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Alor has an area of about 2800 km², making
it the largest island of the Alor
archipelago.
Kalabahi is the only town on the island of
Alor, with a metropolitan population of
about 60,000. The variety of goods
obtainable in Kalabahi is surprising
considering its size and location.
Alor is of volcanic origin and has very
rugged terrain. The region near Kalabahi is
the only flat area. This is why the Dutch
placed the capital and the main harbor (Alor-Kecil)
of the area here in 1911.
A small, remote island to the north of West
Timor, Alor with 18 adjacent islands.The diving is considered
to be at a premium. The territory is marked
by awe-inspiring walls and grandiose coral
gardens that accommodate huge schools of
varying reef fish that ply the pristine
coral formations.
The spectacular mountainous terrain is the
result of volcanic action and the waters
around the islands are known for their
powerful currents – especially in the narrow
straits that divide Pantar from Alor and
Lembata.
An excellent bonus to the world class diving
in Alor is thus the likelihood of spotting
pilot whales and dolphins from the boat. Fishing is another plus with excellent
conditions for Spanish mackerel, dogtooth
and yellowfin tuna.
Alor offers all year
round diving, but the best diving
conditions are from May to October.
Diving in Alor tends to be
suitable for experienced divers due to
strong currents.
Kal's Dream – is
still one of the globe’s most attractive
dive locations with its low diver-density
and abundant aquatic life. Make your way
down to the sea mount for an interlude with
the larger fish and you’ll be pleasantly
waylaid by a myriad of anthias sparkling
across the multi-coloured corals. You might
meet grey reef sharks, rays and barracuda or
at least some snappers, surgeons of schools
of fusiliers.
Sharks Galore off the coast of Pura
Island offers a more gentle drift with a
good chance the site will live up to its
name as large grey reef sharks and white
tips flit by between big dog-toothed tuna.
The steaming hot springs on the beach
outside Biangabang village on Pantar Island
stands in deceptive contrast to the somewhat
more chilly waters of The Twilight Zone
just off the beach. Dives start at a lava
flow to the south of the beach and you can
choose between diving further south over the
reef or to prowl around to the north in the
volcanic black volcanic sand. Most fun can
be had in relatively shallow water though
you can drop to 40 metres or more.
It’s a critter-dive paradise and there’s no
end to the weird and wonderful creatures
that ply this area. Snake eels sneak out
from their holes as the Bobbit worms and
Gunard lionfish cruise along the sandy
seabed. The coral mounds are covered in
octopusses including the rare mimic.
Any keen observer will spot the the heads of
the Spearing Mantis Shrimps during the day -
though they would have to wait for a night
dive to watch the animals leaving their
holes to indulge their aggressive hunting
tactics. This site is also one the few
places one earth that hosts the massive
nudibranch.
Depth: 12 - 40m
Visibility: 12 - 30m
Currents: Can be very strong
Surface Conditions: Can be rough
Water Temperature: 26 - 32°C
Experience Level: Advanced only
Number of dive sites: >15
The Dry Season runs from
May to October and the Rainy Season from
November to April. Air temperature
fluctuates between 27 and 32 degrees Celcius
and the water temperature is 27degrees
Celcius on average that gets colder to the
south.
Flights: from Bali to
Maumere or Kalabahi via Kupang
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