Mid December: Wakatobi or Komodo?

[indiedive]

Dear all,

I am planning to dive on mid December in Indonesia. I could not decide which one to visit - followings are my options:

1. Komodo - will be combi of landbased and liveaboard/diving cruise

2. Wakatobi - landbased - Patuno Dive Resort (Wangi-Wangi island) and Tomia Island (mostlikely will use Tomia Dive Center). I am not planning to stay at Wakatobi Dive Resort.

My concern about Komodo is the weather could be tricky in December. Personally I don't mind bit of rains but if it will affect the visibility and access to go to some dive sites then it will be disappointment.

Meanwhile for Wakatobi, I am bit worry with its remoteness although there is a direct flight - Express Air - from Makassar to Wangi-Wangi for 15 USD but travelling from Wangi-Wangi to Tomia will take another 3 hours by public ferry...

Currently my heart says to go to Komodo but at the same time I am not 100% sure due to its weather condition in December.

As if you have been to Komodo and or Wakatobi, will you recommend these areas for diving in December?

Many thanks in advance!

 

[Will Rogers]

Can't comment on the weather patterns for either place in December. But I just got back from a trip that included a liveaboard in Komodo and a stay at Wakatobi Dive Resort. Both have wonderful diving. However, given the inconvenience of the route you are contemplating to Wakatobi and my personal perception that the diving in Komodo is superior, I would opt for Komodo. If your land based option in Komodo is likely to be Labuan Bajo, be prepared for some lengthy boat trips each day.

Either way, you will have some wonderful diving.

Will

 

[indiedive]

Thanks Will for the info and recommendation. Yes, I heard that Komodo is awesome for diving especially in the spring to October. I really hope to visit Komodo, but unfortunately my work allows me to take leaves in December for this year I don't have any preferences where to stay for land base yet - I am thinking of Kanawa or Labuan Bojo.

My consideration re - Wakatobi Dive Resort, I have heard that there was a labour dispute issue in February. I am not sure whether it is solved "fairly" or not. But yet, the resort looks amazing!

 

[Sideways]

We're heading to Wakatobi resort in Oct. All the recent reviews I've read, May- July are the same awesome reviews as always, nothing about a labor dispute. If we weren't staying at the resort with their charter flight, there's no way we'd be doing the "Long Haul" like you're thinking. If it was that bad getting there we'd just go to Raja.

 

[Quero]

At that time of year, your better chance of not having a weather problem would be at Wangi/Tomia. I have heard nothing about a general labour dispute at Wakatobi Dive Resort. Would this have been an isolated case of a disaffected staff member?

 

[indiedive]

Thanks Sideways & Quero! Most likely the dispute may be over or solved. I received the info from a friend who is active on labour movement in Indonesia. This is the link that he sent me in regards to the dispute (sorry, it is in Indonesian, you can use google translate if curious). I haven't heard any more updates since then. The issue was about overtime pays and the workers staged protest on boat near to the resort.

DPP - FSPBI Prov. Sulsel: Buruh PT.Wakatobi Resort Menggelar Aksi Mogok Kerja Diatas Laut

I will consider the visit to Wakatobi for sure -although at this moment it seems like the second option but I am curious about Tomia island