Looking for a Selayar Island travel guide? Here’s the on-the-ground view of a long, narrow island with a single coastal loop, quiet village life, and reef stops you reach by scooter and short boat hops. Base in Benteng, follow the north–south ring road, time your visit around winds and swell, and—if you catch the window—link Selayar with the atolls of Taka Bonerate.
Table of Contents
About Selayar Island
Selayar Island is a wonderful place on Earth, in a typical “tropical paradise” natural style. It is an off-the-beaten-path destination, far from “Bali tourist crowds”, exotic, and less popular. So, let’s first immerse ourselves in its geography, history, and culture.

Some geography
First, let’s open the map of Indonesia and focus on the large Sulawesi Island. Then, zoom in on its (almost) southernmost tip. Here the land of Sulawesi ends in a cape called Tanjung Bira, but somehow it appears again a bit south, in a long, narrow piece of land. This is Selayar Island.
Selayar Island is aligned north–south off South Sulawesi, separated from the mainland by the Selayar Strait. A low limestone spine runs through the interior, while most settlements sits on the coastal plain. Coasts change character: the west has long open shorelines facing swell from the Flores/Java seas; the north–northeast breaks into pocket bays; the east holds mangrove and lee patches; the south is high-energy with broad, wave-washed beaches and reef cuts.
Offshore, a fringing reef/shelf rims much of the island, and karst headlands host sea caves (e.g., Balojaha, Liang Lipang). These caves are located in some of the small satellite islands along the west coast.
Climate is monsoonal: SE trades (Jun–Aug) bring wind and swell; the calmer inter-monsoon windows come in Apr–May and Sep–Oct, with rainfall peaking Dec–Feb. Most of the island is covered by tropical rainforest. Unlike the mainland of South Sulawesi, Selayar is much more covered by coconut palms.
Selayar Island has been discovered by people since ancient times. They noticed its value, settled on the island, and started its human history which lead to the human-cultural image of the island as it is today.

Selayar Archipelago
Selayar is not a lonely island but the main island of a whole archipelago with about 130 small islands, islets, reefs, and atolls.
If you see the map, you can notice the main Selayar Island with a few small “satellite” islands along its west coast, a group of larger (but much smaller than Selayar itself) islands, lying south-southeast of the main island (among them are Tanah Jampea, Kalao, Bonerate, and Kalaotoa), and another exotic group of atolls, mostly east-southeast of Selayar Island. This exotic sub-archipelago is called Taka Bonerate and it is the most adventurous part of the main archipelago.
But now here, we will focus only on the main Selayar Island and only the few closest islands to its western coast (and a bit south of it). Now, let’s proceed with the history.
Some history
Humans have lived on Selayar Island for thousands of years. Very little is known about the first inhabitants of the island, mostly from some discovered artifacts like bronze drums (nekara), and some oral-spread tales. We can only suppose that they lived in small fishing villages, mostly at the seacoast. For most of its history, the island was not a part of any kingdom.
Gradual change started along with the development of the trade routes. Traditional ships known as Phinisi often stopped at the island’s shores. By the 1500s–1600s Selayar was tied into the Bugis-Makassar sphere centered on the twin polity of Gowa–Tallo (Makassar). Islam spread rapidly after Gowa and Tallo’s adoption of the faith (early 1600s), and Selayar’s rulers and communities became part of this Islamic maritime network linking South Sulawesi with eastern Indonesia.

Trade hub on the Banda–Flores Sea lanes (17th–18th c.)
Makassar’s port dominated shipping between the Java/Banda/Flores Seas and New Guinea, and Selayar—astride these sea lanes—supplied produce and seafaring labor to that trade. After the VOC (Dutch East India Company) defeated Makassar in the Makassar War and imposed the Treaty of Bongaya (1667), Selayar’s commerce was drawn into the VOC orbit.
Forts, outposts & cotton/copra links (18th–19th c.)
Benteng (the island’s main town) functioned as a Company outpost; coastal strongpoints such as Barunia formed part of a chain of fortifications around the archipelago. Selayar supplied textiles and later copra to Makassar and beyond; Dutch influence deepened through coastal control and monopolies.
“Green Gold” era & crash (c. 1900–1930s)
From around 1900, Selayar’s economy became heavily dependent on copra (dried coconut) for export—locally dubbed “green gold.” The global slump of the 1930s exposed the fragility of this monoculture, triggering hardship and out-migration to mainland South Sulawesi.
Japanese occupation & wartime disruption (1942–45)
Wartime requisitions and failed cotton schemes further strained subsistence; copra exports stalled, and islanders reverted to small-scale coconut oil, with smuggling to the mainland to obtain food.
Independence era & administrative status (1945–present)
After Indonesian independence, Selayar was integrated as Kabupaten Kepulauan Selayar (Selayar Islands Regency) with Benteng as the capital. The regency covers the main island plus outlying groups (notably the Bonerate and Takabonerate atolls).

