IO – What comes to your mind when you hear the name of Wakatobi National Park? Yes, the beauty of the underwater paradise. Wakatobi National Park is located in Wakatobi Regency in Southeast Sulawesi. The name Wakatobi itself is a combination of four small islands namely Wangi-Wangi, Kaledupa, Tomia, and Binongko.
These four are the most beautiful islands in Southeast Sulawesi. This regency which has an area of 823 km2 is indeed very famous for its underwater paradise. Not only domestically, but Wakatobi has resonated throughout the world.
The beauty of the underwater has been well known to foreign countries since 1995 after the Wallacea Expedition from England. In the expedition, the area was very rich in coral species.
Mentioned, in Wakatobi National Park there are 750 of a total of 850 species of coral in the world. The depth configuration varies from flat to sloping to the sea and in some areas there are steeply lined waters. The deepest part of the waters reaches 1,044 meters.
Maritime tourism is a tourist activity that has long been known and is a mainstay tourism in the Wakatobi Islands National Park. The wealth of marine life is none other than a vast expanse of coral reefs along the waters with colorful underwater topography such as slop, flat, drop-off, atoll, and underwater cave.
Wakatobi waters have loyal “guests” that make Wakatobi waters their playground. “Guest” is nothing but not a sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus). Usually, flocks of sperm whales are in Wakatobi in November, when the other hemisphere freezes.
In that month, Wakatobi waters were relatively warmer and had abundant feed that could fill the stomach of the whales. Wakatobi is also a place to play manta ray, whose body size is classified as giant.
Mantas are one of the unique and unique types of fish, which are only found in tropical waters. The presence of 25 coral reefs and their depths make the waters of the Wakatobi Islands National Park an ideal place for various types of marine life to live in, also make the marine inhabitants here have high aesthetic and conservation values.
Fun Dive
Every year Wakatobi has a festival called the Wakatobi Wave which is listed in the Ministry of Tourism’s Calendar of Event. In the event, there were colossal dances that depicted the life and culture of the Wakatobi community. At least 1,000 dancers enliven the event every year.
But the most eagerly awaited is the series of annual Wakatobi Wave events, namely Fun Dive. Because it will not be complete until you have explored Wakatobi under the sea.
Guests are invited to explore the beautiful underwater Wakatobi at a depth of 5-15 meters. For those who do not have diving experience, don’t worry, as there are guides who will accompany you along the Wakatobi underwater. Fish and the beauty of coral reefs eliminate fear in depth. You will feel relaxed watching the scene.
This Fun Dive program took place since 09.00 a.m. at Cemara Beach, Waha Village. At least 20 Fun Dive participants and including VIP guests from the Maritime Coordinating Ministry. Cemara Beach has a spot dive spot with the charm of a green coral and it is not uncommon to see fish laying eggs.
Cemara Beach itself is a beach that is focused on spawning places. Another feature of Cemara Beach is that there are pine trees adorning the beach. Not only that, Cemara Beach also has thick sand. With this Wakatobi Fun Dive activity, participants increasingly recognize the beauty of Cemara Beach to the deepest part.
(Pramitha Hendra)