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Alor Liveaboard Diving - Explore Indonesia's Hidden Gem | Dragon Dive Komodo
🌊 Alor Archipelago • Remote Paradise

Alor Liveaboard Diving:
Explore the Untouched Treasures of Indonesia

Discover Indonesia's best-kept secret with 70+ pristine dive sites. Experience world-class diving far from crowds—encounter Mola Mola, hammerheads, and rare macro life in crystal-clear waters with our expert guides.

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70+ Dive Sites

Remote & pristine locations

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Big Pelagics

Hammerheads & Mola Mola

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Macro Paradise

Rare critters & muck diving

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Expert Guides

Local knowledge & safety

📍 Quick Answers — Alor Essentials

  • Location: Remote archipelago, East Nusa Tenggara
  • Season: Mid-March to mid-November
  • Access: Fly to Kalabahi via Kupang
  • Water temp: 25-27°C (5mm suit recommended)
  • Visibility: 15-30m depending on site
  • Requirements: Advanced + Nitrox + 50 dives
  • Departure: Kalabahi harbor

🐠 Quick Answers — Diving Highlights

  • Clown Valley: Massive anemone fields
  • The Cathedral: Cold upwellings, bamboo sharks
  • Kal's Dream: Hammerheads & barracudas
  • Kalabahi Bay: World-class muck diving
  • Current Alley: Drift diving with pelagics
  • The Arch: Dramatic underwater formations
  • Marine life: Mola Mola, rhinopias, blue-rings

Why Choose Alor for Your Next Liveaboard Adventure?

Escape the crowds and discover Indonesia's most remote diving paradise

Untouched & Remote

Alor remains one of Indonesia's best-kept secrets, far from mass tourism. With over 70 dive sites spread across the archipelago, you'll explore pristine reefs that few divers have seen. The remote location ensures healthy coral gardens and abundant marine life.

Diverse Marine Ecosystems

From world-class muck diving in Kalabahi Bay's black volcanic sands to thrilling drift dives with hammerheads, Alor offers incredible diversity. The nutrient-rich waters attract everything from tiny pygmy seahorses to massive Mola Mola.

Unique Conditions

Cold upwellings from the deep Banda Sea create unique diving conditions, bringing nutrients that support extraordinary biodiversity. Temperature variations between sites add to the adventure and marine diversity.

Macro Paradise

Kalabahi Bay is a muck diver's dream with rare critters like rhinopias, wonderpus, mimic octopus, blue-ringed octopus, and the elusive bobbit worm. Perfect for underwater photographers seeking unique subjects.

Crystal Clear Waters

Remote northern sites offer visibility up to 30 meters, perfect for wide-angle photography. The clarity reveals vibrant coral walls, dramatic drop-offs, and schooling fish in their full glory.

Adventure Diving

Strong currents at sites like Current Alley and Kal's Dream provide exhilarating drift dives. These conditions attract large pelagics including hammerheads, barracudas, and occasional thresher sharks.

Alor Liveaboard Expeditions

Choose your adventure in Indonesia's remote diving frontier

7 Days / 6 Nights

Alor Exploration: Abyss & Reefs

Perfect introduction to Alor's diverse diving. Explore the best of both worlds—from dramatic walls and pinnacles to world-class muck diving sites.

  • 20+ dives across varied environments
  • Kalabahi Bay muck diving
  • Northern reef systems
  • Chance for Mola Mola encounters
10 Days / 9 Nights

Extended Abyss & Reefs

Comprehensive exploration of Alor's hidden gems. More time means reaching the most remote sites and maximizing encounters with rare marine life.

  • 30+ dives including night dives
  • Remote northern atolls
  • Extended time at top sites
  • Higher chance for special encounters
11 Days / 10 Nights

Alor Hidden Treasures

For serious divers seeking the ultimate Alor experience. Explore rarely-visited sites and enjoy unhurried diving at this remote paradise.

  • 35+ dives at premium sites
  • Secret pinnacles and walls
  • Multiple visits to favorite sites
  • Photography-focused schedule
13 Days / 12 Nights

Alor to Komodo: Coastal Crossing

Epic journey connecting two of Indonesia's premier diving destinations. Experience the dramatic transition from Alor's remote reefs to Komodo's legendary sites.

  • 40+ dives across two regions
  • Best of Alor & South Komodo
  • Variety of diving conditions
  • One-way trip (ends in Labuan Bajo)

Highlights of Alor Waters

Discover what makes Alor a world-class diving destination

Marine Life Encounters

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    Mola Mola (Sunfish)

    Encounter these gentle giants in Alor's cooler waters, particularly at deeper cleaning stations during the season.

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    Hammerhead Sharks

    Early morning dives at sites like Kal's Dream and Munaseli offer chances to see schooling hammerheads.

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    Rare Octopuses

    Blue-ringed, mimic, and wonderpus octopuses frequent the muck sites of Kalabahi Bay.

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    Nudibranchs Galore

    Over 100 species documented, including rare solar-powered nudibranchs and ornate varieties.

