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In the wake of pandemic closures, visitors who waited more than two years for the long-anticipated reopening of Wakatobi Dive Resort are returning to discover that the vibrant marine life and thriving coral are better than ever
Following a soft reopening in May with a limited number of invited guests, the resort’s signature direct guest flights from Bali returned to service in the first week of June 2022. When guests arrived, they soon discovered that the underwater landscapes were everything they remembered and hoped for. They report that the reefs are in pristine condition and marine life seems even more abundant than in years past.
‘The House Reef and other sites could not have been any better,’ said guest Paul Moliken, who was among the first arrivals in June. ‘The corals are in excellent health, and there were some personal firsts for me, including crinoid shrimp, clingfish, pygmy cuttlefish, and more, along with the expected regulars like bumphead parrotfish, rays, triggers and batfish schools, clownfish in anemones and too many types of butterflyfishes to count. Right near the jetty, I found squid, nudibranchs, pygmy seahorses, and mating octopus.’
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During the two-plus years of closure caused by the pandemic, Wakatobi’s owners and management team remained committed to the continuation of the resort’s renowned Collaborative Reef Conservation Program. This commitment included the continuation of least payments to area villages in exchange for honouring no-take zones, regular reef patrols and reef and beach cleanings.
In addition, a number of areas that were avoided in years past due to damage prior to the establishment of the marine preserve now show significant regeneration and will be added to the dive site roster.
As guests have now reported, these investments in the reefs and in the staff have yielded positive results. ‘Wakatobi is better than ever,’ said guest Paul Vandermarck. ‘I got out of the water shaking my head in wonder after snorkelling on the House Reef on our first day.’
‘The diving was incredible – mating octopus, pygmy seahorses, blacktip sharks, and so much more! An amazing slice of heaven!’
Juliette Commin, July 2022
Guests confirm that fish life on favourite sites has benefitted from ongoing protections. Robert Kreuzer said he was ‘delighted’ to find three species of pygmy seahorses on his first day of diving. ‘There is an abundance of fish and coral life,’ he said. ‘We saw the Denise, the Bargibanti and also the Pontohi.’
In addition, Robert says his dive guide Muji found a Rumengani, also called the Lembeh Pygmy Seadragon. ‘For both of us, it was the first time we saw this amazingly tiny animal, and we didn’t expect to find it here. And for me, it was a highlight of my underwater photography.’
For more about Wakatobi and to make a reservation, visit www.wakatobi.com
