Wakatobi’s iconic Jetty Bar is a favorite place to gather and enjoy a libation while watching the sun sink towards the horizon. But there’s another reason why some guests show up there in the late afternoon. It turns out that the end of the jetty is also the perfect starting point for a different type […]

A brief story of Wakatobi’s landmark conservation initiative It’s no secret that marine environments around the world face threats from human activity and that protections are needed to ensure the continued health and survival of coral reefs and other underwater ecosystems. For many years, it was thought that the only solution would be to limit […]

Pygmy seahorses are animals that few people have been lucky enough to see, let alone witness mating or giving birth. But at Wakatobi, divers are granted this pleasure all the time. Follow along to learn about these unique and rare animals, and why Wakatobi is one of the best places on earth to see them. Though you […]

Discovering the wonders of Wakatobi’s seagrass beds Wakatobi’s House Reef has earned a reputation as one of the world’s finest shore dives. This expansive coral garden, which lies just a short swim from the beach, stretches for more than three miles and offers untold hours of diving and snorkeling adventures. But there’s another dimension to […]

A closer look at tunicates, one of the most overlooked reef dwellers Duck below the surface on any coral reef around Wakatobi and you will immediately be immersed in a sea of color and life. Brightly decorated fish sporting intricate and intriguing patterns flash by, while cunningly camouflaged critters hide in plain sight among multi-hued […]

What is biodiversity and what does it mean to the average diver and snorkeler? Biodiversity is a measure of the variety of species that can be found in an ecosystem. Wakatobi is located in an area that encompasses the highest coral reef biodiversity in the world. But why is it so prolific in our part […]

When a coral reef turns stark white, it raises concerns. This phenomenon, known as coral bleaching, has occurred at a number of places on reefs around the world in the past few years. In most cases, the afflicted reefs eventually recover and the color is restored. The question is, why are some places more susceptible […]

Wakatobi’s reefs are covered in a colorful carpet of corals, sponges, and gorgonians that shelter a range of interesting creatures. To find one of the area’s most intriguing and bizarre animals of all, look beyond the growth to find a bare spot where coral rubble surrounds a small hole where the Mantis shrimp is hiding. […]

While establishing training protocols for the GPS mapping of coral reefs in the Wakatobi area, Stephan Becker was impressed by the health of the underwater environment. This cannot be attributed solely to the reefs’ remote location, he feels, and is instead a direct result of numerous protective measures that remain in place, and to the cooperative […]

Discovering the underwater attractions that lie just off Wakatobi’s beach. by Steve Miller It’s morning, and the dive boats of Wakatobi are just about to head out for the first trip of the day. I’m still onshore at the dive center, halfway through a leak check on my camera housing. But there’s no rush because […]