Gorontalo to Togean Islands Ferry: KMP Tuna Tomini Guide

The KMP Tuna Tomini is the overnight car ferry connecting Gorontalo to Wakai in the Togean Islands. As of June 2026, it sails from Gorontalo on Tuesdays and Fridays at 15:00-16:00 (the exact time varies by date on ASDP's monthly schedule) and arrives in Wakai at 03:00-04:00 the next morning — roughly 12 hours. Economy deck costs about Rp 63,000-73,000; the handful of private cabins cost Rp 600,000-700,000 and must be booked ahead by phone. The return leg leaves Wakai on Mondays and Thursdays at 17:00, reaching Gorontalo around 05:00.

Last verified: June 2026, against the ASDP (Luwuk branch) June schedule. The Tuna Tomini is operated by ASDP Indonesia Ferry — the vessel has an official page on asdp.id. ASDP publishes the timetable month by month; days hold steady, exact times shift by an hour or so between dates.

Schedule

Notes from the current schedule:

• Be at the port by 13:30-14:00. Tickets are sold only at the official ASDP counter inside the port, at least 2 hours before departure — and the ferry will not wait for you. ASDP also answers ticket questions on WhatsApp: Gorontalo 0813-2002-8322, Wakai 0812-7980-7751.
• The same vessel also works Ampana ↔ Wakai day legs between its Gorontalo crossings — see the Ampana boats guide.
• Occasional special runs appear on the monthly schedule (June 2026 had a one-off weekend Wakai ↔ Toboli crossing). Treat anything beyond the Tue/Fri + Mon/Thu pattern as date-specific, and re-check the current month before planning around it. Weather can cancel any sailing.

Classes and prices

Motorbikes travel for around Rp 106,000; the ferry takes cars and trucks too.

What deck class is actually like

Economy means a mattress spot on a shared raised platform, side by side with Indonesian families, traders, boxes of goods and the occasional rooster. It is safe, social and entirely survivable — thousands of locals do it every week. The keys to a decent night:

• Arrive early. Deck spots are first come, first served. Board as soon as you can and claim a mattress; the good spots (away from the TV, near airflow) go fast.
• Bring a sarong or light sleeping bag liner, earplugs, and a power bank. Sockets are scarce.
• Food on board is basic — simple rice meals and instant noodles, plus coffee and snacks. Eat in Gorontalo first and carry water and backup snacks.
• Seasickness: the Gulf of Tomini is usually calm in dry season, but take medication before departure if you are prone — once it is rough, it is too late.

Booking a cabin

There are only around 8 cabins, and in July-August and December they sell out far in advance. Deck and business tickets cannot be reserved — you buy them at the terminal on departure day. Cabins, however, can be booked ahead by phone/WhatsApp; the number circulating in recent traveler reports is +62 851 663 55549 (verify locally — these numbers change). Book at least a week ahead in normal months and up to two months ahead for peak season. Note the cabin price is per cabin, plus the per-passenger harbor/passage ticket (~Rp 63,000 each).

Getting to the ferry in Gorontalo

The ferry leaves from the ferry terminal at Gorontalo port (Talumolo area), a short ride from the city center. Tickets for deck/business are sold only at the terminal. Gorontalo itself is reached by direct flights from Makassar (~1.5h), Manado (under 1h) and Jakarta, or overland from Manado by shared car (~10-12 hours, ~Rp 300,000).

Arriving in Wakai

The ferry docks at Wakai, the main harbor of the Togeans, at 03:00-04:00 — well before dawn. What happens next:

• Resort pickups meet the ferry, but agree the timing in advance. Some resorts collect guests straight off the pre-dawn arrival; others ask you to wait at the harbor until first light. Arrange it by WhatsApp from Gorontalo, before you sail — signal disappears mid-crossing and is patchy in the islands.
• If you have not arranged anything, Wakai has warungs for breakfast and local boats can be chartered at the jetty (bargaining expected — a charter to Malenge runs roughly Rp 800,000-900,000 per boat, Katupat around Rp 400,000, as of our last check).
• The morning speedboats to Ampana also leave Wakai between roughly 08:30 and 10:00, if you are heading onward to the mainland.

FAQ

How long is the ferry from Gorontalo to the Togean Islands?

About 12 hours overnight: departure at 15:00-16:00, arrival in Wakai at 03:00-04:00 the next morning.

How much does the Tuna Tomini ferry cost?

Economy deck is roughly Rp 63,000-73,000 per person, business Rp 80,000-89,000, and a private 2-4 bed AC cabin Rp 600,000-700,000 per cabin (plus per-person passage tickets).

Can I book Tuna Tomini tickets online?

No. Deck and business tickets are sold only at the Gorontalo terminal on departure day. Cabins are booked ahead by phone or WhatsApp — not through any online platform we are aware of.

Which days does the ferry sail?

Gorontalo → Wakai on Tuesdays and Fridays; Wakai → Gorontalo on Mondays and Thursdays. A third weekly sailing is rumored but unconfirmed — check locally.

Is the overnight ferry safe?

Yes — it is a standard ASDP car ferry (a roll-on/roll-off vessel, the kind vehicles drive onto) used heavily by locals. The usual Indonesia ferry advice applies: note the life-jacket locations, keep valuables on your body, and avoid sailing in severe weather (the crew will cancel if conditions are genuinely bad).