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Dive Review of Wakatobi Dive Resort in
Indonesia/Wakatobi

Wakatobi Dive Resort, Dec, 2013,

by Arthur Burke Jr, TX, US (Reviewer Reviewer 3 reports). Report 7476.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations 5 stars Food 4 stars
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity 5 stars
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving 4 stars
Snorkeling 4 stars
Value for $$ 3 stars
Beginners 4 stars
Advanced 5 stars
Comments The Wakatobi Resort provides excellent diving service along with a full resort for accommodations, restaurant and activities. This was our second visit since our first 15 months ago. We live in Singapore so a somewhat easy travel from Singapore to Bali then Bali to Wakatobi. We arrived in Bali several days earlier to see the sights and just relax prior to going to Wakatobi. At Wakatobi, we stayed in a Villa this time mainly because we took what was available as we booked late but got the extra benefit of our personal dive guide that comes with the Villa package. We asked for Kazz as we dove with him before and once again he was a superb dive guide – or as they are officially referred to as Dive Experience Manager. He was able to find all types of small creatures for us to view with his magnifying glass and we were able to get some excellent pictures. He provided us feedback each day on the pictures we took and took time on each dive to allow us to practice various shots with wide angle and macro. We once again used the VIP service offered by Wakatobi as they helped with restaurants and other support while we were in Bali and on Wakatobi. Diving from a boat are 3 times a day + unlimited shore diving. The whole week is planned out with sites and dive times – normally depart at 07:30 for a 2 tank dive (they usually come back to the resort between dives so you could skip the early morning dive if you like to sleep in). You come back for lunch then the single tank afternoon dive is at 2:30. You can do a late shore dive if you like to make it 4 dives per day. When you do a shore dive they will guide you as to which way the current is flowing and how to signal when you come to surface. All boat dives were 70 minute duration. There is no need to dive deep as most of our dives were at 50 ft. (15 m) or shallower. We hit 75 ft. (23 m) as our deepest dive. They plan one night dive and forego the afternoon dive that day. You can still do a shore dive if you wish or just skip the night dive if you prefer. You really set your own schedule as to diving other than the boat goes out at specific times. The villa was nice and slightly larger than the Select Bungalow that we were in on the first visit. The villa has a fully enclosed bathroom with shower as compared to the Bungalow whose bathroom is not air-conditioned but is under the main roof. The shower is outside in its own enclosed garden with high walls. The restaurant is all open air and a buffet for all meals. There is such a variety each day that you really do not think of it as buffet. The wait staff is friendly and after a day or so, not only do they know your name but they know what type of food you prefer, your type of beverage, etc. You can request anything if you do not like the buffet. As stated in my first review, the only negative about the restaurant is that it can get hot if no sea breeze. They try to have some fans on the floor level but it does not push enough air around. We suggested installing some nice overhead ceiling fans in the corners that would circulate the air above you. They say they are considering that improvement. Since we were there during the Christmas holidays, there were several families with teenagers who either were divers or snorkeled. Based on their comments, the snorkeling is quite good and they say many different type of sea life. They were on the same boat and they had their own dive guide as well so it was quite a good experience for those who just snorkel. One big improvement was internet. They now provide wireless in the rooms as well as in the restaurant and the long house (main dive center). It was not super-fast but did allow us to use Skype (voice only) for Christmas wishes to our family. My cellular network did function as well so that is good if you still need to be in communication for work activities. Overall, it is a wonderful and very dive friendly resort. The fish life and reefs were excellent.
Websites Wakatobi Dive Resort   

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 501-1000 dives
Where else diving Maldives, Thailand, Seychelles, French Polynesia, Caribbean, Palau, Indonesia,
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny Seas calm, choppy
Water Temp 83-85°F / 28-29°C Wetsuit Thickness 3
Water Visibility 30-100 Ft/ 9-30 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions 70 mins, dive within your capabilities,
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 3 stars
Large Pelagics 1 stars

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

Subject Matter 5 stars Boat Facilities 4 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 5 stars Shore Facilities 5 stars
UW Photo Comments Great camera room on land with ample space and electrical outlets in both 100v and 220v. Dive boats had a camera table and a dunk tank.
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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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