22 Te Travel Guide Worldwide Travel


Promotional Content • Saturday 13 May 2023


Calm clear waters, colourful reefs rich in life, easy access, attentive guides, and a magnificent setting.


For these reasons and more, Wakatobi is recognized as one of the finest snorkelling destinations in the world. PHOTOGRAPH: WAKATOBI RESORT


At Wakatobi, many of the reef crests rise to within a few feet of the surface, with outer flanks


that drop into the depths, putting snorkellers in a lively zone where reef and open water fish mingle. PHOTOGRAPH: WAKATOBI RESORT


tees of the sport look to a small island in central Indonesia. Tis is the loca- tion of a site known as the House Reef, which repeatedly earns accolades as the world’s best shallow-water diving and snorkelling venue. Te House Reef sits in the heart of


The world’s best snorkelling W


hen snorkelling escalates from a vacation pastime to a genuine passion, devo-


Te site is located directly in front


of Wakatobi Resort, which is a widely known in diving and snorkelling circles as a bucket-list destination. Most recently, two popular publica- tions, Snorkelling Report and Resort Snorkeller, have named Wakatobi as a World’s Top Snorkelling Destination. Resort guests can access the House


the Coral Triangle, the region with the planet’s highest levels of marine biodiversity. It stretches for more than a mile along a pristine shoreline, and harbours several thousand species of tropical fish and unique marine invertebrates. Waters are consistently clear and calm, and ample tropical sunshine illuminates brightly-hued corals that sit just a meter or two beneath the surface.


Reef day or night by wading in from the white-sand beach or descending water-level steps on the resort’s jetty. Shore-based guides keep watch over snorkellers until 10pm, and Wakatobi operates taxi boats that ferry snor- kellers to more distant areas of the reef. Guests have been known to devote entire weeks to exploring this site, but it is actually just one of many excellent snorkelling sites available in the area.


Wakatobi welcomes snorkellers


aboard their custom dive boats that visit more than 40 world-class sites. Tis is a particularly attractive option for couples when one partner does not dive, and families who can share underwater adventures that allow the snorkellers to enjoy shallow reefs set


against dramatic underwater


drop-offs that delight the divers in the group. Te resort’s in-water guides and


support staff are always close at hand to ensure guest comfort and safety. First-time snorkellers are provided with extra assistance and can perfect their water skills under the tutelage of professionally-certified


instructors,


who can also introduce novices to the skills of scuba diving. Wakatobi is a favourite with


underwater photography buffs like Pam and Wayne Osborn, who visit several times a year from Australia. Wayne enjoys capturing rare creatures while scuba diving. Pam spends her days on the House Reef with camera


in hand. Pam


estimates she has spent more than 100 hours snorkelling at this site and has published a portfolio of her Wakatobi House Reef images. After a day of diving or snorkelling,


guests can enjoy the relaxations and indulgences of an idyllic boutique resort where waterfront villas and private beach bungalows are set in an oceanfront palm grove. Wakatobi is known for delivering five-star service and creating gourmet dining experiences. And while the setting is remote, it is easily reached by way of


private guest flights from Bali to their own airstrip. For all these reasons and more,


Wakatobi Resort and it’s House Reef sit at the top of the bucket list for dedi- cated snorkellers around the world.


Contact Robert Parrington, Guest Experience Consultant on T: +44 7850 655747 E: robert.parrington@wakatobi.com wakatobi.com


At sites like the Zoo, the shallow parts of the reef is rich in fish life and shelters


For snorkellers at Wakatobi, the show starts just meters from your bungalow or villa. PHOTOGRAPH: WAKATOBI RESORT


numerous creatures for snorkellers to find. The site is ideal for both snorkellers and divers. PHOTOGRAPH: MATHIS WEATHERALL


Sea turtle hatchlings often enjoy the tasty seagrasses readily


available on the House Reef in front of Wakatobi Resort. PHOTOGRAPH: WAKATOBI RESORT


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