Conservation & marine focus (1990s–today)
Indonesia established Taka Bonerate National Park (a vast atoll complex) in the 1990s; in 2015 UNESCO designated the Taka Bonerate–Kepulauan Selayar Biosphere Reserve, recognizing the archipelago’s reefs, mangroves and human–nature interactions. This conservation turn sits alongside modest tourism growth (diving, snorkeling, coast-loop road trips) and continued smallholder coconut fisheries.
Selayar Island today
This is what Selayar Island looks like today. Its largest town is Benteng, located approximately in the middle of the western coast of the island. All other settlements are just villages (only the larger villages can be called “towns”), scattered mostly at the seacoast, connected by the main road along the length of the island and its branches.
People mostly Selayarese, a local branch of Makassarese, with their own language, again belonging of the Makassarese language group. They are predominantly Muslim, with friendly but modest village etiquette. There’s a Christian minority around Benteng’s churches. Some villages still keep the traditional architecture for centuries- wooden houses standing on wooden pillars in their own unique local style.

Our journey to Selayar Island
It was a part of our South Sulawesi trip that we planned. I discovered Selayar Island literally from the map of Indonesia. Actually, first I noticed the fantastically looking atolls of Taka Bonerate on Google Earth, and Selayar was just the direct staging point for this archipelago. I found that Taka Bonerate was difficult to access and decided that if we can’t reach the archipelago, at least we can explore the island of Selayar.
So, first we traveled by taxi from Makassar, the capital of South Sulawesi and the starting point of this trip, to Tanjung Bira, the southeastern tip of South Sulawesi. From Tanjung Bira (after enjoying the local things to do), we traveled by ferry to Pamatata, the main entry point of Selayar Island by sea, and from Pamatata, we reached Benteng by another taxi.
We soon discover that reaching Taka Bonerate in this season is very challenging- either very expensive (by a local motor boat), or very long (for at least a few days only to reach the archipelago, and then another few days to return to Selayar Island), if we wanted to make it cheaply.
So, we gave up our desire to see the fantastic Taka Bonerate, but at least learned some information about how to reach it (more on that below), and planned a local Selayar Island itinerary. It included two boat rides to nearby “tropical paradise” points- beaches, caves, reefs, with a lot of snorkeling opportunities, as well as a trip to the interior of the island, to the traditional village of Bitombang.
Here is what we did and what we discovered on the exotic island of Selayar.
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Places to see and things to do
Below you can see what you can do in Selayar, how to explore it, and get the best from its geography and culture.
Benteng (base & market)
Let’s start from the main town (capital) of Selayar Island- Benteng. Although it is a capital, it is still a relatively small town. For you as a traveler, you would mostly use it as a “base camp” for exploring the island.
In general, there is nothing too special in Benteng- no “old town”, no fortresses (although the name “Benteng” means “fort”), and no special landmarks. It is just an ordinary provincial Indonesian town. Yes, Benteng was established during the Dutch colonial rule, and the colonizers built a local fort, but it was later destroyed, and there are almost no remains of it today. There used to be another fort not far from Benteng, but again, its ruins are now abandoned.
Nevertheless, don’t skip Benteng. The town is quiet, with a beautiful (although a bit neglected) coastal promenade. At least, you can immerse yourself in the local life and try some delicious meals (there are not too many restaurants but you still can find some in the center, at the Central square).
In addition, there is a small museum with a mangrove garden beside it. The museum is called Tanadoang (Nekara), established in a traditional Selayarese house. It presents some local ethnographic artifacts, including a traditional “nekara” drum.
Entrance fee: 10,000 IDR.
Working time: from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm. Sunday closed.
Jangkar Raksasa Selayar
If you focus south of Benteng, you can easily spot the airport- the only airport on the island. And west of it, you can see a small, compact village called Bontosunggu. Here you can find another small point of interest- a mini museum called Jangkar Raksasa Selayar, presenting a giant iron anchor and a few bronze cannons. This place leads you to around 17th-18th centuries.

