Wakatobi, a district located in the southeastern part of Sulawesi Island. The name Wakatobi is an acronym of the names of its four major islands, namely Wangi-Wangi (Wa), Kaledupa (Ka), Tomia (To) and Binongko (Bi). Our visit to Wakatobi was a field validation activity within the Academic Study for Enhancing Climate Resilience and Action project in four priority sectors, that is Marine and Coastal, Water, Agriculture, and Health. Our series of activities while in Wakatobi included discussions on harmonizing Climate Resilience Development (CRD) policies, field observations, and visits to several agencies and regional apparatus organizations to harmonize information and collect climate-related data.

Wakatobi covers an area of approximately 1,3 million hectares, of which 97% consists of ocean and only 3% land (Bappeda Wakatobi, 2024). This condition makes underwater wealth the main attraction of its tourism sector. One of the iconic locations we visited was Sombu Dive on Wangi-Wangi Island. This place offers a strategic position to enjoy the clarity of sea water, panoramic sunsets, and is equipped with adequate supporting infrastructure. The clear, glassy sea water allows visitors to observe the underwater beauty, including coral clusters and small fish, directly from the bridge on the beach.

Darawa Village, Kaledupa Island
Darawa Village is one of the areas with the highest seaweed productivity on Kaledupa Island. During our observations, one of the interesting findings was a custom-based octopus fishing management scheme called Namo Nusara. This scheme is applied in fishing practices to preserve octopus stocks in the future. In Namo Nusara, there is a division of fishing areas that takes into account aspects of gender equality. Women are given special access to catch octopus in shallow water, which is their exclusive area. Men are not allowed to enter these areas, while women retain the freedom to enter fishing areas reserved for men.

Despite their unique traditions, the people of Darawa Village face unequal access to clean water, electricity and telecommunication signals. Clean water in the village mostly comes from rainwater that is collected as the main source of household needs. Almost every house is equipped with a large rainwater catchment basin, demonstrating the importance of this method in meeting daily needs.

Pajam Village
Pajam Village, located on Kaledupa Island, is known as the island’s shallot-producing region. Uniquely, the villagers do not determine the planting season based on the moon, but instead use wind patterns as a reference in farming. According to local residents, their ancestors even used constellations to determine the beginning of the planting period. Currently, planting is done at the beginning of the eastern season, which usually coincides with the wet months. However, due to climate change, the timing of the seasons has become erratic. Instead, people use natural signs to determine the start of the planting period. The main signs are the first rains after a long dry season and when the “kaibui” trees start to bear fruit. The western season, known as the rainy season, is also an important reference in the agrarian practices of the local people.

Cemara and Sombu Beach
Cemara Beach and Sombu Beach are two famous locations in Wakatobi that offer underwater beauty, especially through diving activities. Both beaches are often a favorite destination for tourists. Most of the coral reefs in the area are still well-preserved, although at a depth of three meters, symptoms of coral bleaching begin to appear. According to locals, this bleaching is caused by rising seawater temperatures, with some coral species being more susceptible to such changes. Nonetheless, the underwater biodiversity remains enticing. Some of the marine life we encountered included corals, anemones, clownfish (Amphiprioninae sp.), gombyok sea cucumbers (Pearsonothuria graeffei), and various other species, making Wakatobi a paradise for underwater tourism lovers.

Bajo People
The Bajo tribe is known for their prowess in exploring the ocean. Our team visited two Bajo communities in Wakatobi, Bajo Sampela on Kaledupa Island and Bajo Mola on Wangi-Wangi Island. According to Mr. Ahmad Albar, a resident of Bajo Mola, the name “Bajo” comes from the equivalent of the word “Bangsa Johor,” and this tribe is spread across various parts of the world. The Bajo tribe in Wakatobi has the largest population in Southeast Asia, with the majority working as fishermen. Despite being in the same region, the two have stark differences. The Bajo Mola live in floating houses that are connected to the mainland by a path, so access can be done on foot or using a two-wheeled vehicle. Meanwhile, the houses in Bajo Sampela are built on the reef, so access to them can only be done by boat.

Liya Bahari Village
Liya Bahari Village is one of the centers of seaweed cultivation in Wakatobi. Thanks to favorable water conditions, cultivation in this village is relatively unaffected by climate change. One of the main activities in the village is Totingko Tegarangga, the process of harvesting seaweed. According to Mr. La Khusni, a local farmer, the yield from four ropes can reach 100 kg. During our visit, the type of seaweed harvested was Spinosum (Eucheuma spinosum), which has a red-brown color.

Liya Togo Village
Wakatobi has a historical location in Liya Togo Village, South Wangi-Wangi, which is rich in history, customs and culture. The village is famous for the Liya Palace Fort, a relic of the Buton Sultanate, which is the largest fort in Wakatobi at 52 hectares. The fort is located at a high altitude and offers views of the sea and the village. Liya Togo village is also home to the Mubarok Liya Mosque, the oldest mosque in Wakatobi. Although it has undergone restoration, some of the original elements of the mosque have been retained, creating a distinctive feel for visitors.

Our trip to Wakatobi was a deeply memorable experience where we saw the combination of underwater beauty, the diversity of tribes and customs, and the captivating geographical landscape that makes Wakatobi like a “paradise” from the southeast of Sulawesi Island, which fosters the desire to return again.