Wakatobi, Southeast Sulawesi

Do you like diving, snorkeling or swimming? Wakatobi is a premier place for diving. An amalgam of four main islands, Wangi-Wangi, Kaledupa, Tomia and Binongko (Wakatobi). A variety of beautiful coral and fish live permanently in clear seas almost all over Wakatobi. Holding a national marine park status, Wakatobi Islands are also a popular destination for conservationists and avid scuba divers drawn in by the underwater diversity. With soft currents, the islands are a great place for beginner divers, as they offer so much untouched underwater scenes, which is perfect for every diver! With this protected national park comes healthy marine life and every dive contributes towards the local community.

The Wakatobi Islands are known for the outstanding coral and the amazing biodiversity, with 25 coral reefs and 900 marine species, included sightings of moray eels, dolphins, manta rays and sea turtles! What’s even better, is that these islands are much less crowded and offer a quiet reprieve to enjoy diving and beaches without the crowds. Being a part of sustainable tourism in Indonesia, this spot is sure to develop in the future whilst still retaining its local culture, pristine environment, and exciting underwater life.

The dive sites here has high density and variety of small creatures and critters you can find. Several new species have been found around Wakatobi. For macro underwater photography lovers come here from all over the world to get excellent shots opportunities. You can spot pygmy seahorse on a superb Sea Fan, rare, and colorful species of nudibranchs and newly discovered species of the ghost pipefish. This place not really the best spot for big fishes, like whale shark, but you can still spot many blacktip reef sharks, whitetip reef sharks as well as grey sharks on several dive sites. Eagle rays and turtles are common encounters too.

Best Dive Sites in Wakatobi
In fact, Wakatobi has at least 40 diving spots scattered across four main islands. But among 40 spots, there are 4 major spots that is to be said the best. The top dive site is House Reef, known as the place to go for amazing reef diving and night diving. It can be accessed not far from the dive resort. Next cool spot diving is the Cornucopia around Tomia Island. In this spot, you can find coral reefs that looks like vertical wall at depth between 20-55 meters. The third, Coral Garden are decorated by various beautiful coral reefs and various marine life. Highlights are green turtles, lobsters to rainbow tails. The last, Rome on the west side of Tomia Island where yous can dive the colorful coral reefs, the spot is also quite safe for divers who have recently studied diving. But for details location of spots above, the you needs to ask for guidance from the managers of dive resorts around who have experienced. Let's dive in Wakatobi!

Best Time to Dive Wakatobi
It is possible to dive all year in Wakatobi. This place is much drier than other parts of Indonesia and in particular Sulawesi. For rainy season is in January and February but nothing too bad to avoid diving. Peak Season runs in April and May and in September and November and you should book well in advance during these periods. The best diving season runs between March and December as well as July and August.

To Get There
You can reach Wakatobi by public transportation, boat or plane. The best way to get to Wakatobi you can fly to Makassar (Ujung Pandang) or Kendari and get a connecting flight to Wangi Wangi directly, or fly to Bau Bau (Buton Island) and find a boat to one of wakatobi’s big island. If you’re in the mood for going to a very fancy resort, there is a direct flight from Bali (Denpasar) to Tomia, which is dedicated to visitors of Wakatobi dive resort.