Central Sulawesi route: Tugean Islands to Jellyfish Lake
This route traces a family's expedition to the Tugean Islands in North Sulawesi, Indonesia, covering approximately 5,450 km. The journey includes stops at Jellyfish Lake, a unique saltwater lagoon where harmless jellyfish thrive, and concludes at a coastal village settlement inhabited by the Bajau sea nomads.
- Mode
- Places
- Start
- Tugean Islands
- End
- Kadidiri Paradise
- Stops
- 6
- Video author
- travmap
- Updated
Stops on this route
- Tugean Islands
- Jellyfish Lake — Ancient lagoon in the Tugean Islands cut off from the ocean where jellyfish have lost their sting over generations, creating a unique safe swimming experience surrounded by…
- Kabalutan — Densely populated Bajau sea nomad village of 3,000 people built on stilts clinging to rocks and atoll edges, with no tourist infrastructure and traditional maritime settlement…
- Meeting Mandor the Diver — An experienced local sea guide who demonstrates traditional diving techniques and shares deep knowledge of underwater ecosystems and marine life in Indonesian waters.
- Bajau Fishing Reef — Offshore reef where Bajau free divers traditionally hunt and forage using wooden goggles and homemade spear guns, accessible only by traditional wooden boats.
- Kadidiri Paradise — Resort and bungalow settlement on Kadidiri Island in the Tugean Islands, offering views of active marine life including bait balls and serving as a staging point for sea nomad…
Useful for your trip
- Transport
- Getting to Tugean Islands requires multiple connections: flights, car rides (14+ hours), ferries, and small charter boats. Budget significant travel time and expect delays.
- Tip
- Contact local guide Lihin (+62 878-2839-1342) to arrange visits with Bajau sea nomad communities and diving excursions with experienced divers like Mandor.
- Where to stay
- Accommodation is built on stilts over water in villages like Kabalutan. Expect basic conditions with limited privacy and noisy nights from proximity to neighbors.
- Avoid
- Do not touch crown-of-thorns starfish on the reef—they have venomous spines and are extremely poisonous.
- Timing
- Visit Jellyfish Lake when weather permits. Rain and thunderstorms can halt boat travel; be prepared for unexpected delays.
- Avoid
- When walking on wooden plank bridges in the village, step carefully in the middle as boards are saggy and may not support weight distributed unevenly.
- Tip
- Book accommodation at Kadidiri Paradise on the north shore of Tugean Islands as a base with tourist infrastructure before venturing to remote sea nomad villages.
- Food
- Fresh lobsters and local seafood are available in Kabalutan village; inhabitants catch and store lobsters in underwater enclosures.
- Tip
- Jellyfish Lake has non-stinging jellyfish due to isolation from ocean predators. Water is warmer inside the lake than outside.
- Transport
- Small wooden boats (traditional designs) are used for reef fishing and diving trips. Expect open ocean conditions with minimal safety equipment.
Video on this route
3 Days Living with an UNDERWATER Tribe