Looking for Indonesia warm water suggestions for a September/October trip

[Dan]

Probably.
Alor in august was 28-29C in the north, never less than 26C even in Anemone City.
2022 was a La Nina year with lots of rain, weather was quite sh*tty everywhere in SEA august until december (in fact meteorologists say it's a triple dip La Nina occuring since August 2020 that would last until june 2023!), though water temps were warmer.

I was in the South Komodo (Horseshoe Bay) in August 2022. The water was green. So we skipped the south & went back to central Komodo.

 

[outofofficebrb]

Super-helpful, thank you. Are you referring only to LOBs, or have you also stayed on land in Raja? I've been in touch with some people who said the conditions were fine in central Raja in October when based at a resort or homestay. Also great to know about Raja in April as a possibility.
Are there large pelagics in Alor? That's not been on my radar.

I have done both land based (Papua Explorers) and liveaboards (a few) in Raja Ampat as well as Komodo. I have dived liveaboards there in October and April as well as land based in April/May.

There are blue whales (swimming right by the house reef!), hammerhead sharks, dolphins, and mola mola possible.

With a little bit of luck and timing (2-3 days around full moon) hammerheads that I can confirm (with sometimes silkies within the school), thresher sharks have been reported as well.
With more luck blue whales in oct-nov.
Alor is MUCH better dived from a resort.

Blue whales kept passing by the house reef when I was in Alor in Oct 2022. I hear there are also possibilities of mola mola.

With or without anemones I still love the spot for the pools, there are awesome wide angle opportunities, although the tidal surge makes it quite challenging to shoot.
I always ask for diving it and time in the shallows even after the anemones were gone.

Your pictures make me miss Alor so much!!! Indonesia in general. Great photos!

 

[scubajunky17]

Is Alor all about muck diving then or does it also have schools and bio diversity / topography like R4 ? I generally like big stuff and big schools.

 

[Dan]

Is Alor all about muck diving then or does it also have schools and bio diversity / topography like R4 ? I generally like big stuff and big schools.

Alor has some pretty good muck diving sites. Also there are some sites for bigger stuff there too. I have been there 3 times. However, IMHO, Alor is may be rank 3rd after Komodo. You need to go around September-October to see bigger stuff like hamnerheads, dolphins, whales, etc.

My first YouTube video was about Alor dolphin encounter back in September 2012, as posted previously in post #37, page 4 of this thread.

A more recent trip to Alor was in April 2023 on Amira as part of Forgotten Island trip from Saumlaki to Maumere. I’m still putting together my trip video to Alor (too many diving trips, not enough time at home). I just finished making a video of the Current Alley part of Alor, below,

 

[scubajunky17]

Thanks for the info.

 

[Dan]

Why stop there @Dan ... Go Bali to (via Komodo Alor FI's Banda ) Sorong then Sorong to Halmahera to Lembeh to Kalimantan then back to Bali! That would be the ultimate adventure! I am sure the fuel surcharge will be minimal!

I shared your idea with my relatives who just bought a yacht, SD118 - Yacht - SD Range - Sanlorenzo Spa, who is also a diver. He likes that idea and asked me to set up the itinerary for this ultimate eastern Indonesia diving trip in 2026. However, instead of going back to Bali, he would like to go up to Sipadan, over Sarawak to Layang Layangan, Anambas, Tioman and return to Singapore, where he lives.

I haven’t been to Halmahera, Sipadan, Layang Layangan, Anambas, and Tioman, so any tips, suggestions, recommendations in those areas and in all of the the following routes are welcome!

Here’s my first draft route:

 

[Dan]

Here’s my first draft itinerary (with day only cruising and night sleeping in a protected bay):

Bali-Banda-Raja-Singapore 2026 Itinerary
(*Airport Cities)

