“Even as non-divers, there are plenty of activities to choose from. This place is so amazing that just admiring the nature and ocean was one of the many great things to do.” ~ Francesca Furlani amd Marc Zeitouni
Wakatobi Resort has earned a reputation as one of the world’s premier diving and snorkeling destinations. Travelers come from around the world to explore the thriving coral reefs found within the marine preserve surrounding our oceanfront retreat. But even the most avid underwater enthusiasts must surface at some point. When they do, they can enjoy a wide range of additional activities, along with a level of scenic beauty, personal service, and amenities that create a premier vacation experience, even for those who rarely dip their heads below the surface.
It’s For The Birds
It’s not surprising that some avid fish watchers are equally intrigued by bird life. In recent years, the Wakatobi region has gained growing recognition in birding circles. There are more than 170 known avian species found on the islands, and several new endemic species have been identified in the past few years. These discoveries include the Wakatobi monarch, the Grey-sided flowerpecker, the Wakatobi white-eye, the Wangi-Wangi white-eye, and the Wakatobi sunbird.
Birding at Wakatobi is an ideal after-dive activity, as there’s no need to go far from the resort to start racking up species counts. From the resort, the Onemobaa Nature Trail leads into a setting of pristine greenery. Here, paths crisscross the island’s interior and lead to a local village on the northern coast. Walkers can make their way to secluded shores or to interior thickets that provide habitat for a variety of birds and butterflies. Also native to the island are monitor lizards, which can often be seen around the grounds behind the resort and act as habitat for these intriguing animals. More about bird watching at Wakatobi >here.
Daytime Diversions
After enjoying the underwater landscapes, guests can take part in a variety of land tours that visit several of the resort’s surrounding islands. There are guided scooter tours to explore the island of Tomia, with stops at local villages and a ride to the hilltops to take in panoramic views of the surrounding islands and ocean. The resort team can also organize excursions to a traditional village market where guests can take in the hustle and bustle of local commerce as traditional street vendors sell fresh produce and handicrafts.
For a more in-depth look at local craftsmanship, there are tours to see local boat builders at work and visit studios where village women hand-weave traditional sarongs. These tours can also include historic and natural points of interest such as a 16th-century fort and bamboo groves that are home to large colonies of fruit bats.
Different Strokes
Wakatobi’s dive and water sports center maintains a complimentary fleet of kayaks and stand-up paddle boards that can be used to explore the clear shallows of the House Reef. Guests who want to venture a bit farther can explore the island’s shoreline north or south of the jetty or visit a lagoon that provides habitat for resident bird populations, invertebrates, and colorful fish life. Paddlers can glide over calm waters in a self-guided kayak tour or arrange to be accompanied by an experienced guide who knows the sights and sounds of the ecosystem.
An increasingly popular activity is a guided kayak excursion to the small, uninhabited island of Lintea, which lies about one mile to the west of the resort. After a speedboat ride to the island, guests transfer to kayaks for a leisurely paddle through the mangroves and a chance to view a rich variety of bird life. After the paddle, the tour continues with a visit to traditional stilt houses used by Tomian villagers as temporary housing when they are tending to their agar-agar seaweed farms.
Come Fly a Kite
Days with moderate breezes are ideal for learning the sport of kite surfing, and Wakatobi now has a dedicated kiting center with equipment and instruction provided by resort staff. Beginners can master the basics right off the kite beach, where are instructors and chase boats are standing by. More experienced kiters can move to the eastern lagoon for speed runs inside the reef, or head into the channel to play in the chop. For additional fast action on the water, the staff can fire up one of the resort’s fast launches to tow wakeboarders.
Nocturnal Nature
Wakatobi’s commitment to protecting the wildlife and preserving the natural beauty of the region extends to the land as well as the reefs that surround the property. Green and sustainable operating principles are among the resort’s key values, and the property is maintained in an undisturbed state that provides guests with numerous opportunities to enjoy nature.
At night, the resort maintains soft lighting along the beach. This not only allows for inspiring views of the star-lit sky, it also encourages nesting turtles to come ashore. Wakatobi’s beaches are a favorite nesting site for several species of sea turtles, which come ashore each year to bury their eggs in the soft sands. Resort staff marks and monitors each nest to ensure its safety. When the hatchlings emerge, a few lucky guests may be on hand to watch the youngsters make the short crawl to the water. As the turtles grow, they can often be seen feeding on the grass beds and shallow reefs around the resort.
Cultural Immersions
One of the delights of the Wakatobi experience is the blending of hospitality traditions from East and West. The resort maintains the professionalism of a five-star European service and lodging ethos, while the staff radiates the welcoming warmth of Indonesian culture and traditions of hospitality. This combination sets the tone for a unique and rewarding guest experience that delivers the highest levels of service, while also creating a sense of relaxed familiarity in which guests feel more like favorite family members than pampered strangers.
The connection with Indonesian culture is enhanced by programs that showcase the region’s cultural and culinary traditions. Among the activities offered are Indonesian cultural workshops. These interactive experiences introduce participants to the national language, Bahasa Indonesia, and delve into the belief systems, customs, and cultural nuances of the region, and the people who call these islands home.
Equally popular are cooking demonstrations and classes that showcase the flavors of Indonesia and have guests working alongside Wakatobi’s chefs to create signature dishes such as piquant sambals and savory stews.
Personal Indulgences
Wakatobi consistently earns high marks and positive reviews for the premier level of personal service provided to each guest. The staff takes pride in delivering those personal touches, whether it’s greeting each guest by name, or creating a unique floral arrangement or towel sculpture during housekeeping services.
The resort team is happy to stage mid-day picnics or arrange for private waterfront dinners to admire the sunset while seated at a table set on a quiet stretch of beach. Evenings can be capped off with a visit to the Jetty Bar to savor a libation of choice while watching fish flit about in the pools of light created by underwater illumination.
For the ultimate in self-indulgent pampering, guests can choose from a range of massage therapies and rejuvenation treatments from the team at the resort’s on-site spa. Here, the best of Indonesian and European traditions come together in therapies that both relax and revitalize.
Wakatobi’s diverse mix of water, beach, and land activities not only provides divers and snorkelers with pleasant ways to spend their surface intervals, it also enhances the resort’s overall appeal to families and non-divers. Child care and kids club activities ensure the little ones will enjoy the vacation as much as mom and dad, while the topside attractions allow diving/non-diving couples to enjoy a stay where they can combine mutual pleasures with individual interests.
Wakatobi has something for everyone. What are you waiting for? Contact us at office@wakatobi.com or complete a quick trip inquiry at wakatobi.com.
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