The Widi Reserve, a nature reserve and archipelago of more than 100 islands in Indonesia, is set to be auctioned by Sotheby’s. The reserve is uninhabited and is known for its white sandy beaches, rainforests and marine life. Included in the sale are development plans to transform the reserve into a luxury resort.
According to the online listing, bidding for the islands begins on December 8. And while it doesn’t state an expected starting price, those interested are required to submit a US$100,000 deposit just to bid, according to the listing.
Totally uninhabited
The reserve is uninhabited with no permanent local population, although it is visited occasionally by two small communities from the mainland villages and travelling fisherman, a spokesperson for Sotheby’s has said.
The future buyer will be able to access the reserve via a private airstrip that is included in development plans, according to the listing. The reserve is around a two-and-a-half-hour flight from Bali, an almost four-hour flight from Singapore, and a four-hour and 30-minute flight from Hong Kong, according to the listing.4 exciting new luxury travel offerings, from yachts to Champagne stays
Home to hundreds of rare and endangered species
The reserve is located in the Coral Triangle, a marine area in the western Pacific Ocean that’s known for its coral and marine life. The area has 600 different species of reef-building corals alone, according to the WWF, the world’s leading conservation organisation.
The Widi Reserve could be considered “one of the most biodiverse and ecologically significant places left on Earth,” due to the hundreds of rare and endangered species that inhabit it, including blue whales, whale sharks, leatherback turtles and giant squid, a Sotheby’s spokesperson has said.
Meanwhile, the reserve’s rainforests have colonies of parrots, kingfishers and falcons, the spokesperson added, as well as rare plants which have never before been officially documented.
Development rights for a luxury resort
The Widi Reserve was established as a Marine Protected Area in 2020 and its rainforests were designated as highly protected areas, Sotheby’s has said.
Since the reserve is considered a national state asset, it is technically owned by the people of Indonesia, the auction house explained, adding that the investment company PT. Leadership Islands Indonesia (LII) currently holds exclusive development and management rights.
The organisation has spent the last several years obtaining development rights for a luxury resort and residency developments on some of the islands, which will be included in the sale.
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While Indonesian law does not usually permit private ownership of islands, shares in a business with development rights can be sold to anyone, the listing explains.
The resort could potentially include around 50 eco-residences
Each eco-residence would have the capacity for between one and eight bedrooms, and there could be an opportunity for further sustainable development of a total of 500 rooms spread across 17 islands, the listing states.
Mainland locals could also benefit from employment opportunities, as the development plans allow for new businesses to be created on site, it adds.
Conservation is key
LII has plans in place to protect the reserve while the luxury resort is developed, according to Sotheby’s. A spokesperson from the auction house has said that there are plans to prevent deforestation and the poaching of endangered species with a highly secure patrols system, which would be supported by the Navy and Sea Police with a budget of US$1.5 million.Can Hong Kong preserve its historic buildings before it’s too late?
“The islands chosen for development were picked not just for their exquisite views and unique features, but precisely because they could be developed without disturbing critical habitats,” the spokesperson said, adding that the reserve has secured certain areas as “no-go areas” for tourists.
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