Flores to Alor Indonesian snorkel adventure

Highlights:
-incredible underwater biodiversity with up to 1,000 species of coral reef fishes and 500 species of corals.
– village visits where traditional rituals are still performed. See the local colorful markets.
-opportunity to see tiny  critters like mandarin fish, seahorses, scorpionfish as well as majestic mantas, sharks, and other pelagics.
-enjoy casual and friendly life on board with like-minded adventurers.

This exciting  snorkel expedition allows us to experience a very special and seldom explored area. East Flores to Alor features dramatic landscapes with volcanic islands, beautiful white sand beaches and coastal fishing villages and incredible underwater biodiversity. Check out this great clip of the Pindito cruising the waters of Alor:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_IwcN_En2o

The many protected pristine reefs of Alor provide a perfect home for small colorful creatures and up to 1,000 species of coral reef fishes and 500 species of corals. Walls, bommies and patch reef formations make for dramatic underwater topography while black sand areas provide perfect habitat for  cryptic critters. Our 11-night snorkel adventure will allow us plenty of time to explore the stunning reefs.
We will typically have time for two long snorkel sessions per day as well as time for hikes and village visits.

Our day to day itinerary will depend on current conditions. The experience Pindito crew will make sure we are in the right place at the right time to optimize our snorkel adventure.

Itinerary Overview:
May 7  Arrive in Bali and transfer to our group hotel on the beach.

May 8 Group flight to Maumere and board the Pindito; our home for next 11 nights.

May 8-19  Days of discovery at sea.

May 19  Our group flight back to Bali arrives around 11:00 am. If your flight departs after 3:00 pm you could fly onward on May 19th or you may choose to continue your travels in magical Bali.  I can assist with any extensions you may be interested in.

The Adventure:
My good friend Clay has been to East Flores and Alor  many times, and shares the following enthusiastic description:
“Alor is soooo cooool. I love it there. As I described, the big stands of beautiful coral reefs to the north. Absolutely gorgeous. Somewhat like Sumbawa, with clear water drops, but with shallow coral buttress that goes on for days. Down south is cooler, but with amazing critters, right up to the shallows around the pier and protected bay, but cooler. The pier and Beang Bay are phenom for critters: cephalopods and frogfish and seahorses and long-armed octopus. Plus there is a great village tour and little boys goggle diving, hand made sustainable fish traps tended by older free-diving fishermen, hand-woven Ikat woven tapestries brought to the boat in dug-outs by locals. Alor is really cool and remote.  I have been there no less than 8 times and love it.”

Our voyage begins and ends in Maumere. The Pindito pioneered diving/snorkeling in this sleepy Indonesian fishing port.  The area teems with cryptic odd-balls including