As we know, Indonesia’s natural wealth holds so many potentials and one of them is the beauty of the underwater world which attracts the attention of marine tourism lovers from all over the world.
Having the longest coastline in the world that stretches from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific Ocean, Indonesia is also part of the world’s Coral Triangle, which holds 20 percent of the total number of coral reefs in the world.
Indonesia’s underwater world also offers several unique challenges, such as the steep walls, deep water trenches, shipwrecks as well as underwater volcanoes.
For you who like to dive, there is a spot that must be visited while enjoying a vacation in Indonesia.
Takabonerate National Park in South Sulawesi Province is probably still unfamiliar to your ears. But this marine park is the third largest atoll region in the world and has been proposed to be the UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2005.
There are about 15 islands in this national park with their own extraordinary beauty.
You will not regret having a vacation here, because this marine park is as beautiful as Maldives.
Takabonerate National Park is one of the best marine tourism objects in South Sulawesi Province. Located at Selayar Island Regency in the Flores Sea, South of Sulawesi island, Indonesia. Takabonerate National Park well knows as the underwater paradise for Diving or Snorkeling and it was famous for both foreign tourists and domestic tourists
The area of Takabonerate National Park is about 530.765 hectares which have an atoll expanse of about 220,000 hectares.
Takabonerate meaning “coral islands over sand” is the biggest atoll in Indonesia, and the third biggest in the world after Kwajifein Atol in the Marshal Islands and the Suvadiva Atol in the Maldives, the area of Takabonerate National Park which consists of the atoll islands and surrounding marine area was granted as National Park Protection status in about 1992.
Consists of about 14 islands, Takabonerate National Park is in a very remote location.
Most of these islands are the configuration between the atolls with white sand, the atolls consist of a chain of islands of dry coral and a large flat sunken reef, forming a large number of islands.
The coral islands are interspersed by narrow, deep, sheer-walled straits. On the coral flats, there are small, deep pools surrounded by coral reefs. At low tide, dry land is clearly visible, dotted by water flooding into the small pools, it looks great and beautiful.
The national park features 220,000 hectares of atoll, said to be one of the largest in the world following Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands and Suvadiva in the Maldives.
Included in the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves, Taka Bonerate is the habitat of hundreds of fish and other biotas, particularly at several diving sites.
A vast coral reef has made Taka Bonerate a haven for divers. The marine park now has 19 dive sites, with Tinabo Island being the most popular due its easy access and safety even for beginner divers.
Seven main islands in the national park have been inhabited for generations by the Bajo, Bugis, and Selayar (Buton and Flores) tribes.
The tribes have their own attractions, which are heavily influenced by the maritime culture and Islamic teachings. Traditions that travelers may find attractive include the Bajo wedding procession and Safar bath, where locals take a dip together in the sea on the last Wednesday in the Islamic month of Safar.
The rich biodiversity in the national park makes it ideal as a location for education and research, particularly in the field of marine biology. Students and travelers alike can observe the ecosystem, marine creatures, and the rather peculiar landscape. Apart from that, researchers and tourists can also participate in coral reef transplantation, tree planting, and other educational tourist attractions.
A number of activities can also be enjoyed by those who cannot swim nor dive. Travelers who want to avoid getting wet can go fishing, play beach volleyball or go on culinary adventures.