The west coast of Selayar Island
Now, let’s start exploring the island, departing from Benteng. The west coast of Selayar Island is much more easily accessible than the east coast due to the main road that stretches along the whole length of the island along this coast.
North of Benteng
If you arrive in Benteng from Pamatata, this is your first hour on Selayar. You will travel to Benteng on a good road, mostly along the western coast (the section of the western coast north of Benteng). The coast is mostly flat, with mangrove areas and narrow beaches. Those beaches are empty- you won’t see any tourists, but occasionally, only some fishermen from the nearby villages.
South of Benteng
South of Benteng, the coast is much more attractive. It is a bit more rugged but still easily accessible due to the main Selayar road that stretches to the southernmost point of the island, the village of Appatanah.
In general, it consists of low flat cliffs, often undercut below, with small bays and cute beaches between the rocks. These are fantastic points for snorkeling, watching sunsets, or just relaxing. From north to south, the best beaches are Baloia Beach, Sunari Beach, Sangkulu Kulu Beach, and wild Padang-Padang Beach.
Further south, you can see a promontory with exotic rock (cliff) formations and another small and exotic beach- Batukaparu Beach. After this beach is Bonetaringan Beach, and finally, the southernmost tip of Selayar Island is not a cape (promontory) but another beach- Appatanah Beach.
There are new resorts established at some of these beaches- still far from tourist crowds, quite hidden “somewhere at the end of the world”. And some beaches are completely wild. Besides, you can see local fishing villages where you can immerse yourself in the local daily life and culture.

Eastern coast of Selayar Island
The east is more broken and intricate. It features mangroves, sea-grass shallows, and pockets that turn leeward under SE trades. Since the main mountain spine of Selayar Island stretches more closely to the eastern coast than to the west, the shores here are more mountainous, with mountain slopes reaching the sea, with cliffs and small promontories, and small beaches between them.
Unlike in the west, there is no coastal road along the eastern coast that leads from north to south but only some short detours- branches from the west that reach the east, only to certain points. Except for Pamatata and the small port of Pattumbukang, only a few small villages are established here. It makes this coast more difficult to access, therefore, more authentic and wilder.
One of the best beaches in this area is Turtle Beach. Here is also one of the best resorts in Selayar- Turtle Beach Bay Resort. There are also many other beaches, some with exotic cliffs, such as Batulohe Beach, with cliffs “carved” by the natural elements. Some beaches are accessible only by boats or by wild, adventurous trails through the forest.
The mountainous interior of Selayar Island
The interior of the island is occupied by low mountains covered by lush tropical rainforests. This area is wild, with some scattered villages here and there. In other words, “far from civilization”. Nevertheless, there are some established hiking trails leading to certain points, known mostly by Indonesians and more adventurous foreigners.
Here is the highest point of Selayar- Bontosikuyu (607 m only), located in the northern half of the island. This is also the “most popular” (if the word “popular” can be applied at all) hiking area here, and the “most visited” peak is Puncak Pusera (525 m), with soft summit meadows and spectacular views.
Other nice hiking points are Bolonglangi (a place with an unofficial campsite and views) and Bontona Tihu (another wild forest spot)- all of them located northeast of Benteng, easily accessible by local narrow roads.
If you are looking for some special natural spots, you can go to Balang Kalambu– a mini canyon with a pond and waterfall, only a few km east of Benteng. Another spot is Gua Samur Tajuia– a karst sinkhole in the northern part of the island.
Looking for waterfalls? Yes, there are a few (not very spectacular but beautiful enough, mostly due to the natural scenery that surrounds them). The most attractive is Air Terjun Jammeng, located a kilometer west of the eastern coast and Jammeng village, with 7 cascades.

