Wakatobi Dive Resort is known as one of the world’s premier dive destinations. But as a growing number of guests have discovered, you don’t need SCUBA gear to experience the magic of the surrounding reefs. That’s because many of the same sites that wow divers are equally delightful when explored at snorkeling depths. This letter from our guest Ann McElhoney describes one such experience.

After four trips to Wakatobi and Pelagian, there are so many memories, and so much I could say about the resort, the food, the amazing staff, the reefs, the sheer beauty, and the peaceful surroundings. We have celebrated birthdays and anniversaries and have met some wonderful like-minded people whom we are still in touch with.

Many of my favourite Wakatobi memories are of the wonderful snorkelling I have experienced. One in particular stands out. It was the next to the last day of our first visit to the resort in June of 2011, and I was snorkelling at Turkey beach, a site close to the resort.

Turtles are a common sight while diving or snorkeling at Turkey Beach. Photo by Marco Fierli, marcof8.com

I was already encountering the site’s many turtles and was very happy, then I was suddenly surrounded by eagle rays! As a non-diver, I had never had the opportunity to see these graceful creatures up close. They swooped, swirled, and circled, coming so close that I had difficulty focusing my camera on all of the activity.

A swarm of eagle rays at Turkey Beach made Ann McElhoney’s first Wakatobi experience unforgettable. Photo by Wakatobi Resort

When the Wakatobi boat picked me up, I was beside myself and could hardly speak I was so excited. I managed to squeak “turtles and eagle rays” and soon I learned that the divers on board hadn’t seen any! What an incredible finish to our visit: six turtles and as many as 15 eagle rays.

Wakatobi may be known for its incredible diving, but the snorkelling ruled on that day!

Ann McElhoney

Read about snorkeling at Wakatobi Dive Resort here > Wakatobi’s Shallow Water Paradise

To create your own memories at Wakatobi, contact us, and plan a visit!  office@wakatobi.com or Enquire.