About
About Wakatobi Liveaboard
Wakatobi is a UNESCO biosphere reserve and one of the finest coral reef destinations in the world. Its name joins the first letters of its four main islands, Wangi-Wangi, Kaledupa, Tomia and Binongko, and its waters hold more than 750 species of coral and 942 species of fish.
Our sister ships King Neptune and Neptune One dive Wakatobi with unlimited satellite internet and Nitrox blended on board by a Bauer membrane compressor.
Our Trip Snapshot
- Flexible booking
- Pristine coral reefs
- Small dive groups
- Travel assistance
- Multilingual crew
Experience
The Wakatobi Diving Experience
Wakatobi sits in the heart of the Coral Triangle, and its reefs are protected as a marine national park. The result is clear water, calm conditions and coral in extraordinary health, loved by photographers and marine biologists alike.
Pristine coral gardens
More than 750 coral species grow here, more than in the whole Caribbean. Table corals, branching corals and giant barrel sponges build reefs that are packed with life.
Macro and critters
Calm, clear water makes for easy macro photography: pygmy seahorses, ornate ghost pipefish, blue-ringed octopus and a huge variety of nudibranchs.
Crystal-clear water
Visibility often reaches 30 to 50 metres, and most sites have little current, so Wakatobi suits divers of every level.
Dive sites
Top Dive Sites in Wakatobi
Wakatobi’s reefs are among the healthiest on Earth, and the best sites combine clear water with an astonishing variety of coral.
Roma
All levels↕ 3–40m
An 800-metre wall that drops past 200 metres, with immaculate hard coral, plenty of macro life and superb night dives.
Table Coral City
All levels↕ 8–25m
A field of huge table corals, some more than three metres across, with resident turtles and dense reef fish.
Coral Garden
All levels↕ 5–20m
More than 50 coral genera on one shallow reef in very clear water, ideal for wide-angle photography.
Fan 38
Intermediate↕ 10–35m
A reef sloping at a steady 38 degrees and covered in giant gorgonian fans, with pygmy seahorses and schools of anthias.
Blade
Intermediate↕ 10–30m
A narrow, knife-edged ridge of soft coral with pygmy seahorses and thick clouds of anthias along its spine.
Turkey Beach
All levels↕ 3–18m
A shallow muck dive on volcanic sand with mimic octopus, wonderpus, frogfish and other rare critters.
Best time to visit
Wakatobi Diving Season Calendar
Wakatobi can be dived almost all year. The water is clearest from April to November, and the currents stay gentle, so it suits every level of diver.
| Month | Water temperature | Visibility | Currents | Season highlight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 28°C | 20–30m | Mild | Wetter season |
| Feb | 28°C | 20–30m | Mild | Wetter season |
| Mar | 29°C | 25–35m | Mild | Season starts |
| Apr | 29°C | 30–40m | Mild | Peak visibility |
| May | 29°C | 30–50m | Mild | Best conditions |
| Jun | 28°C | 30–50m | Mild | Crystal-clear water |
| Jul | 27°C | 25–40m | Mild | Great diving |
| Aug | 27°C | 25–40m | Mild | Great diving |
| Sep | 27°C | 30–45m | Mild | Peak season |
| Oct | 28°C | 30–50m | Mild | Exceptional clarity |
| Nov | 29°C | 25–40m | Mild | Season ends |
| Dec | 29°C | 20–30m | Mild | Transition |
Recommended months
Conditions
Water Conditions and Gear
- Temperature
- 27–29°C (81–84°F)
- Visibility
- 25–50m (80–165ft)
- Currents
- Mild to moderate and easy to manage
- Best visibility
- April to November
- Thermoclines
- Very rare; the water stays warm
- Wetsuit
- 3mm full wetsuit
- Certification
- Open Water is enough for most sites
- Nitrox
- Available for longer bottom times
Marine life
What You Will See in Wakatobi
As a UNESCO biosphere reserve, Wakatobi protects some of the richest reefs on the planet, with more than 750 coral species and 942 fish species in its clear water.
World-class coral
- More than 750 coral species
- More than 942 fish species
- Some of the healthiest reefs on Earth
- UNESCO biosphere reserve
Macro life
- Several species of pygmy seahorse
- Mandarinfish
- Ornate ghost pipefish
- Mimic octopus
- Wonderpus
- Frogfish
Reef fish
- Many species of clownfish
- Clouds of anthias
- Butterflyfish
- Angelfish
- Sweetlips
- Groupers
Turtles and reptiles
- Green turtles in large numbers
- Hawksbill turtles
- Banded sea kraits
Pelagics
- Napoleon wrasse
- Barracuda
- Reef sharks
- Eagle rays
- Giant trevally
Travel
How to Get to Wakatobi
Our Wakatobi trips start and end in Bau-Bau, on Buton island. Bau-Bau’s Betoambari airport (BUW) has flights from Makassar, which connects to Bali and Jakarta. Some departures are crossings that begin in Ambon or Alor, or finish in Alor or the Banda Sea, so check the route in the trip name.