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    Rhinopias & Frogfish

    Multiple species of these camouflaged predators, particularly in Kalabahi Bay's volcanic sands.

Legendary Dive Sites

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    Clown Valley

    Massive anemone fields hosting thousands of clownfish create an underwater wonderland.

  • The Cathedral

    Dramatic site with cold upwellings, creating unique conditions for bamboo sharks and rare species.

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    Kal's Dream

    Strong current site attracting schools of barracuda, jacks, and occasional hammerheads.

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    The Arch

    Stunning underwater arch formations covered in soft corals and gorgonians.

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    Current Alley

    Advanced drift dive with strong currents bringing nutrients and big pelagic action.

Alor Dive Sites Map

Explore 70+ sites across the archipelago

Alor diving sites and liveaboard routes map

Requirements for Alor Liveaboard

Ensuring safety and enjoyment in challenging conditions

Certification Requirements

Alor's remote location and challenging conditions require experienced divers:

  • Advanced Open Water certification (mandatory)
  • Nitrox certification (mandatory)
  • Minimum 50 logged dives
  • Current diving experience essential
  • Recent diving within last 6 months recommended

These requirements are strictly enforced for diver safety.

Not Certified Yet?

Nitrox Certification: Can be completed onboard during the trip if you're already Advanced certified.

Important: Divers below Advanced level cannot join Alor expeditions. The remote location and conditions make it unsuitable for beginners.

Consider our Komodo liveaboards for building experience before attempting Alor.

Why These Requirements?

Alor diving features:

  • Strong currents requiring drift diving skills
  • Deeper sites often exceeding 25m
  • Remote location far from medical facilities
  • Challenging entries and exits
  • Variable conditions between sites

Your safety is our priority in this remote paradise.

Alor Liveaboard FAQ

Essential information for planning your Alor diving expedition

How do I get to Alor for the liveaboard?

Reaching Alor requires flying to Mali Airport in Kalabahi:

  • From Kupang: Daily flights with Wings Air or TransNusa (40 minutes)
  • From Jakarta/Bali: Connect via Kupang with Garuda, Lion Air, or Batik Air
  • International: Fly to Jakarta/Bali/Kupang, then connect to Alor

Our liveaboards depart from Kalabahi harbor. We recommend arriving one day early due to limited flight schedules.

What are the diving conditions in Alor?

Water temperature: 25-27°C (north) | 23-25°C (south with upwellings)

Visibility: 15-30m depending on location and conditions

Currents: Mild to very strong - drift diving experience essential

Wetsuit: 5mm full suit with hood strongly recommended

Conditions: Can change rapidly between sites; be prepared for variety

When is the best time to dive Alor?

Alor diving season runs from mid-March to mid-November, avoiding the monsoon season.

Unlike other destinations, Alor doesn't have specific "best months" for certain species - marine life is consistently abundant throughout the diving season. The remote location means fewer boats and pristine conditions whenever you visit.

Note: Weather can be unpredictable; flexibility with travel dates recommended.

What makes Alor different from Komodo?

Alor offers a completely different diving experience:

  • Remoteness: Far fewer divers, untouched sites
  • Muck diving: World-class critter hunting in Kalabahi Bay
  • Water temps: Generally cooler with unique upwellings
  • Topography: More volcanic features and black sand
  • Marine life: Different species mix, rare macro subjects
  • Adventure level: More remote, challenging conditions
What special marine life might I see?

Alor's unique position creates opportunities for rare encounters:

  • Mola Mola - Oceanic sunfish at cleaning stations
  • Rhinopias - Multiple species in muck sites
  • Hammerheads - Schools at dawn on certain sites
  • Blue-ringed octopus - Common in Kalabahi Bay
  • Thresher sharks - Occasional at deeper sites
  • Wonderpus & Mimic octopus - Muck diving specialties
Is Alor suitable for underwater photography?

Alor is a photographer's paradise offering:

  • Exceptional macro subjects in muck sites
  • Clear water for wide-angle at reef sites
  • Rare and unusual subjects not found elsewhere
  • Less crowded sites for patient photography
  • Variety from macro to big animal encounters

Tips: Bring both macro and wide-angle setups. Rinse gear thoroughly due to volcanic particles in some areas.

What about non-diving activities?

While diving is the primary focus, Alor also offers:

  • Traditional village visits (time permitting)
  • Stunning volcanic landscapes
  • Snorkeling during surface intervals
  • Bird watching (endemic species)
  • Beach visits to remote islands

Note: The remote location means limited land-based activities compared to more developed destinations.

Book Your Alor Adventure

Limited departures to this remote paradise

Alor trips launching 2026-2027

We're preparing exceptional Alor expeditions for the upcoming seasons.
Contact us to be first to know when bookings open.

Ready to Explore Alor's Untouched Waters?

Join us for an unforgettable diving expedition to Indonesia's most remote paradise

liveaboard diving ALOR- Gallery Photo