38 replies to this topic

[WreckWench]

Welcome Henrik to our diving community! I've known Henrik for several years now and from the moment I met him, I knew I wanted to dive Wakatobi! The only thing that could possibly surpass Wakatobi would be a live aboard that visited even more remote and pristine places. Now that the Pelagian is a dive yacht, both dreams have now come true!

Wakatobi Dive Resort is situated on the beautiful tropical island of Onemobaa in the remote and peaceful Wakatobi archipelago in the Banda Sea. Wakatobi Dive Resort offers what may very well be the best reef diving in the world. Our knowledgeable and friendly staff take great care of you and your friends, our chefs create tasty meals, and our bungalows are extremely comfortable. However, what makes this resort so unique is the extent to which it envelops the surrounding area into a sustainable marine protected area. Please take a moment to learn more about our site and ask us questions which we will answer as timely as we can!

For the ultimate in liveaboard diving, you must try The Pelagian Dive Yacht! The world-renowned Pelagian yacht is now under Wakatobi ownership and management. With its many years of stellar performance around the world this newly renovated luxury vessel now offers two prime diving areas in Indonesia: the very popular Wakatobi region as well as the true and tested Komodo Marine Park.

Pelagian's new home means offering new and exciting diving opportunities in the extended Wakatobi region, the Banda Sea and Komodo. The much-researched Wakatobi area is home to some of the most prolific coral reefs in all of Indonesia and the Komodo park offers abundant marine life, dangerous dragons and more...

The Pelagian is now able to offer these exciting cruises, giving divers a rare opportunity to experience an incredible diversity of marine life not often seen because of the location's remote nature and difficult travel logistics. If you want days on end of incredible reefs with an abundance of unique critters -- all while cruising, dining and lounging in total comfort, the Pelagian is your choice.

Adding to the allure of these two destinations are key aspects like direct access through Wakatobi's exclusive air charter service, gourmet cuisine, very experienced dive guides, marine conservation participation and the possibility to combine a cruise with a reduced-rate stay in Wakatobi Dive Resort.

We are proud to offer air, accommodations and diving both to Wakatobi and on the Pelagian! Please let us know when we can book a trip for you! AND please let Henrik and his team know if you have any comments about previous travel to his resort and liveaboard or would like to know something that the website does not cover!

And please give a warm welcome to our newest partner...Wakatobi Resort and the Pelagian Dive Yacht!

[fbp]

Put me on the list.
Not sure which posting is the one to show an interest in... so posting to both... (main post is on the other one)
thanx...

[Latitude Adjustment]

ScubaDiving magazine did a neat story a few years ago about the construction of Wakatobi resort and how the property line had to be drawn with rocks, then the locals would move the rocks to settle property disputes and to include or exclude trees and of course in the islands these things take time. It's definetly on my wish list.

Edited by Latitude Adjustment, 27 May 2006 - 05:57 AM.

[rkymtwy]

If you are building an interested list, add my name, also the yacht looks incredible!

[Capn Jack]

Sounds awesome. What you need is a scout willing to take one for the team and go there to make sure it's ok for the rest of SD. If everyone on SD sends me $2, I would be willing to make the sacrifice.

On a serious note - Cathay Pacific runs specials we might be able to take advantage of - for example:

From: Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York (JFK)

To: Hong Kong, Bangkok, Singapore, Jakarta, or Bali

Fare: Visit Hong Kong for $699* from Los Angeles and San Francisco or $799* from New York (JFK) for transpacific Economy Class roundtrip flights (plus taxes). And for $24 more, you can choose to see Bali, Bangkok, Jakarta, or Singapore!

Travel Dates: Depart between September 1 through September 30, 2006 from the U.S. Maximum stay 30 days.

Available For Purchase: May 1, 2006 through May 31, 2006 (or until deemed sold out).

[Travelgal]

I also posted on the other link but wanted to let you know this looks great to me and even tho I am doing Wakatobi this summer I would still be very interested in doing this with the Pelagian Yacht at a later time. I doubt I could do it in the fall but maybe the spring or summer next year........Put me on the interested list for sure! Let us all know what dates you are looking at! I am going to be there this summer July 29-August 13.

[waterphoto]

If you are putting together a group, put me on the list.