But the interior of Selayar Island also hides an authentic cultural gem- a village from the past, called Bitombang.
Bitombang Village
Bitombang Village is located about 7 km east-southeast of Benteng. Unlike the other villages, this one still preserving the old traditional architecture of the Selayarese. Houses on wooden stilts are something very common in Southeast Asia and other parts of the world. But here, in Bitombang, this feature extends to extremity.
One of the reasons is the steep mountainous terrain. To make houses stable, locals use not just normal wooden stilts but super long stilts, reaching 10 to 15 m (that’s like a 5-storey building!). Most of the houses are old, some of them- more than 200 years in age.
These houses are not museums but normal private buildings where the locals live. If you want to see what’s inside, you can do it only if you politely ask locals to allow you to enter, and it is always a good idea to prepare a small gift or money (something like 10,000 IDR, for example). But even if you can’t enter inside, only watching the houses from the street is impressive enough.
This is what the main Selayar Island looks like. Now is time to focus on its small satellites because they are somehow a part of the whole destination. The first one is Pasi and Gusung islands.

Pasi and Gusung islands
Pasi (Pulau Pasi) is like “the baby” of Selayar. It is located exactly in front of the middle of Selayar’s western coast, not far from Benteng, separated from the mainland only by a narrow strait (the narrowest part of the strait is only 500 m wide). It is almost flat, covered by low rainforest and coconut palms, with a low hill only at its easternmost part.
There is another, much smaller island, located north of Pasi, called Gusung. Actually, Gusung is somehow an extension of Pasi, almost a part of it. The water between the two islands is so shallow that it is covered by a mangrove forest. In fact, the two islands are almost joined.
Pasi and Gusung islands are sparsely populated- there are only a few villages at the eastern coast of Pasi and two villages around the mangrove forest between Pasi and Gusung. The rest is uninhabited but it hides some unique gems.
The most impressive gem here is the cave Gua Balojaha– an almost vertical cave with a pond on its bottom (you can swim in the pond), located not far from the western coast of Pasi. The other gems are several hidden beaches surrounded by undercut cliffs, some of them with natural arcs. And the most popular point here is called Liang Kareta– it is one of these beaches with a small resort beside it.

Liang Kareta boat ride
This is the cheapest and most popular boat ride (“popular” in local standards, don’t imagine “touristy”, it is not Bali!) and we tried it. We arranged it in advance and early morning the boat was waiting us at the port of Benteng.
The trip was about 8 hours long, and the route was a circle around Pasi and Gusung islands, along the western coast of Pasi. We traveled through shallow waters and stopped in a few points. The first point was Balojaha Beach. Our boat stopped there, and we followed a short trail (about 15 minutes) through coconut wood and some bush to the cave of Gua Balojaha, where we enjoyed swimming in the cave’s pool.
Then, we returned back to the boat and proceeded to the next point- Liang Tarrusu (note: on Google Maps, it is in the wrong place, it should be put on a point marked by a non-existing hotel called “Pantai Bonemaleang”), a mini-beach surrounded by cliffs with arcs. Finally, our last stop was at Liang Kareta. However, we didn’t come to the coast. Instead, we enjoyed snorkeling some 200 meters from the beach. Finally, we went back to Benteng.
Keep in mind that there is no restaurant or any other source of food, so prepare something to eat in advance! We didn’t know that and stayed hungry until afternoon. Don’t trust the sign of a “hotel” on Google Maps that you can see in this area- there are no hotels. Even the Liang Kareta resort was closed. Everything is wild, and you have to “survive”.

Malimbu and Guang islands
These are two small uninhabited islands, located in front of the western coast of Selayar. They are surrounded by shallow bottom and coral reefs, and are mostly visited by travelers for snorkeling and diving. The northern one- Malimbu, has a small sandbar stretching eastward, connected to the island in a nice beach.
You can reach them by boat from Benteng, but a much better, faster, and cheaper option is to do it from the village of Binanga Sombaya (if you can’t speak Indonesian, use Google Translate and ask locals for a boat ride).
Bahuluang Island
This is the most beautiful “satellite” island beside Selayar. The island is almost flat (with a very low hill in the middle-west), covered by sparse tropical forest. Its western coast features high cliffs, often undercut, with rock formations. The most interesting point here is a coastal cave called Liang Lipang. Another gem is the pristine Bonekidi Beach.
There is only one village on the island, and a villa in the northern part of it- the whole Bahuluang population lives here.
One of the most exotic points around Bahuluang is a reef of dead corals called Makam Karang (“Coral Grave”). It changes its shape every year, following the currents, sometimes it almost disappears. The reef is naked, without any shadow (except for the small wooden hut made for tourists). But although it is made of dead corals, the water around it is incredibly rich in marine life.
Makam Karang is a seasonal coral-rubble shoal just north of Bahuluang: storm and monsoon currents pile up dead coral pieces on the reef flat, so the shape shifts year to year and the surface often emerges at low tide—hence the local nickname, the ‘coral grave’.

