Wakatobi – Luxury Dive Resort
Travel period
Features
Starting at
Wakatobi
Wakatobi is a dive resort in southeastern Sulawesi, Indonesia. Away from crowds and cities, and with no other divers within a radius of at least 100 km, Wakatobi seamlessly combines five-star facilities, civilized comforts and pristine natural surroundings on a quiet island. This has earned it a reputation as one of the best diving and snorkeling resorts in the world.
Wakatobi offers access to some of the world’s most pristine coral reefs. Whether you dive from shore or go by boat, Wakatobi offers exceptional access to miles of coral reefs with rich marine life.
Diving is only half the experience. At Wakatobi, they offer 5-star diving service and unparalleled personal service. The resort features luxurious and spacious accommodations that offer an oasis of tranquility just steps from the ocean. It offers sophisticated and delicious cuisine, all included in the price, in a secluded location. If you book a villa you even enjoy personal butler service as well as your own dive guide.
The resort has its own airport and you can take a charter flight from Bali directly to the resort. This allows you to dive the same day. Of course, we will arrange this for you.
Best travel time: In Wakatobi, you can dive 365 days a year. There is no period or season unsuitable for diving and they have only skipped 4 dives in the past 10 years. The climate there is drier than in other parts of Indonesia and the location is nicely protected by the surrounding reefs and islands. In general, we have two seasons: east winds from June to October and west winds between December and April. November and May are usually transition months. In July and August, the wind increases slightly and the sea waves a bit; visibility is still fine.
Underwater visibility is usually between 20 m and 50 m, with an average of 35 m. There are no rivers or lakes carrying sediments, therefore visibility is not affected by rain.
Average Temperatures
Wetsuit advice for Wakatobi Dive Resort
A 3 mm wetsuit is recommended between October and March. From April through September, you might consider a 5mm, especially since you will be diving quite a bit.
What will you experience on this trip?
View itinerary here
Day 1 - Travel to Bali
To fly to Bali from Europe, there are several options available. In general, there are two main routes. You fly either with a stopover in another Asian city, such as Singapore, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur or Bangkok. Or you fly with a stopover in the Middle East, such as Dubai or Doha.
Flight time to Bali from Europe depends on the airline and route chosen. In general, one from Europe to Bali takes about 16 to 22 hours.
Day 2 - Arrival in Bali and by charter plane to Wakatobi
Today you will arrive at Bali’s airport. From Bali, the Wakatobi resort flies to the resort twice a week (Monday & Friday) with their own charter flight. The flight departs Bali in the morning and arrives in time for lunch at the resort. Flights are made in a comfortable 70-seat turboprop aircraft with ample space for both checked and carry-on luggage.
Of course, we at EWDR make sure that the flight from Europe connects well with the charter flight to Wakatobi. The check-in time for the charter flight from Bali International Airport is at 06:45. Once Wakatobi has checked you in, relax in a VIP airport lounge, where you will be offered breakfast, before boarding the flight to the resort (around 8:00 a.m.).
For example, if you arrive the night before, we will look together for a comfortable hotel in Bali. You can even spend a few days in Bali beforehand (or afterwards) and thus dive at two destinations in Indonesia this vacation. Feel free to ask us about the possibilities.
It is possible to start diving as early as today. Included in the package is included in this proposal are 2 afternoon dives. Don’t feel like diving after a long trip? Settle down, then, especially in your accommodations and relax.
Day 3 to 11 - Unlimited Dive Package
For the next 9 days, dive as much as you want in the beautiful waters surrounding the resort. Specifically, the package includes daily 3 x 70-minute guided boat dives on world-class protected reefs, as well as unlimited shore diving with guidance from shore and drop-off by tender boat.
When you go diving at the Wakatobi Resort in Sulawesi, you will be amazed by the wide variety of fish species you will encounter underwater. The reef system around Wakatobi counts hundreds of kilometers and is fourteen times larger than Bunaken National Park. The house reef offers a stunning sight with its colorful anemones and anemone fish, as well as turtles, rays, batfish, ghost whistle fish, sea snakes and as many as four different species of pygmy seahorses. For photographers, it is a true dream, as you can spend hours there just on the house reef!
