Indonesia

Wakatobi

Most of the world's coral species crowd the reefs beneath Bajo stilt houses.

#Water#Couple#Solo#Culture#Wandering#Eco#Unique

The reef begins under the stilt houses and does not really stop: walls, pinnacles and gardens in water clear to thirty metres. Bajo communities live over the shallows, their relationship with this sea older than any park boundary drawn around it.

Wakatobi takes its name from its four islands, Wangi-wangi, Kaledupa, Tomia and Binongko, and its national park protects one of the richest reef systems on Earth, with around 750 coral species recorded, most of the world's known total. Bajo families live in houses raised on stilts above the shallows, and visits are arranged through hosts rather than pointed at. A specialist dive resort on Tomia and local island stays split the accommodation range, flights arrive via Wangi-wangi, and UNESCO lists the park as a Biosphere Reserve.

5.316° S · 123.583° E

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Best For

Solo

An island lodge connects one guest to boats and hosts without a group to assemble.

Couple

A settled reef base for two, with a village visit arranged properly through hosts.

Why This Place

Around 750 coral species live here, most of the world's known total.
Bajo homes stand on stilts above the shallows, lived in first and visited second.
Four islands give the marine days genuine variety beyond one reef trip.
Visibility on the walls regularly passes thirty metres.