Wakatobi Regency – Marine World and Island Culture

Wakatobi Regency is a destination for anyone who wants to include marine nature, island communities and living traditions in their travel plans. Wakatobi National Park lies within the regency. Its area consists of 97 percent marine or aquatic areas and 3 percent land, including islands. Experiences are also spread across different places: they include snorkelling, viewpoints, historic sites and traditional handicrafts.

Coral Reefs, Marine Life and a Brackish-Water Lake

Wakatobi National Park is home to at least 396 coral reef species and 590 fish species. At suitable locations, diving and snorkelling are possible with local operators familiar with the waters and conservation rules. Wakatobi’s marine areas are also home to various species of turtle, dugongs, dolphins and other whales.

On Kaledupa, Sombano Lake offers a different natural highlight: the lake is brackish water and is considered a habitat for rare red-blood shrimp. You can reach it on foot from Sombano Beach or from Sombano village by motorbike.

Hoga Island combines white-sand beaches with calm waters suitable for relaxed snorkelling. Boats from the main harbour take visitors to the island, where local homestays offer overnight accommodation. If you are looking for a holiday rental, you can first consider whether reefs and marine life, Sombano Lake or a stay on Hoga best matches your travel interests.

Island Communities with Their Own History and Handicrafts

Tomia has more than 40 named and mapped dive sites. Also on Tomia is the Puncak Khayangan viewpoint, which offers views across green savannah landscapes and the deep-blue sea. After a speedboat ride, the viewpoint can be reached by an easy hike of about 30 minutes. Patua Fort on Tomia served to protect against intruders and as the centre of the settlement.

Liya Togo in South Wangi-Wangi District also has a strong cultural and historical character. Liya Fort, also called the Royal Fort, is a relic of the Buton Kingdom. It was built from large mountain stones, has three rings of walls and covers an area of 52 hectares. The Mubarok Mosque stands within the fort; it has existed since 1546 and features early 20th-century architecture. In the village, visitors can also watch women perform the Lariangi dance and see Homoru fabrics being woven. These are made into sarongs, scarves, headscarves and bags.

Kahianga, an Adat village in Tomia Timur District, preserves inherited traditions and cultural values. The one-day Agroeducation package in the tourism village offers the chance to take part directly in planting, tending or harvesting local food crops. On Binongko, visitors can watch steel being forged, shaped and sharpened using traditional blacksmithing techniques passed down through generations. The village of Pajam on Kaledupa, meanwhile, is known for its long tradition of handwoven textiles such as sarongs and scarves.

Getting There, Regional Cuisine and Choosing Your Focus

Matahora Airport is on Wangi-Wangi Island and serves as the air gateway to Wakatobi. One option for travelling by air is to fly via Kendari to Matahora Airport. By sea, travel via Murhum Port in Baubau and then take the ferry to Wanci Port. Since the natural and cultural sites described are located on different islands, it is helpful to decide which island and theme you want to focus on before looking for a holiday rental, rather than treating the sites as if they shared a single base.

Regional cuisine includes Parende, a fish soup made with fresh sea fish, sautéed onions, lemongrass, turmeric and chilli peppers. It is traditionally served on special occasions. Alongside nature and culture, local food customs also add to the character of the island region.

More destinations: Tojo Una-Una Regency, Morowali.

For the main travel overview: Central Sulawesi.