Wakatobi

Wakatobi is an acronym of its four main islands - Wangi-Wangi, Kaledupa, Tomia and Binongko - a national park and biosphere reserve of some thirteen thousand square kilometres in the Coral Triangle, and the coral figures are the reason it is known: surveys have recorded several hundred species of hard coral here, a large share of all species described worldwide, on reefs that include walls, atolls and fringing systems. The Bajo, sea nomads who historically lived entirely on boats, have stilt villages here - Sampela and Mola off Kaledupa and Wangi-Wangi are among the larger Bajo settlements anywhere, built over water with no land beneath them. Access is by flight or long ferry, and the islands range from a resort operation on Tomia to village homestays elsewhere.

What you actually see

• Coral Triangle reef - several hundred hard coral species recorded in the park.
• Bajo stilt villages - Sampela and Mola built entirely over water.
• Four distinct islands - Wangi-Wangi, Kaledupa, Tomia and Binongko.
• Wall and atoll diving - the range of reef types across the group.

When to go

March to June and October to December, between the monsoons. Five days.

Honest expectations

Flights are limited and expensive; ferries are long. Accommodation ranges from an exclusive resort to very basic homestays with little between. Bajo villages are homes, not attractions - visit with a local guide.

Nearby

Bau-Bau on Buton is west; Kendari is the mainland city.