Kendari

Sulawesi Tenggara (Southeast Sulawesi) is on one of the world’s most uniquely shaped islands, often referred to as the 'Orchid Shaped Island'. Today, Sulawesi is divided into six provinces, one of them being Southeast Sulawesi, covering the lower eastern 'petal' of this beautiful island.

The city of Kendari is its capital which lies on the east coast of the peninsula and is the starting point to any adventure into this fascinating province. Kendari is the tourist center of the province of Southeast Sulawesi, which offers wonderful attractions both on land and seas. It lies along the sloping hills and seaside of Kendari Bay, and is residence to some 100,000 people.

Kendari boasts the manufacture of numerous fine, artistic handicrafts, for both home and office use. They are reproduced by skilled craftsmen, from original designs and handed down through the generations, using indigenous roots and ironwood. There are extensive plantations of teak and ironwood, which are used for local handicrafts and contribute to the local economy.

For those who like challenging adventures and ecotourism, this part of Sulawesi is ideal. There are several dive and snorkel spots which you may wish to try in and around Kendari, before you venture further into the deep-sea waterworld around Wakatobi.

Get There

Kendari Haluoleo Airport, formerly known as Wolter Monginsidi Airport, is the main airport of Kendari. There are flights directly to Kendari from Jakarta and Makassar. Some airlines flying to and from Kendari are Garuda Indonesia, Lion Air and Sriwijaya Air.