Dive Wakatobi #2: Food

Eat. Sleep. Dive. This dive-trip mantra holds true at Wakatobi Dive Resort, a luxury eco-resort located on a small island in the Banda Sea southeast of Sulawesi, Indonesia.

It's 6:30 a.m. and time for breakfast. I leave my bungalow and walk the quite shell-lined sandy path to the resort's open-air restaurant. As I walk up the steps I am greeted by name by staff and am escorted to a table. Within moments, my usual order of hot ginger tea has arrived at the table. The meals at Wakatobi Dive Resort, although technically considered buffet in that guests help themselves, are not set up in the typical buffet style of lukewarm food in large, ugly, tin chafing dishes.  This buffet is set out elegantly with attractively plated dishes appetizers, colorful ceramic bowls for the entrees where the Bunsen burner is hidden, individually decorated desserts, and other food items on lovely platters and bowls.  

The food options are plentiful! Breakfast options include homemade granola, fresh fruit, yogurt, eggs to order, bacon or sausage (including turkey sausage), French toast/waffles/pancakes, freshly squeezed juice, homemade pastries, and more.

After the first dive we have snacks on board the dive boat that include muffins, cookies, fruit, fresh coconut, and slider-sized sandwiches along with hot and cold drinks. After the second morning dive we head back to the resort for a hot lunch.

Ayo makan! Bahasa (the local language) for “let's eat.”

I am starving after my second 70-minute dive of the day as I walk to the restaurant for the second time today. Today, the lunch menu consists of vegetable pakoras, wahoo ceviche, and mini chicken wraps for the appetizers. The entree options were sweet and sour fish, beef rouladen, rice, pasta, two hot vegetable dishes, two soup options (one hot and one cold), along with a salad bar and bread. Don't forget dessert! Three plated desserts (i.e., chocolate ganouche cake, key lime tarts, or similar) are offered each lunch in addition to fresh fruit, ice cream, and sorbet. I could have imbibed in every dish offered, however, there is a wetsuit hanging up on the boat that I will still need to fit in at the end of the week.

In the late afternoon, following the third dive of the day, appetizers are served in the Longhouse – the Resort's equivalent of a reception area –­ or on the jetty bar and typically consists of fresh fruit, pastries, prawn chips, and something akin to fried wontons or spring rolls along with drinks while sharing stories of the day's dives. 

Dinner is similar to lunch with the addition of a carving station of roasted chicken breasts, beef, or lamb and more appetizer and dessert options.

All food items are freshly made at the resort, including the bread, pastries, salad dressings, ice cream, sorbet, and desserts. And all are delicious!

Terima kasih (thank-you in Bahasa) to the chefs at Wakatobi Dive Resort! You make our bellies happy so that we can enjoy the diving.

If you would like more information on Wakatobi Dive Resort please contact Outdoor Travel Adventures at 800-554-9059 / info@otadventures.com.