Wakatobi Dive Resort
November of 2013 my husband and I headed to Wakatobi for a 11 night stay in a ocean front bungalow, food included in our stay. The journey to the resort from Bali is on their private jet at $675.00 each roundtrip. A light lunch was provided and a short 2 hour flight, a short car ride and a short boat ride, we arrived at Wakatobi. My husbands first impressions was, wow. First timer to Indonesia he has decided he needs to see more of this wonderful Country.
After check in, you unload all your land items to your room then dive equipment to your area by the reception area. Camera room is amazing and has everything you need to charge your batteries. It is air conditioned so be careful not to open your housing when you get outside because your camera will be fogged up for 1/2 a day, seen a few unlucky people have this happen to them.
Check out time in the ocean, wakatobi requires you to flood your mask, exchange air supply as they observe you doing this. I found this to be unnecessary since you have a divers certificate, but you have no choice if you want to dive. The check out dive is on the house reef, and that does give you an introduction to the reef so you can go on your own. We did this several times during our stay and I even found dwarf seahorses on the house reef.
Boat Dives are 3 a day, 70 minute limit and a 4 to 1 ratio is now being used. The guides do a great job finding critters you are looking for, I was interested in pipe fish and we found all kinds. This area is very good for wide angle and some macro. I came home with some very beautiful wide angle pictures and many had turtles in them, the house reef has at least 3 I found. All the diving I did was wall diving, and the boat most times locates you at the end for pick up, your dive guide will release a dive buoy for the boat to find you. Works well! The captains of the boats are very safety minded and have spotters on the boat to help keep an eye on divers and snorkelers.
Underwater life: Turtles, cuttlefish, Crocodilfish, Blennies, Anemonefish just to name a few. Dwarf seahorses, Nudibranches and Eels. I didn't see any frog fish or large fish but I might have been in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Rooms: Ocean view room has an outdoor shower, fridge and coffee maker. We were abit far from the ocean to have a view but we just walked to the shore and enjoyed it. A garden view room would be a better money saving alternative, and you can still spend time on the beach to enjoy the ocean.
The food was outstanding and many different choices at each meal.
Costs:
flight to the resort 675.00 each
soft drinks, wine, beer and everything but ice tea, some juices and coffee is extra.
If you are offered a soft drink on the dive boat you are charged for it.