23 August
AM MYA in Benoa marina, Bali
PM Guests arrival time in Bali

24 August
10A Cruise to Nusa Penida (16 NM)
12P Anchor in Gamat Bay, Toyapakeh
02P Check dive (D01) in Gamat Bay

25 August
07A D02 in Crystal Bay
11A D03 in Manta Point
03P D04 in Manta Bay

26 August
07A D05 in Blue Corner
11A D06 in Manta Point
03P D07 in Toyapakeh

27 August
07A Cruise to Sumbawa (112 NM)
06P Anchor in Badang Beach

28 August
07A Cruise to Moyo (20 NM)
09A Anchor in Labuan Aji
11A D08 in Angel Reef
02P Cruise to Saleh Bay (40 NM)

29 August
07A D09 w/ Whaleshark
12P Cruise to Satonda (37 NM)
06P Anchor in Pantai Labuan Barat

30 August
08A Cruise to Sangeang (77 NM)
04P Anchor in Bontoh

31 August
07A Cruise to Lighthouse Reef (7 NM)
08A Anchor in N Lighthouse Reef
09A D10 in Lighthouse Reef
01P D11 in Hot Rocks
02P Cruise to North Komodo (35 NM)
06P Anchor in West Gili Lawa Laut

01 September
07A D12 in Castle Rock
11A D13 in Crystal Rock
03P D14 in Shotgun

02 September
07A D15 in Golden Passage
10A Cruise to Lintah Strait (9 NM)
11A Anchor in Takat Makassar
02P D16 in Batu Bolong

03 September
08A Cruise to Loh Liang (12 NM)
10A Anchor in Loh Liang
11A D17 in Pink Beach

04 September
08A Visit Komodo National Park
01P Cruise to Manta Alley (13 NM)
03P Anchor in Manta Alley

05 September
07A D18 Manta Alley 1
11A D19 Manta Alley 2
02P Cruise to Horseshoe Bay (15 NM)
04P Anchor in Torpedo Alley

06 September
07A D20 in Cannibal Rock
11A D21 in Yellow Wall
01P Cruise to Padar (11 NM)
02P Anchor in Padar Bay
03P D22 in Tiga Dara
05P Hike up Padar for sunset

