Located in the Minh Banggai, Indonesia, Paisu Pok Lake is today attaining fame as one of the most fantastic marvels with which God has blessed the land. What was once a hidden rarity in this area is now a tourist place with numerous visiting couples visiting here. Should you be planning for a trip to Sulawesi in the future, don’t miss to include a visit to this enchanting lake on your to-do list. Paisu Pok, with its crystal blue water—it is beautiful in itself, the tranquility of the surrounding region, as well as the rare opportunity of setting feet wherever the area remains untouched.
How to Reach Paisu Pok
Peleng Island is one of the Banggai Islands Regency provinces and lies in its confines as well. To reach the location, you would first have to go to Luwuk, the place nearest to it. From Makassar, the flights going there are available on a daily routine. For getting there, if you are coming from Jakarta or Bali or are at a point where commercial flights are flying to and not from Makassar, you can travel from your destination for a change in route in order to get to Luwuk. It is simple to book tickets for flight using a tool such as Skyscanner.
Upon arrival in Luwuk, take a taxi, which would only cost around 50,000 to travel 20 minutes toward inland. You may then proceed on foot there to the ferry entering at the Luwuk People’s Port (Pelabuhan Rakyat) in order to reach Leme Leme on Peleng Island. Departure time is set daily at 2 PM; however, it is advised to come at around 1 PM as it is always a bit late. Trip time is approximately two hours at the rate of 54,000 IDR, which means approximately three US dollars. The ride is quite rudimentary: comfort is only about seating, so if you prefer a speedboat, you can arrange for a faster trip.
Discover Paisu Pok Lake
Upon ferry arrival from Luwuk stop Leme Leme on the Peleng Island which is approximately 23 kilometers away from Paisu Pok Lake. You can either rent a scooter from Leme Leme, or hire a private driver to help you go closer. The journey takes about one hour on a scooter, taking into consideration the possibility of relatively less smooth roads at certain places.
Within a short five-minute walk after the ride from Leme Leme, the paved path facilitates access to the lake. Going beyond the lake, a thick rainforest envelops the water from slightly further back and adds even more to its mystic charm.
Have a Glimpse at Paisu Pok Lake
Indeed, you would miss one if you do not know the existence of the Paisu Pok Lake, which, upon arrival, would dazzle one’s eyes brought by the panorama of such deep blue waters. The water is very clear; you can see all the way to the bottom even though the lake bottom is over 10 meters deep. Vibrant colors change with the lighting available during the day-break and its opposite time mid-day sunlight.
To explore the place more, you can get a canoe or paddle board to rent, or you can just go for a swim in the lake. It can be quite cold in the morning but the water turns very refreshing come midday, making it feel like the perfect escape from the heat. Floating in super-crystal-clear water, you don’t have to be worried when you come across odd logs or rocks that have fallen into the deep blue of the pond since they add character to its otherwise very serene look.
Paisu Pok Lake is a rather unique place. The local lingo, back in the day, means “Paisu Pok” is translated as “black water,” but, in sharp contrast, it shows a loud color. With this hard-to-find lakespot protected by the locals who are proud of their accomplishment in protecting the place, remember that this should be conserved at all costs. Take a look at the jungle encircling it and say a few kind words in Bahasa so that the locals are encouraged to have the area left alone from unnecessary development.
What You Ought to Know: Payments and Rentals
When visiting the lake, you would need to keep in mind a few payments and rentals for your visit to the amazing place.
Entrance Fee: 5k IDR
Motorcycle Parking: 3k IDR
Car Parking: 10k IDR
Rental prices are as follows:
Canoe: 30k IDR
Paddleboard: 100k IDR
Snorkel Gear: 50k IDR
Gazebo: 30k IDR
Rental of a GoPro: 200k IDR (or 150k and brings a photographer)assword.
Overnight Camping: 35k IDR
While the lake gets more and more hyperbolic and the experience gets rarer with time, the fees will also, probably, tend to have a change, but they are still quite reasonable.
Where to Stay
Accommodation options around the lake are very basic but cozy. There are a few places to board near the lake at Luk Panenteng village with a walk or so away for a complete experience. If you are into something more professional, then board in Salakan; it is a further drive away from the lake.
Other Things to Do Nearby
Surely, Paisu Pok Lake is one of the best things to visit. However, the other neighboring spots like Pantai Poganda, a quiet beach with white sands, and also Paisu Batango, a very nice turquoise lagoon, lie within close proximity. They are easy to reach and make great other spots to visit.
Final Thoughts
Paisu Pok Lake certainly ranks as one of the finest in the whole country of Indonesia, and so, it is surely a must-visit. It’s it a hassle to reach there, but the beauty of this lake alone makes people forget all their other efforts. If your premise of journey happens to market you in Sulawesi, this is one adventure you won’t ever want to miss. Try to step in early, but not too early so you can shun the crowd, and, during the working week, even more, quiet hours are to be had.
Swimming or kayaking, or just taking in the majestic views, Paisu Pok Lake is one of those rare sites in Indonesia offering a close-to-perfect experience for everyone who becomes part of it.
