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#1 of 1 resort in Buka Buka Island
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Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Escape to Reconnect, a private island paradise on Buka Buka Island in Central Sulawesi, where adventure meets tranquility. Our retreat offers beachfront villas and glamping accommodations, each designed for comfort and breathtaking views of the Gulf of Tomini. Here, scuba diving is more than an activity—it’s an immersive journey into vibrant coral reefs and rich marine life, right at the doorstep of the Togean Islands. Dive into crystalline waters to discover untouched underwater worlds or explore through snorkeling, kayaking, and paddleboarding. Powered by solar energy with sustainable water practices, Reconnect offers modern comforts alongside nature, including high-speed internet powered by Starlink. With full-board service featuring fresh, locally sourced cuisine, you’ll experience true island living, where every day invites new connections with nature and adventure.
Unquestionably the best resort on the Togean Islands. Beautiful bungalows that are actually tents, located on the beach. Access to gym with a training bag. Very tasty food. Access to snorkeling sites directly from the shore. Professional diving center. All instructors were very nice (the leader - Mr. Jamal, and our instructor was Mr. Indra). All located on the beautiful Buka-Buka Island.
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Date of stay: August 2024
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Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:The bungalows are in fact tents, equipped with a fan (AC not possible in this kind of...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I enjoyed a multi-week stay at Reconnect and really was able to absorb the outer beauty of the place and the inner beauty of the staff.
The staff could not have been friendlier and more helpful. It all starts with the owner, a French man named Thomas. His dedication and commitment is reflected through his staff. Fresh and tasty meals from the kitchen staff Airin, Fina and Adele. The front desk ladies Rina and Adezta were able to address any request or inquiry in clear English. The manager Darvis and his helpers Andee and Iyas were keeping the facilities in good shape.
My room was fine- fan, private bathroom, soft towels. The mattress wasn’t my favorite but it’s likely not so many choices in such a remote area, The wifi worked generally well, some lapses not sure if it was the WiFi provider Telkomsel or the resort not purchasing or loading enough data. The WiFi is only available in the public restaurant area which is ok as rooms are all within a minute or two walk.
The resort is in the midst of launching a new dive center. So, their dive equipment is brand new and apparently, their dive sites are equally new, having just been discovered and navigated just a few months ago. So, it is exciting to be one of the first in the world to see such pristine underwater marine environment. The guide Indra and his boat crew Ágil, Poh and Wardi made sure the diving was organized and comfortable each day. Boat rides were no more than 10 minutes. Dives were nice and long often close to 60 minutes. And fresh fruit during surface intervals. The sites were varied enough that I was fascinated on every dive.
There was a terrific mix of guests during my stay, so every meal, there were new stories being told by interesting people from all corners of the world.
Glad I went…and you will be glad as well!,,
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Date of stay: November 2023
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Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
If you're dreaming of an authentic, remote island getaway without sacrificing the comforts of modern life, Reconnect on Buka Buka Island should be at the top of your list. As a digital nomad who works remotely, I was particularly pleased to find out they have Starlink available in the restaurant area, which was perfect for any high-bandwidth tasks. In our room, we also had access to a 4G connection, sufficient for lighter work needs, ensuring I could balance work and play in this beautiful setting.
The diving experiences here were exceptional, thanks to Djamal and Indra from the dive team. Their passion and knowledge truly made each dive unforgettable, showcasing the vibrant underwater life at epic dive sites like "Space X" and "Survival" – both offering unique underwater landscapes and marine life that were simply breathtaking.
Food was another highlight of our stay, with four servings a day that left us wanting for nothing. My wife, a vegetarian, was very pleased by the range of veggie options available at every meal, a thoughtful touch that made our dining experience even more enjoyable.
The staff, in general, were amazing – friendly, attentive, and always ready with a warm smile. They made us feel incredibly welcome from the moment we arrived, adding a genuine touch to our island experience.
We stayed in Villa Una Una, a clean and comfortable space with a beautiful view of the ocean and the sunsets were absolutely stunning, especially when viewed from the jetty – a perfect spot to end each day.
Reconnect on Buka Buka Island offers a truly authentic remote island experience, blending simplicity with thoughtful amenities that make your stay both comfortable and memorable. Whether you're looking to disconnect from the hustle and bustle or connect more deeply with nature, this place is a hidden gem that deserves all the praise. We left feeling rejuvenated, with memories that will last a lifetime. Highly recommended!
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Date of stay: August 2024Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I recommend getting in touch with people who have stayed there in person, as online reviews may not reflect the reality.
