Jendela Cerita Mama Arga

When people hear “Southeast Sulawesi,” they often think of the stunning seas of Wakatobi. But this province holds many other surprises worth discovering. This time, I’d love to take you to lesser-known places—destinations that offer raw, untouched beauty.

Muna Island is located off the southeastern coast of Sulawesi, neighboring Buton Island. While it’s not as popular as some major tourist spots, that’s exactly what makes it so charming. The natural landscape remains pristine, and many of its hidden gems are still waiting to be explored.

From Baubau City, we crossed to Muna Island via ferry from Baubau Port to Wamengkoli Port. Tickets are available directly at the terminal with hourly departures. For three people and one car, we paid around Rp 250,000. The crossing took about 20–30 minutes.

Kotaeono Cave

From Wamengkoli Port, we headed to Kotaeono Cave in Rahia Village, Buton Tengah. The 17 km drive took roughly 25 minutes through scenic, green landscapes with little traffic.

We parked near a local house and took a short uphill walk—less than 10 minutes—to reach the cave entrance. Nestled between towering cliffs, the cave features a striking blue pool inside. When the tide is high, seawater flows into the cave, turning it slightly salty. During low tide, it returns to fresh water.

The best time to visit is midday for optimal lighting. Unfortunately, we arrived a bit late in the afternoon, so we missed the chance to take photos on a small heart-decorated boat that floats inside.

Kadena Glamping Dive Resort

Before night fell, we headed straight to our accommodation, located less than 2 km from Kotaeono Cave. Kadena Glamping Dive Resort is the first glamping site in Southeast Sulawesi, offering a unique experience unlike anywhere else.

We stayed in a tent, but it felt just like a hotel room. Each tent has air conditioning and is equipped with a five-star quality bathroom. Everything was clean, cozy, and of course, Arga was super excited to stay here. That evening, we ordered a BBQ and Shabu package, served picnic-style on the grassy lawn under the stars, accompanied by the calming sounds of crickets and frogs.

The next morning, after breakfast, we discovered a hidden gem within the resort grounds. We walked into the forest and found the entrance to a cave called Lapahia Cave. We entered through a small opening and descended a steep path—don’t forget a flashlight, it’s pitch dark inside! At the bottom, crystal-clear water awaited us, cool and refreshing.

Beyond swimming, the cave is also a popular spot for cave diving. At around 20 meters deep, divers are treated to stunning natural formations of stalactites and stalagmites. Up for the challenge?

Aside from Kotaeono and Lapahia, there are many other beautiful and astonishing caves in Buton Tengah Regency—no wonder it’s nicknamed the “Land of a Thousand Caves.”

This short escape to Muna Island, especially Buton Tengah reminded us that Indonesia’s beauty lies beyond its most famous destinations. If you’re looking for a peaceful, nature-filled trip with surprising gems along the way, Muna Island deserves a spot on your travel bucket list!

Read this post in Bahasa Indonesia ➡️ https://mamaarga.com/2025/06/25/hidden-gems-di-sulawesi-tenggara-glamping-dan-menjelajah-gua-di-pulau-muna/