In the middle of Indonesia’s Sulawesi, lies the Togian (Togean) Islands. Amongst these islands, far from civilization and the troubles of city life, is one in particular, tucked away and accessible only by boat. Neither cars nor motorbikes exist here and mobile phones don’t ring. This hidden treasure is Walea Dive Resort.
A 1.5 hour flight from Manado and about the same length boat ride, is how you would access this remote resort in the Togean Islands, self described as located at the end of the earth.
Diving the Togian (Togean) Islands
The Togian Islands is the only dive destination in Indonesia, and one of few places in the world, to offer coral atolls, fringing reefs, barrier reef and artificial reefs in the form of wreck diving, all in one location.
The diving riches in the Togian Islands make most other diving destinations green with envy. Coral gardens, reef slopes, walls and deep water are all easily accessible. The isolated Togian Islands receive very few visitors, with a strict limit placed on the Walea Protected Area specifically, it means the reefs are in exceptional condition, and have terrific diversity.
All this splendour is nestled in the protective cradle of Tomini Bay, nearly completely surrounded by the arms of central and north Sulawesi and reputedly the calmest deep water bay in the world.
Walea Protected Area
Walea Dive Resort, nestled on 1 of the 56 Togean Islands, is as integrated with the island as you can get without having to sleep in the trees. It was designed from the ground up by the proprietors who have gone to great lengths to preserve the ecology, both on the island and in the surrounding ocean, with minimal impact on the environment.
So much so that Walea Dive Resort is the sole tourist organisation in control of the management of the Walea Protected Area, a 200km2 swathe of ocean surrounding their island of Waleabahi.
Black-water management systems, designed so there is no run-off into the ocean, ensures the quality of diving in the surrounding waters remain unpolluted and pristine as nature intended.
The Walea Dive Centre takes care of everything diving on the island and is the only PADI 5-star Dive Centre in all of Central Sulawesi. As such, it can facilitate any PADI course from Open Water to Dive Master.
The dive centre is fully equipped for your Togian Island diving adventures, including aluminum tanks with international fittings. 4 fiber-glass boats with powerful engines, make short journeys between dive spots and the resort, with experienced and knowledgeable diving staff at the helm.
Walea Dive Resort Accommodation
As with everything else on the island, Walea Dive Resort’s accommodation was also built with considerable thought and is built from virtually all natural woods and stone.
The intimate resort provides 14 beach-front double/triple bungalows. Accommodations save on energy intensive air-conditioning by an innovative double wall and ceiling design that ensures it remains cool even in the heat of the day. Solar heating provides hot water for the showers in the en-suite bathrooms.
Creature comforts have not been left in the lurch. Sun beds, bath and beach towels and even hair dryers, as well as fragrant shampoo, conditioner, body wash and lotions are amenities you can expect in your bungalow.
Walea Dive Resort Packages
Below is the standard 7-day package, which also comes in 9, 12 and 14 day flavours.
7 Nights, 16 Dives
Double/Triple Bungalow: € 1,213 per person sharing
Includes: Twin/triple share sea view cottage accommodation, set of beach & bathroom towels, breakfast, lunch, dinner and mid-morning and afternoon snack, mineral water, coffee, tea, access to Aria Spa, access to hydrotherapy pool, 3 dives per day (2x boat, 1x jetty), last day 1 dive and excursion, dive tanks, belt and weights, return Air Merpati flight from Manado – Luwuk, 10kg of check-in baggage, 1 carry-on up to 10kgs, baggage porter and assistance at Luwuk airport, return transfer from Luwuk Airport to Pagimana harbour, return transfer from Pagimana to Walea Resort (400 hp, 12m fibreglass boat)
Excludes: luggage charges for over 10kgs (up to 20kgs allowed, €0.90 / kg over 10kg), airport taxes and porter at Manado airport, Indonesian visa charges, night dives, additional island excursions, dive equipment rental, soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, BBQ lobsters, Falling Stars dinner, satellite phone and Internet, massages, laundry, services, US$35 Marine Park Admission fee to be paid on the island
Surcharges Note: €50 fee per way applies in case you are the only person traveling from Luwuk Airport to the island (this is quite rare though, check at the time of booking), €35 fee applies for stays less than 7 nights, €50 per day for single accommodation, €35 per day high season surcharge from 1 – 31 August.
How to Get to Walea Dive Resort
Walea Resort is situated on Waleabahi, which is part of the Togian Islands located not too far from Manado.
Fly to Manado (a Silk Air flight from Singapore on a Monday & Saturday will give you a direct, onward connection on Air Merpati);
From Manado, especially for Walea’s guests, Air Merpati connects to Luwuk;
Transfer by car from Luwuk Airport to Pagimana harbour (1.5 hours);
Transfer from Pagimana harbour to Walea island by speedboat (1.2 hours);
Arrive in your Togian Island paradise;
Escape to Walea Paradise
To try something extraordinary and unique for your next diving holiday, consider the slice of paradise that is the Walea Dive Resort. Exquisite island life peppered with exclusive, uncrowded and undisturbed diving.
Go on, choose somewhere different. Choose the Togean Islands. Call Dive The World on +66 (0)94 582 7973 / (0)83 505 7794 or you could send us an email.