PAISU POK LAKE AT A GLANCE
Location: Peleng Island, Banggai, Central Sulawesi
Water Clarity: 10-15 meters visibility
Best Time: April-November (afternoon visits)
Entrance Fee: 5,000 IDR (~$0.30 USD)
Travel Time: ~7 hours total from Luwuk
Activities: Snorkeling, boating, swimming, paddle boarding
Accommodation: Homestays (40k-60k IDR) or camping
Who Should Go: Backpackers, photographers, off-grid travelers
When you first set eyes on Paisu Pok Lake in Banggai region of Sulawesi, you’ll understand why its popular among backpackers and hidden gem hunters in Indonesia. It’s crystal clear water, clear as glass. It’s blue so clear and so bright that it almost isn’t real. All around you, towering tropical trees rise high into the sky. It’s a sight that feels almost impossible until you’re there, surrounded by its splendor. I am not exaggerating and neither do these pictures you see here have any filter applied to them!
Now you may ask, why is it not as popular as any place in Bali? Well for starters, it’s not simple to get to Paisu Pok Lake (Banggai Islands). It’s not a Bali weekend getaway. It needs planning, it needs patience, it needs commitment. Most people won’t bother. And that, precisely, is why it’s so special. Is that a reason enough for you to add it to your Indonesia itinerary? Don’t worry if you are not convinced yet, read till the end of my blog and you might not even need convincing haha
For people who are desperate to find a gem that is off the beaten track in Sulawesi, something that few travelers get to see, this is your place. Our travel guide will walk you through all the information you need to know before making this Sulawesi island trip.
What Makes Paisu Pok Lake So Extraordinary
Few outside of Indonesia know about Paisu Pok Lake. All that is changing rapidly, though. Instagram and TikTok made this undiscovered gem a destination, but it remains a remote, untouched destination as far as other Indonesia tourist areas are concerned.
Paisu Pok lake was one of the main reason for making Banggai region of Indonesia famous among adventure travelers looking to go beyond Bali!
The water here is truly unlike anything else in the region. I am speaking of a visibility that stretches from 10 to 15 meters straight down. Through this remarkably clear water you can glimpse fallen trees, rocks, and the dark lake bottom as if peering into a dreamlike world. Locals say that “Paisu Pok” translates to dark water/black water, a name inspired by the deep lake floor that is discernible beneath the crystal clear surface. Such natural transparency is a rare treasure, one you won’t encounter at many lakes around the globe.
The lake sits in a jungle crater surrounded by dense tropical forest. There are no massive resorts, no commercialized beach clubs, no Instagram famous swings and photo installations. Just natural beauty. Pristine water. Quiet. That’s the whole appeal.
The colors shift with time of day and angle of sunshine. It really is more breathtaking in the high, sunny afternoons. Whichever time you travel, bring a good cam. Photos will really knock ’em for a loop.
The one caveat: This lake is becoming busier with each passing year. If you’d like to witness its natural splendor before it gets overdeveloped, like some other hidden treasures of Indonesia, now is your time to visit.
Paisu Pok Lake vs Other Indonesian Lakes: Is It Really The Clearest?
How does Paisu Pok compare to other clear Indonesian lakes?
While places like Lake Toba and Lake Maninjau are famous, Paisu Pok offers superior water clarity with 10 to 15 meter visibility, rivaling or exceeding many famous sites. Unlike Toba (which has volcanic minerals), Paisu Pok’s freshwater creates that glass-like transparency.
The key difference: Paisu Pok remains largely undeveloped, preserving its natural clarity while other famous lakes now face tourism pollution. If your priority is pristine, unspoiled waters, Paisu Pok wins. If you want easier access and more infrastructure, choose Toba.
Is Paisupok Lake Safe for Swimming and Snorkeling?
Yes, Paisupok lake is safe for swimming. It’s a closed freshwater lake with no connection to the ocean, meaning no saltwater predators. Local fishermen confirm: no crocodiles, no venomous snakes, no dangerous wildlife.
