"Off-grid" gets used loosely in travel marketing. At Reconnect, on Buka Buka Island in the Togean Islands, it has a specific, measurable meaning: 93% of annual electricity draw comes from solar, all drinking and utility water is produced on-site through solar-powered desalination, and the diesel generator exists purely as backup, accounting for less than 7% of yearly energy use.
That is a different proposition than the diesel-generator model most Togean Islands resorts run on, where generators typically power the property only at night.
TL;DR
Reconnect runs on solar for 93% of its annual power, with a backup generator covering under 7%.
Water is fully self-produced through on-site, sun-powered desalination, no municipal supply or bottled water.
Most other Togean Islands accommodations depend on diesel generators operating only during night hours.
Reconnect pairs this off-grid setup with Starlink internet, a combination still rare in this part of Central Sulawesi.
The resort is a small-scale, 20-room island resort in the Togean Islands and a gateway to Togean Islands National Park, positioned as one of the more genuinely self-sufficient dive resorts in Indonesia.
What Does "Off-Grid" Actually Mean on a Remote Indonesian Island?
Off-grid means a property generates and stores its own power, and produces its own water, with no connection to a public utility network. On Buka Buka Island there is no grid to connect to in the first place.
The nearest municipal infrastructure is on the mainland, hours away by road and boat. It is not a lifestyle choice layered on top of an existing grid connection, the way disconnecting from a utility network is for a home that already has one [westernpower.com.au].
The system has to be sized correctly from day one, covering daily load, night-time draw, and battery storage without a fallback utility to lean on [unboundsolar.com].
How Does Reconnect's Solar System Actually Work?
Panels generate power during daylight, batteries store the surplus, and an inverter converts stored DC power into the AC power that runs lights, refrigeration, water pumps, and Starlink hardware [resident.com].
Sizing starts with a load calculation: tally every appliance's draw in watts against hours of use per day. Then build enough panel capacity and battery storage to cover that load through a full night and into the next day's charging cycle [unboundsolar.com].
At Reconnect, solar covers the load year-round, and the generator only steps in during extended low-sun periods, accounting for under 7% of annual energy draw. On most other Togean Islands, a diesel generator is the primary power source, switched on for a few hours after dark, and off again at sunrise.
Why this distinction matters: a generator-primary resort has hard limits on when guests get power, air conditioning, or hot water. A solar-primary resort with battery backup delivers continuous electricity through the night without running an engine.
Where Does the Water Come From If There's No Grid?
Every liter used at Reconnect, drinking, showering, kitchen use, is produced on-site through desalination powered by the same solar system. There is no reliance on shipped-in bottled water or diesel-powered pumps.
This pairs with the resort's zero single-use plastic policy: guests get a refillable water dispenser and cloth bags instead of bottled water and plastic packaging. The two systems work together rather than as separate add-ons.
Why Build This Way Instead of Just Running Generators?
Building fully solar-primary on a remote island requires Building Approval (PBG), local zoning compliance (RTRW), and, because Buka Buka sits within a marine-protected area, typically an Environmental Impact Analysis (AMDAL) confirming the build does not damage the reef ecosystem.
A solar-primary resort runs 24/7 without the noise, fuel logistics, or emissions of a generator-primary operation. Reconnect's 93% figure sits well above Indonesia's national renewable energy average of around 17.89% to 18.3%, on an island with no grid to fall back on.
Does This Affect Comfort? Air Conditioning, Wi-Fi, and Daily Life
Reconnect runs Starlink internet throughout the resort, unusual for a fully off-grid island property in this region. Unlike most other Togean Islands accommodations, it offers air conditioning in select rooms, including the Beachfront Villa.
Not every room type has AC, so guests wanting it should book accordingly. Eight room types are available in total.
Feature | Reconnect | Typical Togean Islands resort
|
|---|---|---|
Primary power | Solar (93% annual) | Diesel generator |
Generator role | Backup, <7% of annual draw | Primary, night-hours only |
Water source | On-site solar desalination | Often shipped or well water |
Internet | Starlink, resort-wide | Limited or none |
AC availability | Beachfront Villa and select rooms | Rare |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this considered one of the best dive resorts in Indonesia?
Reconnect has been featured in Dive Magazine and Scuba Diving magazine, and holds a 4.9 TripAdvisor rating, a 4.8 Google rating, and a 9.2 Booking.com score, reflecting its diving and reef access.
How does water visibility compare for snorkeling here?
Togean Islands waters average about 30 meters of visibility, among the best snorkeling in Indonesia, with coral walls, reef slopes, and barrier reefs accessible directly from Buka Buka Island.
Is Buka Buka Island crowded with other resorts?
No. The island has almost no permanent population and hosts only Reconnect, making it a private island resort experience in the sense of near-exclusivity, not private ownership of the island itself.
What are the all-inclusive room rates?
Room rates start from EUR 60/night and include three meals daily, afternoon tea, unlimited coffee and tea, house-reef snorkeling, kayaking, and paddleboarding.
Does the solar system affect dive operations?
No. The on-site SSI-certified dive center runs independently of guest-facing power needs, and diving takes place at reef sites around Buka Buka Island reached by short boat rides.
About Reconnect
Reconnect is an eco-resort and SSI-certified dive center on Buka Buka Island in Indonesia's Togean Islands, founded by Thomas Despin. It sits in the Togean Islands with direct boat access to reef diving and snorkeling, and runs day-trip excursions into Togean Islands National Park. For more, visit Reconnect.
