Wakatobi Liveaboard Diving – Indonesia’s Hidden Gem
Wakatobi is a diver’s paradise in Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia, named after its four main islands – Wangi-Wangi, Kaledupa, Tomia, and Binongko. This remote archipelago is part of the Coral Triangle, home to some of the richest marine biodiversity on the planet. Pristine reefs, crystal-clear waters, and vibrant marine life make Wakatobi a must-visit for divers and snorkelers alike.
Liveaboard Diving in Wakatobi – Discover Indonesia’s Pristine Reefs
Wakatobi is consistently celebrated as one of the world’s top diving destinations, offering a rich tapestry of coral gardens, steep drop-offs, and vibrant pinnacles. With over 700 coral species and thousands of fish species, this marine sanctuary delivers an unparalleled underwater experience.
Our liveaboard itineraries are designed to reveal the best dive sites, ensuring each dive is extraordinary – whether you’re gliding over coral-covered seamounts or encountering rare marine life in pristine waters.
Marine Life in Wakatobi
Wakatobi’s reefs are teeming with diverse marine species, from the tiniest critters to larger pelagic life.
What You’ll Encounter:
- Reef Fish – Clownfish, angelfish, butterflyfish, parrotfish, and wrasse dominate the reefs.
- Pelagic Life – Schools of barracudas, giant trevally, and tuna often circle reef edges, while manta rays and eagle rays glide near cleaning stations.
- Macro Critters – Pygmy seahorses, nudibranchs, ghost pipefish, and frogfish are hidden gems for macro photographers.
- Turtles and Sharks – Green and hawksbill turtles are frequently seen, along with blacktip and whitetip reef sharks patrolling the reefs.
- Nightlife – Cuttlefish, octopuses, and squid emerge after dark, adding excitement to night dives.
- Coral and Invertebrates – Healthy coral gardens, sea fans, and sponges create stunning underwater landscapes.
Top Dive Sites in Wakatobi
- Blade – A series of narrow seamounts rising from the deep, covered in coral and patrolled by schooling fish.
- Roma – A coral pinnacle bustling with marine life, including barracudas, turtles, and reef sharks.
- Cornucopia – Steep walls adorned with soft corals, sponges, and large sea fans.
Snorkeling in Wakatobi – Just as Spectacular
For snorkelers, Wakatobi offers shallow reefs teeming with life. Coral gardens begin just meters from the shore, making them easily accessible without deep descents.
Snorkeling Highlights:
- Tomia Island – Calm, shallow reefs perfect for snorkelers of all levels.
- Wangi-Wangi – Offers easy access to vibrant reefs and cultural experiences.
- Kaledupa – Known for seagrass beds and colorful coral gardens.
Cousteau’s Nirvana (Maumere – Wakatobi – Bau Bau)
Day 1: Maumere
After boarding Adelaar and your welcome drink you will have time to settle in, get to know the boat, crew and fellow passengers, relax and enjoy your first day of living aboard Adelaar.
Day 2: North Flores
The sloping reefs, walls and underwater crevasses of the islands to the north of Flores provide ideal conditions for a first day of diving. Typically, clear water, hardly any current and colourful reefs set the tone for the rest of the trip. (3 day dives, 1 night dive)
Day 3: Lembata
After a morning spent hunting for macro treasures like rhinopias, different species of ghostpipe fish or mimic octopus that inhabit the clean patch reefs and sea grass beds of Lewoleba bay, we spend the afternoon exploring the magnificent walls and overhangs of Bacatan. (3 day dives, 1 night dive)
Day 4: Pura
The Straight of Pantar with the island Pura nested in between Alor and Pantar is a fascinating diver’s playground. We discover a unique site that is covered to large parts in sheer endless carpets of anemones, and which regularly attracts pelagic visitors. The next highlight is a steep slope that is virtually exploding in colours of pristine soft coral growth. After lunch we visit a site that consists of a mini wall and a patch reef, where we may stumble again over some rhinopias. Before the night dive, local kids will show us around their village. (3 day dives, 1 night dive)
Day 5: Komba
Komba is a unique place. This island is actually the tip of Batu Tara, a volcano rising from the depth, piercing the blue waters of the Flores Sea. Diving the stark underwater landscape on the flanks of this occasionally still visibly and audibly active volcano is unique. The dark grey substrate gives a beautiful contrast to the colours of the hard and soft coral formations and big barrel sponges towering on top of the underwater ridges. Its remote location, alone in the middle of the sea, typically guarantees excellent visibility and may attract pelagic predators. After the dives Adelaar sets her sails to head toward the Banda Sea in style. (2 day dives)
Day 6: Kaledupa
Our first day in what Cousteau called a ‘Diving Nirvana’! We will start with an iconic Wakatobi site on the North East of Karang Kaledupa, a seemingly endless maze of submerged seamounts all interconnected by ridges, shallow enough to be completely covered in pristine corals. In the afternoon we do some gentle drift diving on the entrance of one of the typical Wakatobi atolls – usually very rich in fish life and there is also a chance to spot the odd eagle ray or shark in the clear blue water. In the late afternoon we head over to the world renowned Wakatobi resort for some coffee and their famous home made gelato. (3 day dives)