The lake floor is sandy with submerged trees and rocks (wear water shoes to avoid cuts). Water is extremely cold in early morning (consider a wetsuit), warming to comfortable temperatures by noon. For snorkeling, the 10 to 15 meter visibility means you can see everything safely.
Always follow guides advice and don’t swim alone! The lake’s main “danger” is overcrowding on weekends which is why I always recommend visiting on weekends!
Getting to Paisu Pok Lake
Like it or not, getting to Paisu Pok Lake is a challenge. It’s part of the journey, though (ok that’s a cope, it sucks if I am being very honest). Worth it though!
Here is just how you do it:
Step 1: Fly to Luwuk
The closest airport to Paisu Pok Lake is Luwuk airport (code LUW), which is small with few flights a day. There are no direct flights out of Bali or Jakarta to Luwuk. You will need to travel through Makassar first.
There are daily flights between Makassar and Luwuk, with only one airline operating on these routes which offer direct flights – Batik Air. Flight time is about 75 minutes. It is a 20 minute drive from Luwuk airport to city center. Taxis will be waiting at the airport to usher you in (Book grab taxi via app and avoid the hassle of haggling at airport!). For your transfer, expect a price of about 50k IDR to 65k IDR (about 3-4 USD).
Pro tip: Book your Makassar flights first, and subsequently search for connecting flights to Luwuk. Don’t ever attempt to book your whole trip at a time. You will save a bit of money and get more flexibility if your initial flight gets delayed.
Step 2: Ferry from Luwuk to Peleng Island
From Luwuk town, you need to get to Leme Leme port. To reach Leme Leme port just ask a local who will point you to Luwuk People’s Port (Pelabuhan Rakyat). Public ferry leaves at 2 PM daily. Yes, 2 PM. And, yes, it most likely leaves late. This is a typical example of a term known as “Indonesian rubber time.”
The ferry itself is a big wooden boat which carries anywhere from 50 to 100 passengers. It’s a workboat, not a tourist boat so you gotta manage your expectations . You will travel with local citizens, vendors, school children on their way home. May this is the real local experience you needed to get out of the touristic mindset lol. It will take about 2 hours but seas are mostly calm so you will not get seasick (I hope!).
The tickets cost 54,000 IDR (3 USD) each. They’re sold at the port. They don’t sell out so relax. Inside seating isn’t really comfortable but if you want more exclusivity you could rent a small cabin with bunk beds as well as a fan for an additional 50,000 IDR.
Step 3: Boat Transfer from Leme Leme to Lake
The ferry boat drops you at Leme Leme on Peleng Island. You are yet 23 km from Paisu Pok Lake sigh !!!
You are close, just a little more patience. You have two options here:
Option A: Rent a scooter. This is the cheap option. You can rent a scooter from any of the homestays around the harbor. It will take around 1 hour to ride to the lake since the road has a few broken patches which require reducing your speed unless you are a rally driver!
It has minimal traffic so it’s not possible for you to get lost. Download an offline map on your smartphone prior to your arrival, just as a precaution (I do it always when travelling to a new place).
Option B: Hire a private driver. You may rent a driver with a car if you don’t/can’t drive a scooter or prefer to relax. Private drivers cost between 200,000 to 400,000 IDR (12 to 25 USD) for a round trip, depending on your bargaining skills. It is worth it if you come with your friend or family since you may share the cost.
From the parking area, it’s a 5 minute walk to the lake on a paved path. easy peasy lemon squeezy….
Group travel option: Private Speedboat
If you prefer to avoid the ferry or travel with buddies or prefer to splurge, you may charter a private speedboat out of Luwuk. This reduces travel time to approximately 1 hour with a chance to spot dolphins en route. Price ranges between 1.5 to 4 million IDR (90 to 240 USD) for a round trip, depending on boat, driver, etc. Cheaper still if divided amongst 3 or 4 passengers.
