Wakatobi or Triton Bay for next Indo Trip?

[sharkbear]

I just returned from nearly three weeks in North Sulawesi (Bunaken, Bangka, Lembeh), and it was one of my best diving trips thus far. In addition to the spectacular diving in each location, we particularly loved the topside tours of North Sulawesi (Minahasa highlands, Manado, Tangkoko) and the genuine friendliness of the the people who welcomed us to their beautiful home.

We are now searching for our next trip in 2026 within Indo. Priority is on land-based, availability of topside nature tours (particularly for birds and villages), and gorgeous, bustling, fishy coral reefs. I will suffer without A/C if necessary (looking at you, Triton Bay Divers).

I'm booked into Misool Eco Resort in 2027, so Raja Ampat is out. I also dived Raja via liveaboard in 2024 so not keen to return next year.

The current winner is Triton Bay Divers, but I'm curious as to the opinions of those who have travelled extensively within Indo. Wakatobi is definitely intriguing.

So for those who have done both - would you recommend Wakatobi or Triton Bay Divers?

Ultimately both will happen with time Just want to prioritize if either of them fits the bill more.

(Also, just to add - I will definitely add a week at Lembeh Resort no matter what we ultimately choose. I was completely gobsmacked by Lembeh - all the critters, and those gorgeous reefs as well!)

Thank you Scubaboard!

 

[FishCity]

Haven't been to Triton Bay. Have been to Wakatobi Resort.
The land accommodation is very good, good excellent. Dive and snorkel boats go out 3 times a day. Reefs are lush with plentiful fish and critters. Different site each time. Where it doesn't meet your wants is land based touring. You don't do that, you keep to the guest areas. There are birds, not a birder, but don't know if they have birding guides.
The reefs are just wonderful. Differences with Raja Ampst are tge varieties, RA has what 600 species of coral,andczwakatobin400 or something along those lines.
House reef is good.

 

[Jaan]

Agree with previous poster on not much land activities at Wakatobi but I do remember they had someone there for birding and there was also a small village you could walk to and visit … but we were all-in on the diving

Here is my wife’s writeup from our trip last summer to give more insight into Wakatobi at least. We had a water front bungalo which was great but if you have non divers with you you might want the villa with the plunge pool (no communal pool)

Scuba Diving Vacation at the Wakatobi Dive Resort

tough decisions

 

[scorpiofish]

Well, the two resorts are quite different. Wakatobi is quite luxurious in comparison, with spacious air conditioned bungalows and fantastic food. The diving is 4-star, a bit regimented, but one of the best house reefs on the planet. I have not stayed at a resort in Triton Bay, but dove close by for a week on a liveaboard. It is quite "rustic". I would prefer diving Triton Bay, but you need to be aware that you can get green water and low visibility depending on weather conditions.

Wakatobi is a guaranteed great 4-star trip. Triton Bay could potentially be a 5-star trip, but may turn out worse. Depends on your risk tolerance level. Misool Eco will be your best land based diving trip in Indonesia from a diving standpoint.

 

[chillyinCanada]

Agree with previous poster on not much land activities at Wakatobi but I do remember they had someone there for birding and there was also a small village you could walk to and visit … but we were all-in on the diving

Here is my wife’s writeup from our trip last summer to give more insight into Wakatobi at least. We had a water front bungalo which was great but if you have non divers with you you might want the villa with the plunge pool (no communal pool)

Scuba Diving Vacation at the Wakatobi Dive Resort

tough decisions

Tell your wife that I enjoyed her report and that the comment John left may be somewhat true, in that those things can be found, they are much farther apart, so may well miss somethings. Yes, I do enjoy the diving near Tulumben but it's not Wakatobi, just like it's not Raja Ampat.