Bahuluang boat ride
This is the other popular boat ride around Selayar. You can take a boat directly from Benteng (but it is more expensive). A much better option is to travel by rental car with a driver to the village of Lantibongan and take a boat from there.
That’s what we did. We contacted our driver, who came and picked us up from Benteng. We traveled with him to Lantibongan, where he introduced us to a local boat captain. From there, we proceed by his boat, with his crew.
We stopped in Makam Karang and enjoyed one of the best snorkeling experiences ever. Then, we proceeded to the western coast of Bahuluang Island and visited the cave Liang Lipang- a cave with a beach (sand) on its bottom, with stalactites and stalagmites (like in the classical caves), and several halls.
Finally, on our way back, we stopped in Bonekidi Beach: completely alone- only we (my family), white sand, turquoise waters, wild land, the sky, and the sun. The whole trip was about 5-6 hours (no lunch- get some food with you, don’t expect any restaurants or other places for food!).

Useful tips
This is what you can do in Selayar Island- an off-the-beaten-path place, with highly undeveloped tourism (and that’s what make it authentic and adventurous), and with less options and information about how to explore it. Below you can find some helpful information to plan your Selayar trip.
Transportation
First, let’s start with how to reach Selayar Island. You have two main options: by air and by ferry.
Reaching Selayar by air
This is the fastest way to reach Selayar Island. The only air connection to the island is from Makassar and you arrive in H. Aroeppala Airport. There are 3 flights weekly- usually Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, but this schedule can change so check in advance. The flight is about 50 minutes long, and the prices are between 340,000 and 460,000 IDR- around 20-28 USD (one-way) or 700,000 to 1,000,000 IDR (two-ways).
A slower but much more regular way is to travel on land- by long-distance bus from Makassar, or just by ferry from Tanjung Bira to Pamatata.
Reaching Selayar by bus and ferry, or ferry only
First, you can go by bus directly from Makassar. Your starting point is Terminal Malengkeri. Here is what you need to know:
Daily AC and sleeper buses depart from Terminal Malengkeri (Makassar) and drive onto the Bira–Pamatata ferry, then continue to Benteng. Typical runs are around 08:00–09:00 (often also a very early 02:00 service; some operators run a night sleeper). Count on 9–12 hours total, including the ferry. Fares range from ~IDR 150–200k (standard AC) to ~IDR 250–300k (sleeper). Book at Malengkeri or via WhatsApp with Aneka Transport (+62 811-4111-170) or Sejahtera Transport (+62 853-9853-7777); schedules vary with sea conditions, so reconfirm a day ahead.

Another way is to travel to Selayar Island from Tanjung Bira- if you prefer first to visit Tanjung Bira and enjoy some time there (as we did). We purchased tickets in advance with the help of our hotel host in Bira (she was working with the ferry authorities), and got on the morning ferry (8:00 am) to Pamatata. Our trip was 2 hours.
On our way back to Bira, we bought tickets directly from the ferry- it departed at 10:00 am. But for more information take a look at the description below:
Ferry basics: Bira ↔ Pamatata (Selayar)
- Route & operator: ASDP car–passenger ferry Pelabuhan Bira (Bulukumba) ⇄ Pelabuhan Pamatata (Selayar).
- Daily runs: typically 2–4+ sailings per direction. Exact times vary by day/season; expect popular morning/early-afternoon departures.
- Crossing time: ~85–180 min depending on vessel and sea conditions.
- Tickets (online only): buy via Ferizy (ASDP). Check in at the port ≥120 min before departure.
- Passenger fares (2025): Adult Rp 33,900; infant/toddler <2y Rp 3,700. Vehicles: pay by class (Golongan I–IX) in Ferizy.
- Live updates: re-confirm on the day (Ferizy booking page, port notices, or ASDP Selayar social posts).
- Seasonal note: June–Aug SE winds can affect schedules; keep a buffer and avoid last-connection tight plans.
See Bira ↔ Pamatata ferry details ↓
Once you arrive in Pamatata, expect a lot of taxis “hunting” for travelers to Benteng. The whole trip to Benteng is about 1 hour (or a bit more), and the taxi driver will take you directly to the place of your choice (in our case, the hotel where we stayed).