If you like to splurge on luxury, then why not!
What to Expect When You Arrive
The lake itself is smaller than you would expect based on photographs here or on instagram. That’s a good thing, though. It’s never crowded no matter what day it is. You might walk around its entire shoreline in 30 to 45 minutes.
The water is extremely clear and extremely cold in the early morning. It warms to ideal swimming temperatures by noon. You can see at least 10 to 15 meters down and in some areas even more. It is possible to see to the lake bottom practically everywhere you look.
Underwater, you will discover downed trees, stones, and water plants. Tiny fish dwell in the lake. No crocodiles. It’s a closed body of water as it has no connection with the sea so it’s a safe place for swimming and snorkeling.
I won’t be surprised if in future a Hollywood movie gets shot here, it is that good!
What you can do at the lake: Rent a small wooden boat and paddle around. Rent a canoe. Standup paddleboard. Snorkel. Swim. Just drift around and unwind. Rent a gazebo and unwind. Get a guide with a GoPro to film your underwater shots while you’re in the lake.
Best time to visit: Afternoon, preferably between 1 PM to 3 PM during high sun. Morning lighting results in backlighting, which isn’t ideal for photographs. Afternoon lighting results in really making the color of water stand out.
Best day to visit: Weekday. It gets more packed during Indonesian tourist days on the weekend. They now impose a time limit of 1 hour staying on the main boardwalk during weekends since it gets extremely packed. Do not visit during Indonesian holidays or during Ramadan and Eid since it gets extremely packed everywhere.
Best season: Dry season from April to November. However, Banggai has unpredictable weather. Local weather patterns don’t always follow the typical Indonesian dry season. December to March can still be sunny. At times, we have seen amazing sunny days in December and January.
Where to Stay Near Paisu Pok Lake
Accommodation options will depend on how close you want to stay to your lake and how comfortable your accommodations need to be.
Luk Panenteng Village: This tiny village is just on the lake with simple homestays. Walking distance to water. This is as local as it gets if you’re willing to dive in fully. These homestays are extremely simple accommodations. Expect simple rooms, squat toilets, and minimal amenities. I repeat – expect zero luxury!
But you wake up close to the lake, you’re swimming early before everyone gets there, and you get to see it like it really is as a local islander of Indonesia. wait, isn’t every Indonesian technically an islander haha
Leme Leme: Where your ferry drops you off. Very basic homestays. Some with WiFi. Novpitri Homestay is here. It’s a bit farther from lake (23 km) but where most people stay as that’s where you’re disembarking.
Salakan: Best developed town in the vicinity with nice restaurants and hotels. It’s a 3 hour drive away from the lake. It has more comfortable beds, nice food, better WiFi connectivity, rooms with AC. It’s your best bet if you prefer more comfort, but you forgo the immersive village experience.
Overnight camping at lake: There are homestays that offer overnight camping at the lake itself for a price of around 40k – 60k IDR (3-4 USD). It’s thoroughly awesome if you’re ok with getting to see the lake at early morning with no crowd.
Activities at Paisupok lake and their costs
Lake activities are surprisingly affordable (prices as of November 2025):
Entrance fee for lake: 5,000 IDR
Parking (motorbike): 3,000 IDR
Parking (car): 10,000 IDR
Boat rental: 30,000 IDR
Canoe rental: 30,000 IDR
Stand-up paddleboard: 100,000 IDR per hour
Snorkel gear rental: 50,000 IDR
Gazebo rental: 30,000 IDR
GoPro rental: 200,000 IDR (plus 150,000 IDR if you want a photographer)
Camping overnight: 35,000 IDR
These rates are from late 2025 but will likely go up as the lake becomes busier. Some of the rental rates are open to negotiation, particularly if you rent for an extended period or for a whole day.
There’s a small shop by the lake where you’re able to buy foodstuffs and beverages. Standard stuff. Toilet and changing room facilities available. Bring your own water and sunscreen if you prefer your brands.
