WAKATOBI PROVINSI SOUTHEAST SULAWESI PROVINCE

Did you know that Indonesia has one of the most beautiful underwater paradise in the world? Underwater paradise is known as the Wakatobi National Park, located in Wakatobi, Southeast Sulawesi Province.Wakatobi is the capital of Wangi-Wangi. Wakatobi is composed of four main islands, namely Wangiwangi, Kalidupa, Tomia, and Binongko. So, Wakatobi is the abbreviation of the name of the four main islands.Prior to December 18, 2003, these islands are called Artisan Iron Islands and is still part of Buton. Wakatobi is located in the south of the equator and like other regions in Indonesia.Wakatobi has two seasons: the rainy season and the dry season. Wakatobi National Park were set in 1996, with a total area of ​​1.39 million hectares, involving marine biodiversity and coral which occupies one of the highest priority position of marine conservation in Indonesia.The beauty and richness of Wakatobi National Park area is already well known in foreign countries, especially after Wallacea expedition from England in 1995 which states that the area in Southeast Sulawesi is very rich in species of coral.

Mentioned, in Wakatobi National Park there are 750 of the total 850 species of coral in the world. Configuration depth varies from flat to sloping to the sea and in some areas there are bertubir steep waters. The deepest part of the waters reaches 1,044 meters.


Nautical tourism is a tourist activity that has long been known and is the mainstay of tourism in the Park. The wealth of marine life is not because coral reefs are very wide along the waters with underwater topography colorful as form slop, flat, drop-offs, atolls and underwater caves.
More than 112 species of coral from 13 families, among others Acropora formosa, A Hyacinthus, Psammocora profundasafla, Pavona cactus, Leptoseris yabei, Fungia molucensis, Lobophyllia robusta, Merulina ampliata, Platygyra versifora, Euphyllia glabrescens, Tubastraea frondes, Stylophora pistillata, Sarcophyton throchelliophorum, and Sinularia spp live in harmony with other underwater inhabitants.

Fish wealth owned national park as many as 93 species. Among other things, Cephalopholus argus, takhasang (Naso unicornis), pogo-pogo (Balistoides viridescens), napoleon (Cheilinus undulatus), perch (Lutjanus biguttatus), rabbitfish (Siganus guttatus), Amphiprion melanopus, Chaetodon specullum, Chelmon rostratus, Heniochus acuminatus , Lutjanus monostigma, Caesio caerularea, and others.

Wakatobi National Park is also home to several species of sea birds like the brown booby (Sula leucogaster plotus), kettle melayu (Charadrius peronii) and king prawns Erasia (Alcedo atthis). Several species of sea turtles also make this park as their home, such as the hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and Olive Ridley turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea).Wakatobi waters have a "guest" faithful who make Wakatobi waters as a playground. "Guest" was none other than the sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus).Typically, sperm whales are in Wakatobi in November, while the other hemisphere frozen. In the relatively warmer Wakatobi waters and abundant food that can satiate the stomach whales.Wakatobi is also a playground manta ray (Manta ray) are classified as giant body size. Mantas is one type of fish that is distinctive and unique, which is only found in tropical waters.The existence of 25 clusters of coral reefs and deep waters make the Park an ideal place for many species of marine life to live, also made the sea dwellers here have aesthetic value and high conservation.

Specifically the Park surrounded by beaches of coral islands along the 600 km and coastal tourism and spread throughout the Wakatobi region is very potential to be managed. So, not without reason that the beach area in this region is very suitable for tours such as diving, snorkeling, swimming, and fishing.

LOCATION