• 8D7N Explore South Sulawesi: Taka Bonerate

Taka Bonerate National Park

INTRODUCTION

Taka Bonerate is one of the marine national parks in Indonesia which is located in Selayar Province, South Sulawesi. It has the 3rd largest atoll in the world, after Kwajifein in the Marshall Islands and Suvadiva in the Maldives.

The park spreads over 220.000 hectares, with a coral reef flat area is 500 km2 and comprises more than 21 small islands. The main island is Tinabo Island with its white smooth sandy beach as baby powder. Tinabo Island is 4-hour sail by boat from Benteng in Selayar Island.

There are 15 islands for diving and snorkeling. The atolls rise abruptly from a deep oceanic trench and offer fantastic wall diving in good visibility. Marine life is equal to any other area in Sulawesi with huge schools of fish, pelagics and bigger hunters.

Taka Bonerate National Park is not as popular as other diving destinations in Indonesia, which is an additional advantage. The area is still untouched by dive tourism and can be considered one of the world’s few remaining dive frontiers. The atolls rise abruptly from a deep oceanic trench and offer some fantastic wall diving opportunities in good visibility.

  • Location

    South Sulawesi

  • Highlights
    • Tana Beru Phinisi Boat Builder
    • Tanjung Bira
    • Selayar Island
    • Taka Bonerate National Park
    • Snorkeling and Diving
Paper-plane Paper-plane Request Info

Group Tour

Traveling solo? You don’t have to go alone! Check out our group tour calendar to see when we’re heading out next.

Private Tour

Prefer to travel with your own crew or on your own schedule? You can always request a private tour instead!

Maps were disabled by the visitor on this site. Click to open the map in a new window.

Itinerary

A day-by-day plan.

  • DAY

    1

    Makassar – Tanjung Bira

    Touching down in Makassar in the morning, our South Sulawesi adventure begins immediately! After taking in the sights, we will continue our journey with a smooth three-hour drive to the beautiful coastal area of Bira. Once there, we will check into our accommodation and recharge.

  • DAY

    2

    Tanjung Bira (B,L)

    Wake up to a beautiful morning in Bira! Once we have had breakfast, it is time to plunge into our first snorkeling or diving adventure. Tanjung Bira, tucked away on the southwestern tip of Sulawesi, is an absolute hidden gem. We will spend our morning exploring its crystal-clear waters, discovering vibrant coral reefs, and swimming alongside the diverse marine life that makes Indonesia’s underwater world so famous.

  • DAY

    3

    tanjung Bira – Selayar – Taka Bonerate (B,L,D)

    After a hearty breakfast, we will check out and set off for Bulukumba Port. From there, we will cross the waters to Selayar Island, eventually making our way to Pattumbukang Port, our gateway into the breathtaking Taka Bonerate National Park. We will enjoy a scenic lunch stop along the way. Our underwater adventure kicks off with our very first snorkeling and diving session at the magnificent Jinato Wall Paradise I, located right around Jinato Island. As evening approaches, we will relax on our boat, taking in a spectacular ocean sunset before sharing a wonderful dinner on board.

  • DAY

    4

    Taka Bonerate (B,L,D)

    Start the day with an optional sunrise walk around the island, followed by breakfast. At 8:30 AM, we will head to our first dive and snorkel site: Jinato Wall Paradise II (The Channel). Afterward, we will take a 1.5-hour journey to Tinabo Island, arriving around lunchtime to check into our accommodation. After lunch, we will dive at Ibel Orange, take a surface interval, and then explore Acropora Point. We will relax with a beautiful sunset and dinner in the evening, with an optional night dive available for those interested.

  • DAY

    5

    Taka Bonerate (B,L,D)

    Get ready for a spectacular day of island-hopping and underwater discovery! We will spend our day diving and snorkeling across multiple pristine sites, swimming through the vibrant reefs of North Taka Tarupa, Lasalimu, and the aptly named Coral Garden. As the day winds down, we will sail to Bungin Tinabo to witness a stunning sunset together. Finally, we will return to our home base on Tinabo Island to rest—unless you are up for the thrill of an optional night dive!

  • DAY

    6

    Taka Bonerate – Selayar (B)

    Before checking out and heading back to Selayar, we will enjoy a final morning dive at Latondu. Once we arrive in Selayar, we will check into the Sunari Hotel. The rest of the afternoon and evening is left open as a free program for you to rest and recharge.

  • DAY

    7

    Selayar – Makassar (B)

    Following breakfast, we will check out and take the ferry back to the main island, arriving at Bulukumba Port. If our schedule allows, we will visit the traditional Phinisi shipbuilders at Tana Beru before continuing our journey. We will finish the day by driving back to Makassar and checking into our hotel for the night.

  • DAY

    8

    Makassar (B)

    Take your time this morning and enjoy a relaxed breakfast before we pack up one last time. We will coordinate with your schedule to drop you off at the airport, bringing our incredible South Sulawesi adventure to a beautiful close.

What’s included

Included

  • All transportation and transfer during the trip
  • 7 nights accommodation
    – 1 night hotel in Makassar
    – 2 night cottage in Tanjung Bira
    – 2 nights on Tinabo Island
    – 1 night on Selayar Island
    – 1 night sleep on an open upper deck of the boat
  • Meals as stated
  • All permits, entrances, and administration fees
  • Local Guide and Dive Master
  • Tank and weight belt
  • Total around 11 log dives

Not Included

  • Flights
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal expenses and medications
  • Snorkel & dive gear rental
  • Gratuities