Kupang-Alor

Starting in Kupang and finishing in Alor, far from the crowds, this region has fantastic macro life, stunning coral reefs, an abundance of fish, and schooling pelagic providing amazing diving.  Watch out for larger pelagic in the cooler waters of the South, including mola mola, thresher & hammerhead sharks.  During the surface interval you may even have the chance to spot dolphins or pilot whales.  Even blue & sperm whales can be seen here.  

Sample Itinerary 

Note:  All schedules are subjected to changes according to weather, sea, diving, & local conditions.

Day before: (0 dives) Early check-in including dinner.  No diving on this day.  Our staff will meet you in El Tari Airport or local hotel and transfer you to Blue Manta at Tenau Port.  Sail overnight to Lembata area.

Day 1.  (3 dives) Pulau Lembata area, smoldering volcanoes reaching down into crystal clear waters fringed with pristine black corals and large sponges.  Sail to Treweg Island.

Day 2-3. (3-4 dives x2 days) Treweg Island & Beanbagan.  The latter with black sand, great for critter spotting.   Possible visit to the beach.  Sail to Alor.

Day 4-6. (3-4 dives x3 days) Alor & Pantar Strait (Islands of Kepa, Pura, Ternate, & Buaya between Pantar & Alor): Nutrient-rich adventurous currents and a diversity of dive site formations, make for an abundance of coral and fish, both big and small.  Crazy critters galour & night dives a must.  Possible visit to a local village. 

Day 6. (3-4 dives) Pulau Lembata area, smoldering Volcanoes reaching down into crystal clear waters fringed with pristine black corals and large sponges.  Sail back to Alor.

Day 7. (2 dives) Alor: Chance to repeat final 2 dives.  Then we sail back to Alor, where you spend the last night on board in Kalabahi Port.  Plenty of time to wash & dry equipment, rest & relaxation, and if need be, an early flight on trip departure day.

Day 8. (0 dives) 5am-12pm. Check out after light breakfast & farewells, we transfer to local hotel or airport. Take your pre-booked flight to Bali or Jakarta.

Diving days: 7 days (20 dives)

Note: Land-based visits may substitute for a dive(s). 

Embarkation / Disembarkation

  • Kupang (KOE), East Nusa Tenggara / Alor (ARD), East Nusa Tenggara

How to get to Kupang (KOE), East Nusa Tenggara

  • From Bali (DPS): Daily domestic flights to Kupang with Lion Air (10:00-11:40) or Air Asia Indonesia DPS-KOE (10:40-12:25).
  • From Jakarta (CGK): Non-stop flights with Citilink (02:05-06:05) or Batik Air (02:00-06:10)
  • Alternatively, Kupang can be accessed from Jakarta via Surabaya (SUB) or Makassar (UPG) with Lion Wings and Garuda Indonesia.  
  • Our staff will meet you at the airport and transfer you to Blue Manta (estimated transfer time 1 hour).

How to get from Alor (ARD), East Nusa Tenggara

  • To Mali Airport, Alor.  From boat to airport, estimated 1hr transfer time.
  • Back to Jakarta.  Take the Lion Air morning flights (09:30-10:30) from Alor to Kupang. You can then take Garuda Indonesia onward flight (13:40-16:55) back to Jakarta.
  • From Bali. Take the Lion Wings morning flight from Alor to Kupang departing at 09:30 and arriving at 10:30. You can then take
    the Lion Air flight back to Bali to meet your international connection.

Dive Site Information

  • Water Temp: South: 22-26 degrees, it can be cold in the waters around Lembetta & Alor.  We recommend you bring extra exposure suit for this section of the cruise.  North: 26-30 degrees Celsius. 
  • Air Temp: 25-30 degrees Celsius
  • Visibility: 15-30 meters.  
  • Level: Intermediate to advanced. 
  • Best Time to Dive: All year round, best March to December

What's included?

