Alor Dive Holidays

Diving in Alor

Most of the diving in the Alor archipelago is concentrated around the two large islands of Pulau Alor and Pantar, and there are up to 60 dive sites within the region.

The Pantar Strait Marine Park offers some of the best diving in all of Indonesia. Strong currents push from the Pacific down into the Indian Ocean, bringing with them nutrient-rich waters that attract all manner of pelagics including several species of whales, dolphins, mola mola and sharks.

There are also spectacular corals and huge anemone fields. The underwater visibility in this area can be as high as 40 m. Diving and snorkelling are popular all year round, but the best conditions are generally considered to be from April through to November.

The topography is heavily influenced by the archipelago’s volcanic heritage. Underwater photographers will be thrilled with the wide-angle opportunities but will need to swap out their lenses for the detail of macro subjects that abound in the shallower, mostly black sandy bays. In particular, the area in and around Kalabahi Bay – Alor – and Beangabang Bay – Pantar – are renowned for their muck diving. Here, divers can expect to see pipefish, scorpionfish, frogfish, mimic octopus, pygmy seahorses and all manner of colourful nudibranch and critters galore. This is a true treasure trove for macro enthusiasts and night dives promise unexpected and thrilling encounters.

The resorts in this area offer a mix of daily, guided boat diving and some have the added benefit of a house reef. A lot of the sites are accessible to snorkellers and novice divers. The more challenging drift dives of the Pantar Strait are recommended for experienced divers who will really be able to get the most out of this exciting, unspoilt destination.

Après Dive

The Alor archipegalo offers many opportunities for exploration above water. From treks to waterfalls and volcanoes, to discovering remote villages and customs.

It’s often possible to climb Pura, an extinct volcano island in the Pantar Strait, or sometimes the volcano of Mount Sirung on Pantar Island. Guests can also hike trails to beautiful waterfalls and hot springs, reached through lush rainforests.

Alor is one of the world’s most ethnically diverse places with 50 tribes. It’s location on the edges of both Asia and the Pacific islands makes for a unique mix of cultures. Trips can be arranged to explore local villages where daily life and ceremonies can be observed, and traditional crafts can be seen. The island of Alor is also known as the island of a Thousand Moko’s. The Moko is a small bronze kettledrum, and guests can visit the Museum of a Thousand Mokos located in the main town of Kalabahi, on Alor Island.

The archipelago also offers an array of beautiful beaches, many with stunning white sands. The perfect spot to while away a few hours, relaxing and soaking up the tropical sunshine with the sand between your toes.

Flights & Transfers

The most direct routes to Alor are via Bali or Jakarta. Flights are also available from Manado. Flights transit through Kupang Airport (KOE) on the island of Timor and there is a daily flight from here to Alor Mali Airport (ARD). The airport is situated in the north of Alor Island. The drive time to transfer from the airport to resort is typically around one hour.

Liveaboards with itineraries covering Alor and the East Nusa Tenggara archipelago typically leave from Kalabahi Port on the island of Alor. Itineraries are also available that cover Alor and the Banda Sea, sailing between Ambon in the Maluku Islands and Alor. Other itineraries take in Alor alongside Komodo, Maumere and the Flores Sea. Please contact us for more details.