New additions and private dive and snorkel services make a stay at a Wakatobi Villa better than ever.

“Wakatobi has been the best vacation ever.” Gina Leisten posted this message to social media while sitting on the deck of a Wakatobi Villa enjoying the sunset. Gina came to the resort with her husband Mike in the company of friends to celebrate the special occasion of their 25th wedding anniversary. The group first enjoyed a cruise on the Pelagian dive yacht, followed by ten days at the resort.

Villa one has two private bedrooms with full shower rooms, large deck areas, a courtyard, and a plunge pool – with stunning ocean views and an excellent vantage point for enjoying Wakatobi’s brilliant sunsets. Photo by Didi Lotze

“We made an excellent choice of Wakatobi for this special occasion,” Gina said. “Several members of our diving group had already chosen Wakatobi, so it was the perfect way to combine the anniversary celebration and a dive trip with good friends. While this destination was a long way from home for us, it was worth it; we also upgraded to the master suite on the yacht and one of the villas with a swimming pool.”

Two-bedroom pool villas have panoramic views of the reef and ocean, and offer upscale touches such as sculpted stonework and gazebos as seen here at villa two. Photo by Marco Fierli

Premier Vistas and Luxury Touches

The villas are Wakatobi’s premier class of accommodation. These one- and two-bedroom oceanfront residences feature upscale touches such as sculpted stonework, rich hardwoods, and inviting indoor/outdoor spaces such as Asian-style outdoor spa showers.

Villas sit on a low bluff at the quiet northern end of the resort property, with ocean-view decks that are just steps from the water. This setting ensures privacy while keeping guests within easy walking distance of all resort amenities, and taking a dip is as easy as walking down a short set of private steps to immerse in the clear water.

Guests enjoy privacy, and exquisite views, with a step down to the beach or at high tide right to Wakatobi’s clear, inviting waters. Photo by Didi Lotze

The Leistens appreciated the vistas and the spaciousness of their villa. “The view as you walk through the front gate is absolutely stunning,” Gina said. “We admired it daily and the deck offered both shade and sun. Of course, the pool was a wonderful respite for relaxation after diving and snorkeling.”

Personal Attention

To deliver the ultimate in comfort and relaxation, villa residences are provided with a personal steward. Known as Private Resort Experience Managers, these hospitality professionals are always on call to arrange anything from in-room massages to private beachfront dinners, day trips to a deserted island, and cultural tours to local villages.

Wakatobi Villa stays include the service of a personal steward, or Private Resort Experience Manager. Photo by Didi Lotze

Villa stays also include the complimentary services of a Private Dive / Snorkel Experience Manager (PDEM). These skilled guides are the cornerstone of the resort’s private diving program, and their goal is to provide the ultimate in personalized resort dive experiences. Soon after checking into a Wakatobi villa, guests have a chance to get to know their private snorkel/dive experience manager. PDEMs accompany villa guests on every dive to act as private assistants and guides, help with equipment or cameras if need be, and provide an appropriate level of support for those who may need help with buoyancy control or underwater navigation.

A Keen-Eyed Companion

PDEMs can also serve as dive buddies and spotters for more accomplished divers and photographers. The guides know every detail of the reef and are experts at finding and pointing out the numerous small and rare creatures that make their home in Wakatobi’s waters. This was an important feature for the Leistens.

PDEMs are experts at finding and pointing out the multitude of rare and tiny creatures on Wakatobi’s reefs. Photo by Walt Stearns

“Having a private dive guide was a great advantage, in particular, because we wanted to film certain tough-to-find critters,” said Gina. “We also truly had a lot of fun with our guide Komang. He had a great eye for spotting pygmies and other treasures on the reefs, and we felt we got the best experience because of this,” said Gina. We even got photos of a pregnant male pygmy seahorse, and one of our pictures has two seahorses. Mike got a video of the pregnant male moving from branch to branch, and it looks surreal. We will never, ever, forget this experience.”

Added Perks

Other complimentary experiences offered with a villa stay include the opportunity to use a professional-level Cannon camera and Seacam housing system for two dives or to enjoy a complimentary Fluo dive or Fluo snorkel. This unique form of night diving uses special underwater lights and mask filters to reveal the hidden fluorescent qualities of corals and fish life.

Guests opting for the Villa Plus package enjoy a private dive boat and crew to allow for the ultimate in personal attention and diving/snorkeling freedom. Photo by Wakatobi Resort

Even more is included when guests opt for the Villa Plus package. This option provides guests with a private dive boat and crew to allow for the ultimate in personal attention, spaciousness, and diving freedom. The Plus package also adds a daily spa service for each guest. These indulgences can be enjoyed at the resort spa or right at the villa.

Additional indoor and outdoor seating areas can turn villas into centers for social gatherings. Photo by Wakatobi Resort

A Place to Celebrate

The large decks and porches of Wakatobi’s Villas are favorite places to enjoy morning coffee or take in a magnificent sunset. And as Mike and Gina discovered, the additional indoor and outdoor seating areas can turn villas into centers for social gatherings.

“We hosted a party at our Villa,” Mike said. “We invited our entire dive group of friends and all of our dive guides. We wanted to show the guides our appreciation for all of their patience, and hard work.”

“After our Wakatobi Villa experience,  I’m afraid we’re ruined for any other vacation,” Gina said. “Nowhere else will compare!”

Time to treat yourself to a Wakatobi? Contact us at office@wakatobi.com or complete a quick trip inquiry at wakatobi.com.  A guest experience consultant will be in touch with you to answer.

Read about combo Pelagian dive yacht plus Resort experience > here.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

Wakatobi videos on YouTube