Diving in Wakatobi

Tukang Besi Archipelago

Rising from the depths of the Banda Sea, the main islands of Wangi, Kaledupa, Tomea, Binongki - WaKaToBi - dish up 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 diving site in the world and the area is now regularly visited by Indonesian liveaboards.

The reefs for Wakatobi diving are unlike others in the region because of the dry climate and uplifted limestone or, in other words, 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 are protected, meaning plenty of action for you the diver. Local fishing communities obtain a fair share of the income generated by 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 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.

Highlights

House Reef: How could a house reef be one of the highlights of a diving holiday? Well this isn't your average house reef. In fact, it is considered by many dive professionals to be the finest in the world and is a site that guests often visit over and over again, such is its allure. Stroll in to a dive site that seems impossibly entertaining with every reef character you could imagine including seahorses, trevallies, turtles, eagle rays and hard and soft corals galore.

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How to Dive Wakatobi

To dive in Wakatobi you take a charter flight from Bali direct to the Indonesian liveaboards that operates there. The liveaboard can visit more remote areas not as easily accessible from a resort.

Diving Season

Wakatobi is best dived between March and December and during July and August, while the water temperature may drop a little along with the visibility this is the best time for big numbers of fish. Temperatures fluctuate between a low of 25°C in August and a high of 30°C in October.

Reef Summary

Great for: Small animals, underwater photography, reef life and health and visibility
Not so great for: Wrecks and non-diving activities
Depth: 5 - >40m
Visibility: 15 - 80m
Currents: Gentle
Surface conditions: Calm
Water temperature: 26 - 29°C
Experience level: Beginner - advanced
Number of dive sites: >50
Access: Dive liveaboard
Recommended length of stay: 7 - 11 days

Dive Site Descriptions

For more details on the individual diving sites:

• Wakatobi tourist information

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