Alor Diving Trip • Moko Alor Dive Resort
A unique diving trip to one of Indonesia’s lesser-known diving destinations. From Moko Alor, you’ll discover Alor’s rich underwater world and volcanic landscape.
Travel period
Features
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Diving Trip to Alor: Diving in the Heart of Biodiversity
Alor is one of Indonesia’s most unique diving destinations. Far from the crowds and the better-known diving areas, you’ll find spectacular coral reefs, immense biodiversity, and surprisingly good opportunities for macro divers. Staying at Moko Alor puts you right in the heart of this extraordinary environment, where you can spend several days diving and discover the many facets of Alor’s underwater world.
Moko Alor is located on the coast, in a quiet setting surrounded by the volcanic landscape for which Alor is known. This small-scale resort is a great base for your dives, but also a place to completely unwind between dives. Here, you’ll stay in a lush, tropical setting and have plenty of time to enjoy the views of the sea and the island.
Alor is just as impressive underwater. The island lies east of Flores and Komodo and is still relatively unknown among international travelers. As a result, the dive sites are often quiet, and the reef remains beautifully intact in many places. Here you can expect colorful coral reefs, large schools of fish, and an enormous diversity of reef fish. In addition, strong currents occur in various spots, which in turn make for a spectacular diving experience.
Alor is also an excellent destination for lovers of small marine life. Around the muck diving sites, you can search for unique marine creatures, and the vast fields of anemones are another highlight of diving in this area. Every dive here can reveal something new.
Alor is also worth visiting above water. The volcanic landscape, green hills, and traditional villages give the island a character all its own. And with the right planning, you can also combine your stay with a special encounter at sea. From June through November, various species of whales migrate past Alor, including pygmy blue whales and sperm whales.
Best Time to Visit Alor for a Diving Trip
The best time to go on a diving trip to Alor is from April through November. Conditions are often excellent, especially from June through October, with good visibility and relatively dry weather.
Would you like to go whale watching? Then travel between June and November, when various species of whales migrate through the waters around Alor. Moko Alor is closed annually from around the end of December through mid-March.
Average Temperatures
Wetsuit Recommendations for Alor, Indonesia 
A 3mm wetsuit is sufficient almost all year round; only the months of June through August are slightly colder, so you might want to consider a 5mm wetsuit then.
What will you experience on this diving vacation?
View the itinerary here
Days 1–3 | The Journey to Moko Alor
Today marks the start of the journey to Alor. It’s a beautiful and relatively undiscovered diving destination, but its remote location also means it’s not exactly a quick trip. The journey takes about two days, but along the way you’ll already get a first glimpse of Indonesia’s vast size and diversity.
The first flight takes you to Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia. Depending on your arrival time, a day hotel has been arranged so you’ll have time to relax and freshen up. That’s because you’ll be leaving again that same night for the next leg of the trip. The domestic flight to Alor departs around 2:00 a.m. and takes about four hours.
After the early morning flight, you’ll arrive at Mali Airport, Alor’s small airport. The flight there is an experience in itself. You’ll fly over a vast expanse dotted with countless islands, and with a little luck—and, of course, a window seat—you’ll enjoy stunning views of the Indonesian archipelago along the way.
Mali Airport is located in a unique spot, nestled between the hills and the sea. From the airport, it’s about a 45-minute drive to Moko Alor Dive Resort. The road winds through Alor’s lush green landscape and immediately gives you a first impression of the island’s peaceful atmosphere.
The true vacation feeling begins upon arrival at Moko Alor Dive Resort. The resort is situated in a secluded spot along the coast and serves as a peaceful base for our dives around Alor. You’ll stay in a comfortable bungalow overlooking the garden. After the long journey, there’s time to relax, explore the surroundings, and get to know the resort and the dive school. The coming days will be entirely devoted to diving and discovering Alor’s extraordinary underwater world.
Days 4–16 | Diving in Alor
You’ll have a full 13 days to explore Alor’s underwater world. Every morning, you’ll go on two boat dives, and in the afternoon, you can go on additional dives at the house reef whenever you like.
During your stay, you’ll explore a wide variety of dive sites. You’ll dive along colorful reefs and impressive walls, go on drift dives, and discover the unique muck dive sites around Kalabahi Bay. Kalabahi Bay, in particular, is home to a wealth of small marine life. With a trained eye, you can spot various species of shrimp, coral crabs, and other fascinating macro creatures here.
