Wakatobi On My Mind
The wait is almost over, and you’ll soon be able to reconnect with everything that is the magic of Wakatobi. And there’s more good news. We’ve seen an increase in reservations and many guests have already moved their trips forward to convenient dates. Now is the perfect time to get in touch with us to plan your own visit. This good news has also led a number of the resort’s repeat visitors to schedule their next stay and share some of the things they’re looking forward to as they wait for Wakatobi.
“I have already booked my next visit,” writes Louise-Andrée Belanger. “I made a promise to myself to spend birthdays in the places I most treasure, and Wakatobi is at the top of the list. I can’t wait to see my Wakatobi friends, hug them, and thank them for what they have done during those months to keep the resort alive and safe.”
A Meeting with Friends
For Barbara and Stan Lochrie, Wakatobi means a lot of things. “We love the tranquility, the exceptional diving, the amazing reefs, fabulous food, and wonderful accommodations,” Barbara says. “What we most look forward to on our next visit is reuniting with the staff, who have become our friends. We look forward to seeing their warm smiles and being welcomed by their caring attitudes.”
After two decades of dive travel around the world, Stan and Barb now consider Wakatobi to be their favorite destination. Since the Lochries’ first visit in 2007, they have returned numerous times.
“What we most look forward to on our next visit is reuniting with staff, who have become our friends.”
“In early 2018, we took our family to the resort — children, spouses, and grandchildren,” Barb says. “And we’ve also made a lot of new friends from around the world while at the resort. We look forward to reconnecting with all of our Wakatobi friends, and to meet at the end of the jetty for a drink and a sunset.” The Lochries have made plans to revisit Wakatobi in 2022 and are literally “counting the days” until their return.
The Feel of the Ocean
Jamie Robinson says she feels most at home in the ocean, and Wakatobi is calling. “I am already booked for 2022 and dreaming of the ride over from the airport and taking in the beautiful watery hues as we arrive at the resort jetty,” she says. “I can’t wait to wade in, feel the ocean, and wiggle my toes in the sand. Of course, I’m looking forward to heading out to my favorite sites and taking in all the biodiversity and beautiful underwater vistas.”
The water isn’t the only thing that draws Jamie to Wakatobi. “The wonderful staff: the friendly faces and smiles; the relaxing, atmosphere and entire resort setting — it all puts me instantly at ease and makes me feel at home. I am also craving the resort’s food! I keep envisioning myself walking around the buffet and loading my plate. And finally, the sunsets and peering up at Wakatobi’s star-filled skies.”
For two decades, Jamie has dived extensively throughout the Caribbean, Florida, Fiji, the Maldives, and Indonesia, and considers Wakatobi her dream destination. Since her first visit in 2016, she has returned three times and will be back once again in 2022.
Rediscovering Shallow Delights
When Tara Rebel and Eric Block return to Wakatobi, they plan to spend a whole lot more time in the water — without tanks. “We’ve had the opportunity to snorkel in many places around the world, but our experience at Wakatobi remains at the top of our list,” Tara says. Unlike many resorts with limited snorkeling programs, Wakatobi provides a wealth of possibilities. “[On our first visit] we weren’t sure if it was worth making multiple snorkeling excursions each day,” she says. But between the excellent boat crew, the service, and the wide variety of sites, we soon discovered that we couldn’t get enough.”
Tara remembers some of her favorite memories made while snorkeling with our guide Chiara. “We appreciated how she briefed us before each snorkel, how excited she got when she saw something unusual, and how she was able to find and fully explain almost any critter we saw, from swimming in a swirling school of barracuda to finding the clownfish in the middle of a gender change. We’re so looking forward to much more time in the water on our next trip, and we’re going to fill our schedule with snorkeling excursions.”
Our Place to Relax
“Besides the beautiful diving, some of our fondest memories of Wakatobi are the times we spent afterward,” says Misty Newton. “[My husband Paul and I] love how relaxing everything is; the overall ambiance is so peaceful, and you never feel rushed or pressured.”
“We look forward to returning back to our beautiful villa after a great day in the water,” she says, “and climbing into the hammock, closing our eyes and listening to the breeze and ocean. Then we’ll get ready and head to the jetty for the most unbelievable sunsets every single night.” In addition to relaxation, the Newtons also enjoy the social aspects of Wakatobi. “It’s a place where you can really get to know other guests and make new friends,” Misty says. “There’s a mix of families, couples, and singles from around the world. Wakatobi is truly an unbelievable place like no other, and until you experience it, you will have missed out. We can’t wait to get back!”
Embracing the Wakatobi Flow
Rick McCawley envisions a return to Wakatobi as a chance to get back to what he describes as his personal paradise. “I look forward to the simplicity of an elegant space, walking barefoot, diving three times a day, eating beautiful food, having a massage, enjoying a drink at the jetty bar, and making the best photographs of my life,” he says.
“I’m imagining that the reefs and marine life are thriving at Wakatobi, and are more diverse than ever.”
“Every dive is unique and epic, and as if three long boat dives a day isn’t enough, I usually make a fourth most days from shore. The House Reef truly is the best shore dive in the world!” Rick is now planning his next trip to the resort, spending a week at the resort, followed by a week on the Pelagian. “This will be a trip I will now do once a year,” he says, “because it feeds my soul and reminds me what it’s like to be in awe of the ocean.”
Make Your Plans
Wakatobi is still everything you remember, and more. We can’t wait to reconnect and spend our days together, to immerse in pristine waters, and to share a sunset view from the jetty bar. With many of our guests already having rescheduled their trips ahead, we encourage you to reach out to our team to discuss availability and options for your next visit, even if you are not ready to commit to a specific date. We can’t wait to see you again.
Contact our team at office@wakatobi.com or enquire at wakatobi.com.
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