Kendari - Tukangbesi Archipelago – Kendari

A deep sail and dive through the wonders of the Tukangbesi archipelago. The secret uw crests, the lagoons, the outer reefs....very few operators know this area so well.

Archipelago of Tukang Besi: Situated in the Banda Sea, is without any doubt one of the best places to dive in the world as Mr. J.Y.Cousteau said during his pioneering visit in the middle of the 80s.

The Operation Wallacea, a group of scientific and English volunteers who, since some years ago, have been performing field studies in the island of Hoga, confirms the incredible variety of this underwater ecosystem.

The name of the four main islands, Wangi, Kaledupa, Tomea and Binongko form the acronym of Wakatobi, well known name for this archipelago. Smaller multitude of islands configure an intricate labyrinth of reefs that include everything that a diver desires: a true paradise of biodiversity.

All the archipelago is surrounded by deep waters so during the cruise sometimes it will be difficult to see the sea bottom in some dives. In that area we will find a very peculiar type of reef, call "crest". A narrow and long submarine mountain chain rising and descending to different levels, sometimes almost to surface level, with deep waters surrounding the walls at both sides.

The waters of the Tukang Besi are inhabited by a great quantity of species, from the largest to the smallest one, all the imaginable marine creatures may be found here: from pygmy seahorses to whale sharks. Barracudas, carangids, tuna, groupers, large napoleon fish, hunchback parrot fish, turtles, sea snakes, reef sharks, eagle rays, mobulas, all are frequent encounters in the cruises in this area. Several species of whales are also sighted occasionally from the ship while sailing. This is also the kingdom of the macro-photography, with very rare species like the leaf scorpion fish, the ghost pipe fish or the blue ring octopus, besides an infinite number of nudibranchs and small crabs, shrimps....etc, not to mention the exceptionally rich fixed life, hard and soft coral colonies, sponges and gorgonias.

One of the most exuberant underwater areas of the Indo Pacific!

LAND EXCURSIONS: additionally to the traditional fish barbecue in the beach, in this route the following visits are carried out:
- In the island of Binongko there is a small population dedicated to a humble craft industry of forges of iron. With some primitive ovens, aired by hand, they melt old pieces of steel and shape them with heavy hammers to manufacture knives and "krisses", the legendary Asian knifes with snake shape blade and with magic properties. We can collaborate with the local economy buying some of those kriss or fabrics directly woven by hand by the locals.
- In the island of Hoga, we will visit a village on stilts where the sea-gypsies live. This ethnic group, the Bajo, is found all over Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand and are not included in the census of any of these countries due to its semi nomad way of life, in continuous contact with the sea, dedicated to the pearl farming, recollection of trepang and underwater fishing. Small fishing spears and hand crafted wooden diving goggles can be bought to the locals.
- A third excursion will be decided along the way depending on the group likings. It will probably be a presentation on the works about the biodiversity of the Tukang Besi in charge of the Wallacea working team, or a representation of dances and martial arts of the Bajo natives..