# Wakatobi

Wakatobi is a small archipelago, regency, and national park in South East Sulawesi in Indonesia. Wakatobi is well known among divers as one of the world's best dive sites.

## Understand

The name is an acronym of the four largest islands in the area: Wangi-Wangi, Kaledupa, Tomea, and Binongko. Wakatobi forms a regency, of which the capital is Wangiwangi. The regency is also a national park.

## Get in

Most travel to Wakatobi departs from Kendari and arrives in Wangi-Wangi, either by boat or plane.

### By plane

As of Dec 2024, there are no flights to Wangi-Wangi (also known as Wakatobi, WNI ). If you find one operated by Super Air Jet, it may be cancelled at any time without notice.
The airport on Wangi-Wangi is on the opposite side of the island to its only city, and there is no public transport available. If you've booked ahead at a resort, they will probably have someone waiting for you. Otherwise, someone at the airport can call a taxi or ojek for you: you will have to wait for around thirty minutes for it to arrive before starting your 30-minute-long journey into town. An ojek costs Rp 50,000.
* -5.289639123.6372381 Airport Wakatobi / Bandar Matahora (WNI) (at the eastern part of Wangi-Wangi Island). (updated Jun 2024)
* -5.76758123.9188812 Airport Tomia (Bandar Udara Maranggo) (at the south-western part of Tomia Island, just opposite of Tolandona Island where the Wakatobi Resort is located). There are no public, commercial flights available to this airport as of Nov 2024, only the Wakatobi Resort's scheduled chartered flights from Bali. (updated Jun 2024)

### By boat

For travelers with more time and a smaller budget there is a ferry connecting Kendari to Wangi-Wangi. It usually departs beginning at 09:00 from the Wanci port of Kendari (just slightly east on the northern end of the Kendari Bay Bridge / Jembatan Teluk Kendari). The ferry takes about 10 hours to reach Wangi-Wangi and there are different boats and operators, such as KFC Jetliner (Pelni), KM Aksar Saputra and KM Al Sudais, each with different departure dates. The ticket price is around Rp110,000/person for KFC Jetliner and other boats Rp220,000/person (as of Mar 2025).

##### Ports in Kendari

* -3.97313122.5837613 Port to Bau-Bau (Pelabuhan Nusantara) (about 15 minutes ride from downtown Kendari). There are two ticket counters right outside the Port. There are many illegal middlemen hanging around the counters trying to help you for a fee. (updated Mar 2025)Port in Kendari to Bau-Bau (Pelabuhan Nusantara).
* -3.973271122.5871964 Port to Wanci (Pelabuhan Kapal Malam) (slightly east on the northern end of the Pelabuhan Nusantara / Kendari Bay Bridge / Jembatan Teluk Kendari, about a 15-minute drive from Kendari center). 08:00-23:00. Daily boats that shuttle between Kendari and Wanci (Wangi-Wangi Island) are 'Napoleon 777' and 'Simba 1'. Depart 8-9 am. Rp 230,000. (updated Mar 2025)

##### Ports in Bau-Bau

It is also possible to reach Wangi-Wangi from Bau-Bau on Buton Island. As of 2024, there are no boats anymore departing directly from the city of Bau-Bau, but instead at least a 1 hours drive away from either the town of Pasarwajo or from the town of Lasalimu. You have to take a taxi or shared car from Bau-Bau to one of these two ports (Pasarwajo is closer). From Pasarwajo to Wangi-Wangi it approximately takes 3 hours, from Lasalimu about 2 hours. The ferry ticket prices are Rp80,000–150,000/person.
* -5.513735122.8435785 Pasarwajo Ferry Port (at the south-eastern part of Buton Island, about 1 hours drive from Bau-Bau), ☏ +62 85236323829. 08:00-10:45. (updated Jun 2024)
* Lasalimu Ferry Port (at the central-eastern part of Buton Island, about 2 hours drive from Bau-Bau). (updated Nov 2024)
* Bau-Bau Ferry Port (near city center) Wooden boat to Tomia leaves once a week Wedneday evenings (2024-11-18)

##### Ports in Kaledupa island

[more information needed]

##### Ports in Tomia island

-5.735827123.8938716 Tomia Port. Two boats daily to Wanci (in Wangi-Wangi island), departing around 6am and 9am. Boat to Wanci is Rp, 175,000. (updated Mar 2025)

##### Ports in Binongko Island

more information needed]

## Get around
### By boat

The Cantika fast boat connects the main islands of Pulau Wangi-Wangi, Pulau Kaledupa and Pulau Tomia on a rolling schedule, leaving from each island every two to three days. There is no shortage of smaller boats connecting the various islands, so on any given day you should be able to move from one island to another. It's best to just ask around (for example, at your accommodation reception) a day or two before you want to travel.
On the official Wakatobi Tourism website there is also boat schedule with information about the departure times and which piers to go, but the schedules on Wakatobi Island are subject to change in the dynamic Wakatobi. Also note that some boats cannot depart on bad or stormy weather, meaning that you should always bring a good amount of flexiblity with you, especially when leaving Wakatobi for catching any flights.

