BIG ANIMALS AND LITTLE CRITTERS
19
INDONESIA
Wakatobi
By DR RICHARD SMITH
SDOP
94
Nestled in the isolated southeastern corner of Sulawesi, Wakatobi
Dive Resort is easily accessed from Bali via the resort’s own private
runway on a neighbouring island. Due to its remote location and
protected reefs, it offers some of the most unspoiled diving in
Southeast Asia, if not the world. The diving is accessible to all
levels, with corals growing all the way from the surface to the
deeper realms of the rebreather diver. Some sites are prone to
currents, but these encourage the corals into their full splendour
and draw great schools of colourful fishes. The wall dives at
Wakatobi are first class, such as the aptly named “Cornucopia”
and “Magnifica”.
If the abundant pygmy seahorses are too small for you, then
the reefs also accommodate multitudes of other macro critters in
addition to another of the seahorse’s relatives. Pairs of Halimeda
ghost pipefish blend effortlessly into their namesake algae; here
even the weeds have eyes. Every invertebrate at Wakatobi seems
to accommodate a tiny hitchhiker. Most
recently, the giant clams revealed their
own residents in the form of jewel-like
19. A tiny and rarely
spotted shrimps living deep inside and
photographed variety of
exposed only to the most patient and
shrimp that lives deep
inside the giant clam
observant of divers.
PRACTICALITIES
WHEN
With no marked seasons, Wakatobi
is a year-round destination. The
average air temperature is 30°C
and water temperatures range
between 26 and 28°C.
HOW
Entry to Indonesia is via Bali. You
then take a charter flight (arranged
by Wakatobi guest relations staff)
to the resort’s private airstrip.
STAY/DIVE
• Wakatobi Dive Resort
(www.wakatobi.com)
• Wakatobi Patuno Resort (www.
wakatobipatunoresort.com)
TOPSIDE
Nature trails and beach walks are
easily accessed around the resort
and tours are offered to the local
village. Various water sports are
also available.
ENTRY
Many countries are now exempt
from the previous visa-on-arrival
system, and the departure tax has
been scrapped. Check with your
local embassy or consulate.