Alami Alor Dive Reort

Located along the volcanic coastline of Alor, Indonesia, Alami Alor is a boutique resort designed for divers who value privacy and a personalised approach. Since 2015, the resort has provided a quiet, tropical base for those looking to explore the unique marine ecosystems of the Pantar Strait and the surrounding bays.

The resort is set within a tropical forest and offers a small-scale environment where guests are known personally. With a maximum capacity of 14 people, the atmosphere is family-oriented, with meals served together and a focus on the specific interests of each diver, whether they are looking for large pelagics or tiny macro life.

The resort is run by an experienced management team and supported by a local staff of 40 employees. This local expertise is central to the operation, particularly regarding the navigation of the complex currents and tides characteristic of the region.

For those looking to improve their imaging skills, the Alor Photo Academy provides professional guidance. A resident photo professional is available to lead workshops, helping you refine your technique in one of the world's most diverse marine environments.

The centre offers Nitrox training for those looking to extend their bottom times. Beyond standard certification, the Alami Photo Academy provides structured underwater photography workshops. These modules range from single-day sessions covering two dives to three-day programmes covering six dives, designed to suit different levels of photographic experience.

For snorkelers, specialised photo-snorkelling workshops are also available.

Two speedboats are used for excursions to the various dive sites around the island. Each boat carries a capacity of 6 to 8 guests, ensuring that groups remain small and manageable.

Boat trips are organised for two morning dives, with options for afternoon or night dives depending on the schedule. Nitrox is available for use on these trips for certified divers.

The centre is well-equipped for serious underwater photographers. There is a dedicated air-conditioned camera room and a personal workbench for setting up, dismantling, and charging camera equipment. A specific area is also provided for rinsing, soaking, and drying camera housings.

The resort's dive centre handles the logistics of your kit, with staff available to store and prepare your equipment for each dive. For those staying on the house reef, the jetty features a bathing platform that allows for easy access to the water.

The Pantar Strait and surrounding reefs are home to a spectacular array of large marine life. You may encounter dolphins (Delphinidae), whales, and mola-mola, particularly when the lunar cycle brings cooler water up through the strait. The area also supports hammerhead sharks, Thresher sharks, and various species of reef sharks, including the Grey reef shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos) and the Blacktip reef shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus).

The reef architecture is built upon healthy colonies of hard and soft corals, providing a home for diverse fish populations. You will see large schools of Jack (Carangidae), trevally, and snappers (Lutjanus), alongside colourful butterflyfish, angelfish (Pomacanthidae), and parrotfish (Calotomus). Larger predators like tuna (Thunnus), barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda), and various rays, including the Eagle ray, are also part of the ecosystem.

Macro enthusiasts will find Alor to be a premier destination. The sandy and muck sites are famous for the wonderpus octopus, the mimic octopus, and the blue-ringed octopus. You can search for various species of rhinopias scorpionfish, frogfish (Antennarius), and the elusive Ornate ghost pipefish (Solenostomus paradoxus).

The smaller inhabitants are equally diverse, including a vast collection of nudibranchs, such as the strawberry nudibranch and Janolus nudibranch, as well as various species of pygmy seahorses (Hippocampus bargibanti), shrimp (Caridea), and crabs (Brachyura). Harlequin shrimps, Coleman shrimps, and various types of pipefish and ghost pipefish inhabit the crevices of the reef and the silt of the bay.

The diving in Alor is influenced by the movement of water through the Pantar Strait. After every new moon and full moon, cold water upwellings from the southern seas move through the strait, which helps regulate temperatures and maintains the vibrancy of the coral reefs.

The currents and tides in the area can be significant. Navigating these waters requires experienced captains and dive guides who understand the specific timing and patterns of the local currents.