To
get to Selayar you can travel overland from Makassar to the town of
Tanjung Bira, and take the ferry to Selayar from here. The sea journey
takes two hours. But when the seas are choppy, ferries donot sail.
There are air conditioned buses from
Makassar, leaving at 9.0 am and arriving at Benteng at 07.30 pm
travelling via Bira, where the ferry carries passengers and bus to
Salayar.
Alternatively, you can try the SMAC
charter flights from Makassar to Selayar, that flies here three times
weekly,on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, although its schedule is
quite sporadic. The flight takes 40 minutes.
Useful contacts:
SMAC Office in Selayar : +62 414 21361, or +62 81355222282
Selayar Airport : +62 414 2700099, or +62 85242016932
It
is recommended to make your travel arrangements through bona fide
travel agents in Makassar, your Selayar Hotel and Dive Sites or the
Selayar Regency Culture and Tourist Office.
Thursday 9 October 2014
SELAYAR ISLAND
Ancient Javanese writings in the Nagara Kertagama
mention that in the 14th century there was already a thriving kingdom
on Selayar. This pre-Islamic kingdom seemed to have been a hub of trade,
visited by merchants from China, the Philippines and Thailand, having
left evidence of its existence in the many precious artifacts excavated
here. Most notable is the beautiful Dongson Kettledrum, the largest in the world,
that is said to be 2,000 years old dating back to the Bronze Age. Other
artifacts include delicate Chinese and Sawankholok (Thai) porcelain,
which were found in abundance on the island. Islam seems to have entered
Selayar in the 16th century spread by followers of the Sultan of Ternate, in Maluku.
In the 16th century Salayar was fought
over for its blue-white cotton products, a favorite in the archipelago.
And when the Dutch won hegemony over Selayar, they monopolized the
cotton trade, forcing Selayar to send the cotton only to Fort Rotterdam in Makassar.
However today, with modern fabrics the popularity of cotton waned and
the people of Salayar were forced to return to living from coconut
produce, relegating the island to its present isolation.
Due to the geographical shape and location of Selayar, standing vertical on the Makassar – Moluccas trade route, - when Ternate , Tidore, Ambon
and Banda were the main producers of spices and Makassar was the center
of trade, - the island of Selayar became an undisputable important
territory that could either contribute to or hinder the spice trade.
The 80 km. long island of Selayar is in fact gateway to the spectacular Taka Bonerate National Park
that teems with colorful coral reefs, giant sponges, a wealth of fish
species including dugongs and tuna, gliding past turtles and manta rays.
Comprising 21 islands and atolls, Taka Bonerate is the third biggest
atoll in the world after the Marshall Islands and the Maldives. Although
still predominantly covered by rainforests, Selayar boasts many
pristine white sand beaches
The largest town on the island is called Benteng,
a bustling little town of motorbikes and trishaws. The town center is
the “alun-alun” , the town square, where on one side still stands a
solid old prison built by the Dutch in the 1890s. The square is the
focal point of celebrations and events happening on the island.
For more detailed information you can log on to the website of The Culture and Tourism Office of Selayar Regency at www.selayartourism.com.
The web lists hotels, guesthouses, cottages and home-stays in Benteng. The friendly staff can also arrange a tour guide, liaise with SMAC air, arrange traditional wooden boat trips and recommend restaurants. Most speak English.
Here are a number of beach resorts on the island:
Selayar Island Resort
Baloyia Beach on the Baloiya road at km 10 from Benteng
website : www.selayarislandresort.com
The resort offers beachfront bungalows and access to 50 world-class dive sites, sloops and walls
website : www.selayarislandresort.com
The resort offers beachfront bungalows and access to 50 world-class dive sites, sloops and walls
Selayar Eco Resort
Pinang Beach, Selayar
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