A whole-island buyout means the whole of Reconnect is reserved for your group alone, for a wedding, a retreat, a family celebration or a team trip. Reconnect is the only settlement on Buka Buka and there is no village, so the island feels like yours. To be precise, it's a private-island feeling, not a private island: Reconnect does not own all of Buka Buka.
Here is how a buyout works, what it includes, how payment works and how to ask for a quote.
What is a whole-island buyout, and do you need one?
A buyout reserves the whole resort for one group, on a custom quote arranged on WhatsApp. The booking engine does not sell buyouts.
You need one for a wedding, a retreat, a corporate offsite or any other private event: events at Reconnect require booking the whole resort for the duration.
You don't need one just to travel as a group. Several rooms, or many, can be booked like any other stay on the booking page, at standard rates and paid in full at booking. If you want rooms held before you pay, or split invoices, the team arranges that on WhatsApp.
What does a buyout include?
The same full-board stay that every guest gets, for your whole group:
3 meals a day and afternoon tea, served buffet-style with Indonesian and international dishes (breakfast 07:00–09:00, lunch 12:00, afternoon tea 16:00, dinner 19:00)
unlimited filtered water, coffee and tea all day
vegan, vegetarian, celiac-conscious and allergy-adjusted meals on request, if you tell us at booking (there is no certified gluten-free kitchen)
kayaks, glass-bottom kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and snorkeling equipment, sun loungers and yoga mats
Starlink Wi-Fi and 24/7 electricity, 93% of it solar
the free daily boat shuttle between Ampana and Buka Buka, and the team's help planning everyone's journey
taxes and service
Not included: the car from Luwuk, diving, excursions, massage, laundry (IDR 50,000 per kg), park fees if any, travel insurance, and drinks other than coffee, tea and filtered water (juices, soft drinks and alcohol are on the drinks menu). Extras go on the bill and are settled at check-out by card, bank transfer, Wise, Revolut or cash in rupiah. The full list is on what's included.
How many guests can stay?
Reconnect has 20 rooms and villas. Tell us your group size and dates, and we'll match the rooms to your group. This is how the rooms sleep:
Sleeps 2, with up to 2 extra beds on request (extra charge): Beachfront Glamping Hut, Pyramid, Sunrise Villa, Sunset Villa, Maison Coco and Beachfront Villa with AC.
2 bedrooms, up to 4 people: Le Cabanon, Villa Athena and Villa Togean.
Your quote confirms which rooms are free for your dates. Every room is beachfront except the Pyramid, which has a garden view, and the Beachfront Villa with AC, Villa Athena and Villa Togean have air conditioning. Children aged 0–3 stay free, children aged 3–11 cost IDR 300,000 per night, and from 12 they count as adults.
See every room on the rooms and villas page.
How do the quote and payment work?
Send us the basics on WhatsApp and the team prepares a custom quote. It is based on:
the number of guests, your dates and the length of the stay
the type of event: a ceremony, a retreat programme, a conference or a celebration
catering, drinks, decoration and special requests
extras such as boats, diving and day trips
Payment for buyouts works differently from a normal booking: a deposit of about 30%, then the balance about 30 days before arrival. The standard cancellation rules apply unless other terms are agreed in writing for your buyout, and only written agreements are binding.
To ask, message the team on WhatsApp (+62 851 9000 8518), the fastest way, or email hi@reconnect.id. You can also use the contact page. The team answers every day, 08:00–20:00 WITA. Tell us your group size, your dates and what you are planning.
What can you plan for a wedding, a retreat or a celebration?
Weddings and other private events take place as a buyout. On the island you can add dinners, a cake, massages and boat trips, and retreats run on solar power, desalinated water and Starlink Wi-Fi.
Weddings and celebrations
Romantic dinner on the jetty or by the beach: IDR 1,000,000 for 2 people, plus IDR 500,000 for each extra person.
Birthday cake: IDR 250,000.
In-room Balinese spa massage with aromatherapy: 60 minutes IDR 350,000, 90 minutes IDR 500,000.
Sunset cruise, traditional fishing, village visit and island hopping: price on request.
Retreats, offsites and shoots
Power: 93% solar (about 40 kWp) with a battery bank, around the clock.
Water: desalination makes about 650–700 litres per hour, and the rainwater storage holds 40,000 litres.
Wi-Fi: free Starlink across the resort, good for email, messages and most video calls. It can dip in heavy cloud or at peak use, so there is no speed guarantee.
Room to slow down: yoga mats and sun loungers are included, and the island is car-free.
Plan the arrival and departure days as travel days. The flight we recommend lands in Luwuk around 11:30, which reaches the island the same day on the 17:00 boat. For a 15:00 flight out of Luwuk on the day you leave, you need a 07:00 private charter.
How does a group get to Buka Buka, and what can it do there?
Every guest arrives through Ampana. The usual route is a flight to Luwuk, about 5 hours by car to Ampana, then about 30 minutes by boat to Buka Buka.
Cars: IDR 1,000,000 per car, up to 4 people, each way, arranged by Reconnect and paid separately.
The free shuttle: 17:00 from Ampana (Tete B) and 10:00 from Buka Buka, every day, free for every guest.
Private charters at other times: IDR 1,000,000 (open-deck boat, up to 8 people, daytime only) or IDR 1,500,000 (the Pegasus, up to 10 people, enclosed cabin, day and night), per boat, one way. The return costs the same again. Book at least 48 hours ahead.
The full route is on the Access page.
On the island, the on-site SSI dive center takes groups to more than 20 sites around Buka Buka, with a maximum of 4 divers per guide, and teaches courses in English, French and Indonesian. Prices are per person, with all dive equipment included: Try Scuba (1 dive) IDR 1,000,000; fun dives from IDR 800,000 for a single dive down to IDR 600,000 per dive for 10 dives or more; Open Water Diver IDR 6,900,000. More on diving at Reconnect.
For everyone else: the Togean day trip (IDR 7,500,000 per boat, a full day with a guide, lunch box and snorkel gear) and guided snorkel trips by boat for up to 4 people, gear included, at IDR 600,000 for 1 spot, IDR 1,000,000 for 2 spots and IDR 1,400,000 for 3 spots, per boat.
Frequently asked questions
Can children come on a buyout?
Yes. Children aged 0–3 stay free, children aged 3–11 cost IDR 300,000 per night, and from 12 they count as adults. Dive courses start at age 10.
Is there a minimum stay or a maximum group size?
The terms are set out in your quote. Tell us your group size and dates, and the team will tell you what works.
How do guests pay for extras during the stay?
Drinks, dives, trips and other extras go on the bill and are settled at check-out by card, bank transfer, Wise, Revolut or cash in rupiah. Tips are given in cash. There is no ATM on Buka Buka; the nearest is in Ampana.
Are drones allowed?
Yes, as long as they don't disturb other people's privacy, the quiet of the resort or the team's work. The resort can restrict drone use if needed.
Who do we contact to plan a buyout?
WhatsApp +62 851 9000 8518 (fastest) or hi@reconnect.id. The team answers every day, 08:00–20:00 WITA.
