Alor Dive Expedition
Corals, Conservation, Sharks, & Macro
October 21 - 29, 2026
Expedition Overview
Alor is a hidden gem on Indonesia's eastern edge, past the reach of Bali and Komodo's crowds. Strong currents push through the Pantar Strait, carving dramatic walls, feeding some of the most spectacular coral reefs anywhere on the planet, and pulling hammerhead and thresher sharks in from the blue, all set against a landscape of black volcanic sand where warm bubbles rise straight up from the seafloor.
Over eight nights we dive Alor's best sites, staying at Nautika Dive Alor, a resort on the water. Between dives we spend time with the people and conservation work that make this place what it is, from the Nautika Foundation's coral restoration program, to traditional ikat weaving, to visiting villages ashore. Add in film and editing coaching with Matthew along the way, and it's more than a week of diving few travelers ever get to experience.
Expedition Highlights
Eight nights in Alor with up to 23 dives across the Pantar Strait, one of eastern Indonesia's wildest and least-traveled corners
Strong, nutrient-rich currents bringing hammerhead sharks, thresher sharks, and mola mola, whale sharks, and migrating blue whales
Volcanic sand slopes where warm bubbles rise straight from the seafloor
World-class muck diving: hinopias, pygmy seahorses, frogfish, mandarinfish, wonderpus, mimic octopus, blue-ring octopus, ornate ghost pipefish, Ambon scorpionfish, flamboyant cuttlefish, harlequin shrimp, leaf scorpionfish, countless species of nudibranch, and more
Stay at Nautika Dive Alor, an Indonesian owned and operated dive resort looking out over the water with a volcanic landscape behind it
Small, close-knit group with a team-focused atmosphere on and off the boat
Filming, editing, and storytelling coaching from ocean filmmaker Matthew David Kaplan Matthew David Kaplan
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Deluxe room: €2,420 per person, sharing
Cottage room: €2,845 per person, sharing
Solo travelers are welcome and will share with a fellow team member unless a single room is requested.
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Prices are per person, sharing a twin or double room
8 nights accommodation at Nautika Dive Alor
Up to 23 dives, including tanks, weights, and guiding
All meals at the resort
Round-trip airport transfers at specified times
Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks
Dive gear (excluding dive computer)
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International and domestic flights
Crew and staff gratuities (captain, dive guides, resort staff). Recommended: 10 to 15% of expedition cost
Comprehensive travel and dive insurance
Personal expenses, soft drinks, and alcohol
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Advanced Open Water certification
Comprehensive dive and travel insurance
Valid passport with 6+ months remaining
Trip Program
Day 1: Arrival
Welcome to Alor. After meeting the group and settling into the resort, we'll gather for a snack and an expedition briefing with Matthew. We'll go over the sites, the conditions, and the week ahead, and then head out for a check dive. We’ll enjoy our first dinner together as a team as the sun sets over the water. A calm, welcoming start to our days in the Pantar Strait.
Days 2 to 8: Diving the Pantar Strait
These are our six diving days, up to 24 dives in total. Each day we head out on our private boat to explore Alor's best sites: dramatic walls and caves, coral reefs alive with schooling fish, volcanic sand slopes venting warm bubbles, and the muck sites that reward a closer look. The strong, nutrient-rich currents are what make this place so special, drawing in hammerheads, threshers, mola mola, and the chance of something even bigger passing through. No two days are the same, and in Alor, anything is possible. A full day out of the water to let our bodies off-gas before flying, and a chance to slow down after a big week. Depending on the group, we may visit a nearby village, relax at the resort, or head out to watch for life from the shore. A relaxed final evening together before we go our separate ways.
Day 9: Departure
After one last breakfast, we'll pack up and make our way to the airport for onward flights home, with time to reflect on the week and start planning the next adventure.
Expedition Leader
Matthew David Kaplan
Matthew David Kaplan is an ocean filmmaker and dive expedition leader, dedicated to sharing the magical underwater world with a global audience. His mission is to conserve, restore, and protect our oceans and planet through storytelling, education, and action.
As a contributor for Discovery, Scubapro Global Dive Team member, SurfEars Ambassador, Matthew’s ocean adventures take him around the world.
Our Accommodation
Our home for the week is Nautika Dive Alor, a small land-based dive resort set right on the water and built and run by the local community it depends on. Comfortable rooms, easy access to the boat each morning, and long views out over the strait make it the perfect base for a week of diving. Between dives there is space to rest, dry off, review the day, and gather with the team over meals prepared with fresh local ingredients.
Rooms are available in two categories, cottage and deluxe, so you can choose the setup that suits you best. Solo travelers are welcome and will share with a fellow team member unless a single room is requested.
FAQs
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Yes, comprehensive travel and dive insurance is required for this expedition. Your policy should cover the full dates of your trip and include scuba diving to the depths we will be diving, along with protection for situations such as airline delays, weather disruptions, or unexpected medical needs. We also recommend coverage that includes evacuation, as Alor is remote.
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This expedition is best suited to Advanced Open Water divers and above. Alor's currents can be strong, and comfort with drift diving will make for a far better week in the water. If you are not sure whether your experience is a fit, reach out and we will talk it through.
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Alor is reached by domestic flight from within Indonesia. We will share the recommended routing and connection times once your international flights are being planned, so your arrival lines up with the group.
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Water temperatures in the Pantar Strait typically range from around 27 to 29 °C (81 to 84 °F). We recommend a 3mm to 5mm wetsuit. Currents can bring cooler upwellings, so err toward more thermal protection if you tend to feel the cold.
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We recommend bringing your own gear, since equipment that fits you well makes a real difference over a week of diving. Rental equipment is available for an additional charge. Before the trip we will gather your details and sizes so everything is ready on arrival.
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The resort has Wi-Fi, though Alor is remote and connections can be limited. It is a good week to step back from the screen and be present with the ocean.
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Nothing in the ocean is guaranteed, but we choose Alor for its consistency and time the expedition around the best conditions. Currents, seasons, and a bit of luck all play their part, and that unpredictability is part of what makes it special.
Want more info or ready to reserve your spot? Fill out the form below!
