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'll find

• 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.

Good to know

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.

Key facts