Alor Island Indonesia: Discovering Unexplored Beauty

Are you planning to book a private yacht charter? Are you seeking somewhere with outstanding natural beauty and phenomenal coral reefs that is off the grid, away from the crowds and offers an exclusive experience? If so, then Alor Island Indonesia certainly meets, if not exceeds the criteria. Read on for more information about chartering a luxury private yacht and cruising Alor Island Indonesia. Find out the more about Alor, what there is to do, travel itineraries, and what to expect when exploring this incredible destination.

Where is Alor Island Located?

Alor is approximately 2800 square kilometers which makes it the largest island of the Alor archipelago, located in the eastern Lesser Sunda Islands, in the Indonesian province of East Nusa Tenggara. This island chain consists of the main islands of Alor, Pantar (the second-largest island in the archipelago), and the smaller islands Kepa, Buaya, Ternate, Pura, and Tereweng.

The Alor Archipelago and Alor Island Indonesia are almost equidistant from East Timor to the east and Komodo Marine Park to the west. They are at the heart of where three different seas meet – the Banda Sea to the northeast, the Flores Sea to the northwest, and the Savu sea to the south.

Due to the nature of the Alor Archipelago, this is a region best discovered by yacht charter. There are a handful of resorts located on Alor Island Indonesia and facilities are often indicative of the remote region and limited supply routes. However, on board el Aleph this region can be enjoyed with all the lavish comforts, exemplary service and exquisite dining you would expect from a five star hotel.

What to do around Alor Island Indonesia

The Alor Archipelago is no doubt best suited to those with a thirst for adventure and exploration. Cruising through this wild and rugged region, Alor Island Indonesia offers multiple opportunities for exploration on land and underwater.

Snorkeling and Scuba Diving Alor Island Indonesia

The Alor Archipelago is located at the heart of the coral triangle and offers world-class scuba diving and snorkeling. While only covering 1.6% of the planet’s oceanic area, the Coral Triangle has 76% of all known coral species worldwide. As habitat for 52% of Indo-Pacific reef fishes and 37% of the world’s reef fishes, it encompasses the highest diversity of coral reef fishes. Around Alor Island Indonesia there are frequent cetacean sightings and various species of whales and dolphins migrate through here heading south to the Antarctic. The vast ranging marine biodiversity surrounding Alor Island Indonesia makes this an underwater paradise for scuba diving and snorkeling enthusiasts. Immerse yourself in an underwater world which is simply teeming with life and bursting with colour.

For both snorkelers and novice divers, there are hidden coves with crystal clear lagoons, incredible visibility, and shallow coral gardens. These reefs are highly productive with corals competing for space and the marine food chain on show before your very eyes. Medium sized fish hunt the clouds of smaller fish on the reefs, unaware of the larger predators watching from the blue.

More experienced divers will not be disappointed with the range of dive sites on offer around Alor Island Indonesia. There are adrenaline-pumping drifts around underwater current-swept seamounts and deep diving opportunities at the drop-off sites and vertical walls. The currents that run through the region ensure a constant supply of plankton rich water which attracts fish to the reefs like metal to a magnet. Out in the blue, pelagic species, including a variety of sharks, barracuda and marlin patrol the reefs with stealth-like enthusiasm.

Cultural Activities

Alor Island Indonesia is part of this remote archipelago and while a large percentage of the population lives in or around the main town of Kalabahi, when you start exploring the islands’ villages, life is anything but modern-day. People on the islands tend to live in small fishing communities where the way of life is very much that of the traditional sea gypsies and has remained largely unchanged from that of centuries before.

In the coastal villages, the people live off the sea and fish by traditional means, using handmade bamboo fish traps and single lines with hooks. Small traditional fishing boats line the beaches and while the men are out fishing, the children play in the waves breaks and the women take care of the home.

When venturing further inland on Alor Island Indonesia, life becomes even more tribal with small communities living and working together to hunt, forage and farm for the good of the village. Medicine men, or witch doctors, are still held in high regard and spiritualistic rituals and dances are thought to determine the success or otherwise of everything from harvests through to pregnancies.

How to Get to Alor Island Indonesia

Most guests travel to Alor Island Indonesia from Bali, Jakarta, Surabaya, or Labuan Bajo. Flights to Alor from any of these locations are not direct, all flights transit through Kupang, the capital of Indonesia’s Timor.

Upon arrival at Alor Airport, we will greet you and transport you to the harbor where you will embark onboard your cruise with el Aleph. We can also take care of booking your domestic travel and handle all logistics on your behalf.

Cruising Alor Island Indonesia Aboard El Aleph

The level of luxury and exemplary service on board one of our charters around Alor Island Indonesia simply cannot be matched by any of the land based operations available in this region. A private charter on board el Aleph uniquely ensures the ultimate in personalized service and unfettered attention. From the moment you step on deck, your needs will not only be met but will be exceeded by far. From ensuring your coffee (or cocktails) are prepared exactly as you want, to lavish menus developed around your preferences, the crew is on hand to make sure that you and your guests want for nothing.

It’s not only our service, 5 star cuisine, and lavish cabins that are unparalleled. Aboard el Aleph you decide your schedule, where you want to go, and when. There are no one else’s needs to take into account other than yours – this is a truly exclusive way to explore off the grid and without compromise.

If you have a taste for exploring Alor Island Indonesia and don’t want to compromise on the finer things in life, then a private yacht charter onboard el Aleph guarantees unparalleled service, luxurious and spacious cabins, privacy, and of course – an incredible adventure from start to finish.

For reservations or enquiries, please contact us using our contact form –  or email us at info@elalephcruising.com; and we will promptly reply.

Please note that we are not a yacht agency — your enquiries will be addressed directly by el Aleph’s owner. All of our charters are custom designed to suit your tastes and interests. For your comfort and privacy, we accept bookings for full boat charter only — not by the cabin.