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).

To Makassar (Ujang Pandang) (for overnight stay in Makassar click here)

All independent travellers to the Wakatobi must first travel to Sulawesi. The capital city of Sulawesi is Makassar (often referred to as Ujang Pandang). It is from here that further travel starts. Both planes and ferries regularly arrive here from other parts of Indonesia, unfortunately there is currently no direct international flights to Makassar and travellers must first fly to Jakarta or Bali. Additionally travellers can connect to Makassar via the tourist centre of Manado in north east Sulawesi that operates direct flights to Singapore. The major airlines operating services to Makassar are Lion Air, Merpati, Bourak, Adam Air and the national airline Garuda Indonesia.

www.lionair.co.id

www.flyadamair.com

www.garuda-indonesia.com

Additionally all internal flights within Indonesia can be booked using one of many reliable local tour operators such as Losari Tours or Sulawesi Travel

www.losari-tours.com (acho@losari-tours.com)

www.sulawesi-indonesia.com (diving@sulawesi-indonesia.com)

To Bau-Bau (from Makassar)   (for overnight stay in Bau-Bau click here)

Travel to Bau-Bau is either direct from Makassar by boat or plane, or via Kendari, the regional capital of SE Sulawesi. Unfortunately the flight between Makassar and Baubau is unreliable and often only operates for small periods of the year. When running, this flight is operated by Lion Air. The most direct travel is using the PELNI (Indonesian national ferry service) that operates a number of services each weak (12-14hr overnight journey - 1st or 2nd class cabin advised). The timetable for the ferries often varies, and it is therefore best to use a local travel agent to arrange the trip to Baubau as they will have up to date local information on ferry and flight services.

To Bau-Bau (from Kendari) (for overnight stay in Kendari click here)

The fastest means of travel to Bau-Bau is via Kendari using the daily flights (operated by Lion Air www.lionair.co.id) and then the fast boats to Bau-Bau. The newest boat the Sagori is by far the nicest (and safest).

www.losari-tours.com (acho@losari-tours.com)

www.sulawesi-indonesia.com (diving@sulawesi-indonesia.com)

To Wangi-Wangi (from Kendari) 

From Kendari there are three boats per week direct to Wangi (8hrs) costing 100,000-rp120,000. This is generally a cargo vessel with a small passenger section so don't be surprised to share your journey with a few thousand frozen fish.

Overnight Stops

Due to timetable difficulties an overnight stop is often necessary either in Makassar, Kendari or Bau-Bau. Bau-Bau and Makassar are the nicer places to stop.

To Wangi-Wangi (from Bau-Bau)

A ferry service runs every night at 2100hrs (weather permitting). This is a large wooden boat which has cabins / beds but they are small and hot. It is advised to use a cabin for security and locate available life jackets. The boat departs from the jetty on the left of the Pelni harbour (on the right when standing on Pantai Kamali and facing out to sea) and from the biggest jetty in Wanci back to Bau-Bau both trips take between (6-8hrs). Tickets can be booked in Baubau prior to travel (cost approx rp100,000). From Wangi it is then possible everyday to catch a boat to the other inhabited islands (cost approx rp50,000-100,000). On arrival in Wangi-Wangi additional small ferries will meet this service for onward travel to Kaledupa, Hoga and Tomia. It is also very easy to charter a private service for this journey but at a premium.

To Kaledupa (from BauBau)

On most days there are medium sized wooden boats leaving from the public jetty (on the left when standing on Pantai Kamali and facing out to sea). The best boats are Rompong Maleko and Waduri and the journey takes (10-12hrs) = rp80,000-100,000.

To Tomia (from BauBau)

3-4 times a week there are medium to smaller boats leaving from BauBau jetty on the left of the Pelni harbour (on the right when standing on Pantai Kamali and facing out to sea). The journey takes (10-12hrs) and costs between rp100,000-120,000.

Direct from Bali to Tomia

Although no official public route or service exists Wakatobi divers operate regular flights between Bali and Tomia. It may be possible on occasions to utilise this route.