DIVE Magazine - Maxing Out at Wakatobi!

Subject: DIVE Magazine - Maxing Out at Wakatobi!

Sponsored

Maxing Out at Wakatobi

Visitors to Wakatobi often compliment the pristine condition of the coral reefs and the exceptional variety of marine life found within the resort's private marine preserve. For some divers and snorkelers, however, it's not just the quality of the experience but also the quantity. Wakatobi's reefs and schedule are perfect for extended dive times, and with a little bit of planning, it's possible to spend the better part of a day enjoying the reefs around the resort.

The extensive house reef is accessible directly from the beach and jetty

'My schedule at Wakatobi for one amazing day,' said guest diver, Paul Moliken, 'is: get up, snorkel the sea grass, eat breakfast, catch the dive boat, snack on the boat during the surface interval, dive again, eat lunch, snorkel on the House Reef, make a third boat dive, eat supper, snorkel the jetty after dark, sleep.'

While Paul's in-water schedule may seem ambitious to some, it highlights the diving and snorkelling possibilities created by Wakatobi's unique combination of underwater topography and resort services. It's about dive sites that are ideal for multi-level profiles, schedules that accommodate extended bottom times, and total access to a House Reef that further expands on the in-water opportunities.

Twelve things you might not know about Wakatobi »

There is a huge amount be discovered when snorkelling in the shallows

At many dive sites within Wakatobi's private marine preserve, reef formations start within a few feet of the surface and drop into the depths rapidly along steep slopes or walls.

By taking advantage of the multi-level profiles made possible by this topography, it's easy to greatly extend bottom times without breaking recreational no-decompression limits.

The generous bottom times are also made possible by the resort's boat diving schedule, which allows ample time for guests to enjoy two leisurely dives before lunch, plus an afternoon dive.

Discovering a shallow water paradise »

Wakatobi's dive boats are comfortable, well-appointed and spacious

The key to longer and more enjoyable bottom time at Wakatobi, Paul says, is to keep most of the dive within mid-range depths. 'Some divers want to drop right down to 100 feet (30m),' he says, 'but the reality is that the colours down there are less vibrant, and most importantly, bottom times are much shorter. There's really no need to go deep and end up with a 20-to-30-minute dive when great action is above 60ft (18m), which allows for 70-minute dives.'

'Wakatobi gets a lot of praise from its guests,' Paul says, 'but one aspect of the vacation experience that seems to be understated, is how lovely it is to have three 70-minute-long dives in a day. It’s so leisurely and enjoyable, and you don't have to worry so much about using up your air too quickly, or breaking your no decompression limits.'

Wakatobi's super-spacious dive boats »

Much of the action around Waktobi is in relatively shallow water

The second element to Paul's maximum in-water time strategy lies right in front of the resort in the form of the House Reef. 'If you choose a Wakatobi dive package, you also have unlimited use of the incredible miles-long House Reef,’ says Paul. ‘It is healthier, more colourful, more filled with fish, and more stunning than any other I’ve seen, either in Lembeh or the Caribbean.

‘Even if you don’t make use of it for diving, snorkelling on the House Reef is never disappointing,’ he adds. ‘You can start right from shore or slip in from the jetty whenever you want, and there are also the resort’s taxi boats, which are available every day; just jump in, take a short ride to your favourite part of the reef, and then drift back at your leisure.’

Snorkelling on Wakatobi's house reef »

Wakatobi's pristine coral is vibrant and filled with life

Paul says he also loves the after-dark snorkelling opportunities found around Wakatobi’s long jetty. 'During my evening snorkelling trips I’ve seen a list of personal firsts, including mating octopus, an eel larva, and hundreds of pyrosomes.'

'Having been to Wakatobi numerous times since it first called to me in 2015, I can attest to many amazing aspects of the resort: food, luxury, friendliness, and so much more,' Paul says. 'Those are just some of the reasons why I’m going back in December and can’t wait!'

Book now at:

www.wakatobi.com

www.divemagazine.com

Subscribe

Subject: DIVE Magazine - Maxing Out at Wakatobi!