07 September
07A D23 in Secret Garden
10A Cruise to Labuan Bajo (24 NM)
01P Visit Labuan Bajo (LBJ)*

08 September
01P Cruise to Reok (47 NM)
06P Anchor in Reok

09 September
07A Cruise to Maumere (110 NM)
06P Anchoring in Maumere*

10 September
08A Cruise to Lembata (102 NM)
06P Anchor in Balauring

11 September
08A Cruise to Alor (57 NM)
02P Anchor in Alor Kecil
03P D24 in …

12 September
07A D25 in Clown Valley
11A D26 in Anthias Overload
03P D27 in Pura Vida

13 September
07A D28 in Current Alley
11A D29 in …
03P D30 in …

14 September
07A D31 in …
11A D32 in …
03P D33 in …

15 September
07A Cruise to Kalabahi* (7 NM)
09A Go to Mali Beach
10A Boat ride to see Dugong

16 September
08A Cruise to Reong (93 NM)
06P Anchor in Pelabuhan Eray

17 September
07A D34 in Reong Utara
11A D35 in Reong Channel
03P D36 in Reong Utara

18 September
08A Cruise to Nyata (91 NM)
05P Anchor in Pantai Hila

19 September
07A D37 in Nyata NW
11A D38 in Nyata NE
03P D39 in Nyata NW

20 September
08A Cruise to Terbang Utara (80 NM)
04P Anchor in E. Terbang Utara

21 September
07A D40 in Nusleur
11A D41 in Nusleur SW
03P D42 in Terbang Utara

22 September
08A Cruise to Serua (105 NM)
06P Anchor in SW Serua Bay

23 September
07A D43 in Magic Corner
11A D44 in Magic Corner
03P D45 in Magic Corner

24 September
08A Cruise to Manuk (50 NM)
01P Anchor in Manuk
03P D46 in Bubble Reef

25 September
07A D47 in Long Ridge
11A D48 in Coconut Corner
03P D49 in Jacks

26 September
08A Cruise to Banda Neira (65 NM)
03P Anchor in Keli Lontor
04P D50 in Maulana Jetty

27 September
08A Tour of Benteng Holandia
01P Spice tour

28 September
07A D48 in Pohon Miring
11A D49 in Batu Kapal
03P D50 in Lava Flow

29 September
08A Cruise to Nusa Laut (89 NM)
02P Anchor in Air Panas Bantang

30 September
07A D51 in Ameth Jetty
11A D52 in Ameth
12P Cruise to Ambon*(60 NM)
06P Anchor in Teluk Ambon

01 October
07A D53 in Rhino City
11A D54 in Wreck Wayami
03P D55 in Laha 1

02 October
07A D56 in Pintu Kota (A)
11A D57 in Hukunila Cave (A)
03P D58 in Batu Kapal (H)

03 October
24h Surface interval

04 October
Flying home day

05-15 October
MYA anchoring in Ambon

16 October
06A Cruising to Ceram (120 NM)
06P Anchor in Japutih

17 October
07A Cruise to Ceram Laut (107 NM)
06P Anchor in Maar

18 October
06A Cruise to Triton Bay (113 NM)
06P Anchor in Karawawi Waterfall

19 October
08A Cruise to Aiduma (64 NM)
03P Anchor in Triton Bay

20 October
07A D62 in Stoney Rock
11A D63 in Little Komodo
03P D64 in Batu Jatuh

21 October
07A D64 in Bo’s Rainbow
11A D65 in Batu Jeruk
03P D66 in Larry’s Heaven

22 October
07A D67 in Last Frontier
11A D68 in Christmas Rock
01P Cruise to Kaimana (30 NM)
04P Anchor in Kaimana Bay

23 October
06A D69 w/ Whalesharks
09A D70 w/ Whalesharks

24 October
08A Cruise to Kiti (76 NM)
04P Anchor in Kiti waterfall

25 October
07A D71 in Momon Reef
11A D72 in Momon Reef
03P D73 in Batu Cantik

26 October
08A Cruise to Pisang (99 NM)
06P Anchor in Turtle Beach

27 October
08A Cruise to Misool (55 NM)
02P Anchor in Daram Bay
03P D74 in Living Color

28 October
07A D75 in Magic Mountain
11A D76 in Gus Ridge
03P D77 in Eagle Nest

29 October
07A D78 in Bo Window
11A D79 in Yillet Kecil
03P D80 in Romeo

30 October
08A Cruise to Sorong (90 NM)
05P Anchor in Sorong* Harbor

31 October
AM Restocking food & refueling
AM Dan transfer to Mermaid 1
PM Dinner in town

01 November
08A Cruise to Mansuar (39 NM)
12P Anchor in Cape Kri
02P D81 in Mioskon

02 November
07A D82 in Cape Kri
11A D83 in Blue Magic
03P D84 in Sardine Reef

03 November
07A D85 in Manta Sandy
11A D86 in Arborek
03P D87 in Sawondarek

04 November
07A D88 in Yenbuba corner
11A D89 in …
01P Cruise to Fam (22 NM)
03P Anchor in E. Fam
04P D90 in Melissa’s Garden

05 November
07A D91 in Melissa’s Garden
11A D92 in Keruo
01P Cruise to Wofoh (23 NM)
03P Anchor in S. Wofoh
04P D93 in …

06 November
07A D94 in Aijui Bay
11A D95 in …
03P D96 in Wofoh
04P Cruise to Kawe (15 NM)
06P Anchor in S. Kawe

07 November
07A D97 in Eagle Rock
11A D98 in Black Rock
03P D99 in …
04P Cruise to Uranie (15 NM)
06P Anchor in S Uranie

08 November
07A D100 in Bag
11A D101 in Cave
03P D102 in …
05P Cruise to Wayag (12 NM)
06P Anchor in S Wayag

09 November
07A D103 in Wayag Bay
11A D104 in …
03P D105 in …
05P Hike up to hill top

10 November
06A Cruise to Damar (125 NM)
06P Anchor in S Damar

11 November
08A Cruise to Bacan (90 NM)
05P Anchor in Kusu

12 November
07A D106 in …
11A D107 in …
01P Cruise to Guraici (25 NM)
04P D108 Guraici Jetty

13 November
08A D109 in Koko Point
11A D110 in Temomadafa
03P D111 in Batu Naga
05P Cruise to Siko (12 NM)
06P Anchor in SE Siko

14 November
07A D112 in Tanjung Siko
11A D113 in Siko Rock
03P D114 in Gafi Rock

15 November
08A Cruise to Ternate (39 NM)
12 P Anchor in Ternate* Bay
01P Restocking food in Ternate
06P dinner in Ternate

