We have been a fair number of places but few have sparked as many questions as our trip to Wakatobi Dive resort located in Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia. In the end everyones question boils down to is Wakatobi worth the money???? The simple answer is a resounding YES!
(This is the short version trip report. If you want the more detailed go to Aquablue Dreams)
The Resort
At Wakatobi function meets quality. From booking to departure everything went seamlessly. At the resort the staff was friendly and always on the spot to help. Our villa, villa #1, was the most luxurious accommodations we have had at any dive resort. In addition the dive area, dinning hall, spa, camera room, dive boats have been all well thought out and executed. Go to their web site and what you see is what you get. The food at Wakatobi is some of the best we have had anywhere. Always buffet with an excellent mix of local and western dishes.
The Dive Routine
There are three boat dives per day typically departing at 8am, 10am and 2:20pm. Two boat night dives where offered during our trip. We added a dusk dive everyday so averaged 4 dives per day. Like most resorts, once you set up your gear you never touch it again. Wakatobi has a four divers to one dive guide ratio, which is as close as you can get to having a private guide.
The House Reef
This is by far the best house reef we have seen anywhere and in large part sets Wakatobi apart. Dive the house reef when you want between 6am and 10pm. Current does play a role so you dive it on the slack or as a drift. On the slack, it took us over 80 minutes to putt along 70% of the house reef. When we dove it on a large exchange, we covered the whole reef in just about 20 minutes. This is known as the Wakatobi Express.
Top of House Reef
The Reef and Creatures
Again it is the reefs that make this a must do destination. Orange cup corals cover a large percentage of every site. The best part is these are open and feeding during the day, not just at night as you see in most areas. Along with a wide range of corals sites are covered in sponges and fans of all colors, shapes and sizes.
While not a big creature destination, we did see more schools of bumphead parrot fish than we have seen in all our trips combined to date. We spotted a few sharks and the occasional eagle ray. If you like turtles, you will love Wakatobi.
Just about every type of tropical fish you love can be found. The reefs are dense with schools of anthias, pyramid butterfly fish and many other species. This is not a muck diving location, and you have to look more diligently for the small and bizarre critters. But there are leafy scorpion fish, blue ringed octopus, pygmy seahorses, frog fish, stone fish, sea snakes and pipe fish to be found, just stick close to your guide.
The Inevitable Comparisons.
Wakatobi vs. Raja Ampat. In our humble opinion Raja is simply the premier spot for overall tropical diving. Raja has a wider range of fish and invertebrate life; plus you will have more opportunities to see bigger creatures. Wakatobis reefs are healthier and more vibrant in color. If you are a 5-dives-a-day person and love live-aboards, then go to Raja, you will have a great time! If you are looking for a more relaxed atmosphere at a more luxuriant, land based resort, then Wakatobi is an excellent choice.
Wakatobi vs. Fiji/Thailand. Both have more soft corals than Wakatobi. Both have spots like Richelieu Rock that compete with Wakatobis reefs but think of Richeliu stretched out to a mile long reef and that is Wakatobi. Fiji and Thailand do have more sharks and rays. A big advantage for Wakatobi is radically fewer divers.
Wakatobi vs. Palau. Palau has way more big animals. Currents can be similar between the two destinations. But again Wakatobi has more spectacular reefs and is more fishy.
Wakatobi vs. The Caribbean. Honestly, there is no comparison get your backside on a plane to the South Pacific .
Nice spot to have a drink
In the End
Yes Wakatobi is worth the time and expense. When you get to operations and destinations of this caliber it is like picking between Mercedes, Audi and BMW. You cant go wrong it is just a matter of taste. Wakatobi does have something for everyone and it all comes impeccably wrapped and delivered.
(This is the short version trip report. If you want the more detailed go to Aquablue Dreams)
The Resort
At Wakatobi function meets quality. From booking to departure everything went seamlessly. At the resort the staff was friendly and always on the spot to help. Our villa, villa #1, was the most luxurious accommodations we have had at any dive resort. In addition the dive area, dinning hall, spa, camera room, dive boats have been all well thought out and executed. Go to their web site and what you see is what you get. The food at Wakatobi is some of the best we have had anywhere. Always buffet with an excellent mix of local and western dishes.
The Dive Routine
There are three boat dives per day typically departing at 8am, 10am and 2:20pm. Two boat night dives where offered during our trip. We added a dusk dive everyday so averaged 4 dives per day. Like most resorts, once you set up your gear you never touch it again. Wakatobi has a four divers to one dive guide ratio, which is as close as you can get to having a private guide.
The House Reef
This is by far the best house reef we have seen anywhere and in large part sets Wakatobi apart. Dive the house reef when you want between 6am and 10pm. Current does play a role so you dive it on the slack or as a drift. On the slack, it took us over 80 minutes to putt along 70% of the house reef. When we dove it on a large exchange, we covered the whole reef in just about 20 minutes. This is known as the Wakatobi Express.
Top of House Reef
The Reef and Creatures
Again it is the reefs that make this a must do destination. Orange cup corals cover a large percentage of every site. The best part is these are open and feeding during the day, not just at night as you see in most areas. Along with a wide range of corals sites are covered in sponges and fans of all colors, shapes and sizes.
While not a big creature destination, we did see more schools of bumphead parrot fish than we have seen in all our trips combined to date. We spotted a few sharks and the occasional eagle ray. If you like turtles, you will love Wakatobi.
Just about every type of tropical fish you love can be found. The reefs are dense with schools of anthias, pyramid butterfly fish and many other species. This is not a muck diving location, and you have to look more diligently for the small and bizarre critters. But there are leafy scorpion fish, blue ringed octopus, pygmy seahorses, frog fish, stone fish, sea snakes and pipe fish to be found, just stick close to your guide.
The Inevitable Comparisons.
Wakatobi vs. Raja Ampat. In our humble opinion Raja is simply the premier spot for overall tropical diving. Raja has a wider range of fish and invertebrate life; plus you will have more opportunities to see bigger creatures. Wakatobis reefs are healthier and more vibrant in color. If you are a 5-dives-a-day person and love live-aboards, then go to Raja, you will have a great time! If you are looking for a more relaxed atmosphere at a more luxuriant, land based resort, then Wakatobi is an excellent choice.
Wakatobi vs. Fiji/Thailand. Both have more soft corals than Wakatobi. Both have spots like Richelieu Rock that compete with Wakatobis reefs but think of Richeliu stretched out to a mile long reef and that is Wakatobi. Fiji and Thailand do have more sharks and rays. A big advantage for Wakatobi is radically fewer divers.
Wakatobi vs. Palau. Palau has way more big animals. Currents can be similar between the two destinations. But again Wakatobi has more spectacular reefs and is more fishy.
Wakatobi vs. The Caribbean. Honestly, there is no comparison get your backside on a plane to the South Pacific .
Nice spot to have a drink
In the End
Yes Wakatobi is worth the time and expense. When you get to operations and destinations of this caliber it is like picking between Mercedes, Audi and BMW. You cant go wrong it is just a matter of taste. Wakatobi does have something for everyone and it all comes impeccably wrapped and delivered.