Port Benteng
Alternatively, you can arrive by ferry directly from Makassar to Benteng: there is a slow ferry (9-10 hours) traveling once or twice per week. Port Benteng is also a starting point for another ferry (actually, a cargo ship, sometimes with options for passengers) to the islands in the south of the Selayar Archipelago- Tanah Jampea, Kayuadi, and Bonerate.
Apart from this, port Benteng is used for local boat rides- to Pasi-Gusung islands, Bahuluang, and even to Taka Bonerate. These are not cheap, public services but private boats for tourists (as the one we used around Pasi-Gusung).
Take a look at the information below:
By sea via Port Benteng (Pelabuhan Rauf Rahman)
- What & where: Benteng’s city pier (Selayar’s capital). Passenger/ro-ro services + local boats to nearby islands.
- Makassar ⇄ Benteng (DLU): KM Dharma Kartika III typically sails ~1–2× weekly (days vary). Overnight run ~9–10 h. Fares (econ deck) commonly ~Rp 150k–250k; vehicles pay per class.
- Perintis (“Sabuk Nusantara”): subsidized island-hopper routes (e.g., Benteng ⇄ Jinato/Kayuadi/Jampea/Bonerate) on monthly rosters—cheap but not daily.
- Local boats: short hops to Pulau Pasi and Pulau Gusung (no fixed timetable; negotiate on the pier or via your homestay).
- Charters to Taka Bonerate: possible from Benteng, but longer sea time (often combined with supply runs). Faster access usually via Pattumbukang (see block below).
- Tickets & how to check: DLU schedules via the company’s e-ticket channels; Perintis and local boats at the port office/on site. Always reconfirm the week of travel.
- Practical: arrive ≥60–90 min early (≥120 min with a vehicle). June–Aug SE winds can shift sailings—build a buffer.

If you want to go to the most accessible (and quite exotic) boat trip- around Pasi-Gusung islands (Gua Balojaha, Liang Tarrusu, Liang Kareta), I propose contact Talli Selayar who offers the best boat services to this island. Take a look at the info below:
Talli Selayar — Boat trips (Pasi Island, caves)
- Services: private boat to Pulau Pasi & coastal caves (Gua Balojaha, Liang Kareta, Liang Tarrusu), snorkel stops.
- WhatsApp: +62 815 2602 6823
- Instagram: @talliselayar
- Indicative rates (boat, not per person): half-day IDR ~400k–800k; full day IDR ~800k–1.5M (depends on fuel/sea window/group size).
Note: Bring your own mask/snorkel if you’re picky; confirm lifejackets. Reconfirm sea/wind morning of the trip.
Port Pattumbukang
This is the third port that can be found on Selayar Island. It is located in the southern half of the eastern coast and is the main connection to the exotic Taka Bonerate. In general, this port is the “most uncertain” of all: forget about timetables of any of the vessels that arrive or depart from there.
Anyway, take a look at the information below:
By sea via Pattumbukang (South Selayar)
- What & where: Southern access pier for Selayar’s outer islands; convenient gateway for Taka Bonerate. Allow roughly ~1.5–2 h by road from Benteng.
- ASDP KMP “Takabonerate”: ro–ro line on a rotating circuit Bira ⇄ Pattumbukang ⇄ Kayuadi ⇄ Jinato ⇄ Jampea ⇄ Bonerate (sometimes Pasilambena). Several sailings per week; days/times vary by roster and sea conditions.
- Perintis (“Sabuk Nusantara”): subsidized ships that call at Pattumbukang on monthly schedules (not daily; cargo-first logic).
- Local charters (jolloro): quickest way to the park islands—e.g., ~4 h to Tinabo in fair seas. Prices are by negotiation (grouping lowers cost significantly).
- Tickets & how to check: ASDP rosters sometimes appear in Ferizy, but are commonly posted locally—confirm at the pier/ASDP channels. Perintis: port office. Charters: arrange on-site or via your host.
- Practical: winds (Jun–Aug) and swell can disrupt sailings; keep a buffer day, carry cash, and reconfirm on the morning of travel.

