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Dive Review of Wakatobi Dive Resort in
Indonesia/South Sulawesi

Wakatobi Dive Resort, Oct, 2012,

by Robert & Gayle, OR, US (Contributor Contributor 13 reports with 2 Helpful votes). Report 6890.

No photos available at this time

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Accommodations 5 stars Food 5 stars
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity 5 stars
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving N/A
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ 4 stars
Beginners 5 stars
Advanced 4 stars
Comments Wakatobi is 600 miles east of Bali and 300 miles away from any other dive operation or liveaboard. Travel to Wkatobi Resort is via private charter to their private airport, then a transfer via boat to the resort. Wakatobi staff meet you on arrival at the Denpasar airport, taking care of Immigration and tourist visas while you pick up your luggage. They then accompany you through Customs. You have to spend at least one night in Denpasar. (We spent 3 nights in Kuta. Hey! It’s a long flight!) On the day you leave for Wakatobi Resort, they again meet you at the airport, get you checked in, then take you to an airport lounge to await the charter flight. Guests receive VIP treatment all the way. The Bali office will assist you in making any other travel arrangements you need. (We had them arrange for transport from the Denpasar airport to Tulamben, on our return from Wakatobi.) The Bali office will store any of your unneeded luggage for you while you’re at Wakatobi. (On the theory that the less luggage you take, the more supplies they can put on the flight for the resort.) They have the stored luggage waiting for you at the Denpasar airport on your return.
The cost for two passengers for 7 nights on the Pelagian (separate review) was $7,500; 5 nights at Wakatobi Resort $4,500. A little pricey, but it’s great diving, food, and accommodations. They had no problem keeping a scheduled night dive, even when Bob was the only diver. There were three dives per day and unlimited shore dives on the house reef. Dive boats are large, wooden island boats. Giant stride entry, exit via wooden ladder. You can either exit with gear on or hand it up, the boat crew was always ready. Water and snacks were on board for the dive intervals. The dive operation was well-organized, boats left on time. They used a numbering system to keep track of your tanks and keep your dive gear separate. Boat rides to the dive sites were less than 30 minutes. Dives were walls, pinnacles, reef tops.
Know before you go: They expected some serious currents the week after we were there. Check the tide tables when you plan your trip.
The resort is extraordinary. The staff was cheerful and efficient. The food in the open air restaurant is varied and well-prepared. We had a sea-front bungalow. It was spacious, with a desk, side chairs, drying rack, lots of storage, large porch area. Loved the outdoor shower! Mosquito net around the bed. The main building has a lounge with computers and books. Enjoyed a couple of massages at the spa.
While we didn’t see many critters that we hadn’t seen before, there were large schools of the usual suspects. Some of the more unusual stuff: velvet ghost pipefish, octopus, purple leaf scorpion, sea snake.
This is a little slice of paradise!
Websites Wakatobi Dive Resort   

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 501-1000 dives
Where else diving Australia, Bali, Belize, Costa Rica, Egypt, Fiji, Grenadines, Guam, Hawaii, Honduras, Irian Jaya/Papua, Jamaica, Keys, Komodo, North Sulawesi, Palau, Philippines, PNG, Solomons, St. Vincent, Tahiti, Truk, Turks & Caicos.
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny Seas calm
Water Temp 82-84°F / 28-29°C Wetsuit Thickness
Water Visibility 40-50 Ft/ 12-15 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile no
Enforced diving restrictions Nitrox depth limits; signal DM at 750 PSI
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? yes

What I Saw

Sharks None Mantas None
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles > 2 Whales None
Corals 5 stars Tropical Fish 5 stars
Small Critters 5 stars Large Fish 2 stars
Large Pelagics N/A

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Subject Matter N/A Boat Facilities N/A
Overall rating for UWP's N/A Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments [None]
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Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed nor edited by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above.

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