Page 60 - Diving Indonesia 21 November 2019

Alor and Kupang

The people of Alor are predominantly Conditions
Christian and the way of life is generally
subsistence farming and fishing. The
main industries on Alor are pearl farming Alor is known for strong currents
in Kalahabi Bay and agriculture; corn, making it best suited to experienced
coconuts, vanilla and almonds are grown divers. However, some sites, if timed
here. Despite the phenomenal diving, correctly, are suitable for divers
tourism has yet to fully take hold, perhaps of all levels but currents here are
due to the limited facilities currently unpredictable and can change with
available. little warning.

Bahasa Indonesia is taught in the The numerous dive sites of Alor are
education system but the main daily actually spread over the relatively
spoken language is Alor-Malay, Basic small sea area encompassing Alor,
English is understood by some but not Pantar, Pura, Kepa, Ternate and
many. Crocodile Island. The sites are
predominantly walls and slopes but
Kupang is a much more modernized and there are also sea mounts, ridges and
developed affair with a bustling town pinnacles.
center, shopping malls, hotels, movie Alor is renowned for its incredible
ALoR & KUPANG diving in Kupang is adequate but when visibility which can stretch up to
theatres and places to eat. The ocean
40 meters and beyond, at its worst
compared to that of Alor, which is in such
close proximity, it’s not recommended
– March) it rarely drops below 15
as a diving destination in its own right. during the wet season (January
However, for cave divers and those who meters.
are traveling through Kupang and don’t
lor is approximately 2800 The only town on Alor is Kalabahi which have time to travel to Alor, there are some Water temperature ranges from
square kilometers which has a population of around 150,000; there excellent fresh water caves and pleasant 26 – 29 degrees but thermoclines of
Amakes it the largest island are a couple of very basic local hotels, a enough ocean dive sites to explore. 20 degrees are not unusual so pack
of the Alor archipelago. Alor’s Mali local hospital and a range of small shops appropriate thermal protection.
Airport (ARD) is currently only and warungs; facilities for tourists are
extremely limited. If you cannot manage
accessed via Kupang on Timor Island without luxury accommodation this may For fresh water cave diving in Kupang
which is only serviced domestically not be the best destination for you. There see the “Kupang’s Fresh Water Cave
Diving” section below.
so transiting through Bali or Jakarta are ATMs in Kalabahi and a handful of
is necessary. Flights from Kupang to warungs have wifi.
Alor take 45 minutes and booking
tickets from outside of Indonesia can There are a number of dive resorts in
be tricky - many operators will deal the Alor region but the area still tends
with this for you. to be mostly frequented by divers
during liveaboard trips. More land based
operations are opening up and appears to
be a trend that is expected to continue.

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