New 8.5 x 2.3 mt speed boat powered by 200 hp

This is our latest (fourth!) addition in the "fleet" of Alor Divers speed boats...( we temporarily removed its canvas roof)

With its spacious dimensions it is custom made to  accommodate 8 divers ( 2 groups of 4 divers) and 2 dive guides. The two groups will dive the same dive site but go UW with a small time lag to ensure diving in small groups. The addition of this boat was due to decision about slightly increasing resort's capacity and accommodating 14 divers (until now max 10 divers for full resort). At our busiest time we can now take  diving 3 groups on two boats to separate dive sites. Each speed boat will be (as always) accompanied by foreign dive master/instructors.

The speed boat is of superb quality, powered by 200 hp four stroke Suzuki engine. We could say it is the big brother of our third speed boat, as they both have Boston Whaler hull design.

About renovations and other changes at Alor Divers

We just ended 3 hectic working weeks in Alor and are quite satisfied with the job we did, especially since we were under heavy rain during first 2 weeks. Here is a list of major jobs and changes:

• completely changed the roof structure of our restaurant as it was heavily eaten by termites. Apart from little extension above the food serving tables, we kept the same dimensions of the roof. The work is well done and we thank to local carpenters who were often wet from rain in order to get the job done on time! The wood we used is suppose to be termite resistant but only time can  test this statement :-P 
• renovated the bathrooms of 2 bungalows
• changed the last two old wooden floors in bungalows into a tile floor. We know that many of you appreciate the wood under your feet but those tiny wood eaters got to us! HOWEVER: the spacious terraces are still all wood, so its a nice compromise...
• furnished and installed the bamboo frames for new mosquito nets, that will completely embrace the bed.
• did a lot of sewing, making few new sets of bungalow curtains, that were also starting to show the wear and tear of passing time.

As we did  not manage to finish all the necessary repairs, we have scheduled another workaholic session end of Feb- beginning March. As every year, we will also change the menu a bit, incorporate some new exotic dishes and make few additions to improve the breakfast. This will be just prior to opening a new season, so we expect Alor Divers team to be  "pumped up" for welcoming our first 2014 guests! ;-)

Alor Divers Photo Contest 2013

A quick reminder for divers who were diving with us in 2013: the deadline to submit UW photos taken during 2013 in Alor, is end of January 2014. This year's judge is known slovenian UW photographer Borut Furlan. And the prize is 9 night stay in Alor Divers ;-). If you forgot the terms and rules, you can find the information at Alor Divers News (scroll down the page!)

Combine dive holiday: Sulawesi & Alor

Some of you might not know: there is flight from Makassar/Ujung Pandang (south Sulawesi) to Kupang (Timor NTT) every Tue, Thu and Sat. From Kupang it takes only a short flight to reach Alor.   

Thursday is possible to connect Makassar to Alor in same day! Tue and Sat need a transit night in Kupang...
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FYI : we can organize all your domestic flights ;-)

Ship wreck in Alor ?

Few days ago we got a shocking news that a cargo ship sank in Pantar Strait, between Pura and small Kepa Island. Accident happened due to complications in a strong current,  subsequent hull leak and  sinking of a boat. As we understand, boat was first a grounded on pinnacle formations that are rising to the surface (one of pinnacles is famous dive site Kal's Dream but it was not touched by this incident). Fortunately the crew of 16 (including captain) was rescued by local fishermen and authorities from Kalabahi - Alor. Whirlpool, created by strong currents, engulfed the boat and pulled it to greater depths. We haven't been to the location yet, but our source tells us the boat might be around 40mt depth, still visible from the surface.

Another great dive in Current Alley!

Yesterday we had again a great dive in Current Alley...: giant travallies, black tips, white tips, grey reefs and looooads of fish! Today in Apuri and Ternate : 2 frog fish, turtle, sea snake, tuna, blue spotted ray and many nudies! And that was the last "official" diving of this year. Tomorrow all guests leave the resort and we start full on with some renovations (much was done already in last month) and wet season break preparations.

Diving season 2013 is closing soon

December is the best time to plan a long break (due to heavy rains and reduced visibility). Diving is nevertheless good considering conditions, actually often real "fishomania" with all the fish feeding on suspended particles! 

Rhinopias species are still in the Bay (as well as many other critters that we saw during the year) and there seems to be a bloom of Harlequin ghost pipe fish. 

November/December is also a great time for nudibranche lovers, we noticed -as usual for this time of the year-  an abundance in their numbers and variety. Few days ago divers had a great time on a house reef, encountering an Eagle ray, black tip and a turtle on a single dive! Not bad for closing the season ;-)

We are very happy with diving in 2013! We had some very exciting dives, in general witnessed great reef life and some stunning pelagic encounters !!