Aqua Safaris SCUBA CENTER
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831-479-4FUN (4386)
Aqua Safaris Travel Center
Wakatobi Indonesia

World’s Premier Coral Reef Diving
The Epicenter of Biodiversity


This Swiss owned & managed dive resort provides all the comforts of the modern world in a secluded, unspoiled, uncrowded retreat. A private airplane brings you to a new airstrip on a neighboring island in business class comfort. You’ll stay in private beachside or garden bungalows cooled by ocean breezes. The bungalows reflect traditional architecture, yet are equipped with all modern amenities including phone and e-mail.

 

Wakatobi Dive Resort—World’s Premier Coral Reef diving

Come with us on this exquisite dive destination to one of the top rated dive resorts in the world. Private beach, bungalows and unlimited world-class easy diving and great food. First we arrive in Bali and are whisked away on a private airplane to Wakatobi. In a distant corner of Indonesia, about 2 hours by air from Bali, on a small island the locals call Onemobaa, you’ll find yourself in one of the most extraordinary marine parks in the world. Spend a week enthralled with some of the world’s best diving. Pamper yourself at this year’s #1 rated dive resort.

The Epicenter of biodiversity

Situated at the core of the ocean’s highest coral reef biodiversity, the 372 square-miles that comprise the Wakatobi National Marine Park was considered to be “probably the finest diving site in the world” by underwater explorer Jacques Cousteau. Today, it is ranked as one of the premier coral reefs in the world. With 85% of the world’s coral reef species located in the region, the display of diverse marine life is unparalleled.

Marine Life

The adventure begins only 80 meters from the resort’s powder white beach where a lush drop-off stretches along several distinct dive sites. Lionfish, clownfish, rays, batfish, crocodile fish, jawfish, ghost pipefish, waspfish, schooling jacks, turtles, mandarin fish, leaf fish and four species of pygmy seahorses inhabit the reef. Even the elusive blue-ringed octopus makes a rare appearance. Brilliant soft corals, oversized gorgonians, vibrant sponges and delicate tunicates in every hue create an intricately woven tapestry of color and texture. Shallow depths enable divers to enjoy unusually long bottom times during which they may explore a thriving marine environment. At night, the resort’s famous “House Reef,” one of the world’s best shore dives, explodes with riotous color.

Collaborative Reef Conservation Program

Recognizing the fragility and uniqueness of the marine environment and the need for sustainable conservation, in consultation with local leaders, the founders of Wakatobi Dive resort developed the Collaborative Reef Conservation program to motivate the local population to realize the value of,and care for, the reefs of the area. It does so by generating income from tourism that is channeled directly into the local community, providing an economic alternative to fishing and remunerating those that help protect and manage the reefs.

Through the persistent work and commitment of the resort’s staff and owners, the local community, and the cooperation of visiting divers, a substantial region of the Park is now a protected sanctuary whose reefs and marine life will remain healthy and vibrant for future generations.

Unparalleled Freedom to Dive and Explore

With such excellent reef life just a few steps away and total diving freedom to submerge day and night,some divers are content to explore the House Reef to the exclusion of anything else. Yet Wakatobi boasts exclusive access to more than 40 superlative dive sights.

In the pristine waters surrounding the islands of Onemoba’a, Sawa and Lintea and nearby Tomia, numerous dive sites offer ample opportunity for exploration.Among the most spectacular and popular are Onemoba’a cavern, Lorenz’s Delight, Inka’s Palette, Pastel reef, Turkey Beach, Mari Mabuk, and Roma. All are easily accessible aboard Wakatobi’s comfortable dive boats while tenders or “taxi boats” are “on call” to transfer divers from the beach to the further sections of the House Reef. Experienced, friendly and attentive, the divemasters, all PADI Instructors, are superb critter-finders and able to locate the most elusive marine creatures. For photographers and videographers, Wakatobi is nirvana. An on-premises photo facility offers E-6 processing.

 

© 2007 Aqua Safaris, 6896 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, CA 95062,   tel. 831-479-4FUN (479-4386),   e-mail postmaster@aquasafaris.com