This stay was one of the worst experiences I've had in Indonesia. The food was not only bad, but also in limited quantity. If you arrive late for lunch, you'll be left with just rice and potatoes. The beer is warm, and although the accommodation advertises a badminton court, you can't rent rackets. The coral reef, which they mention, is far away and only accessible during high tide, severely limiting snorkeling opportunities. The beach was dirty and unkempt, mostly covered in plastic waste instead of the white sand you’d expect. The rooms were equally filthy, with broken glass on the floor and trash left behind by previous guests. The dining area regularly reeked of sewage during meals. The air in the diving tanks was contaminated with oil and engine fumes, which was not only unpleasant but also dangerous. All our complaints were met with a simple “sorry.” Every guest I spoke with was equally unhappy, counting down the days until they could leave, vowing never to return to this island.
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Date of stay: August 2024
Value
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Location
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Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
True to its name, the private island resort Reconnect, located a stone’s throw underneath the Togean islands in Central Sulawesi, is an ideal space to turn off and reconnect with one’s self.
Bukabuka island, where this magical place is situated, is reachable in 30 minutes by boat from the mainland city of Ampana. Crystal clear water and a spectacular reef are safe and accessible directly from the resort. Mostly all bungalows are located right on the beach, offering a spectacular view even from the bed.
I spent most of my time enjoying the woven hammock on the veranda of my bungalow, letting go of the urban stress in my bones and muscles while staring into the clouds and the soft waves.
The staff are very friendly and attentive, the food is varied and exquisite. Electricity is available 24/7 and for those who can’t completely live off the grid, the resort is located in the only spot of the island that has good signal coming from the mainland.
All in all the question is not if I will return, but simply when will I come back.
I feel so lucky I found this place (or that this place found me;)
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Date of stay: March 2023Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We had booked 5 nights at Reconnect but ended staying 7 nights instead. Lovely peaceful island, with clean glamping/bungalows on the beach. The staff, food, places to lounge all great. Being non swimmers, our aim to stay at Reconnect was to snorkel a bit. However, we ended us getting the diving bug, thanks to Steve Belkin the diving instructor there. He introduced us to the padi discovery session, which is a lot cheaper then doing a full padi open diving course and specifically meant for those who are not sure if they will be able to dive or for non swimmers like us. He also gives a free 10 minute session first to get a feel of what it is like to be breathing under water with a special apparatus. We went ahead with the discovery dive, Steve was with us all the time, he put the tank on for us, he operated all the equipment, he held on to the tanks and steered us all through the dive. All we did was enjoy the amazing amazing underwater world. We did 2 other dives with him which again were fully assisted. Thanks to Reconnect and Steve, we who are non swimmers, in our 60s/early 70s got to see some beautiful fish, corals and fulfil our diving dream. A big thanks to Reconnect and Steve.
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Date of stay: November 2023
Value
Location
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thomas has built a wonderful island oasis and does a great job of supporting the local community through employee engagement. The Glamping accommodations are beautiful - ocean front rooms with quality comforts. The dive center is evolving with great speed and thoughtfulness as Steve Belkin is developing high standard procedures to attend to every level of driver requirement. The pristine area around Buka Buka is a wonderful place to experience the underwater world of Indonesia .
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Date of stay: December 2023Trip type: Travelled on business
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
From accidentally seeing videos from reels on Instagram, we immediately fell in love and intended to go there, and finally booked a room there.
To relax for a few days, Reconnect is the ideal place, because everything you need is there (basic).
The staff (Include the owner and his wife, also little Athena) is extraordinary, willing to help and always friendly. Although there are several things that still need to be improved in communication.
Food (breakfast, lunch (teatime) and dinner), 95% of delicious Indonesian food is made by local chefs and is fresh. When it's dinner time, it's better to let them know if we're going to be a little late, because if there's no information, if the food runs out, they won't cook extra (our experience)
Open water diving classes have also been opened. For those of you who can't swim, don't worry because the instructor is very patient and ready to help, thank you Steve for sharing your knowledge, next time hopefully we can learn more.
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Date of stay: December 2023Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Thomas Despin, Owner at Reconnect - Private Island Resort & Dive Center Togean - Buka Buka Island
Responded 24 Apr 2024
Thank you for your review, and really glad you had such a great experience! We heard your feedback about the food, and took the needed steps for it not to happen again. If you decide to come back, I can promise you that food will be there and in sufficient quantity regardless what time you come for dinner :) Thank you again for sharing your feedback and for the opportunity for us to get better. Best, Thomas
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Reconnect isn't your typical luxury resort, it's more of an authentic island living experience.
