Wakatobi Resort, Wakatobi

Diving at Wakatobi Resort

Wakatobi’s dive operation revolves around stress-free days of underwater exploration. Dive packages normally include three guided boat dives each day plus unlimited supervised diving on the house reef. The spacious dive centre provides equipment storage and rental gear, while experienced staff take care of tanks and provide dive-valet services. Nitrox fills are available for suitably certified divers, plus PADI, SDI and TDI training is available alongside technical and rebreather support. What’s more, underwater photographers have access to an air-conditioned camera room with workspaces, regulated power and ample storage, and private guides can be arranged for a more personalised schedule. 

More than 50 dive sites are accessible from the resort, including Roma, Blade, Cornucopia and Table Coral City. The diving is particularly known for pristine coral coverage, walls, ridges and abundant reef life, from turtles, reef sharks and schooling fish to pygmy seahorses, nudibranchs and other smaller subjects. The five-kilometre house reef means guests can explore at their own pace, with shore entries and taxi-boat drift dives available throughout the day. Snorkellers are also well catered for, with house reef access, dedicated guides, rental equipment and boat excursions.

Diving in Wakatobi

Rather than relying on fleeting encounters with large pelagics, Wakatobi rewards divers with long dives exploring the pristine reef ecosystems the area is famous for. Lying on the edge of the Banda Sea, this destination harbours an impressive mix of walls, coral ridges, slopes and shallow reef gardens. Wakatobi is particularly celebrated for its coral diversity and abundance of reef fish, with turtles, reef sharks, trevally and a wide range of macro life adding variety.

Diving is possible year-round, although conditions vary with the seasons. Wakatobi Resort sits within easy reach of many of the region’s best-known sites – including Roma, Cornucopia, Table Coral City and Blade – making it well suited to divers who want to explore the area intensively from a luxurious shore-based setting.

Learn more about the diving in Wakatobi on the ZuBlu site here.

ZuBlu’s dive travel experts will help you create the ideal package at Wakatobi Resort, including your preferred room type, diving, excursions, equipment rental, transfers and any special requests. Share your travel dates, group size, diving experience and budget, and we’ll recommend the best options for your trip.

We’ll also help with practical travel planning, including flight routes, arrival timings and resort transfers, making sure your itinerary works as smoothly as possible from start to finish.

Once you’ve finalised your plans, your travel expert will put a complimentary hold on your preferred room and send a final quote that includes accommodation, meals, diving, transfers, rental equipment or excursions. This quote will also show any extras paid in advance or at the resort - there are no hidden fees - as well as a payment schedule and cancellation terms and conditions.

Your booking is confirmed once the required deposit, or full payment when necessary, has been received.

After confirmation, your dedicated guest concierge will take over and assist with flight routes, transfers, any personal information required by the resort, and questions about your reservation. They are there to make the entire process as straightforward as possible.

Getting There

Guests traveling to Wakatobi must fly to Bali’s international airport in Denpasar (DPS), from where dedicated guest flights depart on Mondays and Fridays, depending on the season. The flight to the resort’s private airstrip takes approximately two and a half hours, followed by a short transfer to the resort, arriving in time for lunch and afternoon diving. An overnight stay in Bali before departure is strongly recommended, as check-in is required by 7:45am, or possibly earlier. Return flights usually arrive in Bali between 3pm and 4pm; onward international flights should be booked for 6pm or later.

Other Activities

Away from the dive centre, guests can explore the calm coastal waters by kayak or stand-up paddleboard, and kitesurfing is available from June through September. Excursions to Onemobaa Island are also possible, alongside local cultural experiences and cooking activities. Guests looking to build some deliberate downtime into a diving-focused stay will find a range of relaxing treatments at the onsite spa. Babysitting services and a Kids Club are available for younger guests. 

Good to Know

• WiFi: Satellite WiFi is available throughout the resort.
• Mobile coverage: Limited roaming coverage may be available depending on provider.
• Electricity: 220V, 50Hz.
• Plug type: European-style two-round-pin sockets; adapters can be borrowed.
• Payments at the resort: Credit cards and Indonesian rupiah cash are accepted.
• Currency: Indonesian rupiah (IDR); many resort rates are quoted in US dollars.
• Time zone: UTC+8.
• Families: Children are welcome, with childcare and Kids Club services available.
• Nitrox: Complimentary for certified divers on qualifying dive packages.