Wakatobi is a small archipelago, regency, and national park in South East Sulawesi in Indonesia.
Understand
[edit]
Wakatobi is well known among divers as one of the world's best dive sites. The name is an acronym of the four largest islands in the area: Wangi-Wangi, Kaledupa, Tomea, and Binongko. Wakatobi forms a regency, of which the capital is Wangiwangi. The regency is also a national park.
Get in
[edit]Most travel to Wakatobi departs from Kendari and arrives in Wangi-Wangi, either by boat or plane.
By plane
[edit]You can fly into Wangi-Wangi (also known as Wakatobi, airport code WNI) by plane operated by Wings Air from Kendari. As of 2024 there are two flights a week, namely on Monday and Friday, which can only be booked on the Lion Air website. Flight prices vary, but are usually around IDR 1,000,000/person or US$100/person. The logistically quickest way to reach Wangi-Wangi would be to first fly to Makassar (Bandar Udara), then to Kendari and afterwards to Wangi-Wangi / Wakatobi.
Be aware that the airport on Wangi-Wangi is on the exact opposite side of the island to its only city, and that there is no public transport available. If you've booked ahead at a resort, they will probably have someone waiting for you. Otherwise, someone at the airport can call a taxi or ojek for you: you will have to wait for around thirty minutes for it to arrive before starting your thirty-minute-long journey into town. An ojek costs IDR 50,000.
- 1 Airport Wakatobi / Bandar Matahora (airport code WNI) (At the eastern part of Wangi-Wangi Island.).
Some divers also arrive on Tomia Island of Wakatobi via the exclusive Wakatobi Resort's scheduled chartered flights from Bali, but this is not a necessary precursor to diving at Pulau Tomia.
- 2 Airport Tomia (Bandar Udara Maranggo) (At the south-western part of Tomia Island, just opposite of Tolandona Island where the Wakatobi Resort is located.).
By boat
[edit]For travelers with more time and a smaller budget there is a ferry connecting Kendari to Wangi-Wangi. It usually departs beginning at 09:00 AM from the Wanci port of Kendari (just slightly east on the northern end of the Kendari Bay Bridge / Jembatan Teluk Kendari). The ferry takes about 10 hours to reach Wangi-Wangi and there are different boats and operators, such as KFC Jetliner(Pelni), KM Aksar Saputra and KM Al Sudais, each with different departure dates. The ticket price is around IDR 86,000/person for KFC Jetliner and other boats IDR 200,000/person.
- 3 Wanci Ferry Port in Kendari (Slightly east on the northern end of the Kendari Bay Bridge / Jembatan Teluk Kendari, about a 15 minutes drive from Kendari center). 8AM to 11PM.
Alternatively it is also possible to reach Wangi-Wangi from Bau-Bau on Buton Island. Sadly, as of 2024, there are no boats anymore departing directly from the city of Bau-Bau, but instead at least a 1 hours drive away from either the town of Pasarwajo or from the town of Kamaru. You have to take a taxi or shared car from Bau-Bau to one of these two ports (Pasarwajo is closer). From Pasarwajo to Wangi-Wangi it approximately takes 3 hours, from Kamaru about 5 hours. The ferry ticket prices are approx. IDR 80,000 – IDR 150,000/person.
- 4 Pasarwajo Ferry Port (At the south-eastern part of Buton Island, about 1 hours drive from Bau-Bau), ☏ +6285236323829. 8AM to 10:45AM.
- 5 Kamaru Ferry Port (At the central-eastern part of Buton Island, about 3 hours drive from Bau-Bau). 6AM to 7PM.
When arriving on Wangi-Wangi (which depending on the ferry will be either at the Panggulubelo Port in Wanci or at the Numana fishing port a bit south of it) you can take an ojek to your accomodation. Usually there are always ojek drivers waiting for incoming ferries.