Thanks

Cindy

[WreckWench]

Great gang! We are looking to partner with Wakatobi on a number of levels. We will be able to book anyone into the resort or on the liveaboard. We will be looking at doing a group trip and we hope to do some innovative partnering ideas with Henrik and his team! He is excited aboiut working with us and will be joining this forum shortly! (We are getting pictures posted...WAIT TIL YOU SEE THEM!!!) And then Henrik will be available to answer any specific questions that our members might have.

If anyone has dove Wakatobi PLEASE let us know. We are looking for some testamonials to be shared on both sites!

Thank you, -ww

[nextariel]

If you are planning on this as a trip I would be very interested. The air looks to be cheaper than to Australia. I want to dive somewhere great in the Pacific.

[Travelnsj]

Well...can I go in September? Does not look like East Timor is the most welcoming country right now...can I go from Bali to Sulawesi then direct to Singapore...I think I will book this!...I'll probably live longer.....Kim or Kamala get back to me ASAP as I need to change my East Timor flights from Bali.

Edited by Travelnsj, 27 May 2006 - 07:33 PM.

[AliKat]

Have you checked the State Dept page for this area?

[Travelnsj]

Have you checked the State Dept page for this area?

Oh...YES...Their staff is leaving now and so is everybody else.....The State Department WARNING...was get out of there today.... ...I really wanted to dive in Timor

But the Aussies have landed and the UN...is sending back the peacekeepers!

Edited by Travelnsj, 27 May 2006 - 08:52 PM.

[AliKat]

I meant for the Wakatobi area - there is a long standing travel warning out for this area as well.

[Travelnsj]

I meant for the Wakatobi area - there is a long standing travel warning out for this area as well.

I am really not toooo worried about Wakatobi. The warning is about the same today as the post 911 warnings...they say to be careful and update about the terrorist bombings and state certain areas to especially avoid and in general... suggest no Americans travel to that part of the World since 911...I refuse to live in fear!!...and the Muslim countries I have traveled to have Zero tolerance for any type of crime....Terrorists can strike anywhere as we learned! Currently I do not think there are many places in the world other than England and Australia that there is not some type of State department warning.

When I was in Borneo in 2004 they warned about the Abu Sayyaf group from the Philippines as there had been a kidnapping at Sipadan and beheading (where I was staying) of an American who lived in my neighborhood (Palm Desert) a couple of years before...No worries in Sipadan..I never felt safer!...I'm assured you are a lot safer in Wakatobi then certain parts of LA, Miami, Houston, New York, Atlanta etc.

Timor is a different situation they are rioting and killing right now as the UN peacekeepers and Aussies pulled out..now they are headed back in....If it does not calm down...in the next month or so...

Wakatobi....here I come.....Kim or Kamala...Talk to me...looks like a great resort and I pulled up Chinacats 2004 report....great diving....smaller stuff than I like but I will endeavor to pursue

Edited by Travelnsj, 28 May 2006 - 12:55 PM.

[waterphoto]

I meant for the Wakatobi area - there is a long standing travel warning out for this area as well.

I am really not too worried about Wakatobi. The warning is about the same today as the post 911 warnings….they say to be careful and update about the terrorist bombings and state certain areas to especially avoid and in general…. suggest no Americans travel to that part of the World since 911….I refuse to live in fear…and the Muslim countries I have traveled to have Zero tolerance for any type of crime....Terrorists can strike anywhere as we learned! Currently I do not think there are many places in the world other than England and Australia that there is not some type of State department warning.

When I was in Borneo in 2004 they warned about the Abu Sayyaf group from the Philippines as there had been a kidnapping at Sipadan and beheading (where I was staying) of an American who lived in my neighborhood (Palm Desert) a couple of years before….No worries in Sipadan…I never felt safer!….I’m assured you are safer in Wakatobi then certain parts of LA, Miami, Houston, New York, Atlanta etc.

Timor is a different situation they are rioting and killing right now as the UN peacekeepers and Aussies pulled out…now they are headed back in….If it does not calm down…in the next month or so….

Wakatobi….here I come.....Kim or Kamala...Talk to me...looks like a great resort and I pulled up Chinacats 2004 report....great diving....smaller stuff than I like but I will endeavor to pursue

You are right on here. I left for Borneo the day after the war broke out and had no problems. My family was freaking out, but unless the govt grounded my flight, I was going. And, I was supposed to go with a group to Wakatobi a few years ago, but had to cancel at the last minute due to work. They went and had zero problems. Another friend and his wife went a few months ago and they came back alive, tanned, and very happy. I'm with you on this...Wakatobi here we come!