Wakatobi National Marine Park covers the entire Wakatobi District, with one and a half million hectares area. The title Wakatobi itself is a portmanteau of four islands in the Tukangbesi Islands, such as Binongko, Kaledupa, Wangi-Wangi, and Tomia. Since 2005 this park has been recorded as a World Heritage Site that was tentative. Stated, Wakatobi delivers the very best experience with its widest variety of fish and reef species on earth, unlike anyplace else since. The islands inside the region are currently forming a barrier reef to Australia’s fantastic Barrier Reef.
As the third-largest marine park in Indonesia, Wakatobi is called an underwater Nirwana (Jacques Cousteau). It is a national marine park covering the entire Wakatobi District. It contains 1.4 million hectares, of which 900,000 host tropical coral reefs. Wakatobi has the highest number of reefs and fish species in the world. The island group contains 143 islands, of which seven are occupied with a population of around 120,000. Most noteworthy are seafaring nomads who inhabit many of Indonesia’s remote islands, the Bajo communities.
Road to Wakatobi
Wakatobi is not accessible by land. You have to fly to Matahora Airport from Kendari or Makassar. Other options are available with ships. Several boats depart from Baubau to Wakatobi daily, while a ferry from Kendari is also available. Wakatobi Dive Resort offers exclusive bundles, including flights from Bali to the private airstrip of the resort.
Wangi-Wangi
Activities in Wakatobi usually starts in Wangi-Wangi. Amenities and hotels are situated within this island. Additionally, Wangi-Wangi Island includes Matahora Airport, which makes it a perfect place to be a starting point to explore the area. Wangi-Wangi, which is occasionally known as Wanci Island, has many delightful places to explore, such as watching countless dolphins in their natural habitat. As the biggest island in the region, Wangi-Wangi is full of cultural attractions.
Tomia
Tomia Island has over 40 diving spots. Its world-famous shore presents a rewarding and challenging experience. The reef is like an underwater metropolis with Giant Trevallies, sea snakes, fish, and turtles. All live, creating a synchronization that is all-natural. There are beaches and a Paradise Peak, where you can clearly see the Milky Way through the night since there isn’t any light pollution.
Binongko
Now, speaking about attractiveness is repetitive since every place within this national park provides exotic diving experience. Binongko Island might offer more diverse experiences. Because there are many blacksmiths there, thus this island is called the Blacksmith Island. In the spring season, you can find an enormous bat species called flying fox. It has a wingspan of 1.5 meters!
Kaledupa
Kaledupa is the home of the Bajo tribe. Bajo individuals are known to be a legendary nomadic people who research the ocean in Southeast Asia. A Bajo Sampela village is where three million Bajo people live. This island is otherwise a location protected by forest. Spots around the island are rich, and there are some great beaches with white sand.
Whether your trips take you to a long stroll on beaches, delicious cuisines, relaxing spas, and resorts or urban attractions, extra research will give you the best experience for your visit. Get to know more about Wakatobi by visiting Wonderful Indonesia.