Day 7: Tomia
The island Tomia, the ‘To’ part of Wakatobi, is the heart of the national park, and its reefs form the epicentre in terms of Wakatobi’s celebrated marine biodiversity. Today’s dives take us on exposed seamounts surrounded by myriads of fish, great hard coral ridges that are studded with sea fans that are home to different species of pygmy seahorses and gorgeous shallow coral gardens. The night dive takes place on a site that is haven to critters such as frog fish, cephalopods and rare crustaceans. (3 day dives, 1 night dive)
Day 8: Runduma
The islands and atolls around Runduma are in the far North of Wakatobi national park. Their remoteness adds to their appeal, as do the schools of fish living on those rarely visited reefs. The sites vary between large seamounts with patrols of giant barracudas, over fringing sloping reefs with giant groupers ad schools of different species of snappers and mazes of completely submerged reef systems that are frequented by eagle rays and pelagic species. (3 day dives)
Day 9: Pasarwajo
The big bay of Pasarwajo in the South East of Buton island is a gem in the treasure that is Indonesian muck or macro diving. Its gentle rubble slopes and sea grass meadows of beaches and sites underneath pillars of old piers give shelter to weird and wonderful critters such as zebra crabs, harlequin shrimps, thorny seahorses, flying gurnards, wonderpus and other cephalopods, amongst others the very rare mototi octopus. At dusk there is an opportunity to observe the mating ritual of bigger than average mandarin fish that are more photographer-friendly than in other places. (3 day dives, 1 dusk dive)
Day 10: Buton
A couple of hours south of Pasarwajo, beneath the impressive cliffs of South east Buton, lie the two final dive sites of the trip. Before falling steeply deep in the clear abyss, the underwater landscape spoils us with large overhang and terraces. Due to its ocean facing positions surprise encounters with migrating bigger denizens of the deep are always possible here. After the last dive we sail around the southern tip of Buton to our final destination, the harbour town of Bau Bau. There we have a festive goodbye dinner. (2 day dives)
Day 11: Bau Bau
After a last breakfast, it is time to disembark and say goodbye – until the next time.
(Actual itinerary might vary depending on weather and sea conditions)
* Our itinerary Bau Bau-Maumere goes the opposite direction with slight differences (for more details, download the PDF above)
Banda Sea & Wakatobi
(Ambon – Bau Bau)
10 nights / 32 dives
Banda Sea & Wakatobi (Ambon – Bau Bau)
Ambon to Bau Bau – A 10-Night Expedition Across the Banda Sea and Wakatobi
Embark on an unforgettable 10-night journey across the Banda Sea and through the Wakatobi archipelago, where rich history, pristine reefs, and encounters with rare marine life await.
Day 1: Ambon
Your adventure begins in Ambon, where you’ll board Adelaar and set sail into the heart of the Banda Sea. Depending on arrival times, a check dive may be offered in the afternoon to ease into the journey.
Day 2: Ambon South Coast
Explore the dramatic walls and coral-encrusted slopes of Ambon’s southern coastline. Vibrant marine life thrives here, offering a perfect start to the adventure. (3 day dives)
Day 3-4: Lucipara/Penyu
Remote and rarely visited, the Lucipara and Penyu islands offer crystal-clear waters and deep drop-offs. Schooling fish, pelagics, and perhaps even hammerhead sharks make appearances along the towering underwater cliffs. (6 day dives, 1 night dive)
Day 5: Gunung Api
Dive around Gunung Api, an isolated volcanic island renowned for its resident sea snakes and dramatic lava flows beneath the surface. This unique site promises thrilling encounters and unforgettable dives. (3 day dives)
Day 6: Moromaho (Wakatobi National Park)
The gateway to Wakatobi, Moromaho boasts vibrant coral gardens and rich biodiversity. Expect stunning visibility and reefs teeming with life. (3 day dives, 1 night dive)
Day 7 : Tomia
Tomia is famous for its sheer drop-offs and flourishing coral walls. Schools of fish dance along the reef, while eagle rays and sharks often pass by in the blue. (3 day dives, 1 night dive)
Day 8: Wangi Wangi/Kadelupa
Wakatobi’s capital, Wangi Wangi, and nearby Kadelupa offer the perfect blend of thriving reefs and cultural charm. Delicate corals, reef sharks, and turtles add to the spectacle beneath the waves. (3 day dives, 1 night dive)
Day 9: Pasarwajo
Pasarwajo’s remote reefs are alive with vibrant coral formations and pelagic action. Expect colorful soft corals and the occasional visit from large tunas or barracudas patrolling the drop-offs. (3 day dives, 1 night dive)
Day 10: Buton
Buton’s volcanic formations create a stunning underwater landscape. Explore ridges and walls adorned with sponges and sea fans, while searching for encounters with eagle rays and large schools of fish. (2 day dives)
Day 11: Bau Bau
The journey concludes in Bau Bau, where after one final breakfast aboard Adelaar, you disembark with memories of world-class diving and the untouched beauty of Indonesia’s most remote corners.
(Itinerary may vary depending on weather and sea conditions)
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