Trip Report Anilao Blackwater at Crystal Blue Resort

[Searcaigh]

Great shots @jjmochi

I have done many trips to CBR and like that place a lot, but my last trip was in 2018.

In 2022 I did my first blackwater dive with NAD just after they opened post Covid, only two of us on the boat, it was fun and I'd love to do more.

 

[cetacean]

That;s only for the luxurious Wakatobi Resort, no? And the flight is super pricy. For budget places around Wakatobi, I haven't been able to find any low-pain way to reach. They all seem to require at least two additional flights from Bali or Jakarta and even longgggg ferry rides.

Sure... we go to Wakatobi for great diving and good food - I wouldn't call in luxurious, but it is comfortable. They built the airstrip - there are no other flights in there - everything else is going to be farther away.

 

[chillyinCanada]

Sure... we go to Wakatobi for great diving and good food - I wouldn't call in luxurious, but it is comfortable. They built the airstrip - there are no other flights in there - everything else is going to be farther away.

So are you saying that you only go to Wakatobi Resort by their flight in or are you getting to Wakatobi and staying at another resort(s) hotel by another method?

 

[60feetunder]

So are you saying that you only go to Wakatobi Resort by their flight in or are you getting to Wakatobi and staying at another resort(s) hotel by another method?

Wakatobi's flight is a private charter for their guests only. They do not typically allow non-guests since the flight is literally full with incoming guests and supplies.

 

[chillyinCanada]

Wakatobi's flight is a private charter for their guests only. They do not typically allow non-guests since the flight is literally full with incoming guests and supplies.

Ok, how do others get to Wakatobi and where do they stay and who do they dive with?

 

[Anish]

I stayed at CBR and really liked the resort. Great rooms, food was way better than expected, good internet and good guides. I didn't do Blackwater dives and ended up having my own private guide as all the other guests were traveling as groups. It was my first macro photo trip and I really enjoyed it.

 

[60feetunder]

Ok, how do others get to Wakatobi and where do they stay and who do they dive with?

Perhaps there is confusion in the use of "Wakatobi." Because the Wakatobi Resort was the prime instigator of the creation of the Wakatobi National Park, a lot of divers use Wakatobi to mean the Wakatobi Dive Resort and NOT the Wakatobi Marine Park. The original question was answered relative to getting to the Resort. There are several other places to stay in the area to visit and dive in the Wakatobi National Park. Google for "Resorts in Wakatobi" and you will find some. That said, none of them compare to Wakatobi Dive Resort - at any level ... for diving OR accommodations. And even if you were to stay at a dive operation on the island of Tomia, where the Wakatobi Resort airport is, you would need to fly to a different island and take a boat to Tomia, because the Airfield on Tomia is owned and operated exclusively by The Wakatobi Resort. See directions here for getting to The Marind Dive Resort on Tomia as an example: How To Get There | Marind Dive

 

[chillyinCanada]

Perhaps there is confusion in the use of "Wakatobi." Because the Wakatobi Resort was the prime instigator of the creation of the Wakatobi National Park, a lot of divers use Wakatobi to mean the Wakatobi Dive Resort and NOT the Wakatobi Marine Park. The original question was answered relative to getting to the Resort. There are several other places to stay in the area to visit and dive in the Wakatobi National Park. Google for "Resorts in Wakatobi" and you will find some. That said, none of them compare to Wakatobi Dive Resort - at any level ... for diving OR accommodations. And even if you were to stay at a dive operation on the island of Tomia, where the Wakatobi Resort airport is, you would need to fly to a different island and take a boat to Tomia, because the Airfield on Tomia is owned and operated exclusively by The Wakatobi Resort. See directions here for getting to The Marind Dive Resort on Tomia as an example: How To Get There | Marind Dive

Thank you so very much! This is exactly the info that I've been seeking.

 

[Blackcrusader]

@jjmochi

Very aware that Dumagete doesn't have a direct flight from SIngapore. Actually, most of the best diving in the region is at least two flights away from Singapore (lived there for many years, was there 2 months ago, will be there again in a month).

Tulamben is okay, Dumaguete is better. With the right connection, you can get to Dumagete in about 8.5 hours - however I usually overnight in Manila.

Rule of thumb (for most places): if it has a direct flight from a major hub, it will be overdived... Tulamben has survived because of that 2h+ drive after landing (it used to be longer, the diving also used to be better). I would pick Wakatobi over Tulamben any time - same flight to Bali, and then one more flight. Look at the number of dive resorts in Anilao - it's already showing the strain (good thing it's not the most scenic of destinations).

You can fly from Mactan Airport in Cebu to Dumaguete. Many airlines have direct flights to Cebu all you do is transfer to domestic airport which is a short walk.

 

[Centrals]

You can fly from Mactan Airport in Cebu to Dumaguete. Many airlines have direct flights to Cebu all you do is transfer to domestic airport which is a short walk.

1. The ferry is easier and more frequent.
2. Which airline has direct flight from Europe and N. America to Cebu City?
Turkish airline has flight from Istanbul to Cebu via Manila.