Expected re-opening: July 2022
The Wakatobi Dive Resort is the kind of place you never want to leave. This award winning luxury eco dive resort in the heart of South Sulawesi is where you can enjoy a level of service, escapism and tranquility that is so hard to find these days. Here the diving is never more than a stone's throw away. Whether by boat or from the excellent house reef, you are guaranteed to see some of the healthiest reefs anywhere on this planet and bio diversity that will take your breath away.
There are 3 room grades at Wakatobi. The Palm Bungalows are well spaced from each other and most have a sea view. Set slightly back from the beach all sleep 2 people with private bathroom, mini bar, desk and veranda. The Ocean Bungalows sit closer to the water front with uninterrupted views and boast the same comfortable fittings as the Palm Bungalows as well as Asian style outdoor showers. There are a further 4 villas - the ideal choice for anyone who wants to make their stay even more special. The villas are the most spacious accommodation grade on the island and come with the added benefits of a dedicated butler service and private dive guide. Villas 1 and 3 have personal plunge pools (salt water). Wakatobi embraces the notion of eco tourism and to this end, where possible local products and craftsmanship are used, giving the whole place an authentic feel without sacrificing any creature comforts. .
All meals are taken in the resort restaurant, which caters to all tastes. The atmosphere is relaxed elegance and the menu a delicate mix of international and Indonesian dishes. Freshly prepared sushi, homemade bread, squeezed fruit juice... these are just some of the small details that make the dining experience stand out. Wakatobi now offers day diving packages - you are free to choose how many days diving you would like to prebook which ideal if you have a non diving partner or simply want to take rest days. A stop at the Spa is a must! And at the end of the day, watch the sunset from the Jetty Bar. Good living surely doesn't get any better than this!
The one and two bedroom villas offer the best of Wakatobi. Set at the northern end of the resort, they offer the ultimate in privacy and spacious comfort, complemented by unobstructed views of the ocean and Wakatobi’s spectacular sunsets.Wakatobi's Villas step down to the beach and pristine waters. Two bed villas have two bedrooms each with full baths, pool & large deck, outdoor spa shower, and more. And villa guests enjoy a complementary privilege package, including a butler.
Take in a glorious sunset at the end of a satisfying day’s diving, to a soundtrack of waves gently lapping on the shore - all while seated on the balcony or in one of the comfortable lounge chairs in front of your Ocean Bungalow. All have commodious front porches with comfortable lounge beds and stunning sea views. Ocean Bungalows have indoor bathrooms and spacious Asian spa-style outdoor showers.
These very comfortable bungalows are located slightly behind and in-between the front-row Ocean Bungalows amidst beautiful palm trees and other tropical plants.
We would be happy to put together a tailormade booking for you, please fill in your details below and one of our diving holiday experts will be in touch with you to discuss your plans.
Samantha & Alan
2023-03-01 10:17:19
Andrew and Sue
2017-11-07 10:02:19
Wakatobi is an amazing resort, their people in Bali met us when we landed there, even though we weren't going to their resort until 8 days later and were really efficient. The house reef at Wakatobi was the best house reef we have ever been on and it was great just to be able to use it whenever.
Robin & Ingrid Smith
2013-01-29 17:13:05
We both cannot say enough to recommend Wakatobi Dive Resort. It is a wonderful place with an incredible staff in a dream location. I would not change a thing and I have to say to the management and owners, thank you, for creating such a fantastic place where you are protecting one of the last truly wild places on Earth.
Douglas & Debra
2011-05-13 13:53:07
The dive sites were spectacular and we thoroughly enjoyed almost all dives. Kaz & Marco are very good dive masters, we spent the most time with Kaz and he is very smart, caring and extremely knowledgeable. In general, the staff were all very helpful.
Karun & Vasundhara Sanghi
2011-05-13 13:50:44
This Indonesian jewel of an island turned out to be an amazing diving adventure. We learnt to recognise & appreciate smaller marine life and the coral gardens especially Roma. The dive instructors Mona and Hakan were watchful and Wakatobi will hold a special place as my son Aditya got certified here at age 11 years. When the diving was done, we all retreated to the long house to share dive stories, drink tea and coffee and fill our dive books, trying to remember the special features of each dive sites as they all began to blend into each other. It was fun naming them with our own names, Nudibranch Site,Puffer Site, Lion Fish Site.
