September in Indonesia, where’s favorable?

[Christian]

Have a couple of weeks in September (8-9 dive days if spent in one spot) and contemplate on diving some in Indonesia, which is much of a white spot for me. Only been in East Kalimantan and dived years ago, which was terrific. Looking mainly at Komodo or Alor or Raja Ampat. Any of them ”unfit” for September? Not interested in muck, at all, reefs & fish. Am a photographer so I love to have photo friendly dive center recommendations. Land based or liveaboard, which ever makes the most sense for the location (good house reef and short rides to spots sometimes nicer). Cheers.

 

[Luko]

Looking mainly at Komodo or Alor or Raja Ampat.

A bit early for Raja Ampat although doable year round.
Near to optimal for Komodo and Alor.

I am a photographer too.
In Alor I like Alor Divers (5 stays), excellent housereef, the owner Gilles is also a photographer. Although he won't be around at this time of the year the managers are accustomed to arranging for photographers. Bungalows are well thought for photo equipement (large table, plugs,...).
Komodo is more difficult to find specific arrangements for photographers, diving is better on a short liveboard. I used and liked Dragon Dive better in my 5 stays with different operations. You may have to speak with the managers first.
Raja Ampat, I liked the flexibility and dedication of Cove Eco Resort (You can have your own guide and boat), however I reckon Agusta Resort where I stayed the past 2 years is probably better located near to the major central Dampier spots and the owner Marco is a photographer, so he understands the needs and the guiding type/spots too, flexible with your likings too. I thought Cove Eco jetty was good for the schools of fish underneath (jacks, batfish, snappers, rabbitfish, etc.), Problem with Agusta is that there is no house reef, only a whte sand beach, that said you can happily go out diving 3 dives/day.

 

[Christian]

A bit early for Raja Ampat although doable year round.
Near to optimal for Komodo and Alor.

I am a photographer too.
In Alor I like Alor Divers (5 stays), excellent housereef, the owner Gilles is also a photographer. Although he won't be around at this time of the year the managers are accustomed to arranging for photographers. Bungalows are well throught for photo equipement (large table, plugs,...).
Komodo is more difficult to find specific arrangements for photographers, diving is better on a short liveboard. I used and liked Dragon Dive better in my 5 stays with different operations. You may have to speak with the managers first.
Raja Ampat, I liked the flexibility and dedication of Cove Eco Resort (You can have your own guide and boat), however I reckon Agusta Resort where I stayed the past 2 years is probably better located near to the major central Dampier spots and the owner Marco is a photographer, so he understands the needs and the guiding type/spots too, flexible with your likings too. I thought Cove Eco jetty was good for the schools of fish under (jacks, batfish, snappers, rabbitfish, etc.), Problem with Agusta is that there is no house reef, only a whte sand beach, that said you can happily go out diving 3 dives/day.

Cheers Luko. Alor has been on my radar for a long time, never got around but perhaps this is the time. I understand Kupang is the way in there; would you say Jakarta or Bali is easier / more convenient / preferable to connect from? And do you know if the Australian father / son team still has an operation there...Whitfords... and how/if it has evolved. I was in touch with one of them many years ago and I believe they pioneered the place and back then you stayed in a hotel in a small village, name escapes me, and then went out on trips from there. Layout didn't sound that good to my ears. Looked at Alor Divers and that seem pretty near optimal with what I understand short distances to top sites.

 

[Darnold9999]

Jakarta is far better than Bali to get to Alor. If you are prepared to leave Jakarta in the middle of the night flight you can avoid the overnight in Kupang flying to Alor.

The one down side to Alor Divers is that you will be doing just two dives a day from a boat the third dive will be on their house reef (a very nice dive location)

 

[Luko]

And do you know if the Australian father / son team still has an operation there...Whitfords... and how/if it has evolved. I was in touch with one of them many years ago and I believe they pioneered the place and back then you stayed in a hotel in a small village, name escapes me, and then went out on trips from there.

I don't think the Whitfords are operating outside groups of divers They're based in Kupang which is a one hour flight from Kalabahi (the biggest "town" in Alor) so they need a minimum of divers to operate.

Alor Divers is currently one of the the longest standing operation open 2006 and since La Ptite Kepa kind of disrupted their services fo a while. There are many more ops now -some of them have recently "mushroomed" for the last 2-3 years-, they cater from budget to upmarket (Moloko, Savu, Tanapi, Nautika, Alor Air, Alami, etc.).

The one down side to Alor Divers is that you will be doing just two dives a day from a boat the third dive will be on their house reef (a very nice dive location)

That is true, however sometimes and guest permitting, I have been able to have a dive at the Bakalan jetty site to replace a 3rd dive on the house reef.
On the OP interest side, Alor Divers is probably one of the most "wide Angle/coral reef " oriented operation since they are quite far away from Kalabahi and the closest to Yellow Corner.

 

[Christian]

Jakarta is far better than Bali to get to Alor. If you are prepared to leave Jakarta in the middle of the night flight you can avoid the overnight in Kupang flying to Alor.

The one down side to Alor Divers is that you will be doing just two dives a day from a boat the third dive will be on their house reef (a very nice dive location)

Cheers. Sounds good to me. Generally don't mind diving many times in the same spot. Much prefer it to going all over and do a dive here and a dive there. How complicated is it to get from Kupang to Alor, that is a flight too, right? And what about luggage on those smaller flights?

 

[Christian]

I don't think the Whitfords are operating outside groups of divers They're based in Kupang which is a one hour flight from Kalabahi (the biggest "town" in Alor) so they need a minimum of divers to operate.

Alor Divers is currently one of the the longest standing operation open 2006 and since La Ptite Kepa kind of disrupted their services fo a while. There are many more ops now -some of them have recently "mushroomed" for the last 2-3 years-, they cater from budget to upmarket (Moloko, Savu, Tanapi, Nautika, Alor Air, Alami, etc.).


That is true, however sometimes and guest permitting, I have been able to have a dive at the Bakalan jetty site to replace a 3rd dive on the house reef.
On the OP interest side, Alor Divers is probably one of the most "wide Angle/coral reef " oriented operation since they are quite far away from Kalabahi and the closest to Yellow Corner.

Ok, thanks for heads up. I found their FB (Dive Alor) and www and can't find any updates since 2021/2022.

 

[Luko]

. How complicated is it to get from Kupang to Alor, that is a flight too, right? And what about luggage on those smaller flights?

One hour Wings AIr flight from Kupang to Kalabahi, early morning 7AM IIRC.
ATR72 propeller plane, purchase extra luggage online on LionAir website.

Quite a bother for online tickets (note european credit cards are allowed to be processed if you have 2.0 3Dsecure enabled, ie. face or fingerprint recognition) :
- you can purchase them on Batik website (for some reason LionAIr web booking engine doesn't process), but you won't be able to buy luggage.
- then with the help of your PNR or ticket number you can buy additional luggage on LionAir's website.
Welcome to the wonderful world of Indonesian airlines websites.

 

[Christian]

One hour Wings AIr flight from Kupang to Kalabahi, early morning 7AM IIRC.
ATR72 propeller plane, purchase extra luggage online on LionAir website.

Gold.

 

[Darnold9999]

There is one flight a day Kupang to Alor. Don’t believe web sites that give you a second flight later in the day. It never flies. The first flight is a Wings Air flight and luggage is an issue. Overhead space is small - too small for my carry on. Purchase in advance if at all possible. I had no issues with 45k luggage except for paying for it.

You can fly out of Alor to Bali easily just not the other way without an overnight stay in Kupang.