Diving and Snorkeling in Alor
Alor is a true diver’s paradise, with nearly 60 unique dive sites ranging from vibrant coral walls and volcanic reefs in the Pantar Strait to the critter-rich muck dives of Kalabahi Bay. Here, you can swim through schools of tropical fish, explore dramatic underwater landscapes, and discover rare creatures like the wonderpus octopus, frogfish, and the elusive rhinopias.
Every trip out on the water is an adventure—dolphins, whales, and even mola mola are often spotted from the boat. Guided by our experienced local team, you’ll explore the very best of Alor’s world-class biodiversity, whether you’re a snorkeler or a seasoned diver.
Why Alor?
When is the best time to visit Alor?
The diving season in Alor stretches from mid-March until mid-December, with conditions turning less favorable once the monsoon arrives. Thanks to this long window, divers enjoy excellent opportunities throughout the year, and there’s no single “best month” for spotting specific species—it’s always a matter of chance, which makes every dive exciting and unique. That said, whale encounters are more frequent in June–July and again in September–November, offering unforgettable moments with these majestic animals.
Water temperatures at the most popular dive sites usually range from 26–29°C year-round, providing warm and comfortable conditions for diving. If you venture to the southern sites, you’ll notice a cooler thermocline, where temperatures drop to 24–26°C, bringing nutrient-rich waters that attract an incredible variety of marine life.
Alor has earned its reputation as one of Indonesia’s most thrilling dive destinations, in part due to its powerful currents. These currents bring in clear water and nutrients that support the region’s spectacular biodiversity, from tiny critters to large pelagics. Currents are especially strong during full moon and new moon phases, which is why our experienced dive guides always plan sites carefully. We match each dive to your skill and comfort level, ensuring that your dives are not only safe but also perfectly suited to your experience—whether you’re after gentle coral gardens or adrenaline-filled drift dives.
Pelagic highlights
Alor’s open waters are full of surprises — from passing whales and curious mola mola to the sleek silhouettes of hammerhead sharks. These dives offer a real sense of adventure and a chance to see the ocean’s wild side up close.
Scalloped & Great Hammerhead Sharks
Hammerhead sharks are most likely to appear when upwellings bring colder, nutrient-rich water from the deep to shallower depths. These upwellings occur more frequently during periods of strong tidal movement, typically around the full moon and new moon, when powerful currents enhance vertical mixing of the water column. The cooler temperatures and increased nutrients attract schooling fish, which in turn draw in hammerheads and other pelagic predators.
Pygmy Blue Whales and Sperm Whales
Alor is one of the best places in Indonesia to witness the annual migration of pygmy blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus brevicauda). From June to July, they travel north from the Savu Sea to the Banda Sea, drawn by nutrient-rich upwellings. Between September and November, they make the return journey south, passing Alor once again.
The peak season is September–November, when sightings are most frequent. While sperm whales and other pelagic species are occasionally seen, the pygmy blue whale is the true highlight. Watching these giants surface, glide, and sometimes breach is an unforgettable experience.
Join our whale-watching tours for a rare chance to witness this migration up close, along with dolphins, melon-headed whales, and other marine life.
Sightings of the elusive mola mola (ocean sunfish) are possible year-round in Alor, as these giants rise from the depths with the cold-water upwellings that bring their food closer to the surface. However, the best chance of encounters is between June and September, when upwellings are strongest and conditions are more favorable.
Sun fish (mola mola)
Dive sites in Alor
Pantar Strait (Coral Reefs & Pelagics)
Kal’s Dream – Vibrant coral pinnacle with schooling fish and occasional sharks
Yellow Corner – Deep dive with frequent sightings of hammerheads and pelagic species
Bama Wall – Beautiful coral wall with abundant marine life
School's out – Drift dive featuring various reef and chance of pelagic species
The Arch – Spectacular coral formations with swim-throughs
Red Sands - Beautiful coral slope and wall, features red sand and places where you can see vulcanic activity among the rocks
Kalabahi Bay (Muck Diving & Macro Life)
Ampera – Rich in critters like frogfish, ghost pipefish, and rhinopias
Lobang – Volcanic sandy slopes perfect for macro photography
Pertamina Pier - Sandy slope with lots of macro critters
Volboa - Vulcanic sand with chance of rhinopias, wonderpus and many other rare critters.
Southern Alor (Cooler Waters & Unique Topography)
Wolang Cave – Unique dive with swim-throughs and an air-pocket cave
Wolang Wall – Thrilling site with resident nurse sharks sightings and dramatic walls
Andys Bus Stop – known for very strong currents and adrenaline rush dive
House Reef Dives
Moko House Reef – Great for unguided dives and snorkels with vibrant corals
Some of our favorite dive sites
Contact Us
Reach out for dive trip inquiries and bookings with our partners. Experience the underwater wonders of Alor, Indonesia.
Connect
+62 812 3863 6036
Support
info@alorunderwaterexplorers.com
