TAMAN NASIONAL
WAKATOBI
Geographical location : 123°20-124°39 E ; 5°12-6°10 S
Administrative location : Provinsi Sulawesi Tenggara (Kabupaten Buton)
Area : 1,390,000 hectares
Temperature : 19° - 34° C
Altitude : 0 - 3 masl
Wind speed : 12 - 20 knot
Best time to visit : April - June and October - December.
(Wakatobi National Park) has very high marine resource potential, in
terms of both species and uniqueness, with enchanting submarine landscapes. In
terms of configuration, the marine waters of the Park generally start flat and
then slope seawards, with sheer precipices in some parts. The water depth
varies, the deepest parts reaching 1,044 m (bellow water surface) with sand and
coral at the bottom.
This Park has 25 chains of coral reefs, and the total circumference of
the coral islands is 600 km. There are more than 112 species of coral such
as Acropora formosa, A. hyacinthus,
Psammocora profundasafla, Pavona cactus, Leptoseris yabei, Fungia molucensis,
Lobophyllia robusta, Merulina ampliata, Platygyra versifora, Euphyllia
glabrescens, Tubastraea frondes, Stylophora pistillata, Sarcophyton
throchelliophorum, and Sinularia spp.
It is Home of (about) 93 species of ornamental and commercially
valuable fish, including the napoleon wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus), peacock
grouper (Cephalopholus argus), bluespine unicornfish (Naso unicornis), titan
triggerfish (Balistoides viridescens), two-spot snapper (Lutjanus biguttatus),
spotted rabbitfish (Siganus guttatus), tomato anemonefish (Amphiprion
frenatus), ovalspot butterflyfish (Chaetodon specullum), beaked coralfish
(Chelmon rostratus), longfin bannerfish (Heniochus acuminatus), one-spot
snapper (Lutjanus monostigma), and gold-banded fusilier (Caesio caerularea).
Among the recorded species of sea bird are the brown booby (Sula
leucogaster plotus), Malaysian plover (Charadrius peronii), common kingfisher
(Alcedo atthis); while certain species of turtle can also be seen, such as the
hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), loggerhead (Caretta caretta), and Pacific
ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea).
The indigenous people who live around the Park belong to the Bajau
tribe. Mention is made in the writings of ancient Chinese and European
explorers of these legendary sailors who had managed to reach the distant
shores of Merqui, Johor, Singapore, Sulawesi and Sulu. Of all the traditional
seafaring communities throughout southeast Asia, only the Bajau have held on to
their way of life. Locals spear-fishing on the sea bed without the aid of
diving equipment are still a common sight.
Interesting locations/attractions :
Hoga Island (Kaledupa Resort), Binongko Island (Binongko Resort), and
Tamia Resort are interesting places to visit, especially for diving,
snorkelling, marine tours, swimming, camping and cultural visits.