Our team helps you plan domestic flights, and transfers between Bau-Bau airport and the boat are included.
Departure port: Bau-Bau, Buton
Betoambari Airport (BUW) has flights from Makassar.
Departure ports can change. Our reservations team confirms the exact meeting point when you book.
Travel tips
Tips for Travellers
- 1
Plan around the season
Wakatobi is good all year, with the best conditions from March to December. Visibility peaks from April to June and from September to November, and the water stays at 27 to 29°C.
- 2
Every level is welcome
With calm water and gentle currents at most sites, Open Water certification is enough for the majority of the diving.
- 3
Bring your camera
Pack your best macro lens and a good torch. The critter life and the clear water make Wakatobi one of the best places in Indonesia for underwater photography.
- 4
Dive gently
Wakatobi is a UNESCO biosphere reserve. Keep good buoyancy, never touch or stand on the coral and support the local conservation work that keeps the reefs healthy.
Travel essentials
Practical Travel Information
- Visa
- Most nationalities can buy a 30-day visa on arrival, extendable once. Your passport must be valid for at least six months.
- Currency
- Indonesian rupiah (IDR). ATMs are very limited in Wakatobi, so bring all the cash you need from Bali or Makassar.
- Language
- Bahasa Indonesia is the national language. Our dive guides and crew speak English.
- Tipping
- Tipping the crew is customary. As a guide, guests leave Rp 270,000 to 360,000 per person per day.
- What to pack
- Macro camera gear, reef-safe sunscreen, insect repellent and your personal medication.
- Health
- No vaccinations are required. Hepatitis A and B and typhoid are recommended. Dengue is present, so bring insect repellent.
- Electricity
- 220V, 50Hz, with European two-pin plugs (types C and F). Bring a universal adapter.
- Time zone
- Central Indonesia Time (WITA), UTC+8, the same as Bali.
Our itinerary
Dive the Best of Wakatobi
Our Wakatobi itineraries visit the best sites across the four islands, from shallow coral gardens to deep walls. Some trips continue to Alor or the Banda Sea.
Schedule
Upcoming Wakatobi Trips
Live availability and prices. Crossings that start or end in Wakatobi are included.
The fleet
Choose Your Boat
King Neptune
A 46-metre motor yacht with 10 en-suite cabins for up to 22 guests, a jacuzzi on the sun deck, a camera station and two dive tenders. Nitrox is blended on board.
Neptune One
A 39-metre phinisi with 8 cabins for 16 guests, including balcony cabins and a deluxe suite. A smaller group, Nitrox on board and free satellite internet.
Your trip
What Your Trip Includes
Included in the price
- Cabin accommodation with en-suite bathroom
- Airport and hotel transfers in Bau-Bau on departure and return days
- All scheduled dives, with tanks, weights and weight belts
- Three meals and three snacks a day
- Coffee, tea and snacks all day
- Unlimited satellite internet
- Snorkelling gear
- A maximum of four divers per guide
- Stand-up paddle boards and kayaks
Not included
- Nitrox
- Rental equipment such as BCD, regulator and wetsuit
- Single cabin supplement
- Park and port fees
- Private dive guide
- Alcohol and soft drinks
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to dive Wakatobi?
Wakatobi is good all year, with the best conditions from March to December. Visibility peaks from April to June and from September to November, and the water stays between 27 and 29°C.
What makes Wakatobi special for diving?
It is a UNESCO biosphere reserve with more than 750 coral species and 942 fish species. The reefs are among the healthiest on Earth, and visibility often reaches 30 to 50 metres.
What certification do I need for Wakatobi?
Open Water certification is enough for most sites. The calm water and gentle currents make Wakatobi suitable for new and experienced divers alike.
How do I get to Wakatobi?
Our trips start in Bau-Bau on Buton island. Fly to Betoambari airport (BUW) via Makassar, and the crew meets you there. Our team helps you arrange the flights.
Is Wakatobi good for underwater photography?
It is excellent for both macro and wide-angle. The clear water, healthy reefs and variety of critters make it one of the best photography destinations in Indonesia.
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