Wakatobi National Park

Wakatobi is the name of an archipelago located in an area of Sulawesi Tenggara (South Eastern), Indonesia. The name Wakatobi is derived from the names of the main islands that form the archipelago: Wangiwangi Island, Kaledupa, Tomea, and Binongko. The group is part of a larger group called the Tukangbesi Islands.

The archipelago, located in the biodiverse hotspot known as Wallacea. It is part of the Wakatobi National Park.

The Wakatobi is also home to Operation Wallacea, a UK based for non-profit conservation group looking at sustainable development of fisheries and coral reef research. An independent non-commercial website  has been set up about the marine park. This website contains tourist and travel information about the wakatobi, with additional resources about the biodiversity, conservation and local people.

Wakatobi National Park is located in the district of Wakatobi, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia Wakatobi National Park has a total area of approximately 1:39 million ha have the potential of marine resources with high value, both the type and uniqueness, providing an amazing underwater panorama. In general, the waters have started from a flat configuration, sloping toward the sea, and had a steep cliff. Varying water depths up to 1044 yards with largely sandy bottom and rocky. The park is comprised of four major islands, namely: Perfume-scented, Kaledupa, Tomia, and Binongko in Wakatobi in Southeast Sulawesi.

In 1994, a few people who joined the team conducted a survey in the Wakatobi IPB. From the survey they were doing was revealed, that there Wakatobi’s diverse natural wealth under the sea, such as coral reefs and various marine animals. Because it has a natural wealth under the sea, the region presents a panorama of the underwater was so charming and very nice as a place to dive.

Wakatobi National Park such a special place to visit. In this park there is a panorama of natural beauty under the sea. Clusters of coral reefs can be found about 112 species from 13 families located on 25 points along the 600 km coastline. The rock types are: Acropora formosa, A. Hyacinthus, Psammocora profundasafla, Pavona cactus, Leptoseris yabei, Fungia molucensis, Lobophyllia robusta, Merulina ampliata, Platygyra versifora, Euphyllia glabrescens, Tubastraea frondes, Stylophora pistillata, throchelliophorum Sarcophyton, and Sinularia spp. In some places along the reef, there are some underwater caves that add charm Wakatobi National Park.

The Wakatobi island lies just off the south-eastern tip of Sulawesi in Tukang Besi Archipelago. This is a undiscovered jewels of Indonesian diving site. This island is populated, inland by Butonese, at the ocean edge by Bajo people “sea gypsies” and has an interesting that have been formed by geologic uplift of fossil coral terrace, evident in the step like appearance of these islands from a far.

A stroll through any of Tukang Besi islands reveals fascinating fossils reef formations, including the occasional giant clam or nautiloic shell. Dugong, sperm and pilot whales, spinner and bottlednose… read more dolphine, coconut crabs, maleo birds, and orcas can be found in this island.But the real draw of this area are the many scattered atolls, most of which are inaccessible to the Bajo’s dugout canoes for seven month of the year. The fish population here are as dense as any in Indonesia. The corals, both hard and soft, are fantastic.

In addition to beauty, which is presented by a wide range of coral reef, the park also has 93 species of colorful fish. As for the fish species include: argus spots (Cephalopholus argus), takhasang (naso unicornis), pogo-pogo (Balistoides viridescens), napoleon (Cheilinus undulatus), red fish (Lutjanus biguttatus), baronang (Siganus guttatus), Amphiprion melanopus Chaetodon specullum, Chelmon rostratus, Heniochus acuminatus, Lutjanus monostigma, Caesio caerularea. Also, it can also be found erasia king prawns (Alcedo atthis) and three species of sea turtles often lay their eggs in the Wakatobi National Park, such as hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata), jars of sea turtles (Caretta), and cracked turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea).

Various types of sea birds complement the beauty of Wakatobi National Park, such as goose-stone brown (Sula leucogaster plotus) and kettle melayu (Charadrius peronii). Various kinds of birds can be seen from the close when assembled on the island as well as when flying snaking follow the natural rhythm of the song, and occasionally dip into the sea to hunt fish.

For tourists who love the natural beauty of the underwater can perform some activities at the Wakatobi National Park, such as: diving, snorkeling and swimming to see a group of beautiful coral reefs and colorful fish dancing.

For tourists who come from outside the area and want to linger in the Wakatobi can stay at several hotels and home stay in the city. While for eating problems, in some places in the Wakatobi available food stalls serving a wide menu of seafood. For tourists who want to conduct diving activities, on the island, there are several resorts that specifically renting some facilities for diving activities and the tourists can take advantage of the facilities.

To reach the site can be reached through three stages of the journey. First, the journey starts from Kendari to smell-the smell with the use of aircraft or ships. If using an aircraft approximately one hour travel time, and if you use a ship travel time approximately 4 hours. The second phase, from the smell-the smell to Lasalimu using four-wheeled vehicles with a travel time of about two hours. The third stage of the journey taken Wanci Lasalimu to use ships with a travel time of about an hour. Wanci Wakatobi is the capital of both the first gate to enter the region of the Wakatobi National Park.

Tweet