These communities still live a very traditional lifestyle in small villages with houses built on stilts over the sea, and their livelihood depends entirely on the sea. Our Banggai cruise will call on small and remote islands where the Bajau people form the majority of the population.

During your boat charter or shared liveaboard trip, we will visit their villages where we can get up close and personal with these seafarers, watch them as they demonstrate their supernatural freediving ability, and learn how they make their living from the sea.

Be prepared for a once-in-a-lifetime experience with the Bajau!

Unbeknownst to many, there are over 600 Wana families inhabiting the vast reserve, living mainly by hunting  and gathering, and agriculture. The park also houses a great diversity of wildlife, some of them endemic to Sulawesi–anoa, maleo birds, babi rusa, and the world’s smallest bats–although they are rarely spotted.

During our cruise, we will travel to one of their settlements with a motorized version of their traditional longboat through untouched landscapes with tall mountains as the backdrops.

You will be treated to unforgettable moments in the midst of nature, where other tourists and foreigners are unlikely to be found.

Instead of rushing from one place to the next, we encourage our guests to really take their time and establish a connection with the locals. Tourists and villagers have so much to learn from each other.

What’s more, with the off-the-beaten-path nature of this route, we will be able to stop on a myriad of little known islands, such as Sombori Islands or "Little Raja Ampat" (as pictured) with plenty of opportunities for afternoons on untouched white sand beaches, and zodiac explorations to hidden bays and coves.

Our marine conservation partner, Tompotika Foundation, has been working hard for many years in order to stop illegal fishing in the area and restore the health of the reefs in the area, and you will be able to enjoy the fruits of their hard work.

You will also be able to see the endemic Banggai cardinal fish. At Burung Island, we’ll visit the “blue” mangrove–a lagoon where mangrove trees grow in crystal clear waters with spectacular reefs growing within the trees, and colorful juvenile fish that call these trees home.

Please note that scuba diving is available at an extra cost.

During your Banggai cruise, you will get a chance to visit the foundation to understand more about their efforts in protecting the area and see their team in action. These initiatives not only help combat the destruction of the natural environments that we love dearly but also provide jobs and income to locals in these areas. 

Over time, we hope to cover more locations in Indonesia. By participating in our cruise trips, you will help us get closer to fulfilling our missions. 

Learn more about our commitment to sustainable tourism in Indonesia

We offer a myriad of amenities aboard the Bugis and tons of eco-friendly activity options.

From kayaking and paddleboarding, to yoga, sunset drinks, and BBQ at the beach...the possibility during your your Komodo boat charter or cruise trip on the Bugis is endless. 

Learn more about our Slow Travel Experience