Wakatobi Dive Resort

The 31 bungalows and four villas stretch along the property.

Wakatobi Dive Resort

This private-island hideaway, just a two-hour plane ride east of Bali, scored high marks across the board in Scuba Diving’s Readers Choice survey, winning first place in Quality of the Resort, Quality of the Rooms, Quality of the Restaurant and Quality of Staff. Wakatobi Resort is known first for its diving. Even if you spent a week diving just the house reef, you’d be blown away. The resort sits in the middle of the Wakatobi National Park in Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia, where species diversity is mind-blowing, serving up frogfish, mimic octopuses, pygmy seahorses, flamboyant cuttlefish and a long list of the unique finds that make this country so legendary among divers.

The resort staff is what really helps guests make the most of this experience. The dive guides bring years of critter-hunting experience, making short work of finding pygmy seahorses, bob-tail squid and whatever else is on your wish list. The house reef is spectacular, with so much life found even at 40 feet and shallower—making it a choice location for photographers and snorkelers. To help guests take full advantage of the house reef, Wakatobi offers a one-way boat taxi that will drop you at the far edge of the reef, allowing you to dive or snorkel as much as you like, then swim just one way back to the beach.

The resort experience is unique. The 31 bungalows and four villas stretch along the property. There’s privacy and a sense of remoteness, but with the amenities and luxury of a five-star experience. Wakatobi this year has added four new accommodations: the Turtle Beach Bungalows. Set on a large, more secluded beach, these mini villas offer more privacy. Plus, each is 20 percent larger than other villas on property. This room category also includes a large outdoor shower with two rain-shower heads so guests can rinse off after a day of diving or beachgoing. Another unique offering is the two-bedroom villas with butler service. Should you wish for a watermelon mojito or club soda and lime while sunbathing on your own stretch of sand, your butler will deliver. Villa guests also enjoy the services of a private snorkel guide throughout the entire trip.

Wakatobi sits in the middle of the protected Wakatobi National Park in Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia, where dive sites feature mind-blowing species diversity and healthy coral reefs.

Wakatobi Dive Resort

Coming in late 2024, the resort will unveil new luxury villa residences. These villas will occupy their own section with a private pool and dedicated dive boat. The menu is also new. The resort’s restaurant, already a crowd-pleaser among Scuba Diving magazine readers, now also includes more local dishes along with cooking demonstrations. All this is in addition to the inspired, inter-national cuisine, so guests continue to have a wide variety of options. Lastly, the resort continues to rise above guests’ expectations with its 26-year conservation program protecting 20 km of reef in Wakatobi National Park.

Private Diving

The Wakatobi dive experience is already a high-quality affair, but for those who want even more in-water attention as well as the ability to decide which sites to drop in on, there’s an option to book a private dive boat for the day, which includes a private guide and boat crew. You set the schedule and the bottom time (within safe-diving limits). For photographers, families, and small groups, this is a great option and value. Divers and snorkelers receive even more service for a fully customizable day.

2024 Readers Choice Awards

Wakatobi Dive Resort took home a total of six Readers Choice awards, including first place in Quality of the Resort, Quality of the Rooms, Quality of the Restaurant and Quality of Staff.