Any WAKATOBI positives???

What the heck is "solo certified"? Please excuse my ignorance.

 

Steve

I'm not sure if you're being facetious or not, but many agencies offer a certification for solo diving. I do plan on taking one this summer. Even though I am a rescue diver, I still think there are things I can learn about diving by myself. I know that I could dive by myself without the c-card, but there are some situations where you need that card to dive solo. When I was on the Nimrod out of Cairnes, they would not let you use a pony unless you produced a solo diver c-card. They also would not allow you do go below 100 fsw without a deep diver c-card, which I thought was ridiculous since AOW means you are certified to recreational limits. But the rules in Queensland are very strict.

Sorry about the slight high jack.

When we were there there was a restriction on solo diving-instructors only after yet another briefing. We got the briefing which considering both of us are solo instructors seemed a bit foolish. I think it is this type of insistence on unnecesary briefings that gives Wakatobi some of its negative press. If you can put up with the rigidity you can't help but have a good time. I have a real problem with being told what and when to do things however it didn't really bother me at all.

I think any problems come from something Drew has referred to in the past- selective aplicaation of their rules. Try to stay on Wendy and Marcos good side and by all means avoid the Frenchman-whoever he is.

by all means avoid the Frenchman-whoever he is.

I'm not sure if you're being facetious or not, but many agencies offer a certification for solo diving.

Steve

I'm fascinated, how do they give you training dives if your solo?

 

Steve

I think they make sure you have all the gear you need, throw you in the water, and if you come back in an hour, you get your cert.

SDI offers a solo certification, they are a division of TDI. someplaces require it to dive solo. it requires you to dive with a redundant air supply. (pony bottle, doubles.ect}

Diving "The Blade" alone is worth any hassles. I did not stay at Wakatobi, but was on a liveaboard and that site is fabulous in fish and geology. Have fun!!

OK, I'll be at Wakatobi in less than two months with my fiancee who has never dived Indo waters before. I figured Wakatobi would be a good jumping-off point for her Indo experience, being a novice diver.

I have been reading mucho negative feedback regarding Wakatobi recently....and honestly, I am getting worried. Fortunately, we will be spending some top-side time in Ubud and in the highlands of Sulawesi with the Toraja.

Can anybody lift my dwindling enthusiasm with some positives about Wakatobi? (At this point, even if you have to exaggerate I'll be satisfied eg, the desserts are pretty good, etc...)

 

Thanks...

Just got back from Wakatobi... can't say enough positive about it.

We are mostly liveaboard divers so are pretty spoiled.

Sure, folks can find something to bitch about anywhere but here are the major positive points for me:

1) 70 mins off a boat is plenty. Remember that there are other folks on the boat too

2) The reefs are so healthy it was hard to find a safe "finger spot".

3) The house reef is available from 6AM-10PM

It is nice for photos when the current isn't ripping.

It is a really fun ride when it is!

4) Viz was decent to good

Took only Macro lenses so as not to be disappointed.

5) DMs are great.

If you want to follow, do so... if you want to go off with your buddy you can do that too.

The function of the guide is "critter spotter" not baby sitter.

6) Boat Crews were happy and helpful

Cameras were handled professionally and with great care.

7) Camera room was secure, comfortable and had plenty of space.

8) Diving was on a civilized schedule.

Briefings for the 2 AM dives at 7:40AM and the PM dive at 2:40PM

9) The Jetty Bar was nice, and the booze was not too expensive when you consider that it is a small island.

10) The locals at Wakatobi (and Bali for that matter) were soooo happy to see us.

Not too common nowadays given the shitty U.S. Foreign Policy.

11) Critter life on the reef was pretty good.

12) Few biting bugs

Even the mosquito lure wife unit didn't get too many bites

The bites I got didn't itch much (not at all like the Peruvian mosquitoes)

Don't bother packing gloves as they are not allowed.

Now for the negatives:

1) 110V power is clean but somehow funky.

Batteries took a long time to charge

My Maha charger fully charged batteries only on the refresh cycle, not the charge one.

2) The concept of vegetarian is understood but the variety leaves a bit to be desired

The resort is comprised mostly of Swiss & Germans and veggie isn't a big culture there

It was hard to get a complete protein mix each day but they try to accommodate

If you like Tofu and brown sauce you can have that each day if you like.

Would I go back? Probably so, but there are so many places in the world to explore

Here is one of the shots we took:

For quite some time I've been hearing a few rumours that Wakatobi are indeed becoming more regulated than when I was managed the resort over 6 years ago. Now they have up to 50 divers there at one time so they have to regulate things more to keep it safe for numbers like that.

I managed the resort over 6 years ago now and sadly ended my employ there on very bad terms though no hard feelings or vibes between us now! I can say that anyone who has never been to Indonesia will be blown away with Wakatobi resort and the diving offered there. For those who’ve travelled a lot in Indonesia and dived with a few of the better live aboard operators you may think Wakatobi is not as good!

For quite some time I've been hearing a few rumours that Wakatobi are indeed becoming more regulated than when I was managed the resort over 6 years ago. Now they have up to 50 divers there at one time so they have to regulate things more to keep it safe for numbers like that.

I managed the resort over 6 years ago now and sadly ended my employ there on very bad terms though no hard feelings or vibes between us now! I can say that anyone who has never been to Indonesia will be blown away with Wakatobi resort and the diving offered there. For those who’ve travelled a lot in Indonesia and dived with a few of the better live aboard operators you may think Wakatobi is not as good!

Good to know. I will be at Wakatobi next month...

Damn!!! Just give me your ticket and I will take your spot! Relax, have fun and be glad you can still dive...

jke

I just saw your post, but we had a great time at Wakatobi and found the diving relaxed. They do have rules, but that is because they unfortunately have had some divers that have damaged the reef and they are very protective of it. Sort of like a mother would be of her kid. I wrote a detailed trip report you can find on my website at www.scubarews.com. Just scroll down on the home page for the link. You will love Ubud, but those monkeys are a little aggressive. You must have the crispy Duck!

Don't worry about it, you will have a great time.

Ron