Get around
[edit]
By boat
[edit]The Cantika fast boat connects the main islands of Pulau Wangi-Wangi, Pulau Kaledupa and Pulau Tomia on a rolling schedule, leaving from each island every two to three days. There is no shortage of smaller boats connecting the various islands, so on any given day you should be able to move from one island to another. It's best to just ask around (for example, at your accommodation reception) a day or two before you want to travel.
On the official Wakatobi Tourism website there is also boat schedule with information about the departure times and which piers to go, but the schedules on Wakatobi Island are subject to change in the dynamic Wakatobi. Also note that some boats cannot depart on bad or stormy weather, meaning that you should always bring a good amount of flexiblity with you, especially when leaving Wakatobi for catching any flights.
By ojek
[edit]On the main islands, ojeks (motorcycle drivers) are easy to flag down on any main road or harbour and usually cost around IDR 5,000 - IDR 20,000 for a short trip, such as from a hotel to the harbour.
By scooter
[edit]You could also ask at your accomodation or at some rental shops in Wanci for a scooter, a fine way to explore the islands.
See
[edit]Do
[edit]Scuba Diving
[edit]Scuba Diving at Wakatobi is excellent, with a high diversity of corals, rich marine life, and very few divers relative to more popular Indonesian marine parks such as Komodo National Park and Bunaken National Park. The best diving in Wakatobi is around Pulau Tomia, although excellent coral diving is also possible around Pulau Hoga, a small island near Pulau Kaledupa. People also dive from Pulau Wangi-Wangi.
Snorkelling
[edit]Snorkelling in Wakatobi can be just as good as Scuba Diving, provided you enter the correct spot and stay safe. While some accomodations may have snorkel equipment for rent, rather don't count on it and take your own with you to Wakatobi. Some snorkelling spots are subject of strong currents, so always take precautions or go there with someone on a boat.
Snorkel spots on Wangi-Wangi
[edit]- 1 Just outside of Sombu Pier (on the western side of the island, about 7km north of Wanci).
- 2 In front of Waha Town (Beware of currents, and rather hire a local boat driver to watch over you.) (On the north-western part of the island, close to the pier of the now defunct Waha Tourism Community Center.).
Snorkel spots on Kaledupa
[edit]- 3 Hoga Island (Can be reached by boat from Ambeua. Do notice that the boat from Ambeua can only leave at high tide!).
Snorkel spots on Tomia
[edit]- 4 Coral stretch just east of Pantai Hongaha (There is also a WW2 ship wreck in that section. Be aware of strong waves sometimes!) (Close to Kulati Town.).
- 5 Pantai Hondue (and up until to the Ferry Port 500 meters north of it.) (About 3km south of Waha Town.).
- 6 Abandoned jetty (Highly recommended snorkel spot.) (At the north-western tip of Tomia, the one close to the Kedai Selly Water Café.).
- 7 Close to the Wakatobi Dive Resort on Pulau Tolandona (Extremely diverse sea life and one of the best snorkel spots on Wakatobi! Be aware that you don't enter the premises of the Wakatobi Dive Resort though.) (This is a tricky one - you must first take a local ferry from the Waitii Ferry Port and then head to Pulau Tolandona. It is also possible to take your rental scooter on the ferry. After you arrive on the Lamanggau Bajo Village, you then follow the small road on the western part of the island. Before the official gates of the Wakatobi Diving Resort though, you can enter the water at a now defunct jetty, and then follow the corals south, along the coast.).
Snorkel spots on Binongko
[edit]- 8 One Melangka Beach (Maybe not top-notch for snorkelling, but a very scenic public beach indeed for swimming.) (On the western-central part of Binongko.).
Motorcycling
[edit]- Tour the islands by motorbike, WangiWangi, Kaledupa, Tomia, Binongko. You can rent motorcycles at Jelly in WangiWangi, at Villa MM in Kaledupa, at Labore stay in Tomia, as well as at Anjungan Busoa in Binongko. It's fun to cruise the islands and see village life. In Tomia there are serveral forts that can be visited and some nice beaches. You can get a map of Tomia showing all attractions at Labore Stay.
