On the Togian Islands, a small Indonesian archipelago in the Gulf of Tomini, the climate is
tropical, hot all year round, with a relatively dry season from July to September. The main islands are Batudaka, Togean and Talatakoh; then there are islands such as Unauna (where there is a small volcano, Colo), Waleakodi, Waleabahi, Dolong, and Puah, plus several islets.
Temperatures are high and uniform throughout the year. They are slightly higher both in April-May and from September to November, and a bit lower in July and August.
Here are the average temperatures of the town of Gorontalo, which is located on the island of Sulawesi and is the starting point to reach the islands (together with Ampana).
Gorontalo - Average temperatures (1991-2020) | Month | Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Mean (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) | Mean (°F) |
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| January | 23.5 | 31.5 | 27.5 | 74 | 89 | 81.6 |
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| February | 23.4 | 31.5 | 27.4 | 74 | 89 | 81.4 |
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| March | 23.4 | 32.3 | 27.9 | 74 | 90 | 82.2 |
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| April | 23.8 | 32.7 | 28.3 | 75 | 91 | 82.9 |
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| May | 23.8 | 32.5 | 28.2 | 75 | 91 | 82.7 |
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| June | 23.4 | 31.9 | 27.6 | 74 | 89 | 81.8 |
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| July | 22.8 | 31.5 | 27.2 | 73 | 89 | 80.9 |
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| August | 22.5 | 31.9 | 27.2 | 72 | 89 | 80.9 |
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| September | 22.3 | 32.9 | 27.6 | 72 | 91 | 81.7 |
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| October | 23 | 33.3 | 28.1 | 73 | 92 | 82.6 |
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| November | 23.7 | 32.8 | 28.2 | 75 | 91 | 82.8 |
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| December | 23.7 | 32.1 | 27.9 | 75 | 90 | 82.3 |
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| Year | 23.3 | 32.2 | 27.7 | 73.9 | 90 | 82 |
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is not very abundant, since we are in a quite sheltered area, although it is quite well distributed throughout the year, in fact, the landscape is lush. Anyway, there is the
northeast monsoon from November to March, which particularly affects the north slope of Sulawesi, i.e. the coast of the Celebes Sea, while it is not very effective on the south side and in the Gulf of Tomini, and the
southeast monsoon from June to September, which is usually quite dry, although it can bring some rain, especially at the beginning of the period (June), and a bit of wind especially on the southern slopes (see Luwuk). Then, there is a certain increase in rainfall due to the two zenith passages of the sun, from April to June and in October and November. Furthermore, the rains may increase in
La Niña years.
Here is the average rainfall in Gorontalo.
Gorontalo - Average precipitation| Month | Millimeters | Inches | Days |
|---|
| January | 170 | 6.7 | 21 |
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| February | 165 | 6.5 | 18 |
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| March | 155 | 6.1 | 16 |
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| April | 140 | 5.5 | 13 |
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| May | 170 | 6.7 | 14 |
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| June | 140 | 5.5 | 14 |
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| July | 105 | 4.1 | 11 |
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| August | 80 | 3.1 | 11 |
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| September | 85 | 3.3 | 9 |
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| October | 140 | 5.5 | 11 |
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| November | 150 | 5.9 | 14 |
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| December | 145 | 5.7 | 19 |
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| Year | 1645 | 64.8 | 171 |
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The amount of
sunshine on the Togian Islands is not very good, nor scarce: it does not vary much during the year, and remains decent even in the wettest months. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.
Gorontalo - Sunshine hours| Month | Average | Total |
|---|
January | 6 | 180 | February | 6 | 175 | March | 6.5 | 200 | April | 7 | 215 | May | 7 | 210 | June | 6 | 175 | July | 6 | 190 | August | 6.5 | 210 | September | 7 | 210 | October | 7 | 220 | November | 7.5 | 220 | December | 6 | 190 | Year | 6.6 | 2390 |
Being at the Equator, the Togian islands are sheltered from tropical cyclones.
The sea on the Togian Islands is warm enough to swim in throughout the year. Here are the average sea temperatures.
Gorontalo - Sea temperature| Month | Celsius (°C) | Fahrenheit (°F) |
|---|
January | 29 | 84 | February | 29 | 84 | March | 29 | 84 | April | 29.5 | 85 | May | 30 | 86 | June | 29.5 | 85 | July | 29 | 84 | August | 28.5 | 84 | September | 29 | 84 | October | 29.5 | 85 | November | 29.5 | 85 | December | 29.5 | 85 | Year | 29.2 | 84.6 |
Best Time
The best time to travel to the Togian Islands and enjoy their beaches goes from
July to September, since it is normally the driest period of the year.
What to pack
All year round, bring light clothes of natural fibers, a sun hat, a scarf for the breeze, and a light sweatshirt for the evening.
When going to the reef, you can bring snorkeling equipment, including water shoes or rubber-soled shoes.