Wakatobi celebrates 30 years

This year marks 30 years for Wakatobi, the dive resort that's widely considered to be the bet in the world.

What began as an ambitious idea in a remote corner of Indonesia has evolved into one of the most respected models of marine conservation and hospitality in the world. 

"No other dive operation in the world invests in conservation, community, and service the way we do," says Wakatobi founder Lorenz Mäder. "What we do here, particularly in conservation, is extraordinary."

A remarkable history

More than 30 years ago, after he'd already completed over 8,000 divers, Lorenz arrived in Southwest Sulawesi, Indonesia, on the tiny island of Onemobaa. Here he found a damaged, overfished reef system - but instead of seeing limitation, he saw opportunity and possibility - not just to restore the reef, but to establish a model grounded in long-term partnership with the local community, one in which a healthy reef sustains tourism, which in turn supports stable livelihoods.

Today, that vision endures at Wakatobi Resort, one of the most successful private marine conservation models in the world.

"The corals grow extremely fast," explains Lorenz. "But real progress depends on harmony with the local community. It's counterintuitive for many - to believe you can generate 200 to 300 times more income by keeping the fish in the water rather than removing them!"

From the outset, the challenge lay in demonstrating that preservation could exceed the value of extraction, given time. That principle is now reflected in a network of local reef guardians, many of whom were once fishers, who now protect more than 60km of reef reserved exclusively for Wakatobi guests.

Wakatobi employs more than 400 staff, many from neighbouring communities, and the island of Onemobaa. The resort also supports infrastructure, improving access through roads and lighting, and advancing education opportunities. In the past year, the resort has implemented an on-site solar energy system designed to generate and store sufficient power - it now produces energy in excess of its operational needs.

"Because we are extremely remote and primary land-based, we are forced to be at the forefront of our industry," says Lorenz. "What often goes unseen is the discipline required to sustain a place like Wakatobi. The pristine environment here is not incidental - it's the product of continual stewardship. Without these efforts, the island would quickly revert to dense vegetation."

Reaching 30 years is a proud moment for Lorenz. "I've invested my lifetime," he says. "It's been a gamble, win or lose." What began as a vision has become a place shaped by intention, sustained by care, and defined not by whether it was a 'gamble' - but by the profound impact it continues to have, above and below the surface.

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