In the Pantar Strait, you’ll find impressive reef walls and a wide variety of marine life. Here, you may encounter larger fish, including barracudas and various species of sharks. Visibility is often excellent, though the current can be strong at some dive sites. It is precisely this combination of current, healthy reefs, and abundant fish that makes diving around Alor so special.
The house reef at Moko Alor Dive Resort is also definitely worth a visit. Here you’ll find colorful coral gardens, vast fields of anemones, and plenty of tropical fish. During a dive on the house reef, you might also spot sea turtles and stingrays. With a little luck, you might even see dolphins from the shore or during a boat dive. Whales are regularly spotted in the area, and very occasionally, a mola mola makes an appearance.
In total, there are more than 60 dive sites in the region, ensuring plenty of variety during your stay. Depending on conditions and the dive school’s schedule, different areas will be visited. The combination of pristine reefs, rich biodiversity, unique macro-critters, and larger pelagic species makes Alor a destination where you can easily spend several days in a row diving without ever getting bored.
The Daily Diving Schedule
Your day begins at 7:00 a.m. with breakfast in the restaurant. Around 8:00 a.m., the boat departs for the first two dives of the day. Depending on the dive sites, the surface interval is spent on the boat or at the resort.
You’ll be back at the resort around 1:00 p.m. Lunch is served after the morning dives, so you can dig in right away. After that, you’ll have plenty of time to relax or head back into the water.
In the afternoon, you can dive as much as you like on the house reef. These dives are unguided, but you can, of course, explore the house reef with your buddy. The house reef is open until 6:00 p.m., so you can still go for a dive later in the afternoon.
Dinner is served at 7:00 PM. Afterward, you’ll have plenty of time to relax and talk about the day’s dives.
There is also the option to go on night dives, both from the house reef and by boat. These night dives are not included as standard in the dive package and can be booked on-site.
Day 17 | Exploring the island
Today you have a day off on Alor. Since you’re flying back tomorrow, there are no more dives scheduled for today. So you can take it easy at the resort, enjoy the pool and the surroundings, or choose to explore a little more of Alor.
There are several excursions available, such as a trip to a traditional village, one of the surrounding islands, or a waterfall. A visit to the Sirung Volcano is also an option. This way, you can spend your last day on Alor exactly as you wish.
Tip: Whale Watching
If you’re traveling between June and November, this is also a great day to go whale watching. During this period, various species of whales and dolphins migrate through the waters around Alor. You’ll set out by boat to search for these impressive animals. If conditions are right, there’s sometimes also the opportunity to snorkel or freedive. The whale-watching excursion is not included as standard and is subject to weather conditions and availability.
Days 18 & 19 | Back home
After a wonderful time on Alor, it’s unfortunately already time to say goodbye to the island. After breakfast, you’ll be taken to the airport in Mali for your return trip. From Alor, you’ll fly back home via Bali.
The trip has come to an end, but you’ll undoubtedly take home wonderful memories of the extraordinary dives, colorful reefs, unique underwater creatures, and the impressive natural beauty of Alor. The next day, you’ll arrive back at your destination airport.
Highlights of this trip
What can you expect from the underwater world in Alor?
Coral Diversity & Anemones
The reefs around Alor are among the most impressive in Indonesia. Here you’ll find an enormous variety of hard and soft corals, colorful coral gardens, and gigantic anemone fields—some of the largest in the region. The reef is teeming with life: enormous schools of fusiliers and anthias, colorful parrotfish darting among the coral, and rare species such as mandarin fish. The combination of pristine coral and exceptional biodiversity makes every dive a unique experience.
In Search of Macro Life
Alor is a paradise for macro enthusiasts. Especially in Kalabahi Bay and other muck diving sites, you’ll find an enormous variety of small, fascinating creatures: shrimp, coral crabs, mandarin fish, pygmy seahorses, and countless nudibranchs. With a keen eye and a camera, you’ll discover hidden wonders here that you won’t find anywhere else. This microcosm of the reef is a delight for photographers and enthusiasts of the delicate, extraordinary underwater life, but keep in mind that there are currents on many dives.
Whale Watching
An experience that makes you realize just how small you really are—that’s what an encounter with a pygmy blue whale is all about. These 24-meter-long giants migrate past Alor, giving us the chance to spot them. Sperm whales also migrate during this period; at 16 meters, they’re slightly smaller but just as impressive. A day of whale watching is an absolutely extraordinary experience. You’ll also have the chance to see groups of dolphins playing or spot curious short-finned pilot whales.
