The Invaluable Biota of Nusantara

People of the Wakatobi

The Wakatobi contains two major ethnic groups, the Pulau (Islanders, ethnic Indonesian) and the Bajau . The Pulau are generally considered to be ethnically Indonesian and speak a series of dialects and languages, many associated to Bahasa. People are mostly a mix of farmers, fishermen and businessmen.

The Bajau are an indigenous ethnic group residing in Sabah , eastern Malaysia , Brunei , Indonesia , the Philippines and parts of Sarawak . They are sometimes referred to as the Sea Gypsies , although the term has been used to encompass a number of non-related ethnic groups with similar traditional lifestyles. The Bajau of Indonesia live primarily on the islands and in the coastal districts of Sulawesi . The outward spread of the Bajau seems to have been associated with the development of sea trade in trepang . For Wakatobi social, economic and anthropological research reports click here

Flights:

Bali to Kendari then 1 hour transfer to the harbor and board The Seven Seas

Sail overnight to northern Wakatobi National Park

Bali to Maumere then across to southern Wakatobi and leave from Kendari

Jakarta/Bali→Makassar→Bau-Bau/Kendari→Wangi/Kaledupa

(with contributions from Benjamin Farrar (aka Mr Ben))

Travel to the Wakatobi is not simple but it is well worth the hassle as the journey its self can be fun, as well as a cultural experience in its own right. Most journeys to the Wakatobi are via Makassar (Sulawesi capital) and the town of Bau-Bau (and possibly Kendari), located on the Island of Buton ( SE Sulawesi ).

 

Where the heck is Wakatobi? - Wakatobi Resort is in far Southeastern Sulawesi, Indonesia, positioned in the midst of a remote island archipelago group known to adventure travelers as Tukang Besi. Wakatobi is named after the four islands that surround it, Wangi Wangi, Kaledupa, Tomia, and Binongko. (Note the anagram Wa Ka To Bi). Yes its location is remote, quite literally on the fringe of "civilization." But that's precisely the point, for this remoteness is what makes the trip worthwhile.

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