...Highlights: great macro life/ marine diversity...
...Diving environment: healthy reefs, beginner and advanced divers, off the beaten track...
Rising from the depths of the Banda Sea, south east of the mainland of Sulawesi, the main islands of Wangi, Kaledupa, Tomea, Binongki - WaKaToBi - dish up for divers large portions of all the world's reef types - fringing, atoll and barrier - and are served with lashings of healthy corals and dense schools of fish. Jacques Cousteau was sufficiently moved to claim this area the finest dive site in the world and the area is now regularly visited by several Indonesian liveaboards.
The reefs for Wakatobi diving are unlike any others in the region because of the drier climate and uplifted limestone. Or, in other words, these are fossilised reefs. This means there is an exceptionally clean environment due to the lack of soil erosion.
Being a national park, fishing is strictly limited and the reefs of Wakatobi are protected, meaning plenty of action for you the scuba diver. These superb reefs are supported and protected by the local fishing communities who obtain a fair share of the income generated by Wakatobi dive tourism in exchange for adopting more sustainable practices, such as leaving large stretches of reef completely untouched. Other contributions go towards education and strengthening local support for the marine park.
Word is beginning to spread about diving in Wakatobi but it is still relatively new. Indeed there are even new sites out there waiting to be discovered, particularly in the outer atolls which are virtually untouched. Dive in and discover the animal attractions here in the Banda Sea.
To visit Wakatobi you take a charter flight from Bali direct to the liveaboard vessels that operate there. The liveaboards can visit more remote areas not as easily accessible from a resort.
Occasionally, there are trips that depart from Alor or Flores and tour through the Banda Sea before arriving in and diving at Wakatobi. These safaris will allow scuba divers to add more pelagic fish action to the vibrant coral reef splendour that is Wakatobi.
For more information on the tour routes and durations, and all the other travel information you might need to visit Indonesia, check out our Wakatobi liveaboard section.
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Located just south of the equator, Wakatobi has an even, tropical climate with air temperatures around 32°C all year round. It is best dived between March and December - it's the high season here (most busy around April/May and September/November) during which the scuba diving is consistently good. July and August, while the water temperature may drop a little along with the visibility, is the best time for big numbers of fish as it's coral spawning season. July/August can also see some stronger winds and surface movement.
Water temperatures fluctuate between a low of 25°C in August and a high of 30°C in October. Although this is not really a destination for large animals, certain times of the year are better than others. While a manta ray or whale shark could pass through at any time, pilot whale appearances are restricted to the November to April period.
January and February normally see the wet season here but rain is not as heavy here as in other parts of Indonesia. In fact it is said to be 4 times lower than the national average. So rain does not greatly affect the Wakatobi dive sites and visibility rarely, if ever, suffers from river run-off.
Review our maps below of Sulawesi, showing the location of Wakatobi, and its host country Indonesia. Here, you will find information on how to get to Wakatobi.
5 - >40m
15 - 80m
Gentle
Calm
26 - 29°C
Beginner - advanced
>50
7 - 11 days
It was very helpful to have very frequent communication on the planning stage - in order to evaluate the options and make the decision
Wakatobi liveaboards