Around the island
Once you arrive in Benteng, you can use the main road that leads from Pamatata to Appatanah, and its branches, to explore the island of Selayar. Forget about public buses with timetables! The only way to do it is by rental car, rental scooter/motorcycle, or by hiring a driver.
I personally found only one rental-car company in Benteng (called Tanadoang Rental Mobil: 081343952940), and I couldn’t rent a car from there (they had only one or two cars that were currently hired by someone else). Anyway, a much better option is to contact the owner of Selayar Eco Resort. He is called Denis, he is from France, and he can arrange a car for you (at least that’s what they told me). This is his contact:
Selayar Eco Resort — Contacts
Hosts: Denis & Elty
- Email: selayar.eco.resort@gmail.com
- Phone (Denis): +62 821 9295 7195 · WhatsApp
- Phone (Elty): +62 813 3783 4888 · WhatsApp
- Facebook: Selayar Eco Resort
Tip: WhatsApp is the fastest way to receive an answer.

Another option is to explore the island by motorcycle or scooter. It is more easy to find- ask your hotel, or try Rental Mobil (see the location here).
If you want to travel around the island by hired driver, and to Bahuluang Island from Lantibongan (the cheapest option), take a look at this info:
Car + driver (Benteng, Lantibongan, Bahuluang, Pamatata)
- Selayar Traveling (Benteng) — WA: +62 815 4320 8647
- Wonderful Selayar — WA: +62 822 4822 8989
- Visit Selayar — WA: +62 811 4206 241
- Ecowisata Bumi Selayar (Bontosikuyu) — WA: +62 812 4191 113
Typical pricing (2025): day hire IDR ~500k–800k (route-dependent; fuel extra on long loops); Benteng ⇄ Pamatata transfer IDR ~150k–300k/car.
Ask the agency to connect you directly with a specific driver via WhatsApp for exact quotes and timing.

And finally, if you are looking for a reliable and more comfortable boat trip to Taka Bonerate (regardless of season), find Ayong Robert:
Ayong Robert — Boat charters (incl. Taka Bonerate)
- Services: custom trips to nearby islands and multi-day charters to Taka Bonerate (Tinabo/Jinato/Kayuadi), group recommended.
- Facebook/Messenger: Ayong Robert (Benteng, Selayar)
- Indicative rates: local day-trips similar to Talli; Taka Bonerate charters typically IDR ~5–8M/boat/day (6–10 pax) + fuel; 2–3 days common.
- Permits/logistics: coordinate dates with sea window; the National Park office in Benteng can advise on current rules.
Tip: Ask about fuel inclusion, island fees, and max pax. Split costs with other travelers when possible.
Accommodation
Accommodation in Selayar is not so developed too. Since Benteng most likely would be your “base camp” for exploring the island, you need a place to stay there. And there are not too many choices.
Forget about luxurious hotels. You can find only 1 (one!) property on Booking, and Agoda, if you look for Benteng only. There are a few more, but you can find them only on Trip.com or Traveloka. Or you can arrive there directly, and you can easily find free rooms (forget about tourist crowds, it is unlikely that you can’t find a free bed to sleep except for in days with some special events). And in general, the most “luxurious” hotel (or homestay) is barely 3 stars. At least the accommodation is cheap.
We personally stayed in Syafira Hotel (in the center), and we didn’t book it in advance- we just found it on Google (now you can also find it on Agoda), went there and stayed. We were the only tourists in the whole hotel.
But if you are looking for a more exotic experience (although more expensive), better choose among the few resorts established on the sea coast of the island. On the western coast (south of Benteng): Sunari Beach Resort, Asia Beach Resort, Quina Paradise Cottage Selayar. On the eastern coast (seasonal only): Selayar Turtle Bay Resort, Selayar Dive Resort. Selayar Eco Resort has two seasonal bases: one at the western coast (near the airport), and one at the eastern coast (Pantai Pinang). While one of the bases works, the other is closed, and vice versa, depending on the season.
There used to be the Liang Kareta resort on Pasi Island, but for now it is temporary closed.

