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Wakatobi National Park

Wakatobi is a pristine marine park that captures the imaginations of travelers, especially divers. It is named after the initial letters of its four primary islands: Wangi Wangi (the primary entry point to the park), Kaledupa, Tomia, and Binongko. Sitting at the heart of the world’s coral reef biodiversity, Wakatobi has been officially recognised as a UNESCO Marine Biosphere Reserve. The park boasts temperate waters teeming with an impressive variety of fish and coral reef species, as well as dolphins, whales, turtles, and other marine life. On land, you can explore its dense rainforests, picturesque mountains, vibrant mangrove swamps teeming with birdlife, and white-sand beaches.

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Wakatobi Diving

Wakatobi has the largest barrier reef in Indonesia, second only to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef on a global scale. Encompassing the entire Wakatobi District, Wakatobi Marine Park spans 1.4 million hectares, with 900,000 hectares adorned by diverse and vibrant tropical coral reefs. The area features fringing, atolls, and barrier reefs, hosting over 50 remarkable dive sites easily accessible from the main islands. It serves as a home to a variety of large and small fish species, as well as a playground for dolphins, turtles, and even whales. Wakatobi is home to an impressive 942 fish species and 750 coral reef species, out of the world’s total of 850. This surpasses the Caribbean Sea, which only hosts 50 fish species, and the Red Sea in Egypt, known for its 300 coral reef species.

Where is Wakatobi?

Wakatobi is situated in the southeastern part of Sulawesi, Indonesia, in Southeast Asia. The marine park lies between the Flores Sea to the southwest and the Banda Sea to the northeast.

When is the Best Time to Visit Wakatobi?

Situated south of the equator, Wakatobi boasts a consistent tropical climate with air temperatures averaging around 28–30 °C throughout the year. The prime diving season falls between March and December, peaking in activity around April-May and September-November, when scuba diving conditions are consistently favourable. July and August, despite a slight decrease in water temperature and visibility, offer the best opportunity to witness large schools of fish due to the coral spawning season. However, this period may also bring stronger winds and surface currents.

Water temperatures in the area vary throughout the year, ranging from 25°C in August to 30°C in October. Though not known for large animals, Wakatobi offers distinct seasons for optimal wildlife encounters. While whale sharks or manta rays may appear at any time, sightings of pilot whales are only common between November and April.. January and February mark the wet season, yet rainfall is considerably lighter in comparison to other parts of Indonesia. In fact, it is estimated to be four times lower than the national average. As a result, the dive sites and visibility in Wakatobi are not significantly affected by rain.

How to Get to Wakatobi?

Denpasar International Airport in Bali (DPS) serves as the primary international gateway to Wakatobi National Park. To reach Wakatobi, you will need to take a connecting domestic flight. You can arrange domestic flights from Bali to Makassar or Kendari. Upon arrival, you can organize local flights to Wangi-Wangi Island, followed by a one-night stay. The following day, you can continue your journey by taking a local ferry to Tomia Island.

For those staying at Wakatobi Resort, you can take advantage of direct connections from Bali’s international airport to the resort’s airstrip. This reduces the travel time to less than three hours. Flights to the resort typically operate on Mondays and Fridays, catering exclusively to guests of Wakatobi Resort and Pelagian Dive Yacht.

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