The resort itself looks great.
But you don't go there for the luxury.
You go there for the experience of living on a beautiful remote island, far away from everything else.
The resort is actually quite simple.
I stayed at the Beach Villa room, which is the highest standard room there is.
And all the meals were included.
I had a snorkeling set to explore around, and really enjoyed the beauty of the reef.
I stayed for 3 nights, but next time I should stay for one or two weeks.
Other positive point, the island is the closest from mainland (Ampana), so you get the remote feeling but you can reach there in 30 minutes only!
Will definitely come back
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Date of stay: May 2022Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Thomas Despin, Owner at Reconnect - Private Island Resort & Dive Center Togean - Buka Buka Island
Responded 14 May 2022
Hi! Thank you for staying at Reconnect, and super glad you had such a great experience on Buka Buka Island! :) Can't wait to have you here again next time. Take care, Thomas & Elvi
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I stayed in one of the Villa Coco - very beautiful and comfortable. Nothing to say about the house, same for the food that is super good.
The guy from the Dive Shop is nice. The dives are limited to 1 hour.
On the other hand, beware of the owner that is French, he tries to make friends with all the tourists to receive good grades. He has dogs. One of them is tied in front of his house with 1 meter of leash all day!
I kindly asked Thomas why the dog was with a leash attached to a pole all day. He was very surprised by my question, and answered me with a shaking voice it's because the dogs attack the hens if he lets them walk around.. also they are making an enclosure for them now. I took the liberty of asking two people from the staff if the dog is always tied up with this short leash. They replied yes, all the time.
One of the ladies from the hotel came to walk one of the dogs right in front of our villa the next day.. I'm not stupid..
I complained about the price of the boat because they charge you 1 million for the round trip so $65. Thomas replied that this is what it costs them and he doesn’t make any margin on this… Hard to believe that an hour of boat costs $33 in Indonesia! When we arrived the boat was full with merchandise for the resort as well as 4 staff. He wanted to make us pay for this, not so correct.
Going on the dive boat to snorkel costs you $16. Why does Togian Island just cost $1.60 ?
PS: The island is not private! There is just a part that belongs to the hotel, the name of the hotel is confusing.
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Date of stay: September 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Thomas Despin, Owner at Reconnect - Private Island Resort & Dive Center Togean - Buka Buka Island
Responded 16 Sept 2024
Hi, Thomas here, First of all thank you for staying with us, I am glad you had a good time overall, and I appreciate you taking the time to share a review here :) I have noted 3 points in your review which I think needs clarification.. First, everybody here is trying his best to make everybody's stay as enjoyable as possible. When some issues are raised, like you did when you arrived, it's my goal to make sure the issues are addressed, and that the rest of your stay is as enjoyable as possible. I am deeply sorry if you interpreted this as "the owner is trying to make friend to receive good grades", this couldn't be further from my intention. Secondly, about the dogs, as I explained to you when you asked, they have a large enclosure with plenty of space for them to run inside, which got damaged, and we are now fixing it and improving it for their comfort. It is true that dogs aren't roaming freely around the whole island, for several reasons, including the fact that they kill hens, but also because not every guest is a dog lover, and we want everybody to feel as comfortable as possible. The last point I think needs to be addressed is the boat situation. As I explained to you, we priced the boat shuttle at cost for 500,000 IDR, and since you insisted and told me that this wasn't true, I took time to share with you the cost breakdown of what it actually costs us to operate this shuttle. Since you mention the situation where the boat was transporting some of our staff at the same time, as well as merchandise for the resort (guess where the food you ate came from..?), I think it would also be honest from your end to mention that we actually offered you this trip free of charge as a sign of good faith :) To end on a positive note, I genuinely had a good time talking with both of you, and I hope that the good memories you bring back home will surpass the bad ones :) PS: Private [adjective]: (of a place) quiet and free from people who can interrupt. Ex: "Can we go somewhere a little more private?" - Similar: secluded, secret, quiet, undisturbed, concealed, hidden, remote, isolated. – Also a play on words with "private" as privately owned, since we're the only resort on the island. Sorry if this wasn't obvious, we'll try to adjust the name in the future.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
There are more places to choose from in the Buka Buka Island area.
PRICE RANGE
S$59 - S$102 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
IndonesiaSulawesiCentral SulawesiBuka Buka Island
NUMBER OF ROOMS
12
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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Does Reconnect - Private Island Resort & Dive Center Togean - Buka Buka Island have airport transportation?
Yes, Reconnect - Private Island Resort & Dive Center Togean - Buka Buka Island offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
