Wakatobi’s double-dip-diving experience could well be the most perfect scuba diving holiday. Firstly, a visit to one of the world’s most iconic dive resorts, where you explore pristine coral reefs while enjoying impeccable service, world-class dining, and first-class accommodations. Secondly, boarding a luxury dive yacht voyaging through the Banda Sea, visiting underwater landscapes known only to a few, while enjoying the same exemplary level of services and amenities.
This double dip of exceptional underwater experiences and topside relaxation is available exclusively to guests of Wakatobi Resort.
‘Wakatobi is by far the best diving experience we have ever had. World class reefs, five-star staff and a wonderful resort, all in one place’.
Michael and Kathleen Davis, September 2022
It begins in Bali
Wakatobi is the epitome of the phrase ‘getting away from it all.’ The idyllic beachfront resort sits on a small island in the waters of Indonesia’s Banda Sea, far removed from the everyday grind. But – though remote – it’s surprisingly easy to reach by way of the resort’s direct guest flights and concierge-style transfer services.
When guests touch down at Bali’s international airport, they are met by Wakatobi representatives who take care of all the details of arrival, transfers, and overnight layovers. The Wakatobi team can also help to schedule accommodations and excursions for guests who want to spend a few extra days in Bali before heading on the Wakatobi. On the morning of the flight to Wakatobi, guests wait in a VIP lounge before boarding a large, 70-seat aircraft for a comfortable flight to Wakatobi’s airstrip.
Resort relaxations and exceptional diving
Wakatobi Resort is located within a private marine preserve that is home to some of the most pristine and biodiverse coral reefs on the planet. Directly off the beach is the House Reef, which has been named the world’s best shore dive, and divers and snorkelers can explore its vast underwater garden by day and night.
Each day, a fleet of spacious, custom-built dive boats provide exclusive access to more than three dozen exceptional diving and snorkeling sites. Attentive dive guides provide personalized service at the dive center, on the boats and under the water.
‘The diving at Wakatobi can’t be beat. Pristine reefs and tons of life everywhere. This trip could not have been any better.’
Michael and Barbara Mayfield, September 2022
Back on shore, guests can relax in traditionally styled bungalows set in a oceanfront palm grove, or take in sunset views from the deck of a waterfront villa. Accommodations blend timeless Indonesian charm with modern comforts to provide a relaxing vacation experience. Topside activities include water sports, spa services and activities such as island tours and Indonesian cooking demonstrations.
Wakatobi is known for providing the highest levels of personal service, and for its cuisine. The resort’s talented culinary team elevates the dining experience to gourmet levels, serving a tempting mix of international favorites and regional offerings, along with bespoke offerings for those with special dietary requests.
The staff can create a private candlelight dining experience on the beach or prepare a special picnic lunch. The resort offers a range of additional services such as private dive and snorkel guides or all-day charters on a private boat.
A different kind of liveaboard
The perfect complement to a stay at Wakatobi Resort is a trip aboard Pelagian. Seen from afar, this gleaming-white 35-meter vessel might seem like one of the private pleasure ships that line the quays of glamorous ports such as San Tropez or Newport.
Unlike most liveaboard dive boats, Pelagian doesn’t cater to the masses, and is configured to take a maximum of just ten guests. This allows for comfortable yacht-like accommodations more akin to a hotel room than a cramped cabin. The crew of twelve includes an executive chef and stewards, which allows for a fine dining experience and five-star service.
While its spacious cabins and social areas showcase an upscale yacht interior, Pelagian is very much a dive boat. The vessel cruises a broad swath of the Wakatobi archipelago and ventures to the southern portion of Buton Island. Seven-day itineraries and seasonal 10-day trips take in a diverse range of underwater environments, from the walls of Karang Kaledupa and Karang Kapota to the exceptional muck diving opportunities of Buton Island’s Pasarwajo Bay.
Pelagian’s route also skirts the southwestern edges of Wangi Wangi and Kaledupa Islands, providing another round of magnificent reefs, dramatic vertical drop-offs and pinnacles, each revealing a kaleidoscopic menagerie of marine life.
Diving activities are conducted from a pair of custom-fabricated dive tenders, with the crew handling all gear management. Dives are led by one of Wakatobi’s experienced guides, who provide in-water support when requested or needed and are experts at locating rare marine subjects.
Because dives are conducted either in shallow-water muck sites or on structures with significant vertical reliefs that are ideal for multi-level profiles, bottoms times routinely exceed 70 minutes, and the schedule allows for up to four dives a day, including night dives.
Making the connection
Because all Pelagian cruises begin and end at Wakatobi Resort, connecting land and sea itineraries is easy. Flights from Bali typically arrive at the resort before noon, giving resort guests ample time to enjoy lunch, settle in and get in their first dive of the trip before dinner.
Divers who are scheduled to go directly aboard Pelagian also have the chance to relax and enjoy lunch at the beachfront dining room while the staff transfers luggage and dive gear to cabins and lockers. By early afternoon, all is in place and the Pelagian departs for a local reef, where guests can perform a checkout dive to ensure all is in order. But even this first dive often stretches to 70 minutes or more, setting the tone for the week to come.
‘Very high standards are just the norm on Pelagian. The diving was breathtaking, the crew are simply awesome, the food and service exceed expectations every time. I will certainly be booking another trip very soon!’
Simon Bowen, October 2022
When Pelagian arrives back at Wakatobi’s dock at the end of each cruise, departing guests are free to relax and enjoy the resort’s amenities before catching the afternoon flight. Guests transferring to the resort can keep racking up bottom time by hopping on a late-morning or afternoon boat or making a dive on the House Reef. For all these transfers, guests never need to bother with transferring luggage or equipment, as Wakatobi’s staff handles all the details, removing the hassles of travel and leaving only the relaxation.
Want to create your own Wakatobi Double Dip vacation experience? To start planning, visit wakatobi.com where you can complete a quick trip inquiry, or e-mail Robert Parrington at robert.parrington@wakatobi.com.
