Destinations
Alor Liveaboard
Indonesia's hidden macro paradise, at the eastern end of the Lesser Sunda Islands
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About Alor Liveaboard
Alor is a chain of volcanic islands in East Nusa Tenggara, between Flores and Timor. Few divers make it this far east, and the reefs show it: untouched coral, black sand slopes full of rare critters and some of the most varied macro diving anywhere in the world.
Our sister ships King Neptune and Neptune One sail to Alor every dry season, with unlimited satellite internet and Nitrox blended on board by a Bauer membrane compressor.
Our Trip Snapshot
- Flexible booking
- Macro diving
- Small dive groups
- Travel assistance
- Multilingual crew
Experience
The Alor Diving Experience
Alor mixes tiny critters with big animals on the same trip. The Pantar Strait funnels cold, nutrient-rich water between the islands, and that current feeds everything from pygmy seahorses on the sea fans to hammerheads in the blue.
Macro paradise
Black volcanic sand is ideal critter habitat. Expect blue-ringed and mimic octopus, flamboyant cuttlefish, pygmy seahorses and nudibranchs in every colour.
Pristine coral reefs
Hard and soft corals cover the walls and slopes from the shallows to the deep. The reefs see very few divers, and they are among the healthiest in Indonesia.
Pelagic encounters
Away from the reef, the deep channels bring hammerhead and thresher sharks, mola, dolphins and pilot whales.
Dive sites
Top Dive Sites in Alor
Alor has muck sites on black sand and current-swept walls, often a short boat ride apart, and none of them is ever crowded.
Clown Valley
All levels↕ 5–25m
A volcanic slope carpeted in anemones and their clownfish, with frogfish, blue-ringed octopus and rare nudibranchs on the sand around them.
Kal's Dream
Advanced↕ 10–30m
A pinnacle in the current where fusiliers and barracuda school along the edge and hammerheads sometimes pass in the blue.
Baruna's Point
Advanced↕ 15–40m
Dramatic volcanic rock in strong current, where thresher and hammerhead sharks and other big pelagics cruise past.
The Arch
Intermediate↕ 12–30m
A rock arch draped in soft coral and sea fans, home to a school of sweetlips and visited by eagle rays.
Mahi's Reef
All levels↕ 5–18m
A shallow reef made for macro photographers, with pygmy seahorses, ghost pipefish and dozens of nudibranch species.
Beang Abang
Intermediate↕ 8–20m
A black sand night dive off Pantar, where mimic octopus, bobtail squid and flamboyant cuttlefish come out after dark.
Best time to visit
Alor Diving Season Calendar
The best diving runs from April to November, and conditions peak from April to June and again from September to November.
| Month | Water temperature | Visibility | Currents | Season highlight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 28°C | 10–15m | Strong | Off-season |
| Feb | 28°C | 10–15m | Strong | Off-season |
| Mar | 28°C | 15–20m | Moderate | Season opens |
| Apr | 27°C | 20–25m | Moderate | Peak visibility |
| May | 27°C | 20–30m | Moderate | Best conditions |
| Jun | 26°C | 20–25m | Moderate | Great diving |
| Jul | 25°C | 15–25m | Moderate | Cooler water |
| Aug | 25°C | 15–25m | Strong | Pelagic season |
| Sep | 25°C | 20–30m | Strong | Hammerheads |
| Oct | 26°C | 20–30m | Moderate | Peak season |
| Nov | 27°C | 15–25m | Moderate | Season ends |
| Dec | 28°C | 10–15m | Strong | Off-season |
Recommended months
Conditions
Water Conditions and Gear
- Temperature
- 24–28°C (75–82°F)
- Visibility
- 15–30m (50–100ft)
- Currents
- Moderate to strong; bring a reef hook
- Best visibility
- April to June and September to November
- Thermoclines
- Occasional, down to 22°C at depth
- Wetsuit
- 3mm full wetsuit, 5mm for deeper dives
- Certification
- Advanced Open Water and 30 logged dives
- Nitrox
- Recommended for repeated deep dives
Marine life
What You Will See in Alor
Alor lies in the Coral Triangle, where water from the Pacific and Indian Oceans meets, and the mix of currents supports an extraordinary range of life.
Sharks and rays
- Hammerhead sharks
- Thresher sharks
- Whitetip reef sharks
- Eagle rays
- Manta rays in season
Macro life
- Blue-ringed octopus
- Flamboyant cuttlefish
- Mimic octopus
- Pygmy seahorses
- Ghost pipefish
- More than 100 nudibranch species
Pelagics
- Mola
- Dolphins
- Pilot whales
- Giant trevally
- Schooling barracuda
Reef life
- Clownfish
- Mandarinfish
- Sweetlips
- Clouds of anthias
- Napoleon wrasse
And more
- Sea snakes
- Green and hawksbill turtles
- Cuttlefish
- Frogfish
- Moray eels
Travel
How to Get to Alor
Our Alor trips start in Labuan Bajo, on Flores, or in Kalabahi, the main town on Alor. Labuan Bajo has direct flights from Bali and Jakarta. Kalabahi’s Mali airport (ARD) is reached via Kupang in West Timor. Some departures are crossings that finish in Bau-Bau for Wakatobi or in Ambon for the Banda Sea, so check the route in the trip name.