One of the most popular boat dive sites is “Roma,” known for its colorful coral formations and large schools of fish. There are more than 40 sites where Wakatobi regularly divey, all accessible by day boats. Boat trips range from 10 minutes to up to an hour for some of the furthest locations. While boat diving, you will be accompanied by experienced dive guides who will show you all the details of the dive sites.
Night diving at Wakatobi is fantastic! One or two night dives are offered weekly from the boats. You can shore dive every night on the house reef in unguided buddy teams.
Good to know: If you stay in a 1-bedroom villa or 2-bedroom villa you have a Private Dive Experience Manager (private dive guide) included as standard. If you choose the plus package when staying in the 2-bedroom villa, you will also have your own private dive boat. At Wakatobi, you can really make it as luxurious as you want.
Tech divers: Trimix, Nitrox 40%, 100% O2, Sofnolime etc. are available, prices on request. There are also Technical CCR dive guides (Private Dive Experience Managers) at the resort, who guide dives up to max 100m. Technical CCR Personal Dive Experience Managers are subject to availability and price depends on the level of dive complexity.
Day 12 - Free day or dive anyway
Tomorrow you fly back to Bali, so we don’t have anything on the schedule today for a while. Of course, we do have some suggestions.
Kitesurfing: Wakatobi offers perfect conditions for kitesurfing with large expanses of open water close to the resort and plenty of wind. Kitesurfers are all equipped with a waterproof walkie-talkie and can use the knowledge of the regular kitesurfing guide and tutor.
SUP or Kayak: Paddle leisurely in a kayak or stand-up paddleboard (SUP) through the mangrove forests. The shallow mangrove forests surrounding Wakatobi are the nurseries of the reef and a rich habitat for numerous bird populations, invertebrates and colorful fish. You can choose to glide across these calm waters independently in a kayak or SUP, or go with an experienced guide who knows the best sights and sounds of this saltwater forest.
Onemobaa Nature Trail: The Onemobaa Nature Trail leads you from the resort to a world of pristine greenery and on to a local village on the island. Trails crisscross the interior and provide opportunities for nature lovers and bird watchers alike. Keep your eyes open for lizards, which can often be seen.
Village Tour: Enhance your Wakatobi stay with a visit to neighboring islands, where you can hike through villages and open-air markets and immerse yourself in the local culture. Many of Wakatobi’s staff come from local villages Bring a camera, as curious children are often eager to pose for photos.
Day 13 & 14 - Charter flight to Bali & on to Europe
The fantastic diving vacation at the Wakatobi Resort unfortunately comes to an end today. Between 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., the charter plane will fly back to Bali. The flight again takes about 2.5 hours and we here at EWDR will arrange for a good connecting flight back to Europe – or perhaps a nice diving vacation extension in Bali.
The accommodation
The stay and surroundings
Wakatobi Resort
You will discover that Wakatobi Dive Resort offers a very civilized existence despite its remote location. Each handcrafted villa and bungalow is spacious, quiet, comfortable and just steps from the ocean. All rooms have air conditioning, wireless internet via satellite and extensive amenities. All your meals and snacks (prepared by the chef in our beachfront restaurant) are included during your stay.
In Wakatobi, good food is standard.
The food at Wakatobi is varied, fresh and prepared and served with love. Guests often express surprise at finding such refined cuisine in such a remote location. And what’s more: it’s all included in the price – for three delicious meals and snacks a day.
Meals at the Beach Restaurant, as eagerly awaited as the dives, are an enjoyable culinary odyssey, featuring Indonesian and other Asian delicacies along with a comfortable selection of dishes from around the world.
And at the end of the day, the Jetty bar provides the ideal location to enjoy a beautiful Wakatobi sunset and watch the stars appear, along with your favorite drink – be it a cocktail, wine, beer or juice.
Ask us for a sample menu and the resort’s wine list. We have these available in pdf.
