Trip Report Our 12 day stay with Nautika Alor (September 2024)

[DK_Scuba]

Hello @Darnold9999

I am travelling to Alor in a week's time. Please advise re range of water temps at depth (I am planning ahead for thermal protection).

Thank you and safe travels.

Mid Sept most sites were 27-28 Celsius. With a couple southernmost sites dipping as cold as 24.

However they do get occasional cold water upwellings. Another boat got hit by one during our stay with the water dropping to 14 degrees. . Most shops should have hoods and full 5mm suits for rent which was more than adequate for us.

 

[matts1w]

Years ago when I lived in Florida I had one of those Scubapro shoulder zip semi-dry suits for spreafishing on the Gulf side in the winter. I sold it, of course, when I moved here. After that Alor trip and more than just a few cold upwellings out of Padang Bai, I really regret that decision. I loved that suit...

Anyway, do not underestimate cold water and Indonesia diving. It really does happen. I don't travel anywhere anymore without a 5mm and good hood. Never once in my life have I ever been too warm while scuba diving.

 

[Darnold9999]

Temperatures during the super moon were all over the map. One site was so cold the fish were stunned and fishermen were gathering them up by hand. In the 60’s. I was not on that site the other boat was, we dove it the next day and it was just cool. Tolerable in my 3/4. Others were in 5 mil suits and were just fine.

Most are diving 5mil suits and adding a hood and vest for the southern sites.

It is not a deep v shallow thing it is upwellings from the very deep waters both north and south of the straight. When the tides get running this very cold water gets pushed into the straight and it can get cold for a time until this very cold water gets mixed with the warm. The stronger the currents the more cold you will get. Now that the super moon is done currents and temp are more normal. High 70’s in the straight and low 80’s in the bay. The next full moon will not be as dramatic but expect current and cold into the low 70’s on occasion.

 

[Bora_Horza]

For interest, here's a scientific article on the cold upwellings at Alor: Extreme Upwelling Events in the Seas of the Alor Kecil, Alor Island, Indonesia | Oceanography