Dive Sites of the Tukang Besi Archipelago, SE Sulawesi
The area of Wakatobi is fast gaining a reputation as one of the top dive spots around. This small collection of islands in the south east of Sulawesi enjoys some of the healthiest coral fields you are likely to see. The rich waters mean an abundance of marine life in all its forms and the area is now regularly visited by liveaboards.
Wakatobi is one of the newest and most exciting diving destinations in Indonesia, winning extraordinary praise from its visitors both for outstanding and accessible diving and the quality of service they receive from the dive operation.
For fans of Wakatobi diving it is not only that there are so many incredible dive sites within easy reach of the resort, being only a short speedboat ride away, but also that a few fin kicks from the shore lies the best house reef in the world. How could a simple house reef be one of the highlights of a diving holiday? Well this isn’t your average house reef.
In fact, the Wakatobi House Reef is considered by many dive professionals to be the finest in the world and is a site that guests often visit over and over again, such is its allure. Stroll in to a dive site that seems impossibly entertaining with every reef character you could imagine including seahorses, trevallies, turtles, eagle rays and hard and soft corals galore.
Although it is simple enough to get to with charter flights from Bali, you still have the remote pioneer-diving feel when enjoying these sites. For serious divers looking for the one of the finest diving experiences in Indonesia, this could well be the place.
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Diving Season
March to December is the season for scuba diving in Wakatobi. This applies to both the resort vacations and to liveaboard safaris. July and August bring rich plankton blooms and their attendant big marine animals, but also cooler water and lower visibility.
The water temperature varies quite a bit here. This is a quick guide: October maximum of 30°C, the latter half of August minimum of 25°C, March until May the temperature averages 28°C, June, July and September are between 26 to 27°C, October 28 to 30°C November to March averages 28°C. In other words for 99% of the year, the temperature ranges between 26 – 29°C.
Reef Basics
Great for: Small animals, underwater photography, reef life and health and visibility
Not so great for: Wrecks and non-diving activities
Depth: 5 – >40m
Visibility: 15 – 80m
Currents: Gentle
Surface Conditions: Calm
Water Temperature: 26 – 29°C
Experience Level: Beginner – advanced
Number of dive sites: >50
Distance: 1,020 km north east of Bali (2½ hours)
Access: Wakatobi liveaboards
Recommended length of stay: 7 – 11 days
Dive Sites
Dive The World Indonesia’s Recommendations: Roma and Cornucopia.
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