Different bungalows
Standard included in this trip is accommodation in the Palm Bungalow (photos 1 to 3). These very comfortable bungalows are slightly behind and between the Ocean Bungalows on the first row among beautiful palm trees and other tropical plants.
It is possible to upgrade to different accommodations such as the Ocean Bungalow (Photo 4) and Turtle Beach Bungalow (Photo 5).
See photo 6 for a map of the resort. This map clearly shows where all the accommodations are located.
Included with each stay is:
* VIP reception and assistance upon arrival in Bali.
* All meals
* A traditional village tour
* A contribution to reef protection and community development
* Internet access via satellite
* Air conditioners in the room
* In-room amenities such as minibar, coffee maker, towels, hair dryer and safe
* Afternoon turndown service and daily housekeeping
1-Bedroom & 2-Bedroom Villas - Ultimate Luxury
The most luxurious upgrades are the 1-bedroom villas (Photos 1 & 2) and 2-bedroom villas (Other Photos). In addition to an extra luxurious stay, these villas also come with several extra services to know:
* Butler (Private Resort Experience Manager) for a resort experience not inferior to the best in the world.
* One PDEM (Private Dive Experience Manager)
* One Fluo diving/snorkeling experience or taster session with a Seacam/Canon 5D UW setup for two dives – a professional camera system to enjoy, with guidance/instruction if needed.
* Private beach
* Varied gourmet meals and snacks throughout the stay
* Personalized service and support (a ratio of 5 staff per 1 guest)
* No fuel surcharges/park fees
If you are staying in the 2-bedroom plus villa then the following will be added:
* Daily Private Boat – your own custom dive boat for ultimate personal attention, space and diving freedom.
* Two PDEMs (Private Dive Experience Managers) for the first two guests, a third will be added for additional adult guests – personalized dives to provide unique underwater experiences.
* One daily spa treatment per guest (in your villa or at the spa)
Spa & Wellness
East and West meet at Wakatobi’s spa, which combines the best of Indonesian and European traditions. Original customized oils and aromatherapies complement personalized massages and numerous other treatments. With a caring heart and a pair of well-trained hands, the skilled therapists will ease your pain or stress and leave you relaxed and rejuvenated.
Wakatobi has a number of massage treatments available, including Balinese massage, Aloe Vera Balinese recovery, Hot Stones-essential, revitalization, aromatherapy, tension relief and foot pampering. Treatments range in duration from 45 to 90 minutes.
Body treatments include facials (natural refresher, traditional, scrub, natural Indonesian, exotic almond and honey, soybean and yogurt, classic manicure and classic pedicure). Treatments last about an hour.
They offer two specialized beauty treatments: 1. Ultimate pampering (170 minutes) – choice of exfoliation, aromatherapy massage and your choice of facial or foot pampering; and 2. Stress Recovery (150 minutes) – a Balinese or revitalizing massage followed by a facial of your choice.
Travel costs
What is included
This travel package is € 6.383 p.p.
per person
based on two persons in a Palm Bungalow. The trip can be extended as desired. A number of things are included by default in this travel package.
Prices are subject to price changes, increases or changing exchange rates. Flights are always based on the cheapest possible booking class.
Want to know more about the possibilities? Get in touch with us!
Included in this trip, from € 6.383 p.p.
- 11 nights in a Palm Bungalow on full board basis
- 2 dives on the arrival day
- Then 9 days of Unlimited Diving
- Nitrox (if certified)
- Charter flight from Bali to the resort and vice versa
- VZR, Calamity Fund & Administration fee
Excluding
- Flight to Bali from € 900 p.p.
- Marine Park Fees & Fuel Charges
✈︎ The quoted (international) flight prices are indicative prices and based on departures from Europe.
However, we can arrange flights from any location worldwide.
Booking your own flights is of course also possible.
Optional
- Upgrade to Ocean Bungalow approx. € 1.005 p.p.
- Upgrade to Turtle Beach Bungalow approx. € 1.702 p.p.
- Upgrade to 1-Bedroom Villa approx. € 3.506 p.p.
- Upgrade to 2-Bedroom Villa PLUS approx. € 9.662 p.p.
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