Wakatobi Dive Resort (Indonesia)

This dive resort is not only luxurious, but it’s eco-friendly too. It is located in remote Southeast Sulawesi, on Pulau Tolandono. This resort and the surrounding areas form a sustainable marine protected area.

Wakatobi’s beauutiful Ocean Bungalows

This resort offers three types of accommodation, although all fall easily under the umbrella of luxury. All guests have access to the lounge house which, in addition to the usual resort facilities, includes a dive centre, equipment rental room, and even a marine life reference library.

The diving here is arguably some of the best in the world. The “house reef” is located just off the shore in front of the resort. This reef features six different dive sites, all of which are easily accessible from the shore. It’s a case of simply gear up and go! If you fancy a boat dive, then there are 40 dive sites in the local region from which to choose.

Under water world of Wakatobi

After you’ve worked up an appetite exploring the waters around Tolandono, you can indulge yourself in the gourmet cuisine on offer. But that’s not where the indulgence ends.

Wakatobi Dive Resort also has a luxurious spa offering a comprehensive range of massage and beauty treatments. You can opt for a tailor-made treatment or experience the local Balinese Massage. There’s nothing quite like pampering to rejuvenate body, mind and soul.

Atmosphere Resort & Spa (The Philippines)

The Atmosphere Resort & Spa is located in Dauin, south of Dumaguete. Guests are spoilt at this beautiful resort that is on a black sand beach, directly across from Apo Island.

Apo Island Sanctuary – diving not to be missed!

Amongst the tropical garden are luxurious apartments, suites, and penthouses. The resort focuses on wellness and offers cuisine that is centered on clean health living. It’s a great way to detox your body and mind. An extensive pool area in the gardens offers fantastic views on the sea. You would be hard pressed to find a more idyllic meeting place for divers.

One of their dive boats

Although you wouldn’t want to miss the small house reef located directly in front of the resort, divers are spoilt for choice with an amazing 30 dive sites, all located 2 to 15 minutes from the dive shop. The PADI dive center is amazingly well equipped. In addition to a shop and storage facilities, divers are also able to charge their batteries and computers in a separate camera room. And as if that wasn’t enough, there is another room that is dedicated solely to photo and video editing. Paradise.

Diving and Yoga are a great match

And as for the luxurious Sanctuary Spa, that’s another slice of paradise you’ll have to experience to believe. In addition to pampering spa treatments, you can also attend yoga classes at the spa for a holistic approach to health and wellness. We offer various packages combining Yoga and diving. A package combining Diving and 3 days mini Yoga retreat for example or:  Package with 2 dives & 1 Yoga class daily.  Just inquire for details.

Gangga Island Resort & Spa (Indonesia)

Gangga’s beautiful Spa with sea views

Gangga Island is located in North Sulawesi. Picture it: white beaches, coconut trees, and luxurious wooden bungalows. With just 15 bungalows, this resort offers both privacy and exclusivity. This is how to dive in luxury.

The resort’s PADI Dive Centre is fully equipped to meet your every need. Their facilities include custom built wooden dive boats made specifically for diving. And you’ll want to jump on board: there are more than 30 superb dive sites located around the island.

Photo by Peter Lange

After sampling fresh cuisine at the resort’s restaurant, you can take a plunge in the saltwater infinity pool or work on your tan on one of the loungers. For the ultimate in indulgent relaxation there is Pasung Spa. Opt for a Gangga treatment that utilizes local knowledge and techniques.   Enjoy reflexology or aroma therapy treatments and more. You will leave Pasung Spa feeling refreshed.

It’s time to start planning your holiday! The best scuba sites are often in far-flung places, but luckily that doesn’t mean you have to compromise on luxury. Enjoy a world of indulgence and pampering at any of these three fabulous resorts.

About the author: Torben Lonne is a top skilled PADI MSDT instructor. He has worked several years with scuba diving in Indonesia and Thailand – and dived most of his life. He is also the co-founder and chief-editor of DIVEIN.com.

Yoga class at the Treehouse

Yoga is becoming more mainstream every year as the ancient Indian skill is being adapted to the needs of us westerners. One of Yoga’s main teachings is breath control – which makes it a very logical step that divers find a great deal of benefits. Increasing your physical fitness is one way to get more out of every breath, but even fit divers can find themselves breathing too fast or too shallow from the stress of diving and that’s where Yoga comes in. Like scuba, yoga places emphasis on proper breathing. Deep, slow yogic breathing teaches us how to calm the mind and breathe more efficiently. Yoga also
strengthens and stretches muscles that are important in diving, looking at the total package, Yoga helps to increase your quality time
under water being super relaxed when enjoying the marine life on your next dive. If you have never tried Yoga before – this is your chance.