### By ojek

On the main islands, ojeks (motorcycle taxi) are easy to flag down on any main road or harbour. It usually costs around Rp 20,000 for a short trip (from port to most accommodations) to Rp 50,000 for a long distance (as of Mar 2025).

### By scooter

You could also ask at your accommodation or at some rental shops in Wanci for a scooter, a fine way to explore the islands. Petrol is often sold in bottles on the roadside, costs Rp. 15,000 per bottle (as of Mar 2025).

### By Ride-hailing app

Grab, Gojek, Maxim are available only in Kendari, not in the Wakatobi islands (as of Mar 2025).

## See
### Forts

The Buton Kingdom has built some forts around the region to defend itself. The forts have undergone some light renovations, but don't expect much historical explanation without the locals' help.
* Fort Patua (in Tomia Island): a bigger fort complex on the west of the island. Two abandoned cannonade at the back of the complex, which is also the viewpoint.
* Fort Suo-Suo / Nata (in Tomia Island): A small fort on the east of the island. You could find an old well and a grave.

## Do
### Scuba diving

Scuba diving at Wakatobi is excellent, with a high diversity of corals, rich marine life, and very few divers relative to more popular Indonesian marine parks such as Komodo National Park and Bunaken National Park. The best diving in Wakatobi is around Pulau Tomia, although excellent coral diving is also possible around Pulau Hoga, a small island near Pulau Kaledupa. People also dive from Pulau Wangi-Wangi.

### Snorkelling

Snorkelling in Wakatobi can be just as good as Scuba Diving, provided you enter the correct spot and stay safe. While some accommodations may have snorkel equipment for rent, rather don't count on it and take your own with you to Wakatobi. Some snorkelling spots are subject of strong currents, so always take precautions or go there with someone on a boat.

#### Snorkel spots on Wangi-Wangi

* -5.266382123.517961 Just outside of Sombu Pier (on the western side of the island, about 7 km north of Wanci). (updated Jun 2024)
* -5.252221123.5261212 In front of Waha Town (on the north-western part of the island, close to the pier of the now defunct Waha Tourism Community Center). Beware of currents, and rather hire a local boat driver to watch over you. (updated Jun 2024)

#### Snorkel spots on Kaledupa

* -5.475676123.761133 Hoga Island. It can be reached by boat from Ambeua. The boat from Ambeua can only leave at high tide. (updated Jun 2024)

#### Snorkel spots on Tomia

* -5.755344123.9937014 Coral stretch just east of Pantai Hongaha (close to Kulati Town.). There is also a World War II ship wreck in that section. Be aware of strong waves sometimes! (updated Jun 2024)
* -5.73872123.8931335 Pantai Hondue (about 3 km south of Waha Town). and up until to the Ferry Port 500 m north of it. (updated Jun 2024)
* -5.724915123.8941626 Abandoned jetty (at the north-western tip of Tomia, the one close to the Kedai Selly Water Café). A highly recommended snorkel spot. (updated Jun 2024)
* -5.772403123.8930317 Close to the Wakatobi Dive Resort on Pulau Tolandona (.). Extremely diverse sea life and one of the best snorkel spots on Wakatobi! Be aware that you don't enter the premises of the Wakatobi Dive Resort though. This is a tricky one - you must first take a local ferry from the Waitii Ferry Port and then head to Pulau Tolandona. It is also possible to take your rental scooter on the ferry. After you arrive on the Lamanggau Bajo Village, you then follow the small road on the western part of the island. Before the official gates of the Wakatobi Diving Resort though, you can enter the water at a now defunct jetty, and then follow the corals south, along the coast (updated Jun 2024)

#### Snorkel spots on Binongko

* -5.954474123.9794878 One Melangka Beach (on the western-central part of Binongko). Maybe not top-notch for snorkelling, but a very scenic public beach indeed for swimming. (updated Jun 2024)

### Motorcycling

* Tour the islands by motorbike, WangiWangi, Kaledupa, Tomia, Binongko. You can rent motorcycles at Jelly in WangiWangi, at Villa MM in Kaledupa, at Labore stay in Tomia, as well as at Anjungan Busoa in Binongko. It's fun to cruise the islands and see village life. In Tomia there are serveral forts that can be visited and some nice beaches. You can get a map of Tomia showing all attractions at Labore Stay.

