Wakatobi Resort
Wakatobi is a luxury dive resort in south eastern Sulawesi. In a tranquil island setting far from crowds and cities, with no other divers for at least 100 miles, Wakatobi seamlessly blends five-star amenities and civilized comforts with a pristine natural environment; a pairing that has secured its reputation as one of the world’s finest resorts. Created with the vision to deliver the ultimate dive experience, the resort was established following an extensive search to identify the perfect location for a dive resort in terms of geography, climate, oceanic topography and marine biodiversity. To ensure its future they then created one of the world’s largest privately protected marine reserves in order to protect this special marine location.
With direct flights from Bali to the resort’s own airstrip, the resort is easily accessible to guests and offers the chance to arrive by lunchtime and enjoy an afternoon dive on the very first day. In keeping with its desire to provide luxury within nature, Wakatobi provides fine dining experiences from its beach restaurant, as well as extensive drinks options at the jetty bar.
Accommodation is in beautiful individual villas spread along the beachfront, with three different categories available. Palm bungalows are the most basic level, set slightly back from the beach. However they are still within easy reach of the sea and provide luxury amenities to ensure absolute comfort. Ocean view bungalows are situated right upon the beachfront, and give guests access to services such as priority diving (in smaller groups) and private concierge services. The ‘ultimate’ Wakatobi villas (one or two bedroom) are set upon private beachfronts and offer ultimate luxury with private pool and deck space, outdoor spa showers and bath tubs. These villas also include private butler service, private dive guides and one Fluo dive experience (using fluorescence to see sea life in a whole new way.
Wakatobi also offers another option for keen divers – The Pelagian dive yacht. This vessel follows the resort’s tradition of ultimate service and premier diving. Venturing into remote and seldom-visited corners of the Tukang Besi archipelago, guests enjoy cruises of discovery and adventure to distant reefs, verdant island lagoons and fecund muck diving sites.
Facilities
Accommodation packages all include VIP greeting in Bali, all meals and snacks throughout your stay, satellite internet access, in-room aromatherapy soaps and lotions as well as amenities such as minibar, tea and coffee facilities, hairdryer and safe. There is a jetty bar, longhouse lounge and beach restaurant, and options for private dining experiences if desired. On-site library, media room and spa.
Spectacular diving facilities means they can cater to air, nitrox or rebreather users, as well as free divers and snorkelers.
Local Wildlife
Wakatobi is located at the world’s epicentre of coral reef biodiversity and is designated a UNESCO Marine Biosphere Reserve. This means that while diving at Wakatobi you can see the greatest variety and diversity of marine life. Over 700 species of corals live in the reefs, home to many colourful reef fish, seahorses, squid, rays, turtles and other unusual creatures.
Optional Activities
Enjoy a relaxing treatment at the spa, browse the library or enjoy a marine life show in the Media room. Alongside diving, there are other water sports to enjoy such as kite surfing, kayaks and stand up paddleboards. Alternatively, enjoy a yoga class or indulge in a spa treatment, take a tour of the local village or follow the Onemobaa nature trail from the resort for the chance to see bird life and monitor lizards.
Jonathan Morris
Area Specialist
If you have any questions regarding our Indonesia tours, please feel free to contact me on +44 (0)1803 866965
We are back and all I can say is what a fantastic tour! Thank you so much for organising, we have both fallen in love with Indonesia and cannot wait to go back to see other things. Sulawesi was fabulous –the diving was so good it was like being in an aquarium. The tarsiers were all that I expected but the black macaques were so much more!
The first evening walk to see the Tarsiers, on the way we saw two Cuscus hanging about in the trees. We saw a couple of Macaques but the main event was the Tarsiers. We saw six in one tree and they are more cute/ugly as their photos. I could have stayed there all night watching them.
The next day we travelled back to see the Macaques, we were a little late and thought we had missed them as a we got to a group of people who had been watching them the macaques turned away into the bush. We carried on walking to look for kingfishers when we found ourselves in the middle of a monkey gang fight. Rambo 1 and Rambo 2 troops had travelled onto each other’s territory and all hell broke loose! They didn’t care that we were there they just rushed back and forth hollering at each other, it was so exciting watching it.
Once all the testosterone subsided Rambo 2 relaxed and groomed each other we just stood in the middle of them watching them for ages. One climbed a tree to communicate with me by sticking his tongue out and showing me some very strange facial expressions – Stewart thought he was asking me to be his 3rd wife! As we stood watching them relaxing, one came to play with my shoelaces and then another liked my trousers, then a brave one climb up me and started grooming my hair! He didn’t give up easily, sticking his fingers in my eyes and kept looking at me seeing how I was reacting– it was a fantastic experience all round.
All that is left to say is thank you again for giving us the wide variety of what we can see in Indonesia, it has whetted our appetite to see more! Now to plan for next year –we will be in touch soon!