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Dive Review of Wakatobi Dive Resort in
Indonesia

Wakatobi Dive Resort, Jun, 2009,

by Rosemary Kurtti, NY, USA ( 2 reports). Report 4948.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations N/A Food N/A
Service and Attitude 4 stars Environmental Sensitivity 5 stars
Dive Operation 4 stars Shore Diving 4 stars
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ 5 stars
Beginners 3 stars
Advanced 5 stars
Comments The coral reefs are mostly very healthy. Best I have seen in a long time. While Wakatobi is known for its small critters, I was pleasantly surprised to see schools of large bumphead parrots several times, good sized cuttlefish, and a squadron of 5 spotted eagle rays, plus the occasional single eagle ray. Turtles were abundant, several on every dive and some were quite large and totally unafraid of the approaching divers. Most dives had current and were drift dives. Occasionally, we would do an anchored boat dive. Divemasters were great - making strong efforts to find critters for us. There was usually one divemaster for about every 4 to 5 divers so you were in small groups, which was great.

Bungalow accomodations were lovely, with four poster beds, air con, large bathrooms,private porch and internet connection. Food in the restaurant was excellent and abundant. Dive operation was efficient and courteous. Lounge had lots of coral and critter reference books. Lounge also had two internet connected computers for guests use.

Getting to and from Wakatobi involves a chartered flight from Bali, a truck ride to a small town and then a short walk down some steps to the water taxis. The resort is actually on a small island near Tomia Island. Bali is definitely worth a few days visit either on the way or after your Wakatobi stay.

Crispin is the Wakatobi rep in Bali. He meets you at the airport when you arrive from your international trip and takes you through customs. You usually have to overnight at least one night in Bali. Crispin is also at the airport when you are departing Bali on the charter flight. Again, he handles all of your airport processing.

My dive buddy's camera broke down while we were in Bali (the one that goes in his underwater housing.) Disaster - this would mean no underwater photos on our trip. I contacted Crispin on Sunday afternoon (we were scheduled to leave for Wakatobi on Tuesday morning) and explained that we needed to get either a repair or replacement. No repairs could be done in Bali. Within two hours, Crispin located a nearly new identical model in West Java and with my agreement to pay for the airfare, had it flown to Bali the next day. When we arrived at the VIP lounge on Tuesday morning for the charter flight, Crispin met us with the camera. Like WOW! The smile on my buddy's face meant that Crispin had performed a miracle.

In 30+ years of diving around the world, I found Wakatobi to be one of the best operations from start to finish.

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience Over 1000 dives
Where else diving Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Hawaii, French Polynesia, Cook Islands, Tonga, Red Sea, Seychelles, Maritius, all over the Caribbean, Lake Malawi (Africa) and other places
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny, dry Seas currents
Water Temp 82-84°F / 28-29°C Wetsuit Thickness
Water Visibility 30-80 Ft/ 9-24 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions 70 minute time limit; no touching the reef or creatures
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? N/A

What I Saw

Sharks 1 or 2 Mantas None
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles > 2 Whales None
Corals 5 stars Tropical Fish 5 stars
Small Critters 5 stars Large Fish N/A
Large Pelagics 2 stars

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

Subject Matter 4 stars Boat Facilities 3 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 3 stars 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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