Kendari Ferries

Sorry, there is currently no available ferries on this route.

Haluoleo Airport connects Kendari with major Indonesian cities including Jakarta, Makassar, and Surabaya, with flights typically lasting between 1-2 hours from Makassar. The Trans-Sulawesi Highway links Kendari to other major cities on the island for those preferring overland travel. Public buses and shared taxis regularly run between the airport or bus terminal and the ferry port. If arriving by private vehicle, secure parking facilities are available near the ferry terminal, though it's advisable to arrive early during peak season as spaces fill quickly.

Nestled on the southeastern peninsula of Sulawesi, Kendari charms visitors with its crescent-shaped bay and hillside panoramas. This bustling port city serves as both the capital of Southeast Sulawesi province and a vital maritime gateway to eastern Indonesia. With its blend of Buginese, Makassarese, and indigenous Tolaki cultures, Kendari offers travelers an authentic glimpse into Sulawesi life away from the typical tourist trail.

Kendari enjoys a tropical climate with temperatures hovering between 23-32°C year-round. The dry season from June to September offers the most reliable weather for ferry travel, with calmer seas and clearer skies. October through March brings the rainy season, when occasional storms may affect ferry schedules. Consider visiting during April's Kendari Bay Festival or August's Southeast Sulawesi Cultural Festival to experience local traditions firsthand. Ferry services operate year-round, though with increased frequency during the dry season and holiday periods.

Kendari serves as a strategic jumping-off point to explore Southeast Sulawesi's scattered treasures. The Wakatobi Islands, a renowned diving paradise with pristine coral reefs, can be reached in approximately 8-10 hours by ferry. Closer to shore, the Labengki and Sombori Islands (3-4 hours by ferry) offer karst landscapes often compared to Raja Ampat, with hidden lagoons and white-sand beaches. Buton Island, reached in about 5 hours, rewards visitors with historical fortifications and distinctive cultural traditions. The ferry journey itself provides spectacular views of Kendari Bay and the Banda Sea's azure waters.

Begin your Kendari adventure at Teluk Kendari Beach, where local fishermen bring in their daily catch and waterfront restaurants serve the freshest seafood. The Museum Sulawesi Tenggara offers insight into the region's diverse ethnic groups through traditional artifacts and historical exhibits. Wander through Pasar Baruga for a sensory experience of local life, sampling culinary specialties like pisang epe (grilled banana with palm sugar) and sinonggi (sago porridge with fish sauce). Nature enthusiasts should visit Moramo Waterfall, a stunning tiered cascade about an hour's drive from the city, with natural swimming pools formed in the limestone.

Kendari's name derives from the Tolaki word 'kandai,' meaning hook, referencing the distinctive curved shape of its bay that has sheltered vessels for centuries. The city was once a crucial outpost in the spice trade network, with Dutch colonists establishing a settlement here in the early 20th century. Local shipbuilders still construct traditional pinisi schooners using techniques passed down through generations, without written plans or modern tools. Kendari is home to one of Indonesia's most unusual delicacies: sagela, smoked skipjack tuna prepared using a smoking technique unique to Southeast Sulawesi.