David and Diane
2010-01-12 10:37:37
Dive Wakatobi for spectacular coral reefs, a truly amazing experience!
Karla
2009-12-28 10:38:02
If I had to put a title on my vacation it would be Pampered in Paradise. The dive team and boat crew made the dive experience wonderful and relaxing. The dining experience was equally enjoyable; it was like eating in a gourmet restaurant every night! Could not ask for more for a vacation of a lifetime.
Montgomery
2009-11-03 10:38:40
Hands Down! It was the finest 10 days of my life!
Eileen and Steve
2009-09-01 10:39:18
This is an incredible place that values the conservation of the habitat over the need to make a quick dollar. Forget all of your other diving experiences. Wakatobi is a lifestyle choice, one that I will be adopting on future dive trips.
Jason
2009-05-12 10:39:56
I have been very fortunate to have the opportunity to dive in many locations around the world. In my opinion, Wakatobi offers the best above water and under water experience of any place that I have visited. For this reason, I look forward to returning for my third visit very soon. Thank you.
Laura
2009-03-02 10:40:28
My visit to Wakatobi allowed me to celebrate my birthday in one of the most beautiful resorts in the world. I have never enjoyed diving as much as I did here. The reef was pristine and the service of the staff from the boat crew to the restaurant was top notch.
Indonesia is around 15-20 hours flight from the UK and is made up of around 19 000 islands. It is the largest archipelago in the world straddling the Equator, between the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Most travellers will enter Indonesia through Jakarta (CGK), Bali (DPS) or Manado (MDC) airports.
This is the stuff of divers' dreams. This exotic nation is the very definition of bio diversity. Find the big fish in Komodo, Raja Ampat or Kalimantan. Drift lazily along the walls of Bunaken and Wakatobi, watching turtles on coral drenched walls. While away the hours hunting for miniscule macro in Bali, Lembeh or Ambon. Cannot decide? Why not combine two locations into a single trip!
View entry requirements here To enter Indonesia, all international travellers must fill out an electronic self-declaration form called SATUSEHAT Health Pass. It is recommended that you complete this form prior to departure to avoid delays when arriving in Indonesia. British Citizens who are entering Indonesia for the following purposes can apply for a visa on arrival at a cost of IDR 500,000: Tourism; Official visit or government duties; Business meeting; Procurement of goods; Official meeting; Transit. This visa is valid for 30 days, and can be extended once (for a maximum of 30 days) by making an application to an immigration office within Indonesia. Ensure that you extend your visa within the initial 30 days to avoid an overstay fine. Visa on arrival is now available at the following airports: Soekarno Hatta DKI Jakarta Ngurah Rai Bali Kualanamu North Sumatra Juanda East Java Hasanuddin South Sulawesi Sam Ratulangi North Sulawesi Yogyakarta Yogyakarta Hang Nadim Batam, Riau Islands Zainuddin Abdul Majid West Nusa Tenggara Updated 5 SEPT 2024
Indonesia is a vast country, and the weather can be hugely variable. The topography means that weather patterns can be very localised. This is the tropics! For Bali, Komodo & Wakatobi the weather is usually best from April - November, with July and August being some of the best months to visit. Between December and March the conditions can be a bit stormy. November to April is also the wettest month to visit Bunaken, Lembeh and Kalimantan but to a lesser degree than in other locations. October to April is historically the most popular time to dive in Raja Ampat.
Our holidays to Indonesia can be quoted with most major airlines. We are however able to book most major airlines. Popular options for Indonesia include Cathay Pacific, Singapore airlines, Qatar, Emirates, Malaysian, KLM and Gaurda. If you would like to depart from a different UK airport (eg. Glasgow/Edinburgh, Manchester, Birmingham or Gatwick) or have a specific airline you prefer to fly with, simply let us know in your booking request. A supplement may apply for regional departures. Times and any applicable supplements will be confirmed by your travel consultant before you finalise your holiday. If you wish to make your own flight arrangements to Indonesia, let us know and we can remove the cost of the international flights from your quote. We are unfortunately not able to redeem airmiles on your behalf. Please do not confirm any flight arrangements yourself before your holiday is confirmed by us.
With a huge range of airlines to fly with, you can easily build in a stop over either on your way to or on your way back from Indonesia. Simply talk to your travel consultant about adding a stop over into your itinerary.
