Alor is diveable from March to December. Use this calendar to plan your trip based on what you want to see.
Expert Tips for Your Alor Expedition
Diving in the Pantar Strait is unlike diving in Bali or Thailand. To make the most of your trip, keep these expert insights in mind:
The "5mm Rule": While surface temperatures are a tropical 28°C, Alor is famous for its thermoclines. During the Pelagic Season, deep-water upwellings can drop the temperature to 22°C-24°C (68°F) at depth. We highly recommend a 5mm wetsuit and a hooded vest to stay comfortable during long dives.
Tides & Currents: Alor’s biodiversity is fueled by powerful currents. We plan our dives around the lunar cycle. If you love high-energy drift dives, aim for the Full or New Moon. If you prefer relaxed photography, the Half Moon is your best bet.
Photography Gear: For the High Season, bring your widest lens—the visibility is so good you’ll want to capture the entire reef. For Pelagic Season, a mid-range zoom is better for capturing whales from the boat or sharks in the blue.
Dive Sites in alor
The Flight Path
There are no direct international flights to Alor. Most travelers fly into Jakarta (CGK) or Bali (DPS) and then take a connecting flight to Kupang (KOE).
Step 1: Fly to Kupang (KOE) from Jakarta, Bali, or Surabaya.
Step 2: Fly from Kupang (KOE) to Mali Airport, Alor (ARD).
Airlines: Wings Air (operating ATR-72 prop planes) is currently the only carrier flying the final leg into Alor. They usually operate 1–2 flights daily, typically departing Kupang around 08:40 AM.
Pro Tip: Book your entire journey (e.g., Jakarta to Alor) on a single ticket via Batik Air. Since Batik and Wings Air are part of the same group, your bags will often be checked through to Alor, and you are less likely to be stranded if the first leg is delayed.
Baggage & Diving Gear
Alor's flights use smaller aircraft, so weight is a major consideration.
Standard Allowance: Usually 20kg for Batik Air. Wings Air (the Alor leg) often has a 0kg to 10kg base allowance depending on your ticket class.
Excess Baggage: If you are carrying heavy cameras or lots of gear, you can pre-purchase extra baggage online. It is significantly cheaper than paying at the airport counter.
Dive Gear Policy: Batik Air Indonesia typically offers a 15kg sports equipment allowance for diving gear on certain routes, but always verify this at the time of booking as policies for the smaller Wings Air planes can vary.
The "Kupang Overnighter"
Because the flights to Alor depart early in the morning, many divers choose to spend one night in Kupang.
Where to stay: The Aston Kupang or Sotis Hotel Kupang are the most popular choices for a comfortable "transit" night.
Alternative: If you take the midnight flight from Jakarta, you can often connect directly to the 8:40 AM Wings Air flight without needing a hotel.
How do I get to Alor?
Don't let the tropical sun fool you; underwater, Alor is a different world. To maximize your comfort and safety, we recommend the following:
Thermoclines
Even though surface temperatures are warm, Alor is famous for thermoclines. Deep-water upwellings can drop the temperature from 28°C down to 24°C or lower in seconds—especially at sites like Halerman.
Recommendation: A 5mm full wetsuit is the standard for Alor. If you tend to get cold, consider a hooded vest as well.
Managing the Currents
Since some of our dive sites are high-energy sites like Kal’s Dream and Monaseli, being prepared for current is key.
SMB (Surface Marker Buoy): Mandatory for every diver. Currents can move you away from the reef quickly during your safety stop.
Reef Hook: Extremely useful for "hooking in" at the edge of a channel or pinnacle to watch the hammerheads or schooling sharks without exhausting yourself.
Photography & Electronics
Lenses: Bring both! You’ll want Wide-Angle for the Great Wall and Monaseli, and a Macro lens for the small critters in Kalabahi Bay.
Spare Parts: There are no dive shops in Alor to buy a snapped mask strap or a specific O-ring. Bring a comprehensive "Save-a-Dive" kit.
The Alor Packing List