## Buy

* -5.342171123.5407451 Anemo Wakatobi Souvenir, Jl. Poros Liya No.93, Mandati III, Wanci, Wangi-Wangi, ☏ +62 82290361497. 09:00-21:00. A small but fine souvenir shop in Wanci with a selection of self-designed t-shirts, bags, scarfs, trinkets and foodstuff. (updated Jun 2024)

## Eat

There are various Warung and small restaurants on Wakatobi, mainly in the respective main towns of the four islands.

#### Eat on Wangi-Wangi

* -5.321715123.5326341 Sea Food restaurant at Pasar Malam / Night Market in Wanci. A small annex building to the Night Market, which stands on stilts over the sea water. Try the fresh, fantastic and cheap seafood BBQ there. (updated Jun 2024)
* -5.324149123.534322 Dapoer Maritim Cafe & Resto, Bau Bau - Wanci, Wangi-Wangi Sel. (near the Marina area in Wanci), ☏ +62 85255550556. 10:00-22:00. One of the classier seafood restaurants on Wakatobi. (updated Jun 2024)
* -5.324842123.5381363 Warung Sate Madura, Jl. Laode Lalangi moh samaan ramli, Wanci, Wangi-Wangi Sel., ☏ +62 82290383095. 18:00-22:00. Probably the best Indonesian-style peanut sauce Sate around. (updated Jun 2024)
* -5.282042123.5238354 Nua Indah Coffee and Resto, Jalan Ahmad Nasution No.5, Wandoka Utara, Wangi-Wangi Sel. (in Wandoka town, about 5 km north of Wanci), ☏ +62 81341868715. 15:00-22:00. Particularly scenic view and location. (updated Jun 2024)
* -5.260722123.5201185 Cafe & Resto Ayim Cemara Beach, Jl. Dr. Soetomo, Wapia-pia, Kec. Wangi-Wangi (next to the Dinis Cemara Dive Center in Waha), ☏ +62 82188917073. 24 hours. The in-house restaurant of the local dive center. Food only upon prior reservation. (updated Jun 2024)

#### Eat on Kaledupa

* -5.496214123.7544266 RM. Danis & Fadil (next to the ferry port in Ambeua), ☏ +62 82299307264. A small and cozy restaurant in Ambeua. Try the delicious Parende Fish Soup, one of Wakatobi's most prominent delicacies! (updated Jun 2024)

#### Eat on Tomia

* -5.722158123.9053057 Ayu Lestari, Waha, Tomia, Wakatobi Regency (walk straight about 300 m from the ferry port Waha, then turn left at the fourth junction). A small, cheap and solid restaurant in downtown Waha, serving typical Indonesian food. (updated Jun 2024)
* -5.72371123.9006988 Street Food stalls along Lakota Beach, Waha, Tomia, Wakatobi Regency (along the Lakota Beach walk in Waha). Has a selection of simple traditional Indonesian food such as Gado-Gado, Bakso, Sate or Nasi Kuning. (updated Mar 2025)
* -5.724969123.8970989 Kedai Selly Water Tomia (Small but classy café with scenic seaview that sells fruit juices, snacks and fingerfood.), Waha, Tomia, Wakatobi Regency (on the coast about 1 km south-west of Waha, just after passing Tomia Beach promenade, going up the street for 100 m and then turning right, then continue another 300 m), ☏ +62 82191228722. 16:00-23:00. (updated Jun 2024)

#### Eat on Binongko

* -5.905488124.03558310 Rumah Makan Pasundan, Rukuwa Town / Kampo-Kampo, Binongko, Wakatobi Regency (near the ferry port in Rukuwa; coming from the port, walk 60 m and turn left into the alleyway, walk in about 50 m), ☏ +62 82276012626. Small and quirky, but likeable family-run restaurant. Can cook Parende and other local Wakatobi food. Also has a funny disco-light-illuminated catfish pool to show off. (updated Jun 2024)

## Drink

* -5.336507123.5394471 Small fruit juice stall, at the Dolphin Statue roundabout in downtown Wanci, at the exit to Jalan Jenderal Sudirman (about 500 m from the Wanci Main Ferry port). Delicious, fresh and cheap fruit juices. (updated Jun 2024)

## Sleep

Most of the accommodations on Wakatobi are centred in the respective main towns of the islands, with some individual resorts scattered around.

