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Pulau Poya Lisa: Idyllic Island in the Togean Archipelago


Overview
Poya Lisa Island is an idyllic little island included in the area that makes up the Togean National Park in Central Sulawesi.  Privately-owned and literally off-the-map, Poya Lisa is the perfect extreme getaway for complete relaxation and ultimate detachment from the hustle and bustle that is everyday city-life. Although relatively small and rarely mentioned, the natural beauty of the island and genuine warmth of the local people are sure to capture your heart and leave you with unforgettable memories of your trip to this miniature paradise. 

This charming island covers just 5 acres of pure, white stretches of sand, glistening in the sun, surrounded by a crystal-clear, turquoise sea, rich in brilliant coral reefs. This tiny, yet gorgeous island has two beaches, lined with small benches to watch the sunset. Even at “peak season,” Poya Lisa will never be very crowded, so if seclusion and tranquillity are what you desire, you can’t get much better than this.  

The Island is owned by Mr. Ismael, a registered nurse on Bomba Island, the closest island to Poya Lisa. Mr. Ismael built the island resort 15 years ago, and it is personally managed by him and his family. According to legend, Poya Lisa gets its name from a man called Poya, the first person who planted coconut trees on the island.

 Aside from its obviously beautiful and practically untouched surroundings, Poya Lisa is best known for its amazing hospitality, which is what sets it far apart from the rest. Mr. Ismael and his family go out of their way to make you feel welcome and at home, and this added charm and friendliness effortlessly complementsthe enchanting atmosphere, creating the perfect ambience to make your trip a heart-warming and unforgettable one.

 Get There
Getting anywhere in the Togeans 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. You can fly to the Manado International Airport in North Sulawesi. Silk Air has a regular International flight from Singapore to Manado. There are also domestic flights from Jakarta and Bali on Garuda Indonesia, Batavia Air, and Merpati. Sriwijaya Air also operates flights from Jakarta to Luwuk, the closest town to the Togean Islands. 

From Manado, Jakarta or Makassar, 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. From Ampana, public boats depart to Poya Lisa every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 9:00 a.m. The ride takes 2 ½ hours.

 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. The Gorontalo-Wakai ferry departs every Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday at 20:00. After that, hire another small boat 2 hours to Poya Lisa.

 To Stay
Poya Lisa Resort is a wonderful resort with excellent value, and is the only one on the island. It consists of 9 cozy bungalows placed neatly in a row on the sandy white beach facing Bomba Island. The cottages are fairly basic, yet clean, spacious and well kept. Each comes with a bed, table, chairs, mirror, light, mosquito net, water, and a delightful private terrace. Some of the bungalows have a private shower, while others have a shared one. Shared showers are kept very clean with lots of fresh water. 

The common dining area overlooks the water, and is an excellent place to meet and have a chat with other travellers and the local family. The resort serves 4 meals a day, each of them tasty, fresh, and plenteous! Breakfasts are usually an assortment of pastries, while lunches and dinners are mostly seafood, rice, noodles and vegetables, always cooked up in a different way. A small homemade snack is served between lunch and dinner, and water, tea and coffee are available at all times of the day. Beer and Arak, which is local rice wine, are also available upon request. 

 The atmosphere of the resort is extremely laid back, and the family that runs it is more than willing to help with any other needs or requests you may have. 

Poya Lisa Resort
Representative Office: 
Jl. Tanjung Api No. 5, Kompleks SMKN I, Ampana
Phone   : 62 464 22304
              62 852 4100 3685
Email    : Poyalisaisland@gmail.com

 Tips
There is no mobile phone signal onPoya Lisa Island. Whether that be a blessing or curse, you decide, but it is something to keep in mind if you must stay in contact for some reason or another. 

Travelling with friends can be more fun and can also ease the cost for shared expenses, such as renting boats. 

There is no source of fresh water on the island. The resort makes daily trips to Bomba for the water needed for daily needs. While it is more than enough, guests should make an effort to use the water wisely.

 Don’t forget your sunblock, hat, sunglasses and mosquito repellant. 

Maintain cleanliness and do your part to preserve this beautiful environment.
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