Question 14 days of diving in June, any suggestions on where to go and how should I split my time?

[eckoback]

After factoring in transfer times, I have roughly 14 days of diving available later this summer. I've already dove in Komodo, Raja Ampat, and Nusa Penida. As of right now, I'm thinking of splitting my time between Komodo, then flying to Alor for the other half. I was thinking Komodo at first because when I first dove there, it wasn't the right season for the northern sites like Cauldron, Crystal Bay, Castle Rock, etc., so I feel as if I'm missing a huge part of the Komodo experience. Alor seemed like the next best option and a crowd favorite that I haven't dove yet, and it's easily flown from LBJ > KOE > ARD on a single flight ticket.

I prioritize fish activity and reef health in my dives, and could skip out on anything macro or muck. Any other suggestions on where I should go or how I should allocate my time?

 

[diveUAE]

We had a great trip to Bali, Alor and Komodo last year. Cauldron/shotgun was so fun we decided to do it twice.
Alor I loved - especially Alor divers. So relaxing.

 

[outofofficebrb]

I’d say say more time in Alor and less in Komodo. You will be able to dive all those northern sites and more within 4 days land based easily while doing 3 dives a day. The shops are on a weekly schedule and they know which sites they’re going to each day, generally. It’s subject to slight changes given conditions and weather but you can pretty much map it out. You can even mention the sites you’re particularly interested in and they will help you optimize your time. I suggest a dive shop that has speedboats instead of the slow boats. (Blue Marlin is one.) You’ll beat everyone to the dive site and avoid crowds and will be back before everyone else so you can enjoy downtime back in Labuan Bajo with a head start on happy hour, showering, relaxing, dinner sooner.

Spend the rest of the time in Alor. I was there for 8 diving days last time and it was not enough! I didn’t even get around to muck. That was just the wide angle. I could easily spend 14 days + there.

 

[eckoback]

I’d say say more time in Alor and less in Komodo. You will be able to dive all those northern sites and more within 4 days land based easily while doing 3 dives a day. The shops are on a weekly schedule and they know which sites they’re going to each day, generally. It’s subject to slight changes given conditions and weather but you can pretty much map it out. You can even mention the sites you’re particularly interested in and they will help you optimize your time. I suggest a dive shop that has speedboats instead of the slow boats. (Blue Marlin is one.) You’ll beat everyone to the dive site and avoid crowds and will be back before everyone else so you can enjoy downtime back in Labuan Bajo with a head start on happy hour, showering, relaxing, dinner sooner.

Spend the rest of the time in Alor. I was there for 8 diving days last time and it was not enough! I didn’t even get around to muck. That was just the wide angle. I could easily spend 14 days + there.

Which dive shop did you go with in Alor?

 

[jeremyl]

I have the same situation - tho maybe more time. I have a 7nt LOB booked for Komodo then Alor is likely my next stop. I'll probably do some diving on Bali before Komodo (June 12-18). Everyone says "ALOR ALOR ALOR" so I will make it happen... not booked anything. I know getting there from LBJ is not trivial. (I welcome input). I have a partner for Komodo but will be solo after that.
Alor divers always comes up as recommended, but they are on the opposite side of the channel. Some friends are going to Alami Alor in April - but they tend to stay at nicer places - they go as a group and book the whole place so get better pricing.
I fond a couple older threads on the subject when I was looking into it.

Alor, best dive resort? ?

Planning my next longer trip to Indonesia and was looking into Alor beside some other places. Has anybody some information about the different resorts there? Thanks

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Alor - done my homework, now some important questions

So there is Alor info sprinkled across dozens of different threads here. I have cut and pasted many tidbits into a single research file, but I still have some big questions. 1. Overnight trips: Has anyone done an overnight trip with Alor Dive (Thomas, the German run op)? How was it? How often...

scubaboard.com

Please keep the thread going with what you decide. I need to start thinking about bookings.