Wakatobi as one of the Best World's Marine Tourism objects and one of the Regencies in South East Sulawesi Province. By operating the Matahora Airport, launched in December 2008, will give you more comfortable trip and spend the holiday at Wakatobi, the one of the real underwater paradise in Indonesia.
Wakatobi is also situated geographically at the world's coral reef triangle center with its 942 fish species and 750 coral reef species from total 850 of world's collection comparing to the two world's famous diving center like Caribbean Sea that owes only 50 species and other 300 coral reef species in the Red Sea, Egypt.
Beside the underwater beauty, Wakatobi has also other beauty and richness such as white sandy beach, clear sea water, sunset in every islands edge, historical ruins like ancient fortresses and cannon that spread out in the four main islands, old village with its pillar house, traditional waving, blacksmiths, Bajo tribe and various particular dances. This nature and culture heritages put Wakatobi as the world's famous marine tourism objects.
Wakatobi is well known as the Tukang Besi Island in the map and it is the abbreviation of four main islands name which are : WA (Wangi-wangi), KA (Kaledupa), TO (Tomia) and BI (Binongko), covers an area of about 1.400.000 hectares and the coral reef places 90.000 hectares from the total area. The island is also famous as the second largest Barrier after the Great Barrier Reef in Australia consists of 39 islands and 7 of them are inhabited with the total population of about 100.563, while the rest remain uninhabited. The capital city is Wangi-wangi.
Wakatobi consists of multi - ethnic society and Suku Bajo or Bajo Tribe who lives in the seashore, having a particular building architecture connected by the bridge and boats as their main transportation and basic livelihood as the fishermen.
The culinary art of the region serves you a delicious natural tasted food, traditionally made from generation by generation.
Beside as the regency, Wakatobi is also known as the National Park, often called as Wakatobi National Park (TNKW) and it gives the unique characteristic of the regency in Indonesia even in the world having the same width with the National Park area. The unique of the island makes Wakatobi more strong and realistic in the effort of maintaining its underwater beauty and preservation as well as other heritages to place Wakatobi as the underwater marine tourism object and the prominent cultural tourism object that is incomparable with other marine tourism places to be visited by anyone.
Based these potential, makes Wakatobi is very comfortable for marine tourism activities such as Diving, Snorkeling, fishing, Honeymoon, Swimming, Camping, Education, etc.
Wakatobi tourism travel guide and tourist attractions popular destinations can be enumerated as follow :
Scuba Diving.
Scuba Diving is one of the main activities offered at Wakatobi, as the Wakatobi Marine National park is most famous for it's underwater paradise. Various Dive sites can be found on Wakatobi. An amazing variety of lively ocean creatures enhance the beauty of the already exquisite underwater landscape, adding colour and life to every inch of coral. The abundance of fish species alone are enough to create an almost endless list from the lovely Picasso Trigger Fish to the lurking Hammerhead Shark. Schools of Manta Rays glide overhead, while lobsters, starfish, sea cucumbers and anemones adorn the ocean floors and walls. With over forty five available dive spots across the islands, there is more than enough to see and do to keep a dive fanatic occupied for the entire duration of his stay and more. More dive spots are still being explored, creating the opportunity for guests to visit areas of the ocean never before seen by man.
Snorkeling.
For non-divers, snorkeling on reef offers a great way to relax and enjoy the colorful and vibrant Wakatobi coral reefs. Take your time to see one of the best reef in Indonesia.
Wakatobi Whale and Dolphin Watching.
Tired of diving and snorkeling?, you can enjoy others marine activities. You may have chance to see dolphins, pilot whales and sometimes larger whales such as sperm whales and grey whales, in their natural environment. You will find that the playful nature of the dolphins and pilot whales means that they often follow our boats ducking and diving in the waves and surf. They often come so close enabling us to hear their high pitched clicking and squeaking, and enabling us to see the details and expressions on their intelligent faces.
Traditional Style Sailing in Dugout Canoes.
Learn how to sail a small dug out canoe with a bamboo mast and a plastic sail. A great pastime on days when there is a strong breeze to whip up your sails and carry you across the bay. Learn the fine art of catching the breeze without capsizing the canoe, and also how to steer using just a paddle. Be prepared for relentlessly bailing out water with a scoop, as these local canoes are known for being quite leaky! Great fun and ideal for 2-3 people at a time.
Cultural Village Wangi-wangi.
By visit a traditional market, visit a historic fort, visit a Bajo sea nomad village on stilts and see how these amazing people have survived living literally on and in the water for centuries. Also visit a seaweed farming village and learn how these people make a living by farming seaweed, visit old ladies who weave the traditional Wakatobi material which is used by local communities for all number of garments, and also visit a holy spring which locals believe to bring youthfulness, beauty and good luck to all who wash their faces with the holy water.
Wakatobi Traditional Dance
Should you are interested in watching traditional music and dances, you may can see it the cultural evenings. This is special request and held it at the resort or afternoon trips out to a village (Min 8 people). Colorfully dressed dancers along with their accompanying band or drummers and musicians offer interesting entertainment and guests are often invited to learn the steps and join in the dancing. This is a great way to become familiar with Wakatobi culture.
Wakatobi National Marine Park.
Wakatobi National Marine Parks is home of many marine species, including : argus spots (Cephalopholus argus), takhasang (naso unicornis), pogo-pogo (Balistoides viridescens), napoleon (Cheilinus undulatus), red fish (Lutjanus biguttatus), baronang (Siganus guttatus), Amphiprion melanopus Chaetodon specullum, Chelmon rostratus, Heniochus acuminatus, Lutjanus monostigma, Caesio caerularea. Also, it can also be found erasia king prawns (Alcedo atthis) and species of sea turtles often lay their eggs in the Wakatobi National Park, such as hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata), jars of sea turtles (Caretta), cracked turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea), Loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta), and Olive ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) ...
Wakatobi Dive Site.
Wakatobi well know as underwater paradise for many divers. Its the one of the best World's Marine Tourism objects and dive site in Indonesia. Wakatobi offers so many opportunity to expose a few thousand images there, both underwater and topside, its has gained a genuine love for this unique destination ...