The Accommodation
The Resort and Surroundings
Moko Alor Dive Resort
Moko Alor Dive Resort is located on Alor Island, in a quiet part of the Alor Archipelago. The nearest village is about a 30-minute drive away, allowing you to truly unwind here while still having everything you need close at hand: a dive school, a restaurant, a pool, and comfortable bungalows.
The bungalows are spacious and stylishly furnished, with large bedrooms, a balcony or terrace, a smart TV with Netflix, and Wi-Fi. The semi-open bathroom with a hot-water shower offers a unique and refreshing experience after a day of diving.
The open-air restaurant is the ideal place to enjoy your meals overlooking the beach, ocean and spectacular sunsets. The menu consists of freshly caught fish, fruits and vegetables from local fishermen, farmers and the resort’s own garden. Special dietary needs are gladly accommodated, making every meal a celebration.
The resort has its own PADI dive school, where diving is more than just an activity—it’s a passion shared by the experienced and dedicated dive team. The certified instructors and guides know the local waters like the back of their hand and ensure that every dive is safe, educational, and unforgettable.
The dive center features modern facilities and diving equipment, and there is a spacious classroom where you can charge and safely store your dive cameras.
Travel Expenses
What's Included
This diving vacation to Alor is available starting at US$ 4.024 per person, based on two people sharing a room. The diving trip can be extended as desired. A number of items are included as standard in this travel package.
Prices are subject to change due to price adjustments, increases, or fluctuations in exchange rates. Flights are always booked in the lowest available fare class.
Want to learn more about this group trip to Alor? Contact us!
Included in this diving trip, from US$ 4.024 p.p.
- 14 nights in a One-Bedroom Loft Suite
- Full-board accommodation
- Diving package with 24 boat dives
- Unlimited diving on the house reef
- All transfers listed
- 12% government taxes & 11% service charge
- VZR, Contingency Fund & Administrative Fees
Excluding
- Flight to Alor from US$ 1.621 p.p.
- Marine park fee (approx. US$ 78)
- Visa for Indonesia (US$ 56
- Dive and travel insurance
✈︎ The quoted (international) flight prices are indicative prices and based on departures from Europe. However, we can arrange flights from any location worldwide. Booking your own flights is of course also possible.
Optional
- Nitrox (± US$ 10 per tank)
- 15L tank (± US$ 10 per tank)
- Diving equipment, including a computer (± US$ 35 per day)
- Whale watching (approx. US$ 291)
If you rent for more than 7 days, you will receive a 20% discount. Prices quoted do not include 11% service charge.
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Frequently Asked Questions About This Diving Trip to Alor
Diving in Alor
There are two boat dives every day—one in the morning and one in the afternoon—as well as unlimited diving on the house reef. The dives include a mix of different types: drift dives, reef dives, wall dives, and macro dives.
We recommend being at least Advanced certified with at least 50 logged dives. The current here can be very strong, so it is good to have experience in that area.
Dives are made with quite a bit of current, making it not necessarily the best or easiest destination for underwater photographers.
This depends on the dive site. Most dive sites are close and no more than 20 minutes boat ride away.
In principle, you can dive as much as you want: you’ll do two boat dives in the morning, and in the afternoon you can dive on the house reef. Of course, “unlimited” does mean that you have to stay within your own limits.
Yes, it is possible to do night dives. Night dives are organized both on the house reef and from the boat. The night dives are not included in the dive package and it is not possible to make an unguided night dive on the house reef.
Yes, Moko Alor is one of the few places on Alor where you can dive from a fantastic house reef.
Yes, PADI diving courses are offered.
The diving school is at the resort.
Diving equipment
Both tanks are available
There are a number of 15-liter tanks available. The cost of using one of these tanks is (approximately US$ 10 per tank).
Yes, you can dive with nitrox. The cost is about $9 per tank (Rp 150,000).
Yes, you can rent a full set of diving gear (including a dive computer) for $36 per day. If you stay longer than 7 days, you’ll receive a 20% discount on the price. Please note that this price does not include the 11% service charge.
It’s also a good idea to let them know when you book what equipment you need and in what size. That way, the dive shop can make sure everything is ready when you need it.
Accommodation / Resort
Yes, there is air conditioning in the rooms.
Free Wi-Fi is available in all rooms and the restaurant.
Yes, you can go here for all meals.
Yes, there is a beautiful swimming pool overlooking the sea.
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