Wakatobi is famous as a fascinating marine tourism destination. In addition to presenting marine tourism, cultural events are packaged nicely in the Wakatobi Festival. Wakatobi Wave is one of the festivals held to increase the tourism sector, especially marine tourism in Wakatobi. Located in Wakatobi National Park in South Sulawesi, famous as one of the underwater tourism paradises, especially for diving lovers. The festival is held at Wangi Wangi which is one part of Wakatobi besides Kaleidupa, Tomia, and Binongko. During this festival, people will flock to the streets to watch various parades and cultural arts performances. Apart from the local community, you are also allowed to come and watch the festival. Enjoying marine tourism and also cultural tourism is an attraction for tourists. See firsthand the excitement and warmth of the people in Wakatobi with their culture that is still preserved.
Time & Location of Wakatobi Festival Held
This annual festival is usually held at Merdeka Square and Marina Togo Mowondu. This area can be accessed from Bau Bau by boat. The journey takes about 3 hours depending on the sea conditions. A series of exciting events, ranging from entertainment to culture, are presented at the Wakatobi festival. Tourists who want to watch and join this festival can pay an entrance ticket of around IDR 160,000 per person. This ticket price can change every year depending on the policy of the organizing committee. Information on ticket prices for this festival can be found on the official website or social media of the Wakatobi regional tourism ministry.
Wakatobi Festival Tourist Attraction
- Costume Parade
The costume parade was the opening of this festival. Usually, school children with unique costumes will appear in the parade. They will walk from the start line to the end according to a predetermined carnival path. Apart from students, representatives from government agencies also enlivened this costume parade. They use various unique costumes such as clothes in the form of crabs, fish, octopuses, and other marine animal forms. Some participants also wore unique clothes with a typical Wakatobi cloth, namely the traditional leja sarong.
- Karia Parade
The Karia Parade is attended by girls wearing traditional or traditional clothes that are very bright in color. They appear in a parade that enlivens the festival atmosphere. In addition to wearing traditional clothes with cheerful colors, parade participants also wore gold flower decorations. Accompanied by lively music, this parade enlivened the Wakatobi Wave.
- Decorative Boat
This festival is also carried out by holding a decorative boat competition. Fishing boats are made more attractive by adding accessories according to the festival theme. Several decorated boats will line up along the shore or the sea. This activity is usually done after the second day or one day after opening. You will see the unique creativity of citizens.
- Climbing slippery pole
The slippery pole climbing activity is one of the attractions of the Wakatobi Wave. The community is invited to enliven the festival by climbing the areca nut, which is carried out on the sea around Pang Ulubelu Harbor. The cheers of the audience gave enthusiasm and joy to this festival.
- Colossal Dance Performance
Visitors can also see the Longko dance performances from Wangi-Wangi Island, the Sajo Moane dance from Tompia Island, the Lariangi dance from Kaledupa, and the Balumpa Dance from Binongko. This colossal dance performance from the four islands in Wakatobi often makes the audience tense. Uniquely, from the implementation of the colossal dance performances, hundreds of dancers wear traditional or regional clothing typical of the Wakatobi region. This dance performance is usually performed on the first day or at the opening of the festival. Feel the cheerful atmosphere there.
- Kansoda’a Procession
This festival also features a traditional procession called Kansoda’a. This activity is carried out by lifting the original girls from Wakatobi onto stretchers. Women from this area who grow up will be invited to take a stretcher and then be paraded around the parade ground. Excitement and joy were present on the faces of the participants who took part in this Kansoda’a. It got even busier when the stretcher was thrown up several times.
Vacation is more than just the scenery/food/accommodation, it’s about making long-lasting memories. Discover more adventures in Wakatobi by visiting Wonderful Indonesia.
