Explore Wakatobi

The Wakatobi region is located in south-east Sulawesi and takes its name from the four islands that make it up, Wangi, Kaledupa, Tomia and Binongo. Wakatobi is fairly undiscovered by tourists, making the small islands and the surrounded protected waters a small haven to visit. Located at the epicenter of coral reef biodivesity, Wakatobi is designated a UNESCO Marine Biosphere Reserve. The huge protected marine park boasts 600-kilometers of reef, 1,050 different species of fish and 750 types of hard and soft corals, making it one of the best places for scuba diving in Indonesia.

Scuba diving in Wakatobi features drop-offs, overhangs, and walls with stunning coral reef gardens home to a multitude of fabulous, small organisms and fish of all shapes and sizes. Wakatobi is not the prime place to dive alongside big fish in Indonesia yet, sharks, eagle rays and pilot whales have all been spotted in the blue. As tourism is still in its infancy in Wakatobi, there are only a few dive centres and dive resorts in the area but several liveaboards visit the area to admire the archipelago's extensive beauty and marine diversity.

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    • Dive Activity

    Diving in Wakatobi

    Wakatobi diving will usually find you in calm, shallow waters enveloped by a wide array of thriving hard and soft corals. These calm waters lend themselves to people wanting to improve their skills through dive courses. On occasion, currents can change and you will find yourself experiencing small drift dives as you feast your eyes on the beauty surrounding you. From muck dives to uncover hidden macro gems to descending down onto pinnacles and walls flourishing with large schools of fusiliers and gigantic booming coral rosettes -when diving Wakatobi you can ensure you'll be in awe every fin you take.

    Top Wildlife Sightings in Wakatobi

    Dive sites in Wakatobi are known for their vast array of macro life. Hidden among the astronomical amount of hard and soft corals are nudibranchs, gobies, and pygmy seahorses waiting to be discovered. Serious underwater macro photographers come to Wakatobi from all over the world to capture ghost pipefish, mini shrimps and other hidden treasures. While this part of Indonesia is not the prime location for megafauna; turtles, sharks, barracuda, grouper, and rays often come to visit. Not to mention the chance to see pilot whales in the months between November and April!

    The reefs in Wakatobi are unlike any other in the region due to the drier climate and uplifted limestone. These fossilised reefs produce almost no soil erosion so visibility stretches for miles allowing you to gaze uninterrupted at the 750+ species of spectacular coral.

    Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

    Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography
    Green Turtle

    Green Turtle
    65 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    6
    A
    7
    M
    1
    J
    17
    J
    7
    A
    1
    S
    3
    O
    9
    N
    8
    D
    6
    Shutterstock-Andrey Armyagov
    Hawksbill Turtle

    Hawksbill Turtle
    35 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    5
    M
    3
    J
    10
    J
    7
    A
    3
    S
    0
    O
    5
    N
    2
    D
    0

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 200

    Alamy-WaterFrame
    Moray Eel

    Moray Eel
    33 Sightings
    J
    2
    F
    0
    M
    4
    A
    8
    M
    2
    J
    4
    J
    2
    A
    3
    S
    1
    O
    5
    N
    1
    D
    1

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 600

    iStock/ultramarinfoto
    Wrasse

    Wrasse
    18 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    7
    A
    2
    M
    1
    J
    1
    J
    1
    A
    1
    S
    2
    O
    1
    N
    0
    D
    2

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 25

    iStock/Juliosanjuan
    Eagle Ray

    Eagle Ray
    12 Sightings
    J
    2
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    1
    M
    1
    J
    2
    J
    4
    A
    2
    S
    0
    O
    0
    N
    0
    D
    0

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 27

    iStock-Global_Pics
    Barracuda

    Barracuda
    12 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    0
    M
    0
    J
    1
    J
    6
    A
    0
    S
    2
    O
    1
    N
    2
    D
    0

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 300

    Alamy/Reinhard Dirscherl
    Octopus

    Octopus
    8 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    1
    M
    0
    J
    0
    J
    3
    A
    0
    S
    0
    O
    1
    N
    0
    D
    3
    iStock-ShaneGross
    Loggerhead Turtle

    Loggerhead Turtle
    7 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    0
    M
    0
    J
    2
    J
    2
    A
    1
    S
    0
    O
    2
    N
    0
    D
    0

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 28

    Udo Kefrig
    Clownfish

    Clownfish
    72 Sightings
    J
    6
    F
    3
    M
    9
    A
    7
    M
    1
    J
    10
    J
    11
    A
    0
    S
    7
    O
    7
    N
    6
    D
    5

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 90

    Shutterstock-Rich Carey
    Angelfish

    Angelfish
    66 Sightings
    J
    6
    F
    4
    M
    11
    A
    5
    M
    1
    J
    7
    J
    7
    A
    6
    S
    8
    O
    4
    N
    3
    D
    4
    Show More

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 130

    Shutterstock_Krzysztof Odziomek
    Butterfly Fish

    Butterfly Fish
    53 Sightings
    J
    6
    F
    2
    M
    11
    A
    2
    M
    1
    J
    8
    J
    10
    A
    3
    S
    6
    O
    2
    N
    0
    D
    2