Plan for these before you go
Phone service: We had Telkomsel phone coverage at the lake which was relatively strong in Leme Leme. This was enough connectivity for emailing and whatsapp. In bigger towns such as Luwuk, Salakan, and Banggai Laut, connectivity was again further improved. Furthermore WiFi connectivity is available in such towns but do not expect ultra fast internet speeds.
Money: Almost everything in Banggai is cash. Taxi, hotels, ferries, restaurants, it’s all cash. ATMs are available at Luwuk, Salakan, and at Banggai Laut. It’s easiest to arrive with cash from Bali or a big city like Jakarta, then stop at an ATM for local currency. BNI bank is reliable with minimal fees.
Language barrier: English proficiency is on the lower side in this area. People are nice but communicating may be difficult. Pre-load a translation app before traveling. Google Translate will work offline if you load packs for languages. People will appreciate if you at least try to speak simple Indonesian or are understanding with communicating. Remember the words like “Makan Makan” and “terimah kasi” …will take you a long way here 😉
Mosquitoes: We didn’t see that many, but carry repellent just in case you won’t be swimming nonstop.
Wildlife: Little lizards with blue tails live around the lake. Quite cool really. Fish in the lake. No snakes or poisonous animals that we saw. I didn’t find Tokay here and not sure if they exist on Banggai islands but I absolutely adore them!
Alternatives nearby: A 5 minute drive away is Paisu Batango, a blue-green lagoon. A 20 minute drive away is Pantai Poganda, a white beach. Both are worthy of a visit if you’re staying in the area for more than a day or two.
Conservation and Responsible Traveling
The lake itself is stunning, mostly for its relatively intact condition. Next to it remains a untouched jungle. The water shines with clarity. But such a gem may not last without protection.
There are already development plans for more infrastructure with more shops, more rooms, and even photo swings. It cannot be helped, it appears 🙁 But for now, it feels remarkably organic.
I just don’t want it to become the next Bali with over tourism yet I want people like you to enjoy its natural beauty. catch 22 situation!
If you come here, please respect it. Don’t shampoo or soap in the water. Don’t litter. Don’t chop down trees or harm plants. Locals really care about protecting this site in Luwuk Banggai. Appreciate their efforts. If you know a bit of Indonesian, tell them to continue conserving. Most travelers don’t realize how much they influence places with their actions.
Who Should Visit Paisu Pok Lake
You must come if you appreciate country charm. If you’re that backpacker who gets a kick out of discovering something untouched and unseen. If you’re a shutterbug with a camera and passion for photography. If you’re after a true Indonesia, as opposed to the tourist circuit of Bali and Lombok.
You might not care for it if you need luxury rooms, reliable WiFi, fantastic restaurants, or easy access. This is off-grid. Bare-bones. Sometimes exasperating. But that’s why.
You shouldn’t really come if you only have 1 day. It’s at least a 2 or 3 day trip. It will take some time to get there. You want to actually spend time and relax at the lake, not just zip past it. Why would you spend so much on flights just to spend a day. doesn’t make sense. right?
The ideal travelers for this destination are those who embrace the journey as an integral part of the adventure. They are the ones who remain unfazed by delayed ferries. They find comfort in simple homestays. They believe that spending hours surrounded by pristine waters and nature is far more rewarding than investing in extravagant attractions.
Is it really worth it?
Indeed. Yes. It really is that beautiful as it shows in photographs. It fulfills expectations. But only if you get your expectations straight.
You would travel all the way to Central Sulawesi just for this lake? No, likely not. But if you’re visiting Sulawesi, it would be best to allow a few days for Paisu Pok. The Banggai Islands are filled with other treasures: untouched beaches, waterfalling cascades, thrilling caves, and islands aplenty. It’s easy to integrate them with a comprehensive Sulawesi trip.
Consider Paisu Pok Lake as being at the high point of a larger trip in Banggai, rather than being your sole justification for going.
