The Complete Guide to Diving in Alor Island

Have you ever heard about Alor Island? This island is situated in the easternmost East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. Although the size of the island is only 6,31% of the entire province, you can find so many interesting things here.^[1] From the amazing culture to Alor Island diving, you can say that Alor is a hidden gem for people who love to dive. 

Even though it’s one of the best diving sites in Indonesia, many people still don’t know about its existence. That’s why you need a complete guide to dive in Alor Island to avoid confusion. In this guide, you will find out why you must dive in Alor Island, where the best dive sites are, the best time to dive, and any other essential tips. 

Why Alor Island is a Diver’s Paradise

Indonesia is an archipelago surrounded by the Indian and Pacific Oceans. With 15 seas, 25 straits, and 14 bays, it is unsurprising that there are so many diving sites, including in East Nusa Tenggara.

If you are searching for a place to go scuba diving in East Nusa Tenggara, you definitely need to add Alor to the list. The reason is because Alor’s underwater looks like Atlantis. Instead of just doing a scuba dive Komodo Island, exploring the nearest island, Alor Island, will give you a surprising experience. 

Here are the reasons:

1. Marine Biodiversity

Indonesia has the largest coral reef in the world, with around 18% of it found here.^[2] This country is also included in the Coral Triangle, a home of 605 (76%) coral species.^[3] That’s why you can witness a paradise when diving in Alor Island, Indonesia.

Aside from the diverse corals, you can meet other species here. There are billions of small fishes, pelagic fish, manta rays, turtles, dolphins, whales, mollusks, and crustaceans. 

However, the most fascinating creature that you can see in Alor is dugong, a rare animal whose population continues to shrink. Researchers estimate that only around 100,000 dugongs remain in the world in 2022.^[4] While diving in Alor, you can meet a friendly dugong called Mawar. 

2. Has a High Visibility

Each scuba site usually has its own season. However, Alor diving season is literally throughout the year. This is because the water is crystal clear and highly visible.

3. Calm and Peaceful

If you don’t like crowded places, diving here can be a good option. The ambiance is calm and peaceful, because not many tourists know about this spot. It is not as crowded as other destinations such as Bali or Raja Ampat, making it suitable for true adventure seekers. 

Top Dive Sites in Alor Island

Multiple Alor dive sites are worth a visit. 

1. Alor Kecil and Pulau Pura

This place is perfect for those who love challenging currents and rich macro scenery. The underwater scenery is stunning, and you can meet hundreds of fascinating creatures. The most common ones are nudibranchs, frogfish, and mandarin fish. 

2. Kal’s Dream

This site is not friendly to beginner divers because the current is relatively strong. However, it will be perfect for seasoned divers. The most interesting species here are pelagic, including manta rays, barracuda, and dogtooth tuna.

3. The Cathedral

This site features steep walls and small caves, which will fascinate you and provide an unforgettable adventure. It also features sea creatures like reef sharks, giant trevallies, and schooling fish, making your experience even more complete. 

4. Anemone City

There’s a reason why the locals call this site “Anemone City”. It’s because you can find billions of anemone fish here. Aside from them, you can also meet a bunch of clownfish. 

This site is perfect for beginner-level divers because the current is not strong and the depth is not too deep. However, seasoned divers can also try diving here, as the experience is priceless. 

5. Mucky Mosque

It’s a paradise for those who love macro photography. This is especially true if you’re interested in unique sea creatures such as seahorses, mimic octopuses, and rhinopias. You can take pictures of them at a very close distance. 

What You Can See When Diving in Alor

While diving, you can see those creatures in multiple dive sites in Alor! 

• Rare species: Mola-mola, dugong, and different types of nudibranch.
• Macro creatures: Frogfish, ghost pipefish, and pygmy seahorse.
• Pelagic, usually migrate to Alor in July – September. 
• Big fishes: manta rays, hammerhead sharks, and tuna.

Best Time to Dive in Alor Island

Although you can dive all year round, there is the best season to dive in Alor. The best one is during the dry season (April – November). During the dry season, the diving conditions will be more optimal, because the currents will feel relatively stronger in the rainy season. 

The visibility is 20-40 meters, depending on the season and location. Ask a local guide about the best location during your trip because it can change throughout the year. 

Important Diving Tips for Alor Island

To make sure you get the best experience, you can follow these tips during your trip:

• The currents are relatively strong, so make sure you have experience diving in strong currents. 
• Don’t go against the current. If a strong current is forging you, don’t panic, and listen to the divemaster’s instructions. 
• Use a reef hook and always follow the divemaster’s instructions for your safety.
• You should bring your own dive gear, especially the 3-5 mm wetsuit, to dive more conveniently.
• Respect the sea environment, and don’t touch, disturb, or damage coral reefs and sea creatures.
• Reduce the use of single-use plastics while traveling.
• Avoid diving alone; make sure there’s always someone with you.
• If you dive with friends, don’t forget to take care of each other to avoid accidents. 

FAQs

There are some frequently asked questions to make you understand it better! 

1. Is Alor Island Suitable for Beginner Divers?

Most sites are unsuitable for beginners, but you should try Anemone City because the currents are slower, and the water is not deep. 

2. Can I See Mola-Mola in Alor?

Yes, you can see them while diving. Sometimes you can also see them at sea level, considering their habit of sunbathing. 

3. How Much Does It Costs? 

The costs will depend on the operator, but they are approximately IDR 950,000-IDR 2 million per dive (USD 58,70-USD 123,57). This includes diving equipment, airport/hotel transfer, boat rental, and snacks/meals on the boat.That’s a guide to Alor Island diving that you need to know. To make it easier, book a hotel and a dive operator beforehand. There’s usually a discount for online bookings. So, are you ready to dive?