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 12

    iStock/cinoby
    Lionfish

    Lionfish
    51 Sightings
    J
    4
    F
    4
    M
    10
    A
    7
    M
    0
    J
    3
    J
    4
    A
    3
    S
    5
    O
    4
    N
    2
    D
    5

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 100

    iStock-burnsboxco
    Parrotfish

    Parrotfish
    45 Sightings
    J
    2
    F
    3
    M
    8
    A
    2
    M
    1
    J
    5
    J
    5
    A
    3
    S
    5
    O
    5
    N
    3
    D
    3

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 40

    iStock-wrangel
    Triggerfish

    Triggerfish
    40 Sightings
    J
    6
    F
    6
    M
    8
    A
    2
    M
    2
    J
    3
    J
    4
    A
    0
    S
    3
    O
    1
    N
    1
    D
    4

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 8

    Alamy-Reinhard Dirscherl
    Bannerfish

    Bannerfish
    40 Sightings
    J
    4
    F
    2
    M
    11
    A
    3
    M
    1
    J
    4
    J
    3
    A
    3
    S
    5
    O
    2
    N
    0
    D
    2

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 250

    iStock-Miguel-Angelo-Silva.
    Scorpionfish

    Scorpionfish
    39 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    4
    A
    2
    M
    1
    J
    3
    J
    6
    A
    4
    S
    9
    O
    2
    N
    5
    D
    3

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 150

    Shutterstock-aquapix
    Sweetlips and Grunts

    Sweetlips and Grunts
    37 Sightings
    J
    6
    F
    5
    M
    10
    A
    0
    M
    0
    J
    2
    J
    4
    A
    2
    S
    4
    O
    1
    N
    0
    D
    3
    AdobeStock-Richard Carey
    Banded Sea Krait

    Banded Sea Krait
    32 Sightings
    J
    3
    F
    0
    M
    5
    A
    2
    M
    0
    J
    8
    J
    4
    A
    0
    S
    4
    O
    5
    N
    0
    D
    1

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 85

    iStock-mirecca
    Surgeonfish

    Surgeonfish
    30 Sightings
    J
    5
    F
    3
    M
    5
    A
    0
    M
    0
    J
    5
    J
    4
    A
    0
    S
    3
    O
    2
    N
    0
    D
    3

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 60

    iStock-Global_Pics
    Soldierfish

    Soldierfish
    29 Sightings
    J
    4
    F
    4
    M
    7
    A
    2
    M
    1
    J
    3
    J
    3
    A
    0
    S
    3
    O
    0
    N
    0
    D
    2

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 350

    Alamy-Andre Seal
    Damselfish

    Damselfish
    25 Sightings
    J
    2
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    3
    M
    1
    J
    4
    J
    4
    A
    2
    S
    6
    O
    1
    N
    0
    D
    2

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 60

    iStock-Global_Pics
    Spiny Lobster

    Spiny Lobster
    23 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    2
    M
    3
    J
    4
    J
    2
    A
    4
    S
    3
    O
    4
    N
    0
    D
    1

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 40

    iStock-Hoatzinexp
    Jackfish

    Jackfish
    22 Sightings
    J
    3
    F
    2
    M
    5
    A
    0
    M
    1
    J
    1
    J
    4
    A
    0
    S
    4
    O
    0
    N
    1
    D
    1

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 130

    AdobeStock-JirinaVFR
    Pufferfish

    Pufferfish
    21 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    2
    M
    0
    A
    4
    M
    0
    J
    3
    J
    2
    A
    2
    S
    3
    O
    1
    N
    2
    D
    2
    SSI-Peter-Schinck
    Leaf Scorpionfish

    Leaf Scorpionfish
    16 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    0
    M
    0
    J
    9
    J
    3
    A
    0
    S
    2
    O
    1
    N
    0
    D
    1

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 80

    iStock/Extreme-Photographer
    Stingrays

    Stingrays
    15 Sightings
    J
    2
    F
    2
    M
    0
    A
    2
    M
    1
    J
    0
    J
    5
    A
    0
    S
    1
    O
    0
    N
    0
    D
    2

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 25

    AdobeStock_Vladimir Wrangel
    Boxfish

    Boxfish
    14 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    2
    M
    0
    J
    3
    J
    0
    A
    2
    S
    4
    O
    1
    N
    1
    D
    1

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 7000

    iStock-Michael Zeigler
    Crab

    Crab
    14 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    2
    M
    4
    J
    1
    J
    0
    A
    2
    S
    2
    O
    0
    N
    2
    D
    1

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 90

    Shutterstock-Levent Konuk
    Goatfish

    Goatfish
    13 Sightings
    J
    2
    F
    2
    M
    0
    A
    1
    M
    0
    J
    1
    J
    0
    A
    0
    S
    4
    O
    2
    N
    0
    D
    1

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 250

    Shutterstock-Henry_and_Laura_Whittaker
    Grouper/Basslets

    Grouper/Basslets
    12 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    1
    M
    0
    J
    3
    J
    1
    A
    2
    S
    0
    O
    0
    N
    4
    D
    1