#### Sleep on Wangi-Wangi

* Hotel Wakatobi, Wanci town, Wangi-Wangi Island (On the main road). Three-story hotel with a range of rooms, all with air conditioning and showers, on the main road in Wanci town (Wangi-Wangi Island) about five minutes drive from the main harbour. Small dive shop attached. Standard room with air conditioning, cold shower and squat toilet for Rp182,000; deluxe room with hot water and Western toilet for Rp350,000.. (updated Jun 2024)
* -5.327546123.5384191 Jelly Homestay / Penginapan Jelly (The staff doesn't speak any English but they're super friendly and helpful. Cheapest good rooms in town. There's one cheaper place but the staff are rude and the rooms are terrible. The price listed is for a double room with a traditional bathroom and fan. IDR 100,000.), Wanci, Wangi-Wangi Island (kitty-corner the main square, opposite the hospital; anyone can tell you where it is). (updated Jun 2024)

#### Sleep on Kaledupa

* -5.4986123.7542292 Villa MM, Ambeua town, Kaledupa Island (about 300 m down the main road from the Ambeua Ferry port). Probably the most developed and nicest accommodation on Kaledupa. Has standard rooms with fans and air-conditioned VIP / family rooms. Can also organize you rental scooters or a boat transport to nearby Hoga Island. (updated Jun 2024)

#### Sleep on Tomia

* -5.775912123.8948433 Wakatobi Dive Resort, ☏ +62 361759669. The most prominent and high-class resort on Wakatobi, situated on Tolandona Island just next to Tomia Island. Seven-day packages from US$2,640, including all dives and meals, but excluding transfers. (updated Jun 2024)
* -5.719924123.9050474 Labore Stay (after leaving the pier in Waha, turn left and walk 20 m), ☏ +62 82393083595. Situated near Waha Town / Pier. Basic room, but the friendly owner speaks English well and can give you a lot of tips about what to do on Tomia. Can arrange for motorcycle rent or arrange snorkelling and diving trips. Rp150,000 per room. (updated Mar 2025)
* -5.756242123.9946675 Pombero Lodge, Kulati Village, Tomia Timur, Wakatobi Regency, South East Sulawesi 9379, ☏ +62 822-1079-3084 (Whatsapp), pomberolodge21@gmail.com. Gorgeous accommodation on a cliff with access to private beach, on the eastern side of the island. from Rp 350,000. (updated Mar 2025)

#### Sleep on Binongko

* -5.906001124.036766 Motel Anjungan Busoa, Rukuwa Town / Kampo-Kampo, Binongko (about 200 m south-east of the Ferry Port in Rukuwa), ☏ +62 85241954846. Very nicely situated hotel in Rukuwa with a scenic seaview. Has a selection of budget rooms (fan only) and VIP rooms (with AC). Can also rent scooter. (updated Jun 2024)

## Stay safe

Be careful when snorkelling independently: some snorkel spots are subject to strong currents. Inform yourself at local dive shops, or hire a boat driver who can watch over you while you are snorkelling.

## Contact

* -5.352431123.5591791 Wakatobi Immigration Office, Jl. Adhyaksa No.34, Wanci / Numana, Wangi-Wangi Sel. (follow the main road about 3 km south of Wanci Town, then turn left to Jalan Adhyaksa, continue for about 600 m), ☏ +62 40421142, knm.wakatobi@kemenkumham.go.id. Here you can extend your tourist visa, upon showing proof of onward travel. (updated Jun 2024)
* -5.333127123.5388012 Visitors Information Center Wangi Wangi, Jl. Sudirman 58, Mandati II, Wangi-Wangi Selatan. 10:00-17:00. (updated Jun 2024)
* -5.49612123.7552443 Visitors Information Center Kaledupa, Rumah Kamali, Ambeua, Kaledupa (right at the ferry port in Ambeua), ☏ +62 81355711126. 10:00-17:00. (updated Jun 2024)
* -5.719893123.9047664 Visitors Information Center Tomia, Waha, Tomia (turn left from Waha Harbor), ☏ +62 82290961588. 10:00-17:00. (updated Jun 2024)

## Go next

* Kendari, take either a flight from Wangi-Wangi (WNI) to Kendari (twice a week, every Monday and Friday) or a ferry from Wangi-Wangi to the Wanci Port of Kendari
* Bau-Bau, take a ferry from Wangi-Wangi to Bau-Bau on Buton Island
* Makassar, then to the north to see Butterfly Paradise in Bantimurung Waterfall area and then spend a few nights in Tanah Toraja.