![]() There were numerous challenges in creating what would become a world-class resort in an area so remote: the local people had not seen Europeans since the Dutch left the country, and electricity and running water were still unavailable. It was there, where a palm-fringed beach met a magnificent reef that he knew he’d found the perfect spot. Photo: Walt StearnsĪfter months of trekking through the remote islands and exploring reefs on local fishermen’s boats, Mader came upon a small island corner known to the locals as Onemobaa-the long, white beach. This eventually brought me to the Tukang Besi islands.” Not all the action is under darkness – adult green turtles are regularly encountered on both the House Reef and neighbouring Turkey Beach. In 1994 I began to search Indonesia’s Wallacea region, which is widely known as having the world’s greatest marine biodiversity. He recounts, “My vision was to create a new type of dive resort, far away from tourism hot spots, that would operate in an ecologically responsible manner and bring tangible good to the local community. It was with the arrival of German-Swiss entrepreneur Lorenz Mader that things started to change. Just a few decades ago they had been devastated by local fishermen using dynamite, cyanide, and large nets to fish on these reefs. The corals weren’t always in such prime condition. The coral reefs here are extremely healthy, providing her with the rich array of corals that she needs for her photography. She tells me that this is her fourth trip to Wakatobi. Esther’s comments are reinforced by Barbara Fox, an underwater photographer from Seattle. Esther tells me that this is her second stay at Wakatobi and she now only dives in Indonesia as pristine coral can still be found here. A couple hours after arriving, as I’m suiting up for our first dive, I start chatting with Esther Kiener who comes from Stansstad, Switzerland. We’re an adventurous group of travellers with diverse backgrounds. Our group of approximately thirty divers hail from North America, Europe, and Australia. ![]() It’s been an enjoyable flight as Wakatobi’s concierge staff of thirty in Bali makes the transfer to this flight seamless, plus the view of the region’s coral reefs from the air is stunning. Located off South East Sulawesi in the remote Tukang Besi island chain, Wakatobi is a mere 2½ hour flight from Bali on the resort’s chartered plane. So based on a friend’s recommendation, I decided to trek half way around the world to Wakatobi Dive Resort in central Indonesia, where the coral reefs are healthy and the surrounding environs serene. With the planet’s coral reefs dying off due to human activities and few healthy reefs left to dive on in the Caribbean region, divers have to travel further afield to find healthy coral ecosystems. Finding what reacts under fluoro lights offers a new aspect to exploring underwater! Photo: Wayne MacWilliams Some mantis shrimp will fluoresce and some will not. Nighttime fluoro diving offers an entirely new perspective to the stunningly beautiful and pristine reefs of the famous Coral Triangle Mantis Shrimp lays in wait.
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