I just spent 18 days at Wakatobi Dive Resort with family and friends.
We flew into Bali Denpasar airport. It's a pretty long haul from the US. You can go through Korea, Hongkong, Singapore, and even Doha to get here. DL, Cathay Pacific, Korean Air, and a few others have regular flights. Prices range from about $1800-$2200 Coach and you can get business class starting around $3500 if you buy your ticket early. Once you arrive in Denpasar, you are required to have an overnight stay arriving the day before the Monday or Friday private charter to Wakatobi. I decided on the Discovery Hotel in Bali. It's on the beach, has a big pool and great food, walking distance to shops and very kid friendly. It's about 15min from the airport.
Wakatobi has a meet and greet service that's very convenient and makes arriving and departing hassle free. We were met inside the baggage claim and received help with our bags, walked through an easy customs and immigration and into a private car to our hotel. The next morning after breakfast around 6:30 we were promptly picked up and taken to a private gate, with easy check in by Wakatobi representatives and then departed on time at 9:30 am for Wakatobi.
This flight is mostly on time but can have delays due to rain storms that move around the islands. This has happened to us twice. We had to stop in one of the other islands to allow storms to pass. So what is a standard 2.5-hour flight can turn into a much longer adventure. Safety comes first, so when that occurs be glad they have your safety as first priority. I recommend packing a small overnight back with several days of clothes for your travel to and from Indonesia.
Once you land in Tomia, you are then taken by a 15 min boat ride over to Wakatobi Dive Resort. The resort as Villas, Bungalows and Palm rooms. They are all very different in price. Wakatobi, in my opinion, is a 3 Diamond resort. The Villas come with private butler and pools, and they are extremely spacious without door showers, the Ocean Bungalows are sitting right on the beach. The best Ocean Bungalows are 1-4 as they are sitting on the sandy beach, while the others have a sea wall that does not have a beach but are right on the water's edge. Villa 3 is the only villa without a pool, Villa 4 has the smallest pool, and Villa 1 & 2 are two bedroom villas with large pools.
The palm bungalows are just about 20ft behind the Ocean Bungalows. #10 and #11 are larger and have ocean views and steps from the beach. The others are scattered around the island with hammocks and tropical plants. They are a similar size to the Ocean bungalows and in my opinion the best value if you don't mind not being on the beach.
The food is incredible. The chef caters to any dietary needs and that's remarkable considering the remoteness of this island. The chef provided Vegan, Vegetarian, Glutin Free menus as well as took care of the families with nut allergies. We were provided almond milk, soy milk and made from scratch peanut butter. There is a smoothie bar with fresh fruits, gormet omlets and made to order anything you like.
Activities other than the most incredible diving, is paddle boarding, yoga, snorkeling, knee boarding, Kite boarding, wake boarding, volley ball, soccer with the staff, bird watching, island tour, village tours and culinary classes.
Kids are very welcome here and it was the perfect place for Kids Sea Camp. Kids were scuba diving on their own boat with their own private instructors. Each day was filled with fun organized activities and marine life presentations and photo classes for the kids. Kids Sea Camp is 2 weeks each year and the best time to bring families.
Wakatobi Indonesia is a long way to travel, but well worth it. The diving conditions are easy and relaxing. The reefs are pristine with some of the best macro life to be seen any place on earth. Wakatobi is also a tech facility and can cater to rebreathers and mixed gas diving. Freediving is also a sport that can be done as well.
I highly recommend Wakatobi for family and enjoyed my experience to near perfection.