Eco Dive Resort Alycastre

We spent five nights at Alycastre Exo Dive resort, and Verginie and Anthone made us feel welcome from the first day. The room had a lovely view and was right by the beach. Every meal was freshly prepared and really delicious. Most of the dive sites are clear-water wall dives, with little current, so they suit divers at different levels.

Before our liveaboard trip, we spent two nights here. The reefs were beautiful, and we saw lots of different marine life while diving. Virginie, the owner, took great care of us, making sure we had good food and everything we needed. My friends also spotted plenty of sharks and an eagle ray while snorkeling right in front of the resort. The attention to detail was impressive.

We can't wait to return. Alycastre is an unforgettable place, though getting there takes quite a trip. Once you arrive, the beauty, elegance, and incredible diving make it hard to leave. Virginie, the owner, has such a distinctive personality. Everything at the resort feels carefully thought through while still being discreet, and the food is fresh, creative, and fun.

We spent 11 nights at Alycastre Resort, and saying goodbye brought tears. The owners, Virginie and Anthon, welcomed us so warmly that we felt like part of their extended family. That personal hospitality, along with the secluded setting and the care they put into the resort, made the stay memorable. Our Jogglo was a spacious, intricately designed reconstructed Javanese wooden house, with a peaceful lagoon view. The restaurant is an impressive Balinese bamboo building with high ceilings, and we loved the relaxed feeling of not needing to lock our doors. The resort offers comfort and amenities in a genuinely off-the-beaten-track location on Pemana Island in Maumere Bay. The food was a treat throughout. Virginie, a former Parisian restaurant owner, serves fresh local ingredients, including grouper, snapper, tuna, squid, and lobster. Each meal was full of regional flavor and fresh catches. Anthon is a knowledgeable, experienced guide. Our dives brought sightings of white tip and black tip sharks, along with plenty of small creatures like crabs, nudibranchs, and shrimp. He discovered and charted the resort's dive sites, so they felt peaceful and secluded, with no crowds of divers. The house reef is in good condition too, and we saw reef mantas, turtles, and sharks while snorkeling. Reaching the drop-off from shore may suit strong swimmers better, but kayaks are available if you don't want to swim that distance. Alycastre is a special place for diving or simply enjoying a quiet slice of paradise. Thank you, Virginie and Anthon, for such a wonderful stay.