Wakatobi National Marine Park
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Unbelievable Marine Fish |
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Magnificent Soft Corals |
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Perfect Tropical Beaches |
©Denise Nielsen
Tackett & Larry Tackett |
Wakatobi National Marine Park is just south of the equator in
an area known as Wallacea (see overview of
Indonesia) . Wakatobi
takes its name from the four main islands of the Tukang Besi group: Wangi
Wangi, Kaledupa, Tomia
and Binongko. Fifteen
smaller islands complete the group.
The 1.4 million hectare Wakatobi National Marine Park was established
in the late 1990s. The park is swept with currents from the Banda
and Flores Seas. To date this area has the highest reef diversity
indices in the world with over 3000 fish species recorded.
The Diving
The diving is characterized by a series of fringing reefs and
large atolls with steep drop-offs. Visibility is generally 30-80m
(100-265ft), often exceeding 50m (160ft). Water temperatures run
25-29ºC (80-88ºF). July-September is the windy season
and water temperatures can drop to 25ºC (80ºF). The rainy
season is December to March. Best times are April to June and late
September to November, but diving throughout the northern hemisphere's
summer is excellent.
Wakatobi reefs are some of the most beautiful and prolific in
the world with excellent coral cover, healthy invertebrate life
and scores of fishes. Whales and whale sharks are sometimes spotted
in the area and turtles are common.
Dive Sites
Lorenz's Delight
A shallow coral garden leads to a steep drop-off with ledges,
sea fans and colorful soft corals. Schooling fishes, rays and reef
fishes abound.
Blade
Blade is a submarine ridge between two reefs. It rises up from
the depths to form a narrow coral ridge with several saddles.
Roma
Roma is a stunning reef with impressive coral formations and lots
of colorful invertebrates. Schooling fusiliers, damselfish, and
pyramid butterflyfish make this an exciting dive.
Table Coral City
This patch reef has many hard corals, nudibranches, leaf fish,
twin-spot lionfish and other oddities.
Batfish Wall
This is another steep drop-off with lots of growth. Deep crevices
mark the wall and all sorts of things live in the nooks and crannies
of the reef. Schooling fishes and turtles provide blue water interest.
By Denise Nielsen Tackett & Larry Tackett |