16 November
AM Dan joins MYA
PM Phillip flys home

17 November
08A Cruise to Maju (70 NM)
03P Anchor in E Maju

18 November
08A Cruise to Bitung (85 NM)
05P Anchor in Likupang

19 November
07A D114 in …
11A D115 in …
03P D116 in …

20 November
08A Cruise to Manado (35 NM)
12P Visit Manado*

21 November
DayTour Tomohon

22 November
07A Cruise to Genluma (112 NM)
06P Anchor in Genluma Bay

23 November
06A Cruise to Pindjang (122 NM)
06p Anchor in Pindjang Bay

24 November
05A Cruise to Maratua (130 NM)
06P Anchor in Dewo Beach

25 November
08A Cruise to S Maratua (20 NM)
10A Anchor in S Maratua*
01P D117 in The Channel
03P Cruise to Kakaban (15 NM)
05P Anchor in W Kakaban

26 November
07A D118 in Kakaban
11A Tour & snorkel in Kakaban
03P D119 in Derawan

27 November
08A Cruise to Tarakan* (88 NM)
05P Anchor in Tarakan. Get clearance & eVisa from Immigration Department of Malaysia (IDM) for entering Malaysian water tomorrow

28 November
08A Cruise to Semporna (94 NM)
05P Anchor in Semporna* & report to IDM

29 November
07A D120 in Sipadan
11A D121 in …
03P D122 in …

30 November
07A Cruise to Kuala Maruap (110 NM)
06P Anchor in Kuala Maruap Bay

01 December
07A Cruise to Jambongan (114 NM)
06P Anchor in Jambongan Bay

02 December
08A Cruise to Barambongan (108 NM)
06P Anchor in Bsrambongan Bay

03 December
08A Cruise to Kota Kinabalu (77 NM)
04P Anchor in Kota Kinabalu* bay

04 December
08A Cruise to Layang Layangan (60 NM)
02P Anchor in Layang Layangan
03P D123 in …

05 December
07A D124 in …
11A D125 in …
03P D126 in …

06 December
08A Cruise to Miri (99 NM)
06P Anchor in Miri Bay

07 December
08A Cruise to Bintulu (96 NM)
06P Anchor in Bintulu Bay

08 December
08A Cruise to P. Bruit (94 NM)
06P Anchor in Selat Bruit

09 December
08A Cruise to Kuching (91 NM)
05P Anchor in Kuching* bay

10 December
06A Cruise to Subi Besar (119 NM)
06P Anchor in E Subi Besar

11 December
06A Cruise to Siantan (149 NM)
09P Anchor in E Siantan

12 December
08A Cruise to Anambas (56 NM)
02P Anchor in Anambas
03P D127 in …

13 December
07A D128 in …
11A D129 in …
03P D130 in …

14 December
08A Cruise to Tioman (88 NM)
05P Anchor in Tioman

15 December
07A D131 in …
11A D132 in …
03P D133 in …

16 December
07A Cruise to Singapore (109 NM)
06P Anchor in Singapore*

 

[Dan]

When do you plan on doing this? Maybe I’ll catch you at one or a few of your destinations.

That mega itinerary will be from 23 Aug to 16 Dec 2026.

Some of major dive sites we are going to cover in this trip are:
1. Bali on 24-27 Aug
2. Komodo on 01-07 Sep
3. Alor on 11-16 Sep
4. Banda Sea on 17-30 Sep
5. Ambon on 01-02 Oct
6. Triton Bay on 20-25 Oct
7. South Raja on 27-29 Oct
8. Central Raja on 01-05 Nov
9. North Raja on 06-09 Nov
10. Halmahera on 12-14 Nov
11. Manado on 19-29 Nov
12. Maratua on 25-26 Nov
13. Sipadan on 28-39 Nov
14. Layang Layangan on 04-05 Dec
15. Anambas on 12-13 Dec
16. Tioman on 14-15 Dec

 

[Dan]

Anemone city changed since a while, even in 2015 I didn't notice as many anemones as there were 2 years before.
This year Red Sand Beach was a mess with quite scarce life and quite some coral damage, only its dropoff was worth the dive. Macro in Kalabahi was meh. No reports of hammerheads on Yellow Corner either.
In the mean time I thought some sites improved this year like Rumah Biru, I hadn't seen so many fish before even though it's a spot I always ask for every time I go there.

I have a day of diving in Alor on 14 September 2026. Do you have recommended dive sites other than the ones you mentioned above?

Thanks!