Buy
[edit]- 1 Anemo Wakatobi Souvenir (A small but fine souvenir shop in Wanci with a selection of self-designed t-shirts, bags, scarfs, trinkets and foodstuff.), Jl. Poros Liya No.93, Mandati III, Wanci, Wangi-Wangi, ☏ +6282290361497. 9AM to 9PM.
Eat
[edit]There are various Warung and small restaurants on Wakatobi, mainly in the respective main towns of the four islands.
Eat on Wangi-Wangi
[edit]- 1 Sea Food restaurant at Pasar Malam / Night Market in Wanci (Try the fresh, fantastic and cheap seafood BBQ there.) (A small annex building to the Night Market, which stands on stilts on the actual sea water).
- 2 Dapoer Maritim Cafe & Resto (One of the classier seafood restaurants on Wakatobi.), MGGM+8PR, Bau Bau - Wanci, Wangi-Wangi Sel. (near the Marina area in Wanci), ☏ +6285255550556. 10AM to 10PM.
- 3 Warung Sate Madura (Probably the best Indonesia-style peanut sauce Sate around), Jl. Laode Lalangi moh samaan ramli, Wanci, Wangi-Wangi Sel., ☏ +6282290383095. 6PM to 10PM.
- 4 Nua Indah Coffee and Resto (Particularly scenic view and location.), Jalan Ahmad Nasution No.5, Wandoka Utara, Wangi-Wangi Sel. (in Wandoka town, about 5 km north of Wanci.), ☏ +6281341868715. 3PM to 10PM.
- 5 Cafe & Resto Ayim Cemara Beach (inhouse restaurant of the local dive center. Food only upon prior reservation.), Jl. Dr. Soetomo, Wapia-pia, Kec. Wangi-Wangi (just next to the Dinis Cemara Dive Center in Waha), ☏ +6282188917073. 24 hours.
Eat on Kaledupa
[edit]- 6 RM. Danis & Fadil (A small and cozy restaurant in Ambeua. Try the delicious Parende Fish Soup, one of Wakatobi's most prominent delicacies!) (just next to the ferry port in Ambeua.), ☏ +6282299307264.
Eat on Tomia
[edit]- 7 Ayu Lestari (a small, cheap and solid restaurant in downtown Waha, serving typical Indonesian food.), Waha, Tomia, Wakatobi Regency (Walk straight about 300 meters from the ferry port Waha, then turn left at the fourth junction.).
- 8 Street Food stalls along Tomia Beach (Has a selection of simple traditional Indonesian food such as Gado-Gado, Sate or Nasi Kuning.), Waha, Tomia, Wakatobi Regency (Just along the Tomia Beach walk in Waha).
- 9 Kedai Selly Water Tomia (Small but classy café with scenic seaview that sells fruit juices, snacks and fingerfood.), Waha, Tomia, Wakatobi Regency (On the coast about 1 kilometer south-west of Waha, just after passing Tomia Beach promenade, going up the street for 100 meters and then turning right, then continue another 300 meters.), ☏ +6282191228722. 4PM to 11PM.
Eat on Binongko
[edit]- 10 Rumah Makan Pasundan (Small and quirky, but likeable family-run restaurant. Can cook Parende and other local Wakatobi food. Also has a funny disco-light-illuminated catfish pool to show off.), Rukuwa Town / Kampo-Kampo, Binongko, Wakatobi Regency (Near the ferry port in Rukuwa. Coming from the port, walk 60 meters and turn left into the alleyway, walk in about 50 meters.), ☏ +6282276012626.
Drink
[edit]- 1 Small fruit juice stall (Delicious, fresh and cheap fruit juices.), located at the Dolphin Statue roundabout in downtown Wanci, at the exit to Jalan Jenderal Sudirman (about 500 meters from the Wanci Main Ferry port).