You can consider our 4 day and 6 day tours or if you want we can customise the Banggai tour for you based on your travel style and number of days you have. We are just a message away!
Useful Contacts and Resources
Novpitri Homestay: Leme Leme. Affordable. Look for their WhatsApp via Google Maps.
Luk Panenteng Homestay: On the lake in the village. Here is their phone number (+62-85161086218) and here is the google map listing.
What do I think
The Paisu Pok Lake is a really special place, the sort that gets your travel juices going again. It might not be easy to get to or super luxury spot, but it avoids being just another crowd filled attraction with restaurants and stuff. It’s just sweeping natural beauty, untouched for the most part.
If you’re looking for Indonesian hideaways, if you’re looking for a way to break free from Bali tourist grind, if you’re up for effort and tolerant of slow travel at times, this destination will totally blow your mind.
Start planning. Save your money. Book your flights. Paisupok lake is waiting for you.
FAQ about the lake Paisu Pok
Totally get the skepticism! Paisu Pok is 100% real, but I understand why people are suspicious. The water is genuinely that clear and that blue but it’s not photoshopped or AI. What makes it look almost ‘unreal’ is the extreme water clarity. You can see 10-15 meters straight down to the lake bottom, fallen trees, and rocks. The color is that intense because the water is so clean and mineral-free. It’s like swimming in glass. The reason it became viral on Instagram and TikTok recently is exactly because it looks too good to be true but people who’ve actually been there confirm it’s even more stunning in person than the photos
Good question! But no, the water isn’t toxic, it’s actually just very low in nutrients. Clear water usually means there aren’t a lot of algae, bacteria, and sediments floating around. Less nutrients in the water means less food for aquatic life, so fewer fish. It’s kind of like having an ultra clean swimming pool versus a natural pond.
However there ARE small fish in there, it’s just hard to spot them because the water is so transparent. Think of it this way: the lake is so pristine that it can’t support massive numbers of fish, which is actually why it stays so clear. It’s a beautiful trade off if you think about it!
It’s completely safe for swimming and snorkeling. Paisu Pok is a closed freshwater lake with no connection to the ocean or rivers, so you won’t find saltwater predators like crocodiles or sea snakes. There are no crocodiles, no venomous snakes, and people have been swimming there forever without issues. The biggest things you’ll see underwater are fallen trees and rocks. Wear water shoes if you’re worried about cuts from the rocky bottom. The only real issue is that the water is freezing cold in the early morning (be ready for a shock!), but it warms up to perfect swimming temperature by noon. Go during the afternoon if you’re not a fan of cold water.
it’s not a quick day trip. From Luwuk, you take a ferry for 2 hours to Peleng Island (which usually leaves an hour late), then a 1 hour scooter or car ride to the lake. So roughly 3-4 hours total travel from Luwuk. BUT…and this is important…you shouldn’t visit for just one day. The water is too stunning and the journey too long to rush. Most people who’ve been there say plan 2-3 days minimum so you can actually relax and enjoy it, swim, snorkel, and explore the surrounding areas like Paisu Batango lagoon.
Is it worth it? Literally every traveler I have met and who’s made the trip said yes, yes, yes! The isolation is actually part of the appeal as there are no crowds, no resort complexes, no Instagram swings. It feels untouched, which is exactly why people make the effort
Probably don’t go JUST for the lake. But if you’re already exploring Sulawesi or looking for a reason to escape the Bali tourist circuit, absolutely. Paisu Pok should be part of a 4-6 day Banggai Islands trip that includes other stuff: Paisu Batango lagoon (5 minute drive away), Pantai Poganda white sand beach, caves, and local villages.
Think of Paisu Pok as the crown jewel of a bigger adventure, not the only reason to go. That said, people who make the journey solo just for this lake say it’s one of the most transformative travel experiences they’ve had. The isolation, the pristine nature, the zero-crowds vibe kinda just resets you. So it depends: are you the type who values unique experiences over convenience? If yes, do it.
