In November 2017 I visited the Wakatobi dive resort. This was my first time diving in Indonesia so I was very much excited to see what the waters of South East Sulawesi had to offer.
After arriving in Bali from Hong Kong I was greeted by one of the Wakatobi dive staff, I wasn't flying back out until the following day so I was nicely surprised to have someone waiting for me.
The large pelican case was an interest to the Indonesian customs, but with British charm I was through and on my way to the hotel airport for 1 night.
Next morning, back to the airport, arriving by taxi with pelican case, diving bag, clothes case and the hand luggage, I was quickly set upon by the over eager airport porters....after politely explaining that I can manage, and being insistant that I'm ok (really didn't have local money for tip) I still battled with my bags and it turned into a tug of war, only to be settled by a member of the Wakatobi dive team to explain to me that, I was not to worry it was all part of the service I had paid for...I quickly let my bags go and enjoyed the lighter walk to the check in gate.
The check in gate was just the best, they put plastic re-usable tags on my bags (eco friendly) and that was it....not to be seen until they appear in my bungalow!
After smuggly approaching security I was quickly pulled back to be told that my tripod could not go through as hand luggage, after explaining that it has travelled from Vancouver, through Hong Kong and had no security issues why now flying to a dot of an island was this a risk......sorry sir, cannot...... so back out of security to check my tripod in.....smug? not anymore...
Walking through departure lounge to see Beard Papa's thats breakfast settled....sorry sir you have VIP breakfast waiting in the private lounge....chewing on some wet toast and stale muffins feeling so honoured to have this private service...whilst secretly dreaming of a vanilla filled puff pastry.....nope I can't let this opportunity go..slipped out the lounge and got my puff....walking back I noticed some faces from the lounge walking in opposite direction, they had called boarding......after joining the other 12-14 guests we went through a gate labelled for somewhere completely different.....don't worry and a smile from the ground staff, we have this all in hand!
The flight was 2 hours 30 mins, the excitement building as the plane took off heading towards Wakatobi Dive Resort.... yes! the air strip is only for the dive resort as nothing else there!
After seeing the remote islands and reefs from the air it was time to land, as the plane banked hard to the left it was a steep dive into the air field....
After getting off the plane, the welcoming was so nice and I was handed the tripod right away....now just hoping all the other gear has made it too. The staff were there to whisk me away to a boat, the resort is on another island.... so after getting to the boat, which was nicely positioned between two half sunk boats we leave the dock..... after 30 mins we arrive at what I can only describe as the most beautiful dive resort in the world! the reef was stunning, the turquoise waters, with the deep blue was spectacular!
After getting off the boat I was taken directly to my beach/jungle bungalow...no real check in procedures and just coral sand paths......I have finally arrived and so did all my bags an hour later.
to be continued.......
The beach front bungalow was just the perfect accommodation, all made from wood and very stylish. Noticing the bed had a huge net around it, I then realized the chances of not being visited by the jungle mafia that night was slim!
I opted out of the introductory house reef dive that afternoon, I'm not one to be rushed and not without checking all my gear! Instead I checked out the dedicated camera room at the dive centre. Well lit and set as same temp as the sea this was the perfect room to claim my spot and to start prepping the camera.
After getting a good nights sleep I was up at 5am taking in the sunrise, a little anxious about the diving and what to expect! after a quick breakfast in the lovely, well run restaurant (they have a trait of remembering everyones name, without mistake) it was off to the dive centre.
To my delight all my gear had been taken to the boat (Wakatobi 4 was to be my vessel for the duration of my stay and 8 was my number) and was already set up on my tank of nitrox which I analyzed the day before. I even had my camera taken onto the boat for me by the incredible boat boys!
Off we go for dive number 1, as the boat approaches the dive site and after a quick briefing the boat boys have you tank in hand ready to lift onto you.....they made it incredibly easy! now it was time to get down to business! splash.....here we go!
My first site of the reef below left me speechless (is that possible underwater) it was truly one of gods wonders, sea life everywhere, crystal waters and at 30 degrees.....had I died and gone to diving nirvana? Please look at Wakatobi photos for the sea life!
After the 70 minutes were up, it was off to the surface......and then the boat would come to us, so no long surface swims....after getting onto the boat, the boat boys remove your gear and pass you a warm towel and a hot chocolate......before I could sit down the boat boys had switched tanks with my gear, packed all my stuff away under the bench and I'm ready for dive number 2 (after the hours surface interval).
The rest of my trip continued like this and I was truly spoilt, at the end of your dives all your gear is washed and sent to your bungalow ready to pack!
I have nothing but amazing things to say about Wakatobi, the attention to detail is impressive thats not just the diving it was everything, from the airport pick up, waiters, dive crew...everyone! all this from a dive resort who had a huge awareness of being eco friendly........I have to say in my humble opinion Wakatobi have got things really right!
as I approached the resort....
