Years ago, a journey to a remote destination such as Wakatobi might require a week or more of travel time. With our Wakatobi Guest Flight connecting us to Bali and the world, most of our guests need only add a couple of days to their vacation schedule to accommodate their arrival and departure at the resort. And along the way, our Wakatobi concierge team has created a number of additional services and conveniences that, while they won’t make the initial trip any shorter, can certainly make it more enjoyable, and possibly even more memorable.

Denpasar International Airport, also known as Bali Ngurah Rai International Airport, is Indonesia’s third-busiest airport.  Photo by Wakatobi Resort

A welcoming start with a Wakatobi guest flight

After an international flight, you still have to face the formalities of entry, and the details of luggage retrieval and ground transportation before you can relax.

A Wakatobi representative greets each arriving guest. Photo by Didi Lotze

But as our guest, you’re spared from many post-flight tasks, as a Wakatobi representative meets each arriving guest after they pass through immigration at Bali Airport.

“We were swiftly guided through the arrival process, the Wakatobi service had begun! The high standard of service, politeness of staff and general organization continued to impress us throughout our entire trip.” ~ John and Linda Williams

After you clear immigration, you are greeted by a member of our concierge team who will assist with the retrieval and transfer of your luggage, escort you through customs, and help you obtain ground transportation to your chosen accommodation. After a good night’s sleep, you’ll find yourself refreshed and ready to catch our morning charter flight to begin your Wakatobi vacation.

The private guest flight, which takes a little more than 2.5 hours, provides easy access to a region that, until recently, required more than a day’s travel from Bali to reach. Touching down on Wakatobi’s private runway, you’re once more met by resort staff and whisked away to the waterfront, without ever having to touch your baggage or dive/snorkel gear.

A short boat ride from Wakatobi’s airstrip takes you to the resort. You’ll relax with a welcome drink and take in the view as you approach your island home for the days to come. Photo by Walt Stearns

A short boat ride brings you to the nearer and smaller island of Onemobaa, where the resort sits perched on a spectacular swatch of white sand, its bungalows, and buildings peeking through green foliage. As you relax with a welcoming drink and become familiar with your surroundings, the staff delivers your baggage to your Bungalow or Villa, while your dive or snorkel gear is transported to the Dive Center. Unless you have a preference for assembling and handling your own gear, you never need to do so during your time at Wakatobi. The staff will handle all details of assembly, tank swaps, and transfer of gear to and from the boat, leaving you free to simply show up and go diving.

Throughout your stay, you enjoy the highest level of personal service from a staff dedicated to accommodating and often anticipating your needs. The staff takes pride in going above and beyond to accommodate guests. Over the years, this attitude has resulted in everything from securing rare replacement parts for cameras to honoring unique dietary requests, arranging a meeting with a traditional Balinese healer, and finding a Balinese police officer willing to trade police tags with an American guest who collects police tags from all over the world. Given this potential level of attention, it’s likely you’ll be reluctant to leave when your vacation draws to a close. But though this day is inevitable, it is once again made easier by the complete “door-to-plane” attention of the Wakatobi staff.

An extended stay in Bali can include a tour of Bali’s highlands with a visit to the Pura Bratan temple, shown here. Its distinctive 11-tiered roof rises above the shores of Lake Bratan. Dating from the 17th century, this structure honors the Balinese water goddess Dewi Danu, who brings life-giving water to the island. Photo by Wakatobi Dive Resort

Touring Bali and beyond

While our concierge staff is happy to work with every guest directly to smooth the logistics of arrival and transfer, we also recommend an extended stay in Bali to at the beginning or end of your vacation. Bali is a spectacular destination itself, offering impressive geographical diversity and delightful cultural attractions. Our Wakatobi tour guides can provide daily tours of Bali, while our destination partner KelanaDMC, can help you plan more advanced itineraries–all to enjoy the best Bali has to offer, and to ensure you the best experience when it comes to accommodations, services, and activities.

Near the village of Padangtegal, in the Ubud section of Bali, the Sacred Monkey Forest is home to a protected population of long-tailed macaques, along with some 115 species of trees. Many of these trees are considered to be holy, and are used only for the building of shrines and the creation of carved ceremonial masks. Photo by Wakatobi Dive Resort

In the traditions of Balinese dance, everything from eye contact and finger position to rhythmic whole-body gestures are significant and become part of an intricate drama that conveys stories through movement. Many traditional dances are linked to Hindu rituals, but others are offered as welcoming rituals or performed simply for the enjoyment of the audience. Photo by Chen Ws

During your stopover on Bali, a Wakatobi guide/driver will transport you to towering volcanoes, emerald green rice paddies, Hindu temples, dazzling beaches, cultural performances, and more. Bali also offers incredible value in art, furniture, silver jewelry, accessories, and tropical fashions, and we can direct you to the finest shopping, dining, and entertainment opportunities. For more advanced itineraries, KelanaDMC can assist with all details of bookings, reservations, and transportation. From spur-of-the-moment guidance or advice, Wakatobi’s team can personally attend to your every need.

With this service you are also provided local currency, in both large and small denominations, ensuring you the best possible rate of exchange, and eliminating the immediate need to exchange money at the airport at an unfavorable rate or to rely on credit cards for small purchases. Transfers to and from your hotel and around town are via a fleet of limo-vans, which may also be booked for island tours and excursions. These well-appointed and comfortable vehicles are air-conditioned, and include a supply of cool minty towels, mineral water, and some lovely Balinese tunes for your enjoyment.

Wakatobi Resort is a comfortable 2.5-hour ride from Bali to our island paradise on Onemobaa. Photo by Didi Lotze

Whether or not you opt for these upgrades, or simply enjoy the personal attention and assistance that all our guests are provided when arriving or departing, the goal of every Wakatobi staff member is to make your travel as enjoyable and effortless as possible.

“We always enjoy the Asian culture and welcoming attitudes. In this respect, Wakatobi is unbeatable! We will certainly be back! ~ Ruud Clements and Sabien Schoemaker

To find out more about Wakatobi guest flights, or to arrange your Bali stopover contact office@wakatobi.com or complete a quick trip inquiry at wakatobi.com.  

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