Flores & Alor Trips
Dedicated Flores and Alor liveaboard tours concentrate on these 2 remarkable islands. Flores is known for its impressive numbers of endemic species, with Maumere Bay's reefs, plus nearby Babi and Lambata islands, offering rare weedy scorpionfish, wonderpus, sea apples, pygmy seahorses, mantis shrimp and leaffish. Alor delivers current-swept diving past healthy coral, vibrant reefs and schooling fish, with excellent macro life (pegasus, bobbit worms, Spanish dancers) in sheltered areas and larger species such as dog-tooth tuna, barracuda and grey reef sharks around Pura Island and the Pantar Strait.
Flores and Alor can be dived year-round, but the best conditions fall in the drier period from March to December, when visibility is at its best. October and November bring the strongest currents, particularly in Alor. An intermediate to advanced dive experience level is required. Currents are a defining feature of Alor liveaboard diving and are best enjoyed by divers comfortable in moving water, though sheltered sites offer easier conditions. Trips are typically 5 to 11 nights.
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Flores & Alor Trips]
Extended Nusa Tenggara Trips
These wider Nusa Tenggara liveaboard safaris combine the dive sites of Flores and Alor with Komodo National Park and sometimes the islands along the north coast of Sumbawa, including Moyo, Sangeang and Satonda. Divers benefit from Komodo's nutrient-rich waters, colourful reefs and big pelagics alongside Flores and Alor's superb macro life and low dive traffic. [More details on these dive sites: Komodo]. Shore visits are often a key feature, with opportunities to visit a whaling village or weaving village, a local market, or take an excursion to Komba volcano or the Kelimutu lakes.
Trips are generally scheduled during the drier period of March to December and outside the peak wet season. Intermediate to advanced experience reflects the currents and varied conditions found across Komodo, Flores and Alor. Trips are generally around 8 to 12 nights depending on the combination of destinations included.
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Extended Nusa Tenggara Trips]
Transit Trips
Once or twice per year, Flores and Alor liveaboards reposition between regions, crossing vast stretches of relatively unexplored water such as the Banda Sea, the Flores Sea and throughout the Moluccas. On these crossings, crews alter course to dive islands that mark the way, often visiting areas that may never have been dived before. Routes include Flores and Alor through the Banda Sea to Ambon, Flores and Alor combined with the Forgotten Islands, and some trips reaching as far as Raja Ampat or Triton Bay. These charters are often the favourites of very experienced divers and dive guides alike, thanks to the adventure of diving uncharted waters and the unpredictable nature of the cruise.
Trips run April/May and October/November, timed to coincide with seasonal changes in climate and sea conditions. Specific departures vary by boat, so check individual schedules. These expeditions suit very experienced divers who are comfortable with the unknown and with potentially demanding conditions. 11 to 15 nights are typical cruise lengths, depending on the crossing and destinations included.
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Transit Trips]