Lazy Turtle Dive Alor

Established in late 2018, Lazy Turtle Dive is a small, professional operation situated in Alor Kecil. The centre is run by a Franco-English team dedicated to high standards of diving and environmental responsibility, including active waste management and community involvement.

For those seeking an authentic Indonesian experience, the centre provides accommodation at Marangki Kepa Bungalows on Kepa Island. These traditional bungalows feature mosquito nets, en-suite bathrooms, gravity-fed showers, and an off-grid solar power system. Other options include the Lerebeng Homestay, which offers air-conditioned rooms, or the more modern Simfony Hotel.

The team is composed of French and English speaking professionals, making communication straightforward for international divers. The centre operates with a strict ratio of no more than four divers per guide, which allows for close supervision and a more tailored approach to each dive.

While the centre offers various PADI courses, they do not provide training for absolute beginners. This policy is in place to maintain high safety standards and ensure the quality of the diving experience for those already possessing some level of experience. Divers with fewer than 50 logged dives are encouraged to discuss their experience levels prior to booking.

The centre is PADI affiliated and offers several specialised training programmes. You can complete the PADI Advanced Open Water course or the PADI Enriched Air Nitrox specialty to extend your bottom time.

For those looking to brush up on their skills, a PADI Refresher Dive course is also available. The centre focuses on these higher-level certifications to cater to the specific demands of the local diving environment.

The centre operates a single small motorboat named Naughty Nudi, which has a capacity for 6 clients. The boat is used for morning trips consisting of two dives and afternoon trips consisting of a single dive.

On board, you will find water, snacks, and lunch provided for the trips. The vessel is equipped with a mobile phone, a first aid kit, spare tools and equipment, and a dedicated charging zone for your electronic devices. Nitrox is available for use on the boat.

Full kit hire is available for divers who do not wish to travel with their own equipment. This includes a 3mm or 5mm wetsuit, mask, fins, boots, weights, a BCD, and Scubapro regulators. You will also be provided with an S80 11.1L aluminium cylinder, a DSMB, and a reef hook.

Safety is a priority on site, with oxygen availability and first aid kits maintained for dive operations.

The waters around Alor are home to a diverse range of pelagics and reef life. You may encounter dolphins (Delphinidae) and, with luck, the local dugong (Dugong dugon). The reefs are populated by various species including reef sharks (Carcharhinus), blacktip reef sharks (Carcharhinus melanopterus), and grey reef sharks (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos).

Large predatory fish are a common sight, including various species of trevally, tuna (Thunnus), and giant trevallies (Caranx ignobilis). You will also see bluefin trevally (Caranx melampygus), barracuda (Sphyraena), and various types of snapper (Lutjanidae). Other notable residents include jack (Carangidae), sweetlips (Plectorhinchus), and grouper (Epinephelinae).

For macro enthusiasts, the area offers significant variety. Look out for nudibranchs, including the strawberry nudibranch, and various species of octopus (Octopoda) such as the mimic octopus (Thaumoctopus mimicus), wonderpus octopus (Wunderpus photogenicus), and blue-ringed octopus (Hapalochlaena). You may also find pygmy squid, flamboyant cuttlefish (Metasepia pfefferi), and various species of shrimp (Caridea), including harlequin shrimp (Hymenocera picta) and cleaner shrimp (Lysmata).

Reef scenery is provided by a wealth of colourful life, from butterflyfish (Chaetodon) and angelfish (Pomacanthidae) to parrotfish (Calotomus) and damselfish (Pomacentridae). The seabed is dotted with sea anemones (Actiniaria), sea stars, and various corals, providing a complex habitat for sea snakes (Hydrophiinae), moray eels (Muraenidae), and stonefish (Synanceia).

Diving in Alor often involves challenging conditions that require good buoyancy control due to the presence of currents. The best time to visit the region is from mid-March to mid-December.

To reach the centre, you can fly from Kupang (KOE) to Alor (ARD), followed by a 50-60 minute car transfer. Alternatively, ferry services are available from Kupang or Kalabahi.