Travel Info & Frequently Asked Questions

The most direct route to travel to Alor if entering from overseas is to go via Bali (Denpasar), Surabaya or Jakarta. From there you will need to book a flight to Kupang and from Kupang a final flight to Alor Mali Airport. Domestic flight schedules can change without much prior notice, therefore we recommend planning ample travel time in case of delays. 

Since COVID-19, visa requirements have been constantly changing for foreigners travelling to Indonesia. We suggest you check the latest requirements here if travelling through Bali: https://bali.com/bali/bali-visa-indonesia-entry-regulations/

Currently (January 2023) Lion Air includes 20 kg (44 lbs) of luggage, while on the smaller aircrafts from Kupang to Alor, the luggage must be purchased separately. Excess weight can be purchased during the ticket booking or can be paid at the airport in Indonesian Rupiah when checking-in at a more expensive rate.

We recommend you bring plenty of mosquito repellent and consult with your doctor should you have any concerns. The dry season in Alor means there are less mosquitos and few cases of malaria or dengue.

It is highly recommended that you purchase travel insurance including comprehensive accident, medical, luggage and trip cancellation insurance. In case of bad weather or other unforeseen circumstances beyond our control, we will not be able to provide any refund or credit.

Diving insurance is mandatory due to our isolated location, the nearest hyperbaric chamber is located in Bali and evacuation costs and chamber expenses are not covered under standard medical insurance. We recommend DAN insurance, you will need to purchase according to your country of residence.

There are local hospitals in Alor but if for bigger emergencies we recommend evacuation to Bali or Singapore.

Diving insurance is mandatory due to our isolated location, the nearest hyperbaric chamber is located in Bali and evacuation costs and chamber expenses are not covered under standard medical insurance. We recommend DAN insurance, you will need to purchase according to your country of residence.

As we are located on a hill, unfortunately our site is not suitable for people with walking disabilities. There are a number of stairs required to go up and down from the dive center to the restaurant. 

Yes, we are able to cater to vegans, vegetarians, food allergies or intolerances. We send out a form to fill before your arrival which helps us understand what you like, dislike, can or cannot eat, and we do our best to adapt our menu based on this information.  

Alor offers a nice balance between pristine, colorful coral reefs where schools of fish can be encountered, and muck dive sites where the unique critters are usually spotted. The coral sites are mostly bottomless walls or feature a sloping topography where current can vary from mild to strong with good visibility, while in the muck sites you will find a sandy black bottom with little current and average visibility.

The average temperature is usually between 24-30°C, but it has been known to drop in certain areas to 20°C, in some dive sites you might feel a thermocline of 16°C. We therefore recommend a 5mm wetsuit, gloves and a hood if you get chilly.

To be able to go fun diving, a minimum certification equivalent to PADI Open Water is necessary. We also recommend having at least 50-100 dives in order to be able to enjoy and feel comfortable in the Alor-Pantar waters.

Yes, we offer recreational PADI diving courses from beginner level to advanced. Please contact us if you would like to take a course.

We generally offer 3 dives per day due to our remote location, we prefer not to push the limits. In exceptional cases we might offer the possibility of doing a 4th dive for a group, but this is to be discussed prior to the booking.

We usually dive between 15-25 meters and ask that all divers stay within the limits of their qualifying certifications. All dives are required to be no-decompression dives, we do not allow solo-diving and we reserve the right to cancel any unused dives should divers not respect and follow the rules of the company.

Yes, DAN (Diver’s Alert Network) insurance or equivalent is mandatory for scuba divers due to our remote location.

We suggest aligning your booking dates with the lunar phase for an optimal diving experience. If you’re adventurous, like currents, and eager to encounter larger marine life, booking around the new moon and full moon can provide exhilarating encounters. Alternatively, for those seeking calmer dives, we advise avoiding these peak lunar periods.