You won’t find many tourists in Southeast Sulawesi, but many interesting things to see and do. Pass by Kendari, a busy town without major attractions, though you may be lucky to assist a dragon boat race or a traditional music performance. Explore the nearby islands, starting from Pulau Buton, where in Bau Bau town you can appreciate the view over the bay from the ancient walls around the well-preserved Kraton royal site and mosque. If you happen to visit in September, visit the Kraton festival when the site is coloured by a parade of traditional costumes and dances. Many nearby beaches such as Pantai Nirwana, Batuaga and Lakebe are worth visiting, but they may be crowded with locals, especially over the weekend. Pulau Muna offers a wild environment characterised by bad roads and fishermen’s villages. You can also explore some deserted beaches lakes and learn about the unique Muna culture.
At the southernmost tip of Southeast Sulawesi is Wakatobi National Park, which comprises part of the Tukangbesi islands and some of the best diving sites in Indonesia. With around 400 different species of corals and almost 1,000 fish species, it is one of the most biodiverse in the world. Besides diving, you can visit Pulau Wangi with picturesque harbour and night market, explore Pulau Kaledupa’s thick forest and Ambeua villa or head to Pulau Hoga for the Tomia fishermen’s villages. Pulau Kaledupa probably has the best-preserved reef, while Hoga is the least inhabited island.