More info
Here is some additional useful information that you can add to your plan:
- Food: Not too many restaurants. Look for a few options in the center of Benteng. The best one (we often had dinner or lunch there, mostly due to the lack of other options but it was delicious) is here. In addition, you can go to the local supermarkets like Indomaret.
- Money: Almost everywhere you can use only cash. There is an ATM (it worked without problems) here.
- Mobile coverage: Relatively good- we had signal almost everywhere. Our SIM cards were Telkomsel’s.
- Seasons: It depends on what you want to do. For exploring the west coast and the islands beside it, the time between May and October is better (it is also the dry season). But if you want to go to Taka Bonerate, go between November and April when the sea east of Selayar is calm, and there are many more options to reach the atolls.
Reality check — beach cleanliness & how to help:
Selayar’s shoreline can see seasonal marine debris, especially after storms and during monsoon transitions when on-shore winds and currents push floatage onto wind-facing beaches (west-facing stretches tend to get more wash-ups during the SE trades, roughly Jun–Aug). It’s not constant—after calm spells, many coves look pristine again—but set expectations accordingly. Travel light on plastics, pack out what you can, and ask your host about local clean-ups; several operators run ad-hoc tidy-ups when seas are calm, and Selayar Eco Resort often hosts volunteer clean-up weeks in May (see contacts above). If you join a boat day, bring a small dry bag to stash found litter, use reef-safe habits (no standing on coral, no feeding fish), and remember that conditions change week to week—plan with a little buffer and a lot of respect.

FAQ: Selayar Island travel
What’s the best time to visit Selayar?
April–October generally offers calmer seas. June–August brings SE trades (more wind/swell on west-facing shores). December–February is the main rainy period. Always keep a buffer day for sea crossings.
How do I get to Selayar Island?
Most travelers go overland Makassar → Bira, then the ASDP ferry to Pamatata and 1.5–2 h by road to Benteng. There are occasional Makassar ⇄ Benteng sailings by DLU (overnight, not daily). Treat flights as irregular—plan on the ferry unless you’ve confirmed a seat.
Where should I base myself?
Benteng is the practical base (ATMs, signal, rentals). From there, add 1–2 nights in small beach homestays north/south if you want quiet stretches and easy dawn/dusk walks.
Can I visit Taka Bonerate from Selayar?
Yes—typically by charter boat from Pattumbukang (faster) or Benteng. Expect 2–3 days, permits/park fees, and weather windows. Costs drop sharply if you share a boat with others.
Are ATMs and cards available?
ATMs are in Benteng; cash is best elsewhere. Cards may not run reliably outside town—carry sufficient IDR for fuel, food, boatmen, and homestays.
Do I need a boat for snorkeling?
For the better reef stops, yes—a short local boat hop makes a big difference. Bring your own mask/snorkel if picky. Watch currents in channels and never stand on coral.
How much are boat trips and car+driver?
Boat (nearby spots): ~IDR 400k–800k half-day; ~IDR 800k–1.5M full day (per boat). Taka Bonerate charters: ~IDR 5–8M per boat per day (+fuel). Car+driver day hire: ~IDR 500k–800k; Benteng ⇄ Pamatata transfer: ~IDR 150k–300k per car.
Are beaches clean?
It varies. After storms/monsoon shifts, some west-facing stretches get marine debris; after calm spells they can look pristine again. Pack out what you can and ask hosts about local clean-ups.
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Selayar rewards travelers who trade polish for substance: empty west-coast walks, glassy reef days off Pasi, village mornings in Benteng, and—when the weather opens—a push out to Taka Bonerate. Plan with small buffers, carry cash, hire local boats/drivers, and travel light on plastic. With a scooter and tide/wind checks, a 1–3 day loop feels bigger than the map: linger when the sea turns clear, switch coasts when the trades shift, and let the island’s slow rhythm set your pace. If you’re stitching a South Sulawesi arc, pair Selayar with Bira and, when conditions align, extend to the outer atolls—one clean line from road to reef.
Take a look at the videos about Selayar Island below:
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