  • Round trip transfer local Hotel/Airport - Boat
  • All nights' accommodation on Boat
  • All meals (Western & Indonesian) snacks, hot beverages, coffee, tea, Milo, soft drinks
  • Towels, toiletries, & cabin services
  • FOC replacement if equipment breakdown
  • Warm towel & drink after every dive
  • Regular air tanks, weights, belt, 6 dive guides (1x instructor, 5x dive masters)

What's excluded?

  • All flights & hotels stay
  • Marine Park & Harbour fees 
  • Dive & Travel insurance
  • Fuel surcharge (if applicable). Please see our Booking Information page 'Fuel surcharge' section for more details and fees per person.
  • Massage services
  • Laundry services 
  • Nespresso coffee, alcohol; beer & wine
  • Satellite Wi-Fi
  • Diving gear: Dive computer, torch, large tank, BCD, regulator, wetsuit, fins, mask.  
  • Nitrox Enriched Air fills
  • Note: Nitrox & diving gear items priced per diving day and are subject to availability.
  • Note: Exposure suits, 3mm shorty wetsuits available ONLY.  

Trip Schedule

  • Departure:  2pm, 1st day - Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara.  Or earlier if everyone arrives before and all trip preparations have been completed.  Free transfer from local hotel or El Tari Airport, Kupang to Port (transfer time around 1 hour) to Blue Manta on trip departure day.
  • Return: 5am, last day Alor, East Nusa Tenggara.  After a light breakfast and fond farewells, we take you to local hotel or Mali Airport, Alor in time for check-in & flight or local hotel (transfer time around 1 hour).  Note: Latest BM check-out, midday, trip return day.
  • Last dive ends: 12pm, penultimate day.  Plenty of time for R&R while we sail back to Alor where we spend the last night on Blue Manta.  This also allows for your minimum 18 hours’ surface interval/ No Fly Time (as recommended by PADI) before flying the next day.

Additional Trip Information

Travel Documents

  • Please see our Travel & Visa Information page to help prepare and plan in advance for your travels and entry into Indonesia, as detailed by the Government of Indonesia.
  • Guest Info. We MUST receive guest’s details well in advance in the trip.  Note: Late receipt of passport details may very likely lead to delayed departure & significant changes to the itinerary.
  • Visa On Arrival (VOA), single entry is now available for many countries and Visa Exemption Arrangement (VEP) for some ASEAN countries for stay up to 30 days. VOA cost: IDR 500,000 (approx. EUR 32 / USD 35). Payment can be done by: Visa, Mastercard or Debit Card or Cash Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). You may also apply for an eVOA prior to your travel, making it super easy. Note: Please check here for eligibity. If you are from one of countries not on the VOA or VEA lists, or if you simply wish to get a visa in advance, you MUST apply for an eVisa (B211A) online PRIOR to arrival before entering all other airports.
  • Passport. Please ensure your passport is in good order, has enough pages, is valid for at least 6 months, and that you are able to enter Indonesia. Check with your local Embassy of Indonesia if unsure.
  • Departure Tax. Indonesia Passenger Service Charge (IPSC) has changed to be included in your flight ticket price. Please check though as previously it was 200,000IDRp to leave Indonesia, & up to 100,000IDRp for domestic flights. Carry small bills, Indonesia Rupiah preferred, as often no change given.

