Snorkeling the Reefs of the Wakatobi Regency!

‘Wakatobi’ is the acronym that is based upon the names of the four main islands located in the province of Sulawesi Tengarra, about 100 kilometers southeast of Sulawesi, Indonesia. The islands from north to south are WAngi-Wangi (the capital), KAledupa, TOmea, and BInongko. The Wakatobi Marine Conservation Area was established in 1996 to protect the incredibly healthy and diverse reefs around the islands, and in 2002 the entire archipelago became the third largest national park in Indonesia, Wakatobi National Park. In 2012, it was designated as a UNESCO Marine Biosphere Reserve. Rare amongst the other 17,000+ islands in the archipelago, the islands of Wakatobi are part of Indonesia’s largest barrier reef.
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Lying along the junction between the Flores and Banda Seas, the islands are nearly at the geographical center of the coral triangle. Recent surveys have confirmed its status as an area with some of the highest levels of marine biodiversity in the world. Fantastic shallow reefs cluttered with hundreds of species of corals surround the islands and the years of protection have allowed robust populations of reef fish, from the smallest gobies to the largest groupers and sharks, to flourish in the azure blue waters. It’s no wonder that Jacque Cousteau suggested that these islands possessed some of the finest diving in the world.
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ITINERARY

Our tour begins and ends in Bali and includes one internal flight to Wakatobi. Since we are based at the resort we basically have the entire area at our feet. Each day, we use weather and tides to determine where we will snorkel.

Day 1: Bali, Indonesia
Meals provided: D
Meet at our group hotel for our trip orientation and welcome dinner. Overnight Hyatt Regency

Day 2 – 10: Wakatobi National Park
Meals provided: B,L,D
Our ten days in Wakatobi will be filled with snorkeling local reefs around the islands. Vibrant coral reefs swarming with colorful tropical fish thrive in shallow, clear water, the benefit from decades of both local and national protection. Each day we have our own private boat take us to the best reefs Wakatobi has to offer. Of course, we will have plenty of opportunities to visit their ‘house reef’, one of the richest reefs in terms of both marine diversity and abundance. On one of the days we will have the chance to visit local villages to learn about island life in the Wakatobi regency. We will also plan on night snorkeling to watch some of the nocturnal activity on the reef as well as see critters that are usually inactive during the day like octopuses, scorpionfishes, and corals. Overnight Wakatobi Dive Resort

Day 11: Bali
Meals provided: B
After breakfast, we depart for Bali. Please note we have an afternoon flight that has us arrive in Bali around 2:00PM. Onward international connections or trip extensions.

Wakatobi Resort is one of Indonesia’s top 5-star beach resort and is located in the Tukang Besi island group near Tomia, one of the four main islands that makes up the Wakatobi Regency. Their website says it best, “set amidst verdant landscaping along a white sand beach, Wakatobi’s grand villas and bungalows provide the perfect blend of natural surroundings and five-star amenities. Each offers privacy, large shaded porches, climate-controlled comfort and sleeping arrangements for singles, couples or families. Interiors are finished in rich native woods, with separate sitting areas and spacious shower rooms.” The dining area is open air and located along the beachfront that allows incredible views of the beach and azure blue sea.

For more information about Wakatobi Dive Resort, please click here.

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The Hyatt Regency in Sanur, Bali, is a beachfront property built on nine hectares of lush tropical gardens. Relax in one of the 363 rooms, designed with contemporary Balinese and Japanese elements and comforts. Each room features a patio or balcony overlooking lush gardens or partial ocean. The property has three gorgeous swimming pools and three restaurants to choose from: Omang Omang, Pizzaria, and Piano Lounge. The hotel is conveniently located near Bali’s main tourist attractions, and the International Airport Ngurah Rai is just 16 km away. Hyatt Regency Bali is a CHSE certified and GBAC STAR^TMaccredited hotel.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Located 5 degrees south of the Equator, Wakatobi experiences year round tropical weather with average air temperatures in the lower 80’s (F) or (upper 20’s C). We can expect some rainfall, but it is usually in the form of early morning or late afternoon showers that pass quickly by. Water temperatures average 82º F (28º C) but with deep water in the area and if there was substantial rain, water temps can reduce into the mid to upper 70’s F (mid 20’s C).

While water currents are common around the islands,  we often plan our snorkel session around the slack tides when water movement is minimal. We do, however, take full advantage of our dedicated boat and will plan to do a few drift snorkels that allow us to cover large tracks of reef without having to swim too hard. Our snorkel sessions are 100% boat supported and they will be there at all times to assist anyone for whatever reason.

Please read more about our daily schedule here.

WHAT TO BRING

The following list is a suggestion of things to bring and applies to almost all of our trips (specific items on a particular departure will be noted on the departure information).

-A good fitting mask, snorkel, and set of fins. If your equipment is brand new, please try it out in the pool. Determining the fit and function of your equipment in the pool includes doing several laps with all of your equipment on. Doing several snorkel dives is also very beneficial. It is also important to clean your new equipment, especially your mask. Cleaning procedures for your mask include light scrubbing with toothpaste or dishwasher soap to remove the light layer of silicon that is used to preserve the mask during shipping and storage. All areas of the mask, both inside and out, need to be addressed. Doing this greatly reduces the chances of having your mask fog. Not doing this, even when using mask de-fogger, usually results in a fogged mask.

-A wetsuit, rash guard, diveskin, or any type of clothing that can be used for thermal and/or protection form the sun. We suggest bringing a 3mm wetsuit (either full or shorty) or some type of core insulation like a vest or shirt made of 1 – 2 mm neoprene (e.g., Lavacore or Sharkskin shirts or vests). These items will not only provide thermal protection but protection from the sun as well. For those who feel that a 3mm suit may be too warm, please consider a full body skin or rash guard to ensure protection from the strong sun. With regards to thermal protection, remember the saying: it is better to have and not need, than to need and not have. One that note…

-Head protection in the form of a wetsuit hood, a cap, or even a bandana. Anything that can keep the sun off of your head is extremely important. It is the most exposed part of our bodies when we are floating on the surface.

-Underwater Flashlight for our planned night snorkel. Alor has excellent opportunities for night snorkeling and we will take full advantage.

-Biodegradable sunscreen lotion. Okay, this is a tricky suggestion. Even many biodegradable sunscreen lotions have been shown to harm and even kill tiny larvae (baby marine life ranging from fish to all types of invertebrates especially coral). It is fine to wear on land, but we highly discourage the use of sunscreen lotions in the water. Having a full wetsuit or skin will do the job of protection from the sun much better than lotions and the suits also help with thermal protection. It is truly a win-win for everyone and the marine environment.

-Casual, lightweight, tropical clothing
-Sunglasses (and a spare in case you lose your main pair)
-Comfortable footwear such as active sandals (Teva, Keen, Merrell, etc.)
-Hats. We cannot stress the importance of a hat in the tropics!
-All of our boats provide items like shampoo, soap, towels, etc. We bring this up because these items represent added weight and if they leak, less-than-fun times during the unpacking stage of the trip.

Other items that may be considered:
-Lightweight rainwear to protect from the occasional afternoon shower