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 3

    Shutterstock_Leo Lorenzo
    Trumpetfish

    Trumpetfish
    12 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    1
    A
    2
    M
    0
    J
    1
    J
    0
    A
    2
    S
    1
    O
    3
    N
    1
    D
    1

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 3000

    SSI-Peter-Schinck
    Nudibranch

    Nudibranch
    12 Sightings
    J
    2
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    2
    M
    0
    J
    1
    J
    0
    A
    0
    S
    3
    O
    2
    N
    0
    D
    2

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 15

    Shutterstock-Al McGlashan
    Tuna

    Tuna
    10 Sightings
    J
    2
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    0
    M
    2
    J
    0
    J
    0
    A
    0
    S
    3
    O
    0
    N
    1
    D
    2

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 7

    iStock-atese
    Pygmy Seahorse

    Pygmy Seahorse
    10 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    2
    M
    0
    J
    4
    J
    0
    A
    0
    S
    2
    O
    2
    N
    0
    D
    0

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 110

    iStock-Rainer von Brandis
    Snapper

    Snapper
    9 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    1
    M
    0
    J
    4
    J
    0
    A
    0
    S
    2
    O
    0
    N
    0
    D
    2

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 55

    Shutterstock-RLS Photo
    Lobster

    Lobster
    9 Sightings
    J
    2
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    0
    M
    0
    J
    2
    J
    3
    A
    2
    S
    0
    O
    0
    N
    0
    D
    0

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 30

    SSI-Peter-Schinck
    Stonefish

    Stonefish
    9 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    0
    M
    1
    J
    0
    J
    2
    A
    0
    S
    4
    O
    1
    N
    1
    D
    0

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 6

    Peter-Schinck-SSI
    Ghost Pipefishes

    Ghost Pipefishes
    9 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    0
    M
    0
    J
    2
    J
    0
    A
    0
    S
    4
    O
    2
    N
    0
    D
    1

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 50

    istock-atese
    Frogfish

    Frogfish
    7 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    1
    M
    0
    A
    0
    M
    0
    J
    0
    J
    2
    A
    0
    S
    3
    O
    0
    N
    0
    D
    1

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 60

    iStock-Global_Pics
    Squirrelfish

    Squirrelfish
    7 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    0
    M
    1
    J
    0
    J
    0
    A
    0
    S
    2
    O
    1
    N
    1
    D
    2

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 15

    Shutterstock-Hans Gert Broeder
    Garfish

    Garfish
    6 Sightings
    J
    2
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    0
    M
    0
    J
    0
    J
    0
    A
    0
    S
    2
    O
    1
    N
    0
    D
    1

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 20

    iStock-stephankerkhofs
    Porcupinefish

    Porcupinefish
    5 Sightings
    J
    2
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    0
    M
    0
    J
    1
    J
    0
    A
    0
    S
    2
    O
    0
    N
    0
    D
    0

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 120

    SSI-Peter-Schinck
    Cuttlefish

    Cuttlefish
    4 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    0
    M
    0
    J
    2
    J
    0
    A
    0
    S
    0
    O
    1
    N
    0
    D
    1

    The best Months to dive in Wakatobi

    While peak season runs April to May and September through October, it is possible to dive in Wakatobi year-round. The tropical climate sees the sun shining year-round, warming Wakatobi’s waters, which usually have a visibility of 30 to 40 meters/98 to 131 feet. In the months of July and August, the visibility can go down to 20 meters/66 feet with stronger winds and surface movement, but it is also the best time for peak numbers of fish as it’s coral spawning season. The rainy season between January and February sees four times lower rainfall than the national average in Indonesia, so the visibility rarely suffers from river runoff. Keep your fingers crossed and visit Wakatobi between November and April for your best chance to spot pilot whales.

    Dive Sites

    Peter S. (#417559)
    Wakatobi House Reef <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.6)</span>

    Wakatobi House Reef (★4.6)

    Wakatobi Housereef is one of the most beautiful house reefs in the world. Entry directly from the jetty / beach or, depending on the current, shuttle service with boats. Incredible biodiversity on the steep face, you should definitely do several dives there during the day and at night to enjoy the high lights.
    Mares, Janez Kranjc
    Trailblazer <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.5)</span>

    Trailblazer (★4.5)

    Dive Site east of Teluk Maya, jump in in sandy bay with giant barrel sponges then continue right shoulder toward a ridge, covered with corals and fishes. Reeftop 3-5 meters. If current is getting to strong dive can be finished in nearby Teluk Maya
    Mares
    Starship <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.4)</span>

    Starship (★4.4)

    About 20 minutes drive from the Wakatobi Resort is Starship, named after the research vessel Starship that visited here during its circumnavigation of the world. Wall diving with many holes and small overhangs where there is a lot to discover.
    Mares
    Starship <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.5)</span>

    Starship (★4.5)

    About 20 minutes drive from the Wakatobi Resort is Starship, named after the research vessel Starship that visited here during its circumnavigation of the world. Wall diving with many holes and small overhangs where there is a lot to discover.