Come dive in the Alor archipelago, a hidden gem in Indonesia. Though it is less explored, Alor’s underwater world is just as beautiful and pristine as those of Bali and Raja Ampat, one of the most popular dive destinations in Indonesia.
Nestled in the Eastern Nusa Tenggara, Alor, and its nearby Pantar Strait, are the perfect places for adventurous divers who are looking for unspoiled marine biodiversity and vibrant underwater scenery. This region quite literally offers everything for all divers, from muck diving sites filled with macro critters, to drift dives that’ll bring you face-to-face with pelagic life, including whales and dolphins.
Eager to explore more of Alor? This guide to diving in Alor will take you through everything you know about this fascinating region, from the best dive sites in Alor to the ideal time to visit. Check it out!
Best Alor Dive Sites
1. Pantar Strait
One of the best scuba dive sites in Alor is the Pantar Strait. Here, divers can find various large pelagic species like barracuda, sharks, Napoleon wrasse, and bumphead parrotfish. If you like macro critters and muck diving, you can also encounter rare critters like rhinopias, bobtail squid, strawberry nudibranch, coconut octopus, and giant frogfish.
Pantar Strait is home to some of the healthiest coral reefs in Indonesia, and you can easily find hard and soft corals, sponges, and vibrant sea fans teeming with a variety of marine animals. The strait also has strong currents, which makes it perfect for drift diving!
2. Kalabahi Bay
Known for being one of the best muck diving destinations, Kalabahi Bay is a haven for underwater photographers! The bay’s silty bottom makes it the perfect environment for rare and fascinating small critters to thrive. For example, you can find Weedy Scorpionfishes, Bargibanti pygmy seahorse, coleman shrimp, as well as blue-ringed and wonderpus octopus.
3. Kal’s Dream
Kal’s Dream, also known as ‘Batu Mandi’ (showering stone) among locals, is a dive site featuring a pinnacle that appears during a low tide. During this time, the coming waves would cause the water to drip down from the top of the pinnacle, creating a beautiful sight.
Under the water, the pinnacle is covered with vibrant soft corals teeming with reef fish. Dive deeper and you’ll find other sea animals, like sharks, rays, surgeonfish, tuna, and trevally. Sometimes, the rare mola mola would make a surprise appearance, along with a school of hammerheads.
4. Bama Wall
Also known as Dinding Bama or The Great Wall of Pantar, the Bama Wall features a steep drop off on Pantar Island, just opposite Alor. The Bama Wall is arguably one of the best dive spots in the region, thanks to its location and the currents which attracted abundant marine life.
Reaching 40 meters deep into the ocean, the Bama Wall is covered in hard and soft corals rich in both colours and life. You’ll find schools of snappers floating around, along with barracuda, Napoleon wrasse, and bumphead parrotfish. If you peer closer, you’ll find various critters, like the rare Bargibanti pygmy seahorse!
Travel Tips for Diving in Alor
1. Best Time to Dive
The best time to dive in Alor is from March to December when the weather is sunny with minimal rain and the water temperatures are relatively warm. This period also offers great visibility, sometimes reaching up to 40 meters, which can be very helpful for spotting marine creatures.
2. Getting to Alor
To get to Alor, you can board a plane to Alor Island Airport (also known as Mali Airport). Flights are typically available from Bali, Jakarta, or Manado with connecting flights.
3. Marine Life in ALor
Alor offers an abundance of macro life, pristine corals, and tropical fish. In general, you’re likely to see some rhinopias and scorpionfish, ribbon sweetlips, lionfish, black snappers, mola molas, sharks, and rays. You can also come across some turtles, moray eels, seahorses, various species of shrimps, and nudibranchs.
4. Dive Responsibly and Sustainably
Since it’s home to a diverse marine ecosystem that is crucial for the health of the ocean, diving responsibly and practising sustainability is important. This means avoiding damaging the coral reefs or touching the marine life. It is also highly recommended that you use eco-friendly or reef-safe sunscreen to protect the ecosystem.
Alor Liveaboards
Ready to plan that trip to Alor? Using a liveaboard is an excellent way to explore Alor and other Indonesian paradise! With a liveaboard, you can have easier access to remote dive spots and dive multiple times a day, without the hassle of going back and forth to the shore. If you’re looking for a trusted liveaboard for your journey, Solitude World’s Liveaboard and Resorts are ready to make your perfect diving trip come true.
Get on a thrilling expedition around Alor and Maumere with Solitude Adventurer, where you can discover world-class dive spots. We have complete amenities onboard, including cozy rooms and hearty meals to keep you energised. In addition, our PADI-certified guides are always ready to assist you during your dive.
What are you waiting for? Book your next diving adventure with us here today!