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Dive Review of Wakatobi Dive Resort in
Indonesia/Wakatobi

Wakatobi Dive Resort: "A Wonderful Trip to Wakatobi", Nov, 2015,

by Andrew Bernat, VA, US (Contributor Contributor 17 reports with 6 Helpful votes). Report 8797.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations 5 stars Food 5 stars
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity 5 stars
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving 5 stars
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ 5 stars
Beginners 4 stars
Advanced 5 stars
Comments This was our third trip to Wakatobi so we obviously like it. There are a fair number of reviews of Wakatobi and it's interesting to see the split between those who find it wonderful and return (like us) and those who find it fine but prefer other locations for reasons of cost and/or sea life.

For the first time we also spent a week on the Pelagian; see separate Undercurrent review.

To us Wakatobi combines healthy beautiful reefs, abundant fish life (but not large stuff), excellent food and great service. No question that it is expensive but we find that you get what you pay for.

Examples:
I discovered two items that I didn't know I would need and didn't bring. Stijn of the Wakatobi Bali office found both (one in Singapore) and got them on the next flight to Wakatobi.
The restaurant deals admirably with food allergy issues. If you have allergies, you know how the wrong food can ruin a trip. We have no concerns while at Wakatobi and they are careful on our behalf.
We stayed in a villa, one feature of which is a private dive guide. Both Kaz and Muji not only consistently helped us explore the reefs and inhabitants, they helped with the whole process. We can't say enough about them. Both highly recommended. Using a private dive guide obviously personalizes the experience - and it also lets you switch boats and pick your dive spots. Plus we dove virtually everyday on the house reef for our fourth dive.
The staff is systematically pleasant, enthusiastic and helpful.

We did find more current than in the past (our trip centered around full moon). There's nothing quite like zipping along with the current and seeing a turtle effortlessly going in the opposite direction. On one house reef dive coming back next to the jetty was like trying to swim up a waterfall. We ended up crawling back along the rocky bottom.

The villas have more space and are brighter inside than the bungalows (and come with a private dive guide and some other benefits). But the walk from villa 4 to/from meals and to/from the dive boat did get tedious over the 10 days.

We didn't have any mosquito issues (the rainy season hadn't started) but there were loads of flies at breakfast; they seemed to disappear for later meals.



Websites Wakatobi Dive Resort   

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 501-1000 dives
Where else diving Raja Ampat, Fiji, Great Barrier Reef, Bora Bora, Lembeh, Caribbean
Closest Airport Tomia Island Getting There Through Bali

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny, dry Seas calm, currents
Water Temp 84-°F / 29-°C Wetsuit Thickness
Water Visibility 50-100 Ft/ 15-30 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions No deco diving. Dives were around 70 minutes.
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 4 stars Large Fish 2 stars
Large Pelagics N/A

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

Subject Matter 5 stars Boat Facilities 5 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 5 stars Shore Facilities 5 stars
UW Photo Comments Large camera room. Rinse tanks on the boats and at the dive shop. Marco is a dedicated underwater photography pro who gives courses and advice. I didn't take a course but one person who did was very pleased.
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Subscriber's Comments

By eve ringel in NJ, US at Jan 20, 2016 00:51 EST  
was at wakatobi during the same time..Felt so taken care of-especially at Christmas--loved taking the taxi on the house reef and snorkeling back--so much to see-different everytime. The Mujman -r Muji was just a great guide and when I could not get my camara to work ( gift from my grands) he took it and got great pics. Lorenzo-the owner and his family are very much apart of everything and very accessable--he keeps those reefs and fish pristine and growing well. You get what you pay for and then some--huge thanks and huge hugs--eve ringel
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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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