UK Passport holders landing in Jakarta, Bali or Manado are able to obtain a visa on arrival in Jakarta 5000 000 IDR cash. Do ensure your passport has 6 months validity from your return date to prevent any issues with immigration. It is your responsibility to ensure your passport is valid and you fulfil entry requirements. Regulations can change: please review current FCO advice: click here to review
Scuba Travel requires all of our customers to have diving insurance. Please make sure that you have appropriate cover for your diving activities. We also strongly recommend you have travel insurance. It's worth taking out travel insurance once you have paid your deposit to ensure you are covered for unforeseen events and cancellation.
Your covid proof of vaccination must match your passport name and flight ticket name. Please speak to your local GP or check out the latest NHS advice on updating your NHS details or for other travel immunisations: click here to go to the NHS
You will also be able to manage your booking online once you have been ticketed (after you have paid your holiday balance). Most airlines will now enable you to select your seating at this point. There may be a small charge for prebookable seating before online check in opens. Please speak to the airline for more information about charges.
As you are flying with a scheduled airline, you will be able to check in online with your airline. Please visit their website for more information about when online check in opens.
An airport lounge is a great way to start your holiday or to while away flight connections in comfort. Scuba Travel works with Lounge Pass to offer a huge range of affordable airport lounges around the world. click here for more info on Lounge Pass
Prebook your airport parking to save money! If you have a long way to travel, why not also look at booking an airport hotel. These aren't as expensive as you might think. click here for holiday extras
On arrival in your Indonesia destination, you will need to clear immigration and collect your baggage. You will then be met outside of arrivals by a representative from your liveaboard or resort. Some reps are able to meet you airside. They will be holding a board with either your destination or your name on it. If you have any issues at all locating your rep, please contact us. We have an emergency contact, manned by a member of the team here in the UK. Please call 0044 7747 488 002. We will be able to help your rep locate you in the airport.
If you have a hotel en route please follow any specific instructions in your travel documents. Where possible, you will be met by a representative who will assist in taking you to your hotel. If using a shuttle service, please arrange your return shuttle time back to the airport at the hotel check in. Domestic flights are common in Indonesia and run frequently. The major hubs of Jakarta, Bali and Manado all have separate terminals for domestic and international departures. Just follow the signs to move between international and domestic terminals. The service has improved vastly, but there can still be last minute schedule changes. Please ensure you leave plenty of time for check in or transit between flights (usually 4 hours min). Domestic flights can typically only be booked with a 20kgs hold allowance as standard. Excess baggage must be paid for in Indonesian rupiah and costs around $2-$5 per kg per way. Due to local traffic and road conditions, land journey times can be difficult to predict. We recommend you take water with you and keep any essentials in your hand baggage to make your journey as comfortable as possible.
At the end of your holiday, your return transfer details will be advised locally. As of Feb 2015, the departure tax for all domestic and international flights is built into your flight ticket price.
Tipping is entirely at your discretion. We do not make recommendations as to how much to tip. Should you wish to leave a tip for the staff and crew, it should reflect the level of service you have enjoyed.
Indonesian currency is the Rupiah however in resort, US Dollars, Visa or MasterCard, Rupiah (local currency) and Euro, as well as other major currencies are all accepted. Please be aware you may be charged a surcharge to pay by card transactions in Indonesia and 10% VAT is applied to all local purchases. We do suggest you change a little money while in Bali to cover incidentals along the way.
There is a good chance you will have signal and there is wifi internet throughout the resort, with back-up LAN cables in all rooms, so checking email will be possible
All rooms are fitted with two round pin sockets (Indonesian / European standard) and the electricity is 220v 50 cycles. Each room has a power-bar with four universal sockets, allowing any electrical appliance to be plugged in. They do have additional plug socket adapters as well as voltage converters (for 110v supplies) to lend to all guests.
Kit hire can be arranged in resort and is paid for locally - approx $30/day. Kit hire must be prebooked to guarantee availability
A full range of PADI and TDI courses are available in resort. You can hire your own private guide for approx $275/day (4 days min). Fluo diving is $220 per person per dive
The dive centre has a small, limited shop on site
Recreational nitrox fills are $7 per dive or $15 per day
A typical deposit for a holiday to Wakatobi dive resort is 30% of your holiday cost, although this will depend on your exact flight option and travel class. Larger deposits may be required for some flight options (eg premium economy/business class).
