Wakatobi National Park, Indonesia

© Fabio Lamanna/Alam

Info. Wakatobi National Park, Indonesia

Indonesia's Wakatobi National Park protects one of the most diverse underwater environments in the world. Around 400 species of coral are found in these pristine waters, and they're home to a variety of marine life, including dolphins, whales, turtles and hundreds of species of fish. The park was established in 2002 and covers an area of about 1.4 million hectares, which is mostly covered by coral reefs. The barrier reef here is second in size only to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. Wakatobi is a top destination for diving and snorkelling. French ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau once called it an 'underwater nirvana'.