The Most Wonderful Under Water Park

Wakatobi National Park is the Most Beautiful Under Water Paradise in the World

Taken from four names of main islands namely Wangi-wangi island, Kaledupa island, Tomia island, and Binongko island, Wakatobi is the richest national under water park which has more than 800 fish species from total 850 of world’s collection comparing to the two world’s famous diving center like Caribean Sea that own only 50 species and Red Sea, Egypt. Located in Sulawesi Tenggara, this national park based on the decision of Forestry Ministerial Decree No. 393/Kpts- VI/1996 dated July 30, 1996 and stipulated by the Minister of Forestry Decree No.7651/Kpts/II/2002 dated August 19, 2002, consists of 39 islands, 3 gosong, and 5 atol or coral reefs which reaches 90.000 hectares of extensive coral reefs covered in 1.400.000 hectares of island areas.

Own more than 500 species of hard corals, 28 soft coral genera, and 31 species of coral fungi, make this island as a guardian of life support systems for biodiversity conservation as a representative of marine aquatic ecosystems ecological of Banda-Flores. Therefore, Wakatobi island is suit for diving adventure. Many diving facilities on offer, the price range approximately starts from IDR 350.000 – IDR 1.000.000 (US $35 - US $100) each dive. Not only provides diving adventure, Wakatobi island also has more than 10 marine tourism objecst such as Karang Kapota, Sousu beach, Patuno beach (A hundred fountain), Hoga Island, Sombano islands, Tolandona island, and many more all in four main islands of Wakatobi National Park District (TNKW). Besides all the beauty of underwater paradise and landscape which provided by this Tukang Besi Island, it has part of history for those who wants to know about Liya fortress which approximately 1080 years old, Kaleda old mosque, and  Waitu fort which is a former fortress.

The island which located in the heart of coral triangle centre can be reach by ship or air routes. There are three alternatives to reach this island, first is using wooden boats three times a week with a travel time approximately 10 hours from Kendari to Wanci city. Second is using regular fast boat every day, it has two times of departure with approximately 5 hours of travel time from Kendari to Bau-Bau (Buton) via Raha (Muna), continued by using wooden boats to Wanci city for approximately 8 hours of travel time. The last is using air routes, departure from Makasar to Bau-Bau every three times a week flight schedule. Also, there is the newest airport to ease visitors enjoying this island through Matahora Airport, launched in December 2008.

Contact Details:

Balai Taman Nasional Wakatobi Office

Jl. Dayanu Ikhsanudin 71 Bau-Bau Sulawesi Tenggara 93724

Telp/Fax : +62 (0402) 2825652

Email : tn_wakatobi@yahoo.com

For further information, please refer to :

• http://www.sulawesi-experience.com/contact-sulawesi-experience.html
• http://www.wakatobi.com/home.php
• http://www.wakatobi.info/