The types of vegetation found in the national park are mangrove forest, coastal forest, lowland swamp forest, riverbank vegetation, lowland rainforest, mountain rainforest and coral reefs. The Wakatobi Archipelago has 25 groups of coral reefs including fringing reefs, barrier reefs and atolls.
Best time to visit March and December and during July and August
A survey conducted in 2003 identified 396 species of coral belonging to 68 genera and 15 families. These include Acropora formosa, Acropora hyacinthus, Psammocora profundasafla, Pavona cactus, Leptoseris yabei, Fungia molucensis, Lobophyllia robusta, Merulina ampliata, Platygyra versifora, Euphyllia glabrescens, Tubastraea frondes, Stylophora pistillata, Sarcophyton throchelliophorum, and Sinulariaspecies. Among the recorded species of seabird are the Brown Booby, Common Kingfisher and Malaysian Plover. Turtles in the park include the Hawksbill turtle, Loggerhead sea turtle, and Olive Ridley. The reefs for Wakatobi diving are unlike others in the region because of the dry climate and uplifted limestone or, in other words, fossilised reefs. This means there is an exceptionally clean environment due to the lack of soil erosion.
Wakatobi is not only about underwater beauty. Here we can also explore the amazing chalk hill, some old castles, old mosque and it inhabit traditional live. The land is so clean also the rivers, even while you on boat you can see river's bottom. At several time there are also Terrapin Release event there.
GET THERE
There are two airports operated in Wakatobi. The first one is Maranggo Airport that operated by Wakatobi Dive Resort who serves direct flight occasionally from Bali to Tomia (exclusive tourist package/air charter).
The second one is Matahora Airport. By now, there is only SusiAir who operates ten flights per week (Kendari-Wakatobi-Kendari) and it just takes about 45 minutes in one trip. So you must have flight to Kendari airport frist.
To Eat
Sea food is the specialty here, and you can never go wrong with ikan bakar or roasted fish (unless you are allergic!). Pisang epe and pisang hijau, desserts made of banana, should be sampled as well.
Cuisine here generally tastes rather spicy. You should try sinonggi, a sago porridge served with clam and fish soup. Pokea or skewered clams with peanut sauce is also tasty, served with baked sticky rice and some kind of lontong, steamed rice in banana leaves.
For souvenirs and snacks you should try bagea, cookie that predominantly taste of ginger and cashew, perfect to be had with tea or coffee.
