Garuda Indonesia Colours Magazine September 2016 | Page 104

102

Travel | Wakatobi

of the World Network of Biosphere
Reserves. Even a decade before this, the
WWF had launched their ‘Coral Triangle
Initiative’ here. The organisation remains
very active in combating destructive fishing
practices such as bombing and poison,
and they work closely with the traditional
communities to find alternative sustainable
lifestyles that are not damaging to
the environment.
To get an idea of the importance of the
region that has been designated the Coral
Triangle (which lies mostly in Indonesian
waters), bear in mind that a full 750
of our planet’s 850 species of coral exist
in this area. The Caribbean is considered
one of the pinnacles for globe-trotting
divers and yet it boasts a paltry 50
species of coral.
The legendary French diver Jacques
Cousteau summed Wakatobi up as ‘an
underwater Nirwana’. There is no record
as to whether the pioneer of modern
diving actually wept when he left.

5 Senses – Sight
SWIRLING REEF FISH

Feast your eyes on the kaleidoscopic
visions of countless swirling reef fish. There
are claims that Wakatobi boasts the highest
number of fish species in the world, with an
official count of 942, and no diver who claims
to be worth his salt should miss the once-ina-lifetime experience of diving Wakatobi’s
world-famous waters.
Manjakan mata Anda dengan pemandangan
kaleidoskopik ikan karang yang berputarputar dan tak terhitung jumlahnya. Ada
pernyataan bahwa Wakatobi memiliki spesies
ikan terbanyak di dunia yaitu 942 spesies.
Para penyelam yang mengaku kompeten
harus mencoba pengalaman tak terlupakan
menyelam di Wakatobi.

© Walt Stearns; Warren Baverstock / Wakatobi Dive Resort

A snorkeller overlooking a
colourful coral head just off the
beach in front of the Wakatobi
Dive Resort restaurant.