Selayar Island South Sulawesi Indonesia – rediscover nature!

Selayar Regency is a regency of Indonesia in South Sulawesi province that covers the Selayar Islands. The Selayar Straits separate the regency from Sulawesi island. Selayar  (Indonesian: Kabupaten Selayar), an archipelago, part of South Sulawesi Province, Indonesia. It lies in the Flores Sea, between Sulawesi and Flores. Kabupaten Selayar is the Selayar Regency, covering 903,35 km² with a population of about 100,000. There are 73 islands, the principal being Selayar Island. To the east lies Pulau (Island) Kalaotoa and Pulau Karompa Lompo in Sulawesi Tenggara, and the West Kepulauan Sabalana (Sabalana Islands). It is a very biodiverse diving site. People The population, mainly a mixed race of Makasars (see Makasar), Buginese, the natives of Luvu and Buton, is estimated at 57,000 on the main island and 24,000 on the dependent isles. They use the Macassar language, are for the most part nominally Mahommedans and support themselves by agriculture, fishing, seafarming, trade, the preparation of salt and weaving.. Vanilla, tobacco, trepang, tortoise-shell, coconuts and coconut oil, and salt are exported. There are frequent emigrations to Sulawesi and other parts of the archipelago. For that reason, and also on account of its excellent horses and numerous water buffaloes, Selayar is often compared with Madura, being of the same importance to Celebes as is Madura to Java. Selayar, a secluded island, far away from mass tourism, lies in the Celebes Sea to the south of the Indonesian Island Sulawesi. Myths have been kept alive on this small island which once lay on the Chinese trade route. The west side of the island is mainly inhabited by fishermen, who live in small villages that continue to follow their traditions largely unaffected by western influences. Besides traditional fishing, the growing of vanilla and tangerines generate the main sources of income on the island. Selayar Island is a fascinating destination owing to its unique landscape, unusual rock formations - full of caves and waterfalls - and its beautiful unspoilt beaches. The almost uninhabited east side of the island, where our resort is situated, is still covered with original rain forest. It is possible to find numerous species of birds, small reptiles, marsupials, varans and even wildboars. Furthermore, when one is lucky, the world’s smallest monkey, the tarsius, that is in danger of extinction, can be seen in his habitat. . This eastern side of Selayar island is surrounded with a reef - and our resort is proud that it owns this longest house reef in Indoneisa. Thanks to our efforts this last idyllic destination, where few human traces are yet visible, has now been put under protection. With the help of the Indonesian Government, a marine park has been founded that makes diving in our resort a unique experience. We aim to preserve the island’s natural resources on land and in the surrounding sea for future generations.