Located at the tip of the Gulf of Tomini in Central Sulawesi, Kadidiri is one of the islands in the Togean National Park that contains the wealth of the Coral Triangle. With white sand beaches and astonishingly glassy water, Kadidiri’s exotic beauty and charm make it one of the key tourist destinations of the area. The islands are an extremely remote paradise, consisting of 56 nearly-uninhabited islands that have managed to preserve a natural elegance, not yet spoiled by man.
The Togean Archipelago is not easy to get to, but anyone willing to make the effort will be more than rewarded with everything you would expect from such a hard-to-reach destination—and more! Ultimate seclusion, endless relaxation, and superb diving and snorkelling that may very well be the best found in Indonesia if not the world. Kadidiri’s unique ecology is not limited to beneath the surface of the water.
Beyond the beaches, creatures of land and air roam freely. The thick forests are habitat to monkeys, pig deer, Sulawesi hornbill and parrots, just to name a few. If you dare to venture into the forests by night, you may even spot the giant, tree-climbing Coconut Crab. Coconut Crabs are the largest living land arthropods in the world, and have a leg span that can reach up to 3 feet. In 2008, a new species of bird was discovered on the island—literally living proof of the islands well-preserved environment.
Get There
Getting to Kadidiri is a challenging task, and should not be attempted unless you have time to spare. There are several ways to get to there, each taking at least a few days, but the first step is always to fly to the Manado International Airport in North Sulawesi. From Manado, catch one of the twice-weekly flights to Luwuk, followed by an 8-hour bus ride to Ampana, Central Sulawesi. Ampana is the usual port to the Togean Islands.
Alternatively, one may go via Gorontalo City, which can be reached from Manado by bus, chartered car, or plane. From Gorontalo, ferries depart once a week on an arduous 12-hour voyage to Wakai. Once in Wakai, you must take a speedboat to Kadidiri. Chartered speedboats are also available from Marisa in North Sulawesi and Bunta in Central Sulawesi.
