Beginners
Sheltered bays and calmer reefs on the west side: shallow, little current, plenty of life.
Diving Buton’s reefs
Extensive, healthy coral and very few other divers. Especially rewarding for macro.
- Water
- 26–30 °C
- Visibility
- Often 20 m or more
- Suit
- 3 mm or a rash guard
- Best for
- Macro, quiet reefs
The reefs
Little human impact has kept Buton’s reefs in good condition. Expect parrotfish, angelfish and butterflyfish, and at times reef sharks, barracuda and turtles.
Currents vary by site: the stronger ones bring pelagics in, while sheltered bays and coves suit slower dives among smaller creatures.
Macro life to look for
Local guides are good at finding these; bring a macro lens.
- Pygmy seahorses
- Camouflaged among gorgonian fans.
- Nudibranchs
- A wide variety of colourful species.
- Frogfish
- On sponges and coral rubble.
- Orangutan crabs
- In bubble corals.
- Harlequin shrimp
- Distinctive patterns; they feed on starfish.
Conditions and logistics
Getting there
An international flight to a major Indonesian hub, then a domestic connection to Southeast Sulawesi.
On the island
Infrastructure is still developing. Expect guesthouses and smaller local operations, and confirm details before you travel.
Diving responsibly
Local communities and researchers such as Operation Wallacea help monitor the reefs. Divers are asked to do their part.
Buoyancy
Stay off the coral; good buoyancy control protects it.
Hands off
No touching or collecting marine life.
Waste
Take everything back with you.
Local guidance
Formal rules are still evolving; follow your operator’s briefing.
Questions about diving Buton
Plan a dive trip to Buton
Send your dates, certification level and what you want to see.
- +62 811 2859 0000
- [email protected]
- Departures
- Benoa Marina · Serangan · Sanur