Field notes

Journal

Field notes from Alor and the Pantar Strait.

41 articles

Field Notes

Alor Dive Season Calendar 2027–2028: When To Dive The Pantar Strait

Alor's strongest dive window runs April through November, with October and November delivering the most powerful currents and the best odds of pelagics. September is your mola mola month. The rainy November-to-March stretch brings unsettled surface…

29 Apr 2026 6 min Read

Field Notes

Comparing Alor and Komodo Diving: Currents, Crowds and Marine Life

Alor and Komodo both deliver world-class current diving in East Nusa Tenggara, but they are not interchangeable. Komodo is the…

14 Apr 2026 7 min Read

Field Notes

Alor Marine Park Rules for Divers: Briefing, Permit and Fees Explained

Diving Alor's marine protected area means following firm rules: every diver, snorkeller and marine visitor must attend an MPA officer…

9 Apr 2026 6 min Read

Field Notes

Kalabahi Bay Muck Diving Guide: Black Sand & Year-Round Macro

Kalabahi Bay is Alor's premier black-sand muck-diving site, a sheltered volcanic inlet on Alor Island in East Nusa Tenggara where…

4 Apr 2026 6 min Read

Field Notes

Alor Dive Conditions: Currents, Visibility & Water Temperature

Alor's dive conditions reward experienced divers who plan around the water, not the calendar. Expect strong Pantar Strait surface currents…

30 Mar 2026 7 min Read

Field Notes

Alor Dive Travel Insurance and DAN Coverage: What Every Diver Must Arrange

Yes — dedicated dive-accident cover from DAN (Divers Alert Network) or an equivalent is effectively mandatory for diving Alor. Standard…

25 Mar 2026 6 min Read

Field Notes

Alor Dive Site Difficulty and Certification Levels: A Straight Answer

Alor is an advanced-leaning destination. Operators accept certified Open Water divers for gentle fun dives, but most recommend 50 to…

20 Mar 2026 6 min Read

Field Notes

Alor Diving Safety and Experience Requirements: What Operators Really Expect

Alor diving demands real experience: operators accept PADI Open Water as the floor but recommend 50-100 logged dives before you…

15 Mar 2026 6 min Read

Field Notes

Alor Diving for Advanced Drift Divers: Reading Down-Currents, Eddies and the Skill Floor

Alor diving rewards advanced drift divers who can descend fast, read down-currents, and hold trim in moving water. The Pantar…

10 Mar 2026 7 min Read

Field Notes

Alor Diving on a Budget, Safety First: The Cheapest Way That Still Keeps You Alive

The cheapest safe way to dive Alor is a land-based combo: stay in a simple Kalabahi guesthouse, then book day…

5 Mar 2026 6 min Read

From the field notes to a plan

Planning an Alor diving expedition?

Tell us your dates, certification level and number of logged dives. We match you to a licensed Alor operator and come back with an honest, permitted Alor-Pantar itinerary.

Plan Your Expedition Book your dates

Licensed Alor operators only
Marine park permit & MPA briefing arranged
DAN dive insurance confirmed before dates are held