Raja Bintang 01
Raja Bintang 01
Taka Makassar: a sandbar between two blues
Updated 4 November 2026
Taka Makassar is a crescent sandbar ringed by shallow reef, visited on day 2 of Raja Bintang 01's three-day plan. Its size follows the tide, shade is minimal, and snorkelling gear is included. Bring a hat and reef-safe sunscreen; the whole boat costs IDR 78,000,000 (≈ USD 4,785).
The sandbar and its two blues
Taka Makassar is the stop that looks like an illustration: a crescent of pale sand with a shallow reef around it and two blues of water on either side.
- Arrival: the tender running in over water so clear that the bottom looks close.
- At the stop: a shallow snorkel in water 1 to 5 m deep, easy for most swimmers.
- Leaving: a walk on sand that will not be there at high tide.
It is paired with Manta Point on the same day, and the tide decides which comes first. Snorkelling gear is included in the fare.
Tide, shade and sunscreen
The sandbar is visible at low tide and can be underwater at high tide, so the size of your visit follows the water. Do not plan to walk where the sand has gone. The crew reads the tide, and the captain changes the order to suit it.
Shade on the sand is minimal. Bring a hat, reef-safe sunscreen and a rash vest if you burn easily, and drink water before you land. Snorkelling gear is included in the fare, and the water is shallow enough for most swimmers.
Wet sand and sun are hard on a phone and a camera, so keep them in a dry bag until you are standing still.
Real photo from a KEXI trip · 12 photos
A sandbar, not an island
A sandbar, not an island: no shade, and its size follows the tide. There is nothing to climb and nowhere to shelter, so the stop is short and bright. Guests who expect trees or a path are surprised, and guests who expect sand and water are not.
The stop is not a place to linger when the sun is high, and we would rather tell you now than watch you burn. If the tide is wrong, the captain moves the order, and the sandbar may be a swim over the reef alone.
Taka Makassar, fitted between two swims
On the three-day route Taka Makassar sits beside Manta Point late on day two, after the dragon walk. The tide can swap the two, and the captain makes that call on the day. The whole boat costs IDR 78,000,000 (≈ USD 4,785) for up to 16 guests.
Ask for dates and we tell you what the tide table suggests for the month. We confirm the plan in writing before you pay. Taka Makassar is the gentler of the two swims, so a group that is nervous about the current at Manta Point can lean on it.
FAQ
Is Taka Makassar worth it on a phinisi trip?
Yes, as a brief, bright swim rather than a beach day. Clear water and a pale crescent of sand come into view, the snorkel around the reef is shallow and easy, and a short walk on sand that disappears with the tide ends it.
How long do we stay at Taka Makassar?
The captain sets the time ashore on the day, with the tide and the weather. The tide and the day plan set it, and the order with Manta Point can swap. Ask us for the plan on your date and we confirm it in writing.
Can children or older travellers manage Taka Makassar?
Yes, it is one of the easier stops. The water is shallow and the current mild. The tender lands you on sand, so there is no climb. Sun is the risk: a hat, sunscreen and water matter more here than at any other stop.
Check availability — Raja Bintang 01
Raja Bintang 01 sails with its own crew; Komodo Explorer sells the cabins and the whole boat, and arranges your booking, payment and pickup.