Atmosphere Resort on the south-eastern tip of Negros in the Philippines has embraced yoga and diving. The resort is located in a beautiful tropical garden, directly on the beach opposite Apo Island. It offers guests a magnificent view of the sea and access to some of the Philippines’ best dive sites close by and around Apo Island.

Atmosphere’s beautiful Infinity Pool

There are around 30 dive sites on the Dauin coast, all 2-15 minutes from the resort’s dive shop. Highlights are the dive sites around Apo Island with intact coral formations and varied diving in shallow coral gardens and beautifully vegetated walls. Interesting underwater landscapes with sea fans, soft corals and feather stars offer a home for many colourful nudibranchs, moray eels, frog fish, seahorses, clown fish and sea snakes. About 450 different species of hard and soft coral have been found here. Atmosphere travels to Apo almost daily.

In addition to the regular diving schedule, yoga classes are offered

The car wreck an awesome critter dive!

twice daily on the spectacular treetop platform.
However, it does not have to be an addition to your holiday, but the goal of your stay.   This year, the spa manager and yoga teacher Rae has organized a yoga retreat for 6-13 September 2015. Guests can chose a 3 or a 6 day retreat and enjoy yoga & meditation classes, presentations, a complete vegetarian heath menu and many other things. Combine the retreat with a of week diving and have the perfect holiday! Great for  for families and diver and non-diver couples. Contact us for more details!

Where:         Southern Visayas, Philippines
What:            Liveaboard Cruise
When:            11^th to 18^th August 2012

Dive into Yourself – Yoga & Scuba
Join Yoga instructor Teresa Herrera for a specialist yoga and scuba diving liveaboard trip in the Southern Visayas, Philippines.
Spend 7 nights aboard on the classic and luxury Pinisi SY Philippine Siren in large and comfortable air-conditioned twin/double cabins with private bathroom. Enjoy the regions’ best diving, snorkelling and sea kayaking whilst practicing yoga, relaxation and meditation, enjoy healthy food and massages.

Liveaboard Diving and Yoga in the Philippines

The Philippine Siren offers a full program of diving or snorkelling with up to 4 dives offered per day including night dives. Trips depart from Cebu and the yacht will cruise first to Cabilao then onwards to Balicasag & Alona Beach, Moalboal & Pescador Island before culminating at Dauin on Negros Island. See the world’s biggest anchovies school, swim with turtles and thresher sharks, be amazed by the beauty and diversity of Philippines best reefs! The many islands give a tranquil setting for yogis to enjoy the most of this relaxing experience.
Each day will begin with a meditation & relaxation session followed by Prana Vinyasa Flow Yoga led by Teresa on the sun deck of the SY Philippine Siren. In the late afternoon or during sunset Teresa will lead a further Prana Vinyasa Flow Yoga session aboard the yacht or at a suitable beach location. This holiday is true relaxation! Rejuvenate your body and mind and indulge in the natural wonders of the tropical reefs of the Philippines!

        Teresa Herrera
Prana Vinyasa Flow is an
energetic, creative,
full-spectrum approach
to embodying the flow
of yoga. Through
balanced and creative
sequences, students learn
classical and innovative
approaches to Vinyasa
Yoga.
Teresa’s intuitive and fluid
teaching style nurtures each student as they explore their bodies on the path of yoga. Teresa has studied under the generous guidance of her teacher, Shiva Rea M.A. and learned with Chuck Miller, Maty Ezraty, Bryan Kest, Gurmukh.

What do I get? 

• 7 night excursion with the Philippine Siren from to Cebu incl airport transfers
• accommodation in a double/twin share ensuite cabin
• All refreshments such as herbal tea, cocoa, fresh water, fruit juice, coffee, tea, soft drinks and beer, fresh fruit and all delicious meals and snacks – special dietary requirements catered for
• Sunrise meditation session with Teresa
• Snorkelling & Sea kayaking
• on diving days up to 3-4 dives with all essential dive equipment provided
• Daily Prana Vinyasa Flow Yoga with Teresa – this session will either be onboard or at a beach location
• massage service available for only AU$ 20 per 1 hour session.

Price per person only: AU$ 2499.00* 

Not included:  Flights to the Philippines, travel insurance, items of personal nature
* Price is subject to currency fluctuation and may change.

 Is this for me?

• Trip is open to divers and non-divers alike with all levels of yoga training and experience. Teresa will be on hand to assist you and work to individual needs.
• Single travellers can share a twin cabin (same sex) for same cost.

 Contact DIVERSION DIVE TRAVEL  today for more information and booking:
 1800 607 913 (in Australia)    or email: info@diversiondivetravel.com.au
Cannot make it in August 2012? Please email us for other trip dates!