Diving in Alor/Komodo - How strong are the currents?

[ChilliNZ]

Hi,

So my girlfriend and I (Potentially another couple, too) are looking at doing a budget liveaboard in Komodo next year (Mid year). My girlfriend and I (And potentially the other couple, too) are thinking about heading off to Alor as Raja Ampat is supposed to be too rough from May to September (Right?)

I don't think Komodo is such a problem but I have heard the currents at Alor can be quite intense.

I would consider both my girlfriend and I to be moderately experienced divers - I have about 130 dives and she has maybe 80 dives - I'll probably have 200 by the time we head to Indonesia. I'd certainly be reluctant to consider myself advanced - I have rescue and nitrox but I suppose that doesn't mean much in this context.

We have both dived together at Cozumel, the Galapagos and Coiba - places with currents and slightly gnarlier conditions than a lot of the other fishbowls we have dived in

My OW cert conditions are still probably the hardest conditions I have ever dived in.

How strong are the currents in Alor? I don't mind currents, especially when you know where they're going to go but I'd prefer not to have to use a bloody reef hook or anything silly. And I certainly don't want a strong down current making me paranoid about dragging me down

 

[highdesert]

I don't think the currents in Alor are any worse than Komodo, though if I compare the two, we had more cases in Alor where the currents changed more quickly. I can say that we did get totally blown off one site in Alor, and this was with a very experienced guide in the area. All the currents we encountered, including that one, were moving along the terrain, not up or down. On the other hand, the majority of our dives had little or no current. Sure, it's possible to be in the wrong place and the wrong time, but that's why you go with a good guide.

 

[Wingy]

I personally found the currents at Alor more intense and washing machiney...as highdesert mentioned, the guides at Alor are great - they know what they are doing. Perhaps it was time of year but Komodo didnt give me any hang on where we going moments

[video=youtube;9L1L83kCKnQ]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9L1L83kCKnQ[/video]

 

[highdesert]

I personally found the currents at Alor more intense and washing machiney...

I think it's worth pointing out to someone who hasn't been there that while they'll see currents like your video, that's NOT what they're diving in. I've got a video shot near the same place, crossing the channel, with a whirlpool 30 meters across and a meter deep at the center. Exciting to see .. but only from the boat.

 

[Wingy]

True..the boatmen at Alor are very very good. They wont drop you off there

 

[ChilliNZ]

True..the boatmen at Alor are very very good. They wont drop you off there

Ah, a wind up merchant, I see! Blimmin' Aussies, aye

 

[Wingy]

Had to give you Kiwi's a bit of a serve - still defrosting from Poor Knights two years ago

Seriously...Alor is amazing, I really loved it - you wont regret it.

 

[ChilliNZ]

Had to give you Kiwi's a bit of a serve - still defrosting from Poor Knights two years ago

Seriously...Alor is amazing, I really loved it - you wont regret it.

Oi! Don't get cheeky or maybe one of those baited drums might come and nibble on ya

How does it compare to Raja, really? And how will it compare to Mabul/Sipadan/Galapagos/western Solomons/Fiji? I'm guessing a solid and marked step up of all of those

 

[tajkd]

IMO the currents in Komodo are tremendously greater than Cozumel or Galapagos, when I was there at least. See my report here and don't underestimate them.

 

[Wingy]

Cant comment on Fiji or Galapagos, will be in R4 soon, Sipidan is good diving, very good diving, but also very ..commercialised. Alor and Komodo are wild. My personal preference is for the path less trodden - I particularly liked the vibe at Alor. Komodo is also fascinating from below and topside...just a thought..in NZ you are a direct flight to Faaa. Have you thought about diving FPolynesia? The tuomotos will knock your socks off if its big stuff you are after.