electrical energy besides by way of generator from 6 PM to six AM, in order that’s when you need to cost all of your electronics. There are many shops and a fan. We had first rate cell service with Telkomsel.
 
For bogs, there are 6 outhouses with drop bogs. You do your showers by washing your self with a pale and bucket. Keep in mind, this can be a Robinson Crusoe expertise. Don’t anticipate luxurious, however it’s cozy sufficient.
 
Some upkeep was overdue once we visited. The hammocks have been damaged and so have been a few of the different amenities. This lodging is expensive by Indonesian requirements, so there’s not a lot excuse for the shortage of repairs (besides the remoteness, I assume).
 
Nonetheless, what you’re right here for will not be luxurious however an unique tropical escape, and the Labengki Seaside Huts ship that in spades!
 
You may contact them on their Fb web page or by way of WhatsApp at ☎ +62 853-9750-5163.
 

 

• Labengki Nirwana Resort

The very best funds lodging in Labengki is the Nirwana Resort.

They’ve overwater villas with nice views and swimming proper in entrance of the balcony. The rooms look fairly cozy for one thing so distant. They’ve air con, 24/7 electrical energy, and correct bogs.

I haven’t checked their charges currently, however the final I heard is that they range from 1.1 to 2.5 million Rupiah ($75 to $175 USD) per evening, relying on room.

You may contact them on their official web site the place they’ve an electronic mail deal with and a number of other WhatsApp numbers listed.

 

• Labengki Kecil Homestay

The most cost effective place to remain in Labengki is within the fishing village on the small island (Labengki Kecil). There are many native homestays popping up there.

Lodging may be very, very fundamental. Just like the seaside huts, you’ll have a drop rest room and wash bucket, with a fan and electrical energy within the evenings. All meals are included and there’s Telkomsel cell service now.

The principle downside is the situation, because the fishing village is sort of shabby — nothing just like the personal seaside at LBH. You can also’t anticipate the meals to be superb (simply fish, rice and veggies), however it ought to nonetheless be yum.

Costs vary round 250k Rupiah ($17) per evening per particular person, so that is undoubtedly essentially the most economical lodging in Labengki.

 

• Different Lodging

Extra lodging is deliberate in Labengki and Sombori. One in every of these tasks is the brand new Priyanka Resort on Pulau Tarape, an island midway between Labengki and Sombori.

There’s additionally the choice of staying at an affordable homestay in Sombori. The worth and requirements ought to be fairly just like staying on Labengki Kecil, however you gained’t have cell service.

Final, however not least, the house owners of the Labengki Seaside Huts enable tent tenting however you’d need to carry your personal gear. This is able to be one approach to save on prices whereas nonetheless having an epic pure setting.

 

What To Carry To Labengki

These are very distant islands, so hold that in thoughts once you’re packing. Listed here are a few of our high suggestions.

• Snacks: In the event you’re like us, generally you simply crave a Snickers bar. You gained’t discover any Circle Ok or Indomarets out right here.
• Snorkel: There are some good snorkeling spots, particularly in Sombori, so that you’ll need to carry gear for it.
• Energy Financial institution: Labengki and Sombori haven’t any electrical energy besides by way of generator from 6 PM to six AM, so it’s good to have a fats energy financial institution to complement this for charging your stuff.
• Dry Bag: A water-resistant bag is crucial in your digicam and different electronics, since you’ll need to spend so much of time island hopping by boat.
• Drone: As lovely as these islands are, they appear even higher from above!

 

Different Labengki Ideas

• Mosquitoes: We haven’t heard any stories of malaria from Labengki or Sombori. The most effective supply I can discover is that this Lancet examine from 2018, which says malaria is eradicated in South East Sulawesi (which incorporates Labengki), however there could also be some circumstances of malaria in Central Sulawesi (which incorporates Sombori). It’s a giant space, so it’s exhausting to say for positive. We noticed some mosquitoes throughout our one week keep, however managed to get just one or two bites the entire time. The Labengki Seaside Huts have been small and properly sealed so we didn’t actually need a mosquito web whereas sleeping. We have been very cautious to keep away from bites outdoors of the room, however didn’t take malaria prophylactics.
• Faith: The native folks in Labengki and Sombori are Muslim. There’s a loud mosque on Labengki Kecil island, so chances are you’ll need to carry ear plugs for those who’re a lightweight sleeper and plan to remain on that island. For us staying within the Labengki Seaside Huts, noise from the mosque wasn’t an issue.

 

Finest Time To Go to Labengki

Indonesia’s dry season (and greatest climate) is generally from April to November.

With that mentioned, Labengki and Sombori look like they comply with completely different climate patterns and I do know of a number of individuals who went within the wet season and nonetheless had nice climate.

Our journey was in September and we had largely implausible climate, apart from one large storm at evening that felt prefer it was going to hold our seaside hut away!

 
 

How Lengthy To Keep In Labengki

Most Labengki/Sombori excursions are 3 or 4 days, and that’s loads of time to see the highest highlights, however for those who benefit from the Robinson Crusoe life-style you can simply keep longer.

We stayed 7 days (6 nights) and nonetheless didn’t handle to cowl the entire space! There are many hidden lakes and lagoons right here simply ready to be discovered.

       
 
 

Our Labengki Island Video

Final however not least, right here’s my 4K Labengki Island drone video from our journey to indicate you simply how unbelievable this place is.

Comfortable travels!

 

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