A Great Choice for New Divers

Published June 12, 2024 in Diving, DIVING & SNORKELING

Wakatobi often welcomes guests making their 1,000th dive. But there’s no need to wait until your logbook is thick with entries to plan a visit. We also host many freshly-certified divers, first-time snorkelers, and others eager to discover the underwater world.

“Our boys have learned to dive in phenomenal conditions, under a brilliant instructor and have, as we hoped, developed a keen, lifelong passion for diving.” ~ Inés and Matt McCahearty

It turns out that many of the same qualities that bring veteran divers back time and again are equally as rewarding for new divers and snorkelers. Here are some of the reasons why Wakatobi is an ideal first-time destination.

Warm and Welcoming

Wakatobi guests often comment on the exemplary levels of warm personal service the resort and dive staff provide. “It has been a magical experience at Wakatobi,” says Matt and Inés McCahearty, whose sons Dan and Will recently obtained their certifications at Wakatobi. “Our boys have learned to dive in phenomenal conditions, under a brilliant instructor and have, as we hoped, developed a keen, lifelong passion for diving.”

And it’s not just human hospitality that makes the resort a great place to begin a diving career. Wakatobi’s warm water, calm conditions, and professional infrastructure provide ideal conditions for those first underwater breaths. From the moment they submerge, new divers and snorkelers are immersed in a magnificent underwater landscape teeming with marine life.

New divers can complete the open-water portion of their training in the inviting waters of Wakatobi. Photo by Wakatobi Resort

For those with no prior diving experience, the dive center offers Discover Scuba programs that provide a safe and enjoyable first taste of scuba diving. Children as young as eight can also experience the magic of Wakatobi’s reefs with the Bubblemaker program, which allows them to experience the thrill of diving safely under full supervision and at shallow depths.

“As new divers, we felt extremely comfortable at Wakatobi. We could proceed at a relaxed pace with no pressure to join any dives that we weren’t comfortable with.” ~Brent Grohman and Amanda Tanner

The dive center’s referral programs are an attractive option for new divers looking to fast-track their training. After completing the academic and confined-water portions of their certification at their local dive center, guests can finish their training by completing the open-water portion of their training in the inviting waters of Wakatobi. “We were so impressed with the Wakatobi experience. Chris got dive certified with Silvia, who was amazing,” said Alaina Arroyo and Christian Jensen, who visited in April 2024. Many participants have commented that it’s an attractive alternative to doing these dives in less inviting conditions back home. More about Wakatobi’s Underwater World.

Explore From Shore

New divers descending down the wall below the jetty on Wakatobi's House Reef. Photo by Walt Stearns

Divers descend down the wall at the end of the jetty on Wakatobi’s House Reef. Photo by Walt Stearns

It’s not uncommon for dive resorts to have a “check out area” where new arrivals can make shore entries to familiarize themselves with their equipment and local conditions. In the case of Wakatobi, this site is the House Reef, and it’s far more than a swatch of sacrificial sand. Instead, the House Reef is an expansive and vibrant site that encompasses an intriguing range of marine environments, including grass beds, patch reefs, and a massive outer reef that plunges into the depths and extends for more than a kilometer to each side of the entry point.

New divers have an easy time exploring the House Reef, as there are secure entry points on the beach and from stairs on the resort Jetty. During daylight hours, the site is monitored from shore by the Wakatobi dive team. This site is also the perfect place to discover the magic of a night dive, which can be conducted in a familiar environment without boarding a boat.

Always a Helping Hand

Divers who are new to the sport or haven’t been in the water lately sometimes face a learning curve when it comes time to gear up and get in. The Wakatobi team is there to help. From the moment guests touch down in Bali, we take care of transferring, even assembling, cleaning, and storing the dive gear.

When it’s time to submerge, the boat crew is right there to provide any needed help with final adjustments. Once in the water, the resort’s observant guides are experts at assessing just how much guidance a new diver might need. And it’s not just an exercise in handholding, as guides are not only qualified dive masters and instructors, but they are also excellent marine life spotters.

Accessible at Every Level

One of the defining characteristics of diving at Wakatobi is the exceptional diversity of depth ranges that can be explored at any given site. When reef tops start as shallow as one meter from the surface and drop precipitously to depths beyond 30 meters, newer divers need never venture below their comfort range to take in the sights. Read about The Zoo dive site.

“We came to Wakatobi early in our diving career. We compare it to every other trip we have been on since, and nothing else comes close.” ~Shannon Cain

As a new diver at Wakatobi, having plenty to see at shallower depths also reduces anxieties about air consumption, which can sometimes become a concern for new divers or those who are a bit out of practice. In addition, Wakatobi’s warm, clear waters and tropical sunlight create underwater conditions that are conducive to relaxation and a resulting reduction in air consumption.

Comfort Afloat

At around 20 meters in length, Wakatobi's stable boats give each guest a generous amount of personal space and gear storage.

At around 20 meters in length, Wakatobi’s stable boats provide each guest a generous amount of personal space and gear storage. Photo by Walt Stearns

Adapting to life at sea can be a challenge for some new divers — especially if that means a long ride over rough seas on a crowded craft. Wakatobi’s custom-built boats are designed to take the discomfort out of the voyage. At around 20 meters in length, these stable vessels give each passenger a generous amount of personal space and gear storage. Full-length roofs provide shade and sun protection, spacious bathrooms with full showers are on the main deck for easy access, and water entries and exits are done mid-boat, far away from engine exhausts.

Plenty to See

Being introduced to Wakatobi’s aquatic realm makes a new diver’s experience even more memorable, as it is one of the most vibrant and pristine coral reef ecosystems on Earth. Photo by Walt Stearns

A diver’s first underwater excursions are magical under any circumstances. This introduction to the aquatic realm is made even more memorable at Wakatobi, as it is one of the most vibrant and pristine coral reef ecosystems on Earth. Diving each site is never a “one and done” experience as there are always new discoveries awaiting.

A Total Vacation Experience

The difference between a dive trip and a Dive Vacation is often what takes place before and after the dive. As captivating as Wakatobi’s reefs can be, time spent in the water is just one aspect of a vacation experience that includes an idyllic small-island setting, private beaches, fine dining, and warm personal service that guests often describe as “being treated like family.”