Our team helps you plan domestic flights and connections, and transfers between the airport and the boat are included.
Departure ports: Labuan Bajo and Kalabahi
Komodo Airport (LBJ) has flights from Bali and Jakarta. Alor Mali Airport (ARD) has flights from Kupang.
Departure ports can change. Our reservations team confirms the exact meeting point when you book.
Travel tips
Tips for Travellers
- 1
Plan around the season
Dive Alor between March and November. April to June and September to November bring the best conditions, with water at 24 to 28°C and 15 to 30 metres of visibility.
- 2
Take out travel insurance
Reaching Alor takes several flights. Choose a policy that covers delays and cancellations as well as diving emergencies and evacuation.
- 3
Prepare for the diving
We recommend Advanced Open Water and at least 30 logged dives, as some sites have strong currents and deep walls. Bring macro photography gear if you have it.
- 4
Dive gently
These are some of the most pristine reefs in Indonesia. Keep your buoyancy under control, never touch the marine life and leave nothing behind.
Travel essentials
Practical Travel Information
- Visa
- Most nationalities can buy a 30-day visa on arrival, extendable once. Your passport must be valid for at least six months.
- Currency
- Indonesian rupiah (IDR). There are very few ATMs on Alor, so withdraw the cash you need in Bali or Labuan Bajo.
- Language
- Bahasa Indonesia is the national language. Our dive guides and crew speak English.
- Tipping
- Tipping the crew is customary. As a guide, guests leave Rp 270,000 to 360,000 per person per day.
- What to pack
- Light clothing, reef-safe sunscreen, seasickness tablets, your own dive torch, macro camera gear and insect repellent.
- Health
- No vaccinations are required. Hepatitis A and B and typhoid are recommended. Bring your own medication, as pharmacies on Alor are scarce.
- Electricity
- 220V, 50Hz, with European two-pin plugs (types C and F). Bring a universal adapter.
- Time zone
- Central Indonesia Time (WITA), UTC+8, the same as Bali.
Our itinerary
Explore the Alor Archipelago
Our Alor itineraries combine Alor and Pantar with the neighbouring islands, from black sand critter dives to pristine coral walls. Some trips arrive from Komodo, while others continue to Wakatobi or the Banda Sea.
Schedule
Upcoming Alor Trips
Live availability and prices. Crossings that start or end in Alor are included.
The fleet
Choose Your Boat
King Neptune
A 46-metre motor yacht with 10 en-suite cabins for up to 22 guests, a jacuzzi on the sun deck, a camera station and two dive tenders. Nitrox is blended on board.
Neptune One
A 39-metre phinisi with 8 cabins for 16 guests, including balcony cabins and a deluxe suite. A smaller group, Nitrox on board and free satellite internet.
Your trip
What Your Trip Includes
Included in the price
- Cabin accommodation with en-suite bathroom
- Airport and hotel transfers at the start and end of the trip
- All scheduled dives, with tanks, weights and weight belts
- Three meals and three snacks a day
- Coffee, tea and snacks all day
- Unlimited satellite internet
- Snorkelling gear
- A maximum of four divers per guide
- Stand-up paddle boards and kayaks
Not included
- Nitrox
- Rental equipment such as BCD, regulator and wetsuit
- Single cabin supplement
- Park and port fees
- Private dive guide
- Alcohol and soft drinks
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to dive Alor?
The season runs from March to November. Conditions peak from April to June and from September to November, with water at 24 to 28°C and visibility of 15 to 30 metres. Our scheduled Alor departures run from May to September.
What marine life can I see in Alor?
Alor is best known for its critters: blue-ringed and mimic octopus, flamboyant cuttlefish, pygmy seahorses and nudibranchs. On the deeper sites you may also see hammerhead and thresher sharks, mola, dolphins and whales.
What diving experience do I need for Alor?
We recommend Advanced Open Water certification and at least 30 logged dives. The muck sites are easy, but some walls have strong currents and the water can be cold at depth.
How do I get to Alor?
Our trips start in Labuan Bajo, which has direct flights from Bali and Jakarta, or in Kalabahi on Alor, which you reach via Kupang. The route of each departure is shown in the trip name, and our team helps you arrange the flights.
Is Alor good for underwater photography?
It is one of the best macro destinations in Indonesia. Bring a macro lens and a strong torch for the night dives, when frogfish, mimic octopus, ghost pipefish and flamboyant cuttlefish are regular subjects.
Explore more
See Other Destinations
Banda Sea
Schooling hammerheads, volcanic islands and deep blue walls in the old Spice Islands.
Explore →
Komodo
Manta rays, strong-current reefs and the Komodo dragons, in a UNESCO World Heritage national park.
Explore →
Wakatobi
A UNESCO biosphere reserve with some of the healthiest hard coral and the clearest water in Indonesia.
Explore →Get in Touch
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