When they arrive in Bali, most guests headed for Wakatobi are eager to board the resort’s dedicated guest flight and get started on their vacation. But some of our guests put travel on pause either before or after visiting Wakatobi and extend their layovers by a couple days to enjoy the sights. For these savvy travelers, time spent touring around Bali is more than respite during travel. Adding a Bali tour with a Wakatobi guide is a bonus that can add an additional element to the overall vacation experience. And the Wakatobi team is there to help make it happen.

For many Wakatobi guests a Bali stopover that includes visits to temples, rice fields, and beaches adds to their overall vacation experience. Our Bali team can help make it happen. Photo by Walt Stearns

First impressions

When Mathis and Shannon Weatherall started planning their first trip to Wakatobi years ago, they contacted guest experience representative Michelle Winkel. “We’d at first wanted to go right to the resort,” Mathis recalls, “then Michelle suggested we take advantage of Wakatobi’s Bali day tour services. We were a bit reluctant because we didn’t think we needed that level of attention and help, but once we arrived, we were really glad we did.”

“We have toured Bali twice now and we still have some things we want to see on our next trip.” ~Shannon Weatherall

The Weatheralls created a three-day Bali itinerary before traveling on to Wakatobi, then added a couple days at the end of their trip. “We used the front end of the trip to acclimate, but it was much more than just a rest stop,” Mathis says. During their time in Bali, the couple enjoyed land tours to temples, nature preserves, and scenic attractions, and were also able to fit in several dives on the island’s northeast coast. “Our Wakatobi tour guide and driver, Suka, spoke excellent English, and he was very knowledgeable and personable,” Mathis says. “Suka is so good at explaining the local culture, helped us get the best photos, and also showed us great shopping locations, prices, and exchanges. I would recommend the Wakatobi day tour guides to anyone, and we will certainly do it again.”

Guests appreciate how Wakatobi’s tour guides can tailor their itineraries to fit their individual needs. Photo by Mathis Weatherall

Off the beaten path

Like many who travel to Wakatobi, Paul Moliken decided to spend a couple of days in Bali “un-jet lagging” before flying to the resort. “It was my first time on the island paradise, so I took a tour arranged through my hotel,” Paul says. “Huge mistake. The driver didn’t speak more than a couple words of English, and it was clear that he was taking me to easy-to-get-to touristy spots. ‘Never again,’ I told to my wife Susan after experiencing the luxury of Wakatobi.”

For the next two trips to Wakatobi, the Molikens arranged Bali tours through Wakatobi’s concierge team.” We had the most fantastic time with a great guide, Suka,” Paul says. “He was at our hotel early, and we told him what specific places we wanted to see on a custom tour, like the monkey forest, the water temple, the Sideman rice fields, and possibly even getting close to Mt. Agung at some time. It was clear that we couldn’t accomplish all those goals, so, with Suka’s help and guidance, we picked what made sense. It was well worth the pre-planning with him.

Tirta Gangga Water Palace, a former royal palace in eastern Bali, is a popular spot for guests to visit during their Bali tour. Photo by Evgeny Starkov

“Throughout the tour, Suka was efficient, entertaining, and a great driver, who made sure to point out interesting facts, allow us to get out and walk around, get us good food, and show us areas off the beaten path,” Paul says. “The Tirta Gangga Water Palace was not to be missed—stunning, peaceful, and enlightening. On my second solo trip to Wakatobi, I asked for a Bali tour with Suka specifically, and I’m glad I did. Besides the scenery, I had two goals: a non-commercial, beautiful sarong or two and a Balinese spirit mask. Being the forgetful type, though, I had left my wallet in the room. Suka used his own credit card and saved the day. It would have been a disaster when I got home without his unhesitating offer to cover the costs.”

Local knowledge

The Weatheralls and Molikens are just two of many fans of Wakatobi’s Bali team. When Darlene Myers recently chartered the Pelagian for a private cruise, she added a stopover in Bali to the trip. “Some of our group had never been to Bali and I wanted them to get a good taste of this part of the world. Suka really delivered,” she says. “He not only provided a lot of local knowledge and insights, but he was also a lot of fun to be around.”

“I’m glad we got to spend time with Suka. We feel the Wakatobi staff are our forever friends. I highly recommend using their Bali day tour service.”

Darlene especially appreciated the way Wakatobi representatives tailored itineraries to fit her group’s needs. “We requested a specific Batik store, and Suka entertained some of the others in our group while the rest of us shopped,” she recalls. “He also suggested we visit a local temple, and this was particularly nice because he is very knowledgeable and described everything in great detail, which made our day even more special. We learned the history of the temple, what each area was used for, what the workers were doing to restore and maintain it, and why.”

You can experience the best of Bali on a private outing with one of Wakatobi’s tour guides. Photo by Shawn Levin

Wakatobi Bali tours: at your service

On their second trip to Wakatobi, Mathis and Shannon led a group of ten guests, and once again scheduled time in Bali before and after visiting the resort. Traveling with a group required more detailed planning and logistics, which proved to be no problem for the Wakatobi team. “We had decided on a Wakatobi Bai tour we wanted to do, and we told our group members they could join us or do what you want,” Shannon recalls. “It also seemed like there were a lot of last-minute changes, and the Wakatobi team did a great job of coordinating schedules, adding and removing people, and keeping track of changes.”

Your Wakatobi concierge team. Pictured (l to r): Dharma, Ricky, Debby, Satria, and Stijn. Photo by Wakatobi Resort

Mathis is especially appreciative of Wakatobi concierge Satria. “Satria made sure every detail was considered, he dealt with all our last-minute changes and had answers even before I knew what to ask. Most appreciated by the Weatheralls was how the Wakatobi team freed them from one of the most challenging aspects of group leadership – “We didn’t have to keep track of all the individual charges and changes,” says Mathis. “Satria and the other staff handled all the math, tracked the changes, and created detailed billing for each person.”

Before or after your Bali bonus stopover it’s off to the resort and Pelagian for a Wakatobi experience. We’re at your service to make it happen, in seamless Wakatobi fashion. Photo by Didi Lotze

Wakatobi’s Bali tours are available to all our guests. To learn about all this program has to offer, contact our team at bali@wakatobi.com.  We will be in touch to answer any questions and provide information about how to create your own Bali bonus.

For more advanced Bali itineraries we recommend you contact KelanaDMC at www.kelanadmc.com.    Email: KelanaDMC at info@kelanadmc.com.

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