WAKATOBI WAVE 2018: Explore the Breathtaking Seas and Culture of Wakatobi

The Wakatobi Wonderful Festival and Expo, better known as Wakatobi Wave is ongoing from 11th to 13 November, displaying the extensive beauty of the islands, from its high green hills right down to the bottom of its transparent and colorful living seas.

Among the thousands present at this year’s Festival are  Genk and Julia Adding from Holland who raved about the stunning beauty of the islands and the activities at the Festival. Genk is university professor at Utrecht University in the Netherlands, but at present lectures at the Halouleo Kendari University in South East Sulawesi.

Image by https://www.wakatobitourism.com

This is my third  visit  to Wakatobi,  he said, but this time I made sure to be here for the festival. This is fantastic, since I can now also enjoy the festival with my wife. I love Wakatobi, said Genk, Nature here is so beautiful and the people are so warm and friendly.

“Wakatobi is beautiful Nature . This personifies Indonesia, surrounded by fantastic nature.  I love the sea here which is so clear and refreshing. I described this all to my wife, and so I brought her here with me this time. This is her first visit to Wakatobi”, said Genk.  Confirming her husband’s talk, Julia  added that for her, Wakatobi is one of the best spots in the world for snorkeling.  “The reefs and corals are so amazing. We donot need to swim too far and there is even no need to dive, since its beauty can already be seen from the surface of the sea”, explained Julia who had gone snorkeling in Wakatobi.  

Image by  https://travelingyuk.com

Wakatobi can easily top a number of spots in many other countries. “I have snorkeled in Mexico, America and other places. But to me Wakatobi is still the best. Its waters are so clear, and transparent, and the people here are so hospitable. I love it here” she said. 

Entering its 4th edition this year, the Wakatobi Wave 2018 is centered on three sites in and around Wangi-wangi Island: at Pangulu Belo Field, Marina Bay, and the dive site of Wangi-wangi Beach.

Image by  https://travelingyuk.com

The annual fiesta is jam-packed with exciting festivities starting with a Cultural Carnival on the first day on 11th November 2018. Taking place at Pangululu Belo Field, the carnival features unique cultural attractions from all four main islands of Wakatobi. This is where the islanders showcase their intriguing traditional dances, music, and art performances as well as hold fun folk games, spread mouthwatering traditional culinary presentations, and a whole lot more. However, the one act that people look forward to is the colossal dances performance that involves over 1,000 of the most talented dancers across the 4 main islands. An epic spectacle of culture, they will perform a variety of traditional dances of Wakatobi including the Lengko, Lariangi, Sajo Moan, and Balumpa.

Image by Shutterstock

Leaving the shores and entering the indulging waters of Wakatobi, the festival also unveils the spectacular underwater wonders of the islands. For underwater enthusiasts, there is a fun dive at the dive site off the coast of Wangi-wangi Beach participated by professional divers as well as  guests and  the media. There are also unique competitions of Panjat Pinang or Palm Pole Climbing on the sea. A fun traditional game usually held around Independence Day, Panjat Pinang is where teams take turns in competing to climb up a high and slippery palm pole to reach for prizes hung on top of the pole. This time, however, Wakatobi Wave has taken that tradition one step higher by bringing the pole out to sea on a wooden raft. Imagine the fun!

For the more serioius, there is also a seminar that addresses the latest issues of marine tourism in the region and the latest trends and developments in global tourism.

Image by Shutterstock

Speaking for the event, Minister of Tourism, Arief Yahya commented: “This year, Wakatobi Wave is filled with exciting and diverse activities. For a full 3 days, tourists are spoiled with this exciting festival. The cultural richness of the islands will be presented from right at the start, while activities at sea will be exciting since it also directly involves tourists.”

Situated on the most south eastern edge off the coast of South East Sulawesi Province (just below the ‘right, or eastern leg' of Sulawesi Island), the entire regency of Wakatobi Islands is a Marine National Park blessed with multiple species of corals and  underwater life.  The name is an acronym of the four main islands, being: Wangi-wangi, Kaledupa, Tomia, and Binongko, simply the ultimate tropical paradise that lies at the heart of the world's precious Coral Triangle.

Image by  https://www.wakatobi.com

But, the wonders of Wakatobi do not only lie below the surface of its vast waters but also on the islands, in the cultural traditions of its friendly people. From turtles gliding gracefully over the open waters, soft pearly white sandy beaches and relaxing breezes, to traditional forts and historical legacies of ancient kings and rulers, Wakatobi has it all.  Be there!

Image source of header banner:  https://www.wakatobi.com