September 12, 2025 | 01:00 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Kwandang Bay in North Gorontalo of Gorontalo province has become a popular destination for both domestic and international tourists. The area is renowned for its island hopping tours, where visitors journey from one island to the next along a single route.
Four of the most celebrated islands on this route are Huha Island, Lampu Island, Bugisa Island, and Mohinggito Island.
Yasin Ali, a local tour guide and tourism industry professional, noted that this specific tour package is gaining immense popularity, leading to a noticeable increase in visitors, particularly from abroad.
The tour is structured in two ways: one for tourists who plan to stay overnight, and another for those on a day trip. The overnight route covers all four islands, concluding at Mohinggito Island. In contrast, the day-trip tour typically ends at Bugisa Island.
White Sand and Clear Waters
Yasin described the stunning island chain in Kwandang Bay as featuring immaculate white-sand beaches and crystal-clear waters.
“This is one of the tourist destinations that is starting to be frequented by both local and foreign tourists. Even local visitors are beginning to make island hopping their top choice,” he said in Gorontalo on Friday, September 5, 2025.
This surge in popularity has created a positive ripple effect, revitalizing the local sea tour operators in the Kwandang and Ponelo Islands districts.
“Boat owners and sea taxi captains can earn at least Rp800,000 for a round trip, and sometimes more,” Yasin shared.
This newfound income is a significant change, as many operators lost their livelihood when Saronde Island became an exclusive tourist destination after the COVID-19 pandemic. With the rise of island hopping, they can now secure a more reliable source of income.
Rooted in Local Customs
According to Yasin, this form of island tourism evolved naturally from the traditions of the local coastal communities and their maritime activities. Initially, fishermen and other coastal residents frequently traveled between islands for fishing, trading, or simply as a stopover.
Over time, this routine activity was recognized as a recreational opportunity, and the modern tourism industry has since helped to popularize and formalize it.
North Gorontalo is a coastal region in the northern part of Gorontalo province. It boasts a beautiful archipelago of approximately 52 islands stretching from the eastern Atinggola district to the western Tolinggula district. Of these, two are inhabited, while three have been designated as nature reserves.
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