We accept mastercard and visa debit or credit cards. If you would like a pay by link to complete check out via email please let us know and it can be set up for you. We do not take AMEX. All non sterling card payments and UK business debit cards will be subject to the 3% surcharge. Alternatively, you are welcome to pay via bank transfer. Overseas bank transfers must add £8 to the sterling total to cover international handling fees. We are not able to accept PayPal transactions or personal cheques.
If you have booked as part of a group, you can still call and pay directly without needing to go via your group leader. Please have your trip reference number to hand to help us locate your holiday as quickly as possible. You will receive a transaction receipt - your group leader will forward your ATOL certificate and booking confirmation
Are you one of Scuba Travel's repeat customers? Over 60% of our customers trust Scuba Travel to book their next diving holiday, time after time.
And we believe you deserve a huge thanks for your ongoing support over the years, which is what our repeater discount is all about! Travel with us again in either 12 months or 24 months and you will qualify for a discount. That's all you have to do. No forms, no numbers to remember, no fuss, just a good honest price reduction.
Our standard package includes 7 nights in a palm bungalow on an full board basis - optional room grades available 5 days AIR boat dives (3 dives/day) - ask your travel consultant to prebook additional diving.
Excluded from your package are any additional local services (spa, day trips, laundry). Juices, Sodas, beer and wine as well as cocktails, mocktails and speciality coffees are available at an additional cost. A 10% VAT is applied to all local purchases. As of 14th Feb 2024, there is a Bali tourist tax of 150 000 (prepay via http://lovebali.baliprov.go.id) Special trips are organised on site, private guides, nitrox, kit rental and local park fees are paid locally Tipping is entirely at your discretion. We do not make recommendations as to how much to tip. Should you wish to leave a tip for the staff and crew, it should reflect the level of service you have enjoyed. Please ask for a quote to add international & domestics flights from the UK to your holiday. We can book most major scheduled airlines including regional UK departures to Bali.
There are few diving holidays quite like Wakatobi in South Sulawesi. From the 5* Indonesian resort to the inspiring reef below, your every dream is made a reality here. Indonesia boasts an enviable ecology and bio diversity that is hard to beat and in Wakatobi the reefs are pristine and the fish plentiful. This is dive escapism at its very best. Discover for yourself the healthy soft corals and sponges that adorn the drop offs. Massive hard table corals flourish with great clouds of reef fish swarming around. White tips Sharks dart over sandy patches whilst Barracuda and Eagle rays come close to the reef to feed. But it is the macro life that is most impressive with every kind of Shrimp, Pygmy Seahorse,Pipefish and Nudibranch on display. Serene and lavish, Wakatobi is a special corner in paradise and the definition of a luxury diving holiday.
The dive centre at Wakatobi is at the heart of everything they do and a hive of activity each day. Teaching is available on request and all dives are carried out in the sea - spoil yourself from the very start! Nothing is too much effort for these professionals. Certified divers are guided through every step, from the check in, logging nitrox and to kit hire and extras. There is a large camera room for your photography kit with charging points. Everybody is allocated a personal space for their trip with fresh towels. Your dive gear will be whisked away between the boat and shore dives by the crew. They will even carry your camera to the boat so you never have to lift a finger.
A dive at the house reef is your first experience of Wakatobi and home to so many of the critters that lure divers to Sulawesi. The house reef is open every day from 06:00 to 20:00 and you are welcome to jump as many times as you want. Need a pick up or drop off? Just sign yourself up for a water taxi. The day boats depart for three day dives every day at 8 sharp. These are large, traditional boats and groups are kept to 4 divers per guide or less. Onboard is coffee, tea or water, already waiting by your dive kit. In between dives there are fresh pastries and fruit. No matter how experienced a diver you are, make sure you follow the guides. These guys have the sharpest eyes and will point out the tiny macro life and even act as a stabiliser while you get that picture perfect shot.
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Wakatobi resort iboating diving or snorkeling on vibrant protected coral reefs in southeastern Sulawesi, Indonesia
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What a place. The 3-year wait was completely worth it. The whole process from landing in Bali to the return is so smart and professional. We had a lovely 3 weeks stay, the diving is out of this world with the best dive guides. The reefs is thriving with fish life & the most wonderful corals. We were very well looked after by all at Wakatobi. Thank you Chris, Claire, and of course Steffi and Marek.