Sampela Village

Kampung Sampela

A traditional Bajau sea nomad village built on stilts in the Wakatobi marine park, providing insight into indigenous maritime culture and lifestyle. Visitors can experience authentic village life, interact with local families, and engage in traditional fishing and diving practices.

Things to do

• Stilt house tours — Walk through the wooden walkways connecting family homes to learn about daily life, architecture, and the Bajau community's adaptation to marine living.
• Traditional net fishing — Join local fishermen in hand-line or net fishing using traditional methods passed down through generations in the shallow waters around the village.
• Snorkeling and freediving — Explore the coral reefs and marine life surrounding Sampela as part of the Wakatobi marine park, either independently or with village guides.
• Pearl farm visit — Visit nearby pearl cultivation areas where locals farm and harvest pearls, learning about this important economic activity for the community.
• Sunset boat ride — Take a traditional wooden boat around the village and reef at sunset to experience the maritime landscape and photograph the stilt houses during golden hour.
• Sea turtle conservation site — Visit the nearby turtle hatchery where the community participates in protecting endangered sea turtles and their nesting grounds.

Food to try

• Ikan bakar (grilled fish) — Fresh-caught fish from the morning's catch, grilled over charcoal with simple seasonings of lime, salt, and chili.
• Trepang (sea cucumber) — Dried or fresh sea cucumber prepared in coconut broth, a local delicacy and sustainable harvest from the reef.
• Bubur manado (rice porridge) — A savory rice-based breakfast porridge topped with fried shallots, eggs, and anchovies, commonly eaten by fishing families before dawn.
• Sambal matah — A fresh, raw chili and shallot condiment that accompanies nearly every meal, made daily with lime juice and aromatic herbs.
• Gangan (taro leaf soup) — A coconut milk-based soup with taro leaves and small fish, representing traditional Bajau home cooking passed through families.

Local customs & good to know

• Request permission before photographing — Always ask individuals or families before taking photos, as some residents prefer privacy and respect for their intimate daily life.
• Remove shoes when entering homes — It is customary to leave footwear outside stilt houses as a sign of respect and to maintain cleanliness in these raised wooden spaces.
• Learn basic Bajau greetings — Simple phrases like 'Assalamu alaikum' and 'Terima kasih' are appreciated and show respect for the predominantly Muslim community.
• Support homestays and local guides — Stay with village families and hire local guides to ensure tourism income directly benefits residents and maintains authentic cultural exchange.