Scuba Diver Ocean Planet Issue 06/2016 | Page 87

29 alive with nudibranchs and jawfish. Coral-rich slopes provide shallow reef tops where divers can extend bottom times with multi-level dives. Offshore sea mounds such as Kamang Reef sport vibrant growths of soft corals and sponges while Fish Market combines a steep wall and deep ravine with a detached pinnacle that rises to within 10 metres of the surface. Pelagian is a 35-metre steel-hulled yacht carrying a maximum of 10 divers in five spacious cabins, each with an en-suite bathroom. A crew of 12 provides five-star service. Diving is conducted from two custom dive tenders, with the crew handling all equipment transfer. Itineraries include four 70-plus-minute dives daily, including night dives. The dive guides are experts at locating rare subjects and can provide photo support and any assistance a guest wishes. 30 27 A pair of pyjama cardinalfish face-to-face 28 A trio of exquisite mandarinfish doing a sunset mating dance 29 A Coleman shrimp in a fire urchin 30 The Pelagian liveaboard 31 A pair of bargibanti pygmy seahorses in their resident fan coral © Richard Smith PRACTICALITIES WHEN Year-round diving with minimal variation. Easterly winds June to October; westerly winds December to April. Water temperatures average 28oC and visibility averages 35 metres and can reach 50 metres. HOW Wakatobi is reached by convenient private direct charter flights from Bali to the resort’s own airstrip. STAY/DIVE • Pelagian www.wakatobi.com/dive-yacht TOPSIDE Before and after your cruise, resort activities include kiteboarding, wakeboarding, kayaking, paddleboarding, spa services, Nature walks, island tours and cultural programmes and cooking classes. While on your cruise, sit and watch the beautiful turquoise blue world go by. ENTRY A valid passport of six months beyond date of entry to Indonesia is required. There are currently no international departure taxes. For more, enquire with administrative staff at [email protected]. 31 SOUTHEAST SULAWESI WAKATOBI