What to Pack for Labengki and Sombori (and Why Each Item Matters)

Most packing lists for this region are the same list you would get for any tropical island. Sunscreen, hat, swimwear, repeat.

This one is organised by reason instead. Every item below is here because of something specific about how this trip works, and if you understand the reason you won't need to check the list twice.

Because there are no piers

A dry bag. Not a nice-to-have. Almost every landing on this trip is wet: the boat gets close to shore, you step off into shin or knee-deep water, and you walk in. You'll also be moving between stops by open boat with spray coming over the side.

Anything you can't replace in a fishing village lives in a dry bag from the moment you board. Phone, camera, passport, documents, spare clothes. Twenty litres is enough for most people and it doubles as a day pack.

Sandals with grip, not flip-flops. You are stepping off a boat onto sand, rock and coral rubble, then climbing on limestone the same day. Flip-flops fail at both. Trekking sandals or trainers you don't mind soaking are the right answer.

A quick-dry towel. Cotton doesn't dry out here.

More on how the days actually run is on what a Labengki boat trip involves.

Because the power comes from a generator

A power bank, larger than you think. The islands are not on a grid. The generator runs from 18:00 to 06:00, which is the opposite of when most people expect it.

Read that again, because it decides how you pack. There is no power during the day, and the day is exactly when your camera dies. You charge overnight, every night, and you carry the power bank from breakfast until the generator comes back on. A drone pilot should bring more batteries than seems reasonable and start charging the moment the generator does.

If you're shooting photos or video, work out your daily consumption and double it. A camera, a phone and a drone will comfortably outrun a small power bank in two days.

Spare camera batteries for the same reason. Charging three batteries overnight is not always possible.

A torch or head torch. It gets dark, the generator doesn't run all night, and one of the better stops is inside a cave.

The tier-by-tier detail is on how Labengki accommodation actually works.

Because there's no ATM

Cash, drawn in Kendari. There's no cash machine on the islands. Around IDR 300,000 is enough, and that's our own crew's figure rather than a guess.

It covers what there actually is to buy out there, which is snacks and cigarettes, plus anything you want to spend in the village and whatever you decide to tip. Meals, water and entrance fees are already inside the package, so this is genuinely pocket money rather than a budget.

Some places on the islands now accept transfers, which is a recent change and not something to rely on. Bring the cash.

Because you are swimming over coral

Reef-safe sunscreen. You'll be in the water over living reef most days, and conventional sunscreen chemicals wash off into it. This matters more than usual here, given the giant clam no-take zones around Labengki Kecil.

A rash guard or long-sleeved swim top. Better sun protection than reapplying sunscreen every hour, and it means less product going into the water. Essential if you're swimming in the jellyfish lagoon, where you should not be wearing fresh sunscreen at all.

Your own mask and snorkel. Snorkeling gear is not included in our packages. Fit matters more than price with a mask: a borrowed one that leaks will ruin an otherwise good day, and there is nowhere out there to swap it.

Which stops involve what is on which Labengki attractions involve climbs.

Because the sun is unobstructed and the climbs are on sharp rock

A wide-brimmed hat and proper sunglasses. There's no shade on the boat for much of the day and none at the viewpoints.

Long, light layers. More useful than more sunscreen.

Basic first aid, including antiseptic and plasters. Limestone and coral rubble are sharp, and small cuts in salt water in the tropics deserve attention rather than optimism.

Because you are on a boat for hours

Motion sickness medication, if you're prone to it. Take it before boarding rather than after you start feeling it. Once it has started, tablets are much less useful.

A refillable water bottle. Drinking water is provided during the island hopping. A bottle saves plastic and means you always have some with you.

Something to read and downloaded music or podcasts. There's no wifi, and the crossings are long enough to enjoy if you have brought something.

Because Telkomsel is the network that works

A Telkomsel SIM, bought in Kendari. Other Indonesian networks largely do not reach out here. If you need to stay contactable, this is the difference between patchy signal in places and none at all.

Assume the trip is effectively offline and treat any signal as a bonus.

If you're bringing a drone

We do not require any permit from you to fly at our sites. Indonesian national rules still apply, they have been tightening in parts of the country, and checking them against your own aircraft before you travel is your responsibility.

Practically: propellers and spares, more batteries than you plan to use, and a hard case inside the dry bag. Salt spray on a crossing is the main risk to the aircraft, not the flying.

What to leave at home

Hard-shell suitcases. They do not survive wet landings or small boats. Soft duffels only.

Anything you would be upset to lose to salt water.

Expectations of hot showers, air conditioning or laundry.

The short version

Dry bag, grippy sandals, power bank, torch, cash, reef-safe sunscreen, rash guard, your own mask, hat, motion sickness tablets, Telkomsel SIM, soft bag.

Everything else is optional. The wider planning order is on the full Labengki trip-planning checklist.

Common questions

Is snorkeling gear really not provided? Correct. Bring your own mask and snorkel at minimum.

Do I need a wetsuit? No. The water is warm. A rash guard is for sun, not for cold.

Can I charge a laptop? Possible during generator hours, but treat it as unlikely and plan not to need it.

How much luggage should I bring? As little as you can manage, in a soft bag. Rooms are small and boats are smaller.

Is there laundry? No. Pack for the full trip.

What about mosquito repellent? Bring some. Reports from this area suggest mosquitoes are not a heavy problem, but that's not a guarantee and repellent weighs nothing.