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Wakatobi
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Destination in Southeast Sulawesi

Wakatobi

Four islands in the heart of the Coral Triangle, home to the Bajo people.

Photo: Pambudiyoga · CC BY-SA 4.0

Tours in Wakatobi

2 tours available

About Wakatobi

Wakatobi is named after its four main islands: Wangi-Wangi, Kaledupa, Tomia and Binongko, once known as the Tukang Besi Islands. Its national park was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2012 and lies within the Coral Triangle. In the shallows stand villages of the Bajo, a seafaring people who once lived on boats and now live in stilt houses over the sea, as in Mola (Wangi-Wangi) and Sampela and Mantigola (Kaledupa). In Liya Togo, a cultural village in South Wangi-Wangi, women weave homoru cloth for sarongs and shawls.

Getting there

Matahora Airport on Wangi-Wangi has limited flights from Makassar and Kendari. Alternatively, fly to Baubau on Buton and take the overnight boat to Wanci. Travel between the Wakatobi islands is by boat.