Domestic Flights

  • Please book BEFORE confirming your International flights to ensure you make your connection to & from Alor.
  • We STRONGLY recommend 1 nights stay in Bali/ Jakarta before your trip to make connecting domestic flight
  • Travel agent: If you require assistance with your itinerary: obtaining an e-visa, booking domestic flight tickets, hotels, transfers, and additional land arrangements etc, we can recommend local Indonesian Travel agents, our friends at Come2Indonesia.  Contact the team here tour2@come2indonesia.com.. Note: If booked with credit card please ensure the card is with you upon check-In or have an official Airline form filled in & signed by card holder authorizing the use of.
  • Our ticketing agents are not responsible for any flight delay or cancellation, luggage lost or delay. In any case, please contact our ground staff in Bali for assistance for flight delay issue.
  • Early Arrivals; we can help recommend local hotels where we can pick you up on Trip Departure day. If needed transfers can be arranged for a nominal fee. Day of trip all included.
  • Luggage Allowance. Domestic airlines normally have 20kg allowance, although you may pay for 10kg extra when booking, if needed (around US$3-5/kilo). With an additional 7kg carryon.  Please consult with our Travel agent or Airline carrier (if booking directly) for actual details.  

Health & Insurance

  • Dive Insurance:  Compulsory for this trip.  We also strongly advise you get adequate travel insurance. Please check your travel insurance policy for your diving needs.  If not covered then we recommend DiveAssure for their single trip policy cover.
  • Dive Computer: Compulsory on this trip.  We have rentals onboard if you do not have.
  • Follow Safe Diving Practices at ALL times plus No Deco Diving and No Solo Diving.
  • Travel insurance is compulsory for our trips. Our trips are not inclusive of any form of insurance. White Manta Diving cannot be held responsible for any trip disruption or cancellation due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control, or any flight/ hotel expenses/ medical/ extraction/ delay/ refusal of admittance to the country or your trip, before, during or after. We strongly recommend all guests purchase adequate travel insurance, as such an occurance will affect all guests on trip. Please see our Booking Information page 'Travel Insurance' section for more details and recommended insurers.
  • Malaria Zone: NOTE that in this part of Indonesia we advise you take the proper precautions against malaria.  The following anti-malaria drugs are considered safe with diving; Doxycycline or Malarone.  Mefloquine (Lariam) is NOT recommended with diving.  Good preventative measures include DEET and long armed/legged clothing in evenings. If unsure consult a diving doctor.

Internet/ Mobile

  • Satellite Wi-Fi
  • Mobile signal: Local Telkomsel is best local card to buy.  Not long after you leave port we have has intermittent/ limited mobile signal until we return.
  • Telkomsel prepaid card is the best value. Plus can add credit to top up!!!

Trip Extras payment onboard

  • By credit card comes with 4.5% additional handling fee.
  • By cash we accept US Dollars, Euro, Singaporean Dollars, and Indonesian Rupiah.  Please ensure ALL bills are in good order; NOT worn or torn and unmarked or we are UNABLE to accept.  ATMs available in town.

Trip Extras

  • Marine Park & Harbour fee: US$250 per person (collected in advance of trip)
  • Fuel surcharge fee: US$200 per person (collected in advance of trip)
  • Massage US$35/ hour,  Laundry services (US$10/ basket)
  • Nespresso coffee: US$2, beer US$4, wine US$30-50
  • Satellite Wi-Fi: US$35 per person/ 10Gb card.
  • Nitrox: US$20/ diving day or US$7/ fill.

Equipment rental

Diving gear: Full Set US$50/ diving day (except large tank & torch) ONLY if paid in advance of the trip, else individual rates apply per diving day**

  • BCD US$15
  • Regulator US$15
  • Dive computer US$15
  • Wetsuit US$10
  • Fins US$10
  • Mask US$10
  • Large tank US$15
  • Torch** US$15 per sunset/ night dive.

Diving gear items priced per diving day**. Please provide sizes in advance of the trip, as all gear is subject to availability. If not known then provide your height, weight, shoe size, where applicable.

  • Note: Torch rental** price is per sunset/ night dive.
  • Note: Exposure suits: 3mm shorty wetsuits available ONLY.    
  • Note: Large tank AL100, 100 cu ft (13.2 liters)
  • Note: Gear included: Regular air tank AL80, 80 cu ft (11.1 liters), weights, belt.
  • Note: Additional tank US$15/ day

TRIP BOOKING