So just got back from Wakatobi and thought I would address some issues that were raised in an earlier post. A standard trip report will follow in a couple of weeks. First let me say we had a great time, found the resort, staff and of course the diving to be exceptional.
We were blown away by how healthy, vibrant, and packed with life every dive site was. They are serious about reef conservation at Wakatobi and it shows. We will go back some day and have to say we have Never seen a better House Reef. As a camera geek I could have spent the whole trip there and been happy.
Now to the other post, this is not an “attack” on the other poster/posters just some observations from our experience.
First I will touch on the original post and then some of the general following comments.
1. Yes just about any destination in Indo is tough to get to but so worth it.
2. Found the Wakatobi staff to be incredibly helpful including senior staff. Once we got to Bali we were whisked through Customs, no waiting in line, which can be long in Bali and were taken take care of from that point on.
3. It is a 2.5 hour flight to Wakatobi which we found comfortable, with drinks and snacks. Plus we are going there because of its remoteness.
4. Dive times. They do ask you limit dive times to 70minutes but most of ours wandered into the 80min range. They have a solo program if you have the cert or are an instructor. Plus if you dive the House Reef (which we did at least once a day) you can do whatever you like.
5. Guides were great. Would let us do our thing when we wanted, search for critters when asked and fun to be around.
6. We are not big drinkers but given everything has to come in on plane or chartered barge/boat prices reflect that.
7. Food was excellent and we prefer buffet. This is a big advantage if you are doing your own thing diving the House Reef. Fantastic variety between local and western dishes.
8. On our trip the rinse tanks were always full and we had no issues.
9. Tipping. No mention of it was ever made. Last day there were just two envelopes on our bed for the Dive Staff and House Staff.
10. Fiji vs. Wakatobi. Fiji is easier to get to, has more sharks but IMHO reefs are not as healthy or colorful as Wakatobi and we loved Fiji.
11. Raja vs. Wakatobi. Frankly comparing Raja Ampat to Anywhere is just not fair, lol. Raja is really without equal. If you are a dive, dive, dive, 5 dives a day person book one of the live-aboards in Raja and you will have a great time. We will go back and soon. If you are looking for a more relaxed, comfortable experience than Wakatobi may be for you.
12. We are avid amateur photographers and found Wakatobi very camera friendly. With the house reef available 18hrs a day you can pick and choose what you want to do.
A couple of pics that I think are very representative of the vivid diving you will find at Wakatobi. The vistas were so incredible I could hardly bring myself to put my 60mm on and shoot fish portraits or macro. But it is there, another photog shot 12 species of nudibranch and spent most of the trip with his 105mm on.
House Reef
Typical Stuff for Wakatobi
We were blown away by how healthy, vibrant, and packed with life every dive site was. They are serious about reef conservation at Wakatobi and it shows. We will go back some day and have to say we have Never seen a better House Reef. As a camera geek I could have spent the whole trip there and been happy.
Now to the other post, this is not an “attack” on the other poster/posters just some observations from our experience.
First I will touch on the original post and then some of the general following comments.
1. Yes just about any destination in Indo is tough to get to but so worth it.
2. Found the Wakatobi staff to be incredibly helpful including senior staff. Once we got to Bali we were whisked through Customs, no waiting in line, which can be long in Bali and were taken take care of from that point on.
3. It is a 2.5 hour flight to Wakatobi which we found comfortable, with drinks and snacks. Plus we are going there because of its remoteness.
4. Dive times. They do ask you limit dive times to 70minutes but most of ours wandered into the 80min range. They have a solo program if you have the cert or are an instructor. Plus if you dive the House Reef (which we did at least once a day) you can do whatever you like.
5. Guides were great. Would let us do our thing when we wanted, search for critters when asked and fun to be around.
6. We are not big drinkers but given everything has to come in on plane or chartered barge/boat prices reflect that.
7. Food was excellent and we prefer buffet. This is a big advantage if you are doing your own thing diving the House Reef. Fantastic variety between local and western dishes.
8. On our trip the rinse tanks were always full and we had no issues.
9. Tipping. No mention of it was ever made. Last day there were just two envelopes on our bed for the Dive Staff and House Staff.
10. Fiji vs. Wakatobi. Fiji is easier to get to, has more sharks but IMHO reefs are not as healthy or colorful as Wakatobi and we loved Fiji.
11. Raja vs. Wakatobi. Frankly comparing Raja Ampat to Anywhere is just not fair, lol. Raja is really without equal. If you are a dive, dive, dive, 5 dives a day person book one of the live-aboards in Raja and you will have a great time. We will go back and soon. If you are looking for a more relaxed, comfortable experience than Wakatobi may be for you.
12. We are avid amateur photographers and found Wakatobi very camera friendly. With the house reef available 18hrs a day you can pick and choose what you want to do.
A couple of pics that I think are very representative of the vivid diving you will find at Wakatobi. The vistas were so incredible I could hardly bring myself to put my 60mm on and shoot fish portraits or macro. But it is there, another photog shot 12 species of nudibranch and spent most of the trip with his 105mm on.
House Reef
Typical Stuff for Wakatobi