Sleep
[edit]Most of the accomodations on Wakatobi are centered in the respective main towns of the islands, with some individual resorts scattered around.
Sleep on Wangi-Wangi
[edit]- Hotel Wakatobi (Three-story hotel with a range of rooms, all with air conditioning and showers, on the main road in Wanci town (Wangi-Wangi Island) about five minutes drive from the main harbour. Standard room with air conditioning, cold shower and squat toilet for IDR 182,000. Deluxe room with hot water and Western toilet for IDR 350,000. Small dive shop attached.), Wanci town, Wangi-Wangi Island (On the main road).
- 1 Jelly Homestay / Penginapan Jelly (The staff doesn't speak any English but they're super friendly and helpful. Cheapest good rooms in town. There's one cheaper place but the staff are rude and the rooms are terrible. The price listed is for a double room with a traditional bathroom and fan. IDR 100,000.), Wanci, Wangi-Wangi Island (Kitty-corner the main square, opposite the hospital. Anyone can tell you where it is).
Sleep on Kaledupa
[edit]- 2 Villa MM (Probably the most developed and nicest accomodation on Kaledupa. Has standard rooms with fans and air-conditioned VIP / family rooms. Can also organize you rental scooters or a boat transport to nearby Hoga Island.), Ambeua town, Kaledupa Island (About 300 meters down the main road from the Ambeua Ferry port).
Sleep on Tomia
[edit]- 3 Wakatobi Dive Resort (The most prominent and high-class resort on Wakatobi, situated on Tolandona Island just next to Tomia Island. Seven-day packages from US$2,640, including all dives and meals, but excluding transfers.), ☏ +62361759669.
- 4 Labore Stay (Situated in Waha Town, the very friendly owner speaks English well and can give you a lot of tips about what to do on Tomia. Can also organize scuba diving and snorkelling, also rents out motorcycles for 50000 a day.) (After leaving the pier in Waha just turn left and walk 20 meters), ☏ +6282393083595. start at 50000 per person or so.
Sleep on Binongko
[edit]- 5 Motel Anjungan Busoa (Very nicely situated hotel in Rukuwa with a scenic seaview. Has a selection of budget rooms (fan only) and VIP rooms (with AC). Can also rent scooter.), Rukuwa Town / Kampo-Kampo, Binongko (About 200 meters south-east of the Ferry Port in Rukuwa), ☏ +6285241954846.
Stay safe
[edit]Be careful when snorkelling independently - some snorkel spots are subject to strong currents. Inform yourself at local dive shops, or hire a boat driver who can watch over you while you are snorkelling.
Contact
[edit]- 1 Wakatobi Immigration Office, Jl. Adhyaksa No.34, Wanci / Numana, Wangi-Wangi Sel. (follow the main road about 3 km south of Wanci Town, then turn left to Jalan Adhyaksa, continue for about 600 m), ☏ +6240421142, [email protected]. Here you can extend your tourist visa, upon showing proof of onward travel
- 2 Visitors Information Center Wangi Wangi, Jl. Sudirman 58, Mandati II, Wangi-Wangi Selatan. 10AM to 5PM.
- 3 Visitors Information Center Kaledupa, Rumah Kamali, Ambeua, Kaledupa (right at the ferry port in Ambeua), ☏ +6281355711126. 10AM to 5PM.
- 4 Visitors Information Center Tomia, Waha, Tomia (turn left from Waha Harbor), ☏ +6282290961588. 10AM to 5PM.
Go next
[edit]- Kendari, take either a flight from Wangi-Wangi (WNI) to Kendari (twice a week, every Monday and Friday) or a ferry from Wangi-Wangi to the Wanci Port of Kendari
- Bau-Bau, take a ferry from Wangi-Wangi to Bau-Bau on Buton Island
- Makassar, then to the north to see Butterfly Paradise in Bantimurung Waterfall area and then spend a few nights in Tanah Toraja.