Destinations - Alor and Wetar
"Maumere to Ambon, great trip from start to finish. Great boss. Great crew. Great diving. I'll be back. Thanks to all of you." Rob Drummond
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Unspoiled, remote, yet bewitchingly accessible aboard The Seven Seas, Alor and its 18 islands are now recognized as one of Asia's top ten dive destinations. Muck diving is a must here as is diving with the huge shoals of reef fish who live on the pristine coral reefs. Marvel at the wondrous walls and grand coral gardens that are home to a huge array of marine life.
On land, the area is mountainous as a result of volcanic activity, which makes for stunning scenery. The waters around the islands are known for their strong currents, particularly in the narrow strait between Pantar and Alor and also between Lembata and Pantar. The straits in the area play an important role in the exchange of marine life between the Indian and Pacific Ocean. Each year whales and dolphins travel from the Pacific and Indian Oceans through the deep but narrow Nusa Tenggara island chain, which has been identified as an important migration route for numerous whale species as well and great schools of tuna.
Flores and Alor are rich in large marine life, especially whales and dolphins. Coastal communities living along eastern Indonesia's marine migratory routes, especially in the villages of Lamalera and Lamakera, have been hunting whales for centuries. Equipped with simple spears, they take only what their village needs to eat and barter in return for vegetables and rice.
Coral reefs are mostly found along the northern coast of the Solor and Alor island group with some coral reefs lining the channels in between major islands. The southern coastline of the islands, particularly on the island of Lembata, is lined with rocks and only little coral. The reefs also include rocky bottoms along the northwest tip of Alor starting in the strait between Alor and Pantar.
The Solor and Alor islands are located east of Flores in Nusa Tenggara Timor. Kalabahi is the largest town on Alor and the capital for Alor Regency.
Climate information
Dry season:
Rainy season:
Air temperature:
Water temperature:
Best time to dive:
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May - October
November - April
27 - 32C
27C on average but often colder in the south
All year round, best is May - October
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Activities
- whale & large marine life watching
- spot whales surfacing & slip into the tenders to take a closer look (seasonal)
- visit traditional whale hunters
- option to go with whale hunters on a trip (plan in advance)
- land trips including:
- visits to traditional weaving villages
- option to see crocodiles on Wetar Island
- spectacular diving especially for experienced divers
- fishing for Spanish mackerel, dogtooth and yellowfin tuna
How to get there
Flights: From Bali to Maumere
Flights also available to Kalabahi, via Kupang but less frequent
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