Discover Selayar Island in South Sulawesi

Discover Selayar Island — Situated at the most southern tip of South Sulawesi, Selayar Island is a tropical getaway in the vast landscape of Sulawesi. Swatched with pristine white sands and tropical, turquoise-colored sea waters, this once trading hub is home to various artifacts that marked its existence. 

The now quiet and isolated island does not only house historical artifacts that display its rich past histories. Perhaps, not many people know about this island already. That being said, tiket.com is here to show you around the beauty of Selayar Island and discover its hidden corners. 

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How to Get to Selayar Island

Now, where should you start in planning a vacation to Selayar Island? Of course, to know how to get to this pristine island!

1. Explore the Roads to Selayar Island

Fancy a road trip? Then making your way to Selayar Island through grounds is probably the best choice you should opt for! You can use a car or if you’re opting for a cheaper price, you can take a public bus to Selayar Island. 

Whether you’re taking a car or a bus, your last stop would be in Bira Port, where you will be going by ferry to cross the sea and reach Pamatata Port in Selayar Island. However, if you’re opting for a bus, you would start your journey from Mallengkeri bus station in Makassar. The bus will take you to the port. Make sure to know whether you will need to move to another bus when you reach Bira Port. 

Take note that if you use ground transportation, the ferry only operates for a certain time in a day.

2. Crush the Waves to Selayar Island

You can also choose to have direct sea transportation to reach Selayar Island. There are two choices you can opt for: a wooden fisherman boat or a three-engined speedboat. To reach Permatata Port from Bira Port, you will need to take a two-hour journey.

3. Fly Your Way Through

Opting for air transportation may be exceptionally convenient. You can now reach Selayar Island in only around 40 minutes from Makassar! You will start from Sultan Hasanuddin Airport, Makassar and take a flight to H Aroepalla Airport in Selayar Island.

Places to Visit in Selayar Island

So, what are the places you can visit in Selayar Island? Read on! 🙂

1. Batu Karapu Beach

Expect velvet-soft, white sands, and turquoise, clear waters during your venture to Batu Karapu Beach. But what’s most famous about this beach is its towering sea cliff that juts into the ocean and has a hole underneath like an opened door. 

Situated in Tongke-Tongke, Lowa Village, Bontosikuyu District, Selayar Island Regency, this gorgeous beach has the finest sunset panorama you could ever dream of. As the sun sets in the western horizon, you can expect gorgeous orange-tainted hues of the skies and seas around you. 

2. Taman Nasional Takabonerate

You may have known that Manado is the place to be in Sulawesi when you seek for colorful corals and swim amidst the rich marine life. However, do you know that Selayar Island also has its own share of beautiful marine life beneath? 

Yes! You can witness the beauty of Sulawesi’s underwater life in Taman Nasional Takabonerate. Fun fact, this national park has the third largest atoll area in the world, after Kwajifein in the Marshall Islands and Suvadiva in the Maldives Islands. The total area of ​​this atoll is 220,000 hectares with a distribution of coral reefs reaching 500 km²! How amusing is that?

Well, now you know! Let’s explore Takabonerate National Park and witness its amazing sea vistas! 

3. Pulau Bahuluang

Bahuluang Island is the destination to be if you yearn for some island-hopping adventure. Bahuluang Island has lots of pristine spots– this may be due to the fact that not many people know about this island, yet. 

Make sure to make a stop at Liang Lapang, where you can witness various beautiful corals and wondrous sea cliffs nearby. Also, you will be witnessing an eerie, hidden caves nearby! 

Another unique spot is Bungin Pasir. Bungin Pasir features a land of sands only visible under low tide water. During its peak, this place houses many seagulls stopping for a rest. Beautiful!

4. Nane Hill, Polassi Island

Nane Hill in Polassi Island will remind you of Padar Island in Labuan Bajo. It looks quite similar to this most popular spot in Labuan Bajo. Featuring vast, green hills, through these protruding hills you can witness the most amazing sea vistas around. 

Though other areas in this island may be good to visit during the dry season, this island is best to be visited during the wet seasons, since the grass-covered hills bloom its fresh, green color. However, if you visit this island during the dry season, you could still catch this beauty too!

5. Batulohe

Batulohe is another unique you shouldn’t miss in Selayar Island. This beautifully carved stone is predicted to be exceeding more than a hundred years! At this place as well many have suspected that this used to be the meeting point for the arrival of the Chinese merchants. 

This beautiful carved stone overlooks directly to the beach, which adds more beauty to this already-mesmerizing spot. So, are you willing to go? 🙂

6. Bitombang Old Village

Bitombang Old Village is also your must-visit during your venture to Selayar Island. As its name suggests, this village is amongst the oldest villages on Selayar Island! 

What’s so special about this village? Well, apart from the fact that it’s one amongst the oldest, this village houses traditional stilt houses with a 10 to 20 meters long supporting pole! Wow! 

What’s more, its natural topography (uneven land surface) also contributes to its uniqueness. Even the poles supporting these houses stood on top of the uneven rocks. Local residents believe that these towering stilt houses were built to prevent rice and food from being stolen since ancient times. Others believe that it is used to save gardening products. 

7. Pantai Baloiya

Last but not least, Baloiya Beach is another destination in Selayar Island that is worth a visit. This beach features pristine waters and powder-soft sand, with the beautiful sceneries of coral rocks around. 

Got a hobby for fishing? You can channel your hobby to go fishing by using a chartered boat and cruise along Baloiya Beach, in which its coastline is 300 meters long. Not far from Baloiya Beach, you may come across a natural cave called Gua Alam Baloiya– which is attached to the coast and is often visited by both locals and internationals. 

Those of you who like fishing can channel their hobby by using a chartered boat to go along Baloiya Beach which reaches a length of three hundred meters. Not far from Baloiya Beach there is a natural cave (Gua Alam Baloiya) which is attached to the coast and is often visited by domestic tourists, as well as foreign tourists.

Tips to Follow

Now that you’ve known the ways to get there and the places you need to visit, here are several tips to consider for a more memorable and enjoyable trip to Selayar Island:

1. Choose the best accommodation 

Choosing the right accommodation is of course one of your utmost priorities! A tropical paradise, your stay in Selayar Island will be perfect with a by-the-sea accommodation or villas in close proximity to the beach, don’t you think? 😉 

Definitely! So, here are two hotel recommendations for your stay in Selayar Island!

2. Best time to visit Selayar Island

The best time for you to visit Selayar Island is from February to November, in which you will be exposed to warm temperatures and limited till mediocre, occasional rainfall. The highest temperature in Selayar Island is around 29°C in January and its lowest is 27°C in June. Hence, the weather and climate of Selayar Island is practically suitable for a tropical vacation 😀

3. Plan a 5D4N Stay for a Maximum Venture in Selayar Island

Though Selayar Island is just a small island situated not far from the most southern end of Sulawesi, it has lots of amusing natural attractions and hidden gems nestled within. If you want to venture into every corner of this island, we would recommend a 5D4N itinerary for your visit.

Pack Your Bags, Plan Your Selayar Trip

Now that you have got a grasp on Selayar Island along with its breathtaking beauty, it’s time for you to plan your Selayar trip now! Let’s explore Selayar Island, venture into its very corners, and witness what Selayar has to offer. 

Have fun in Selayar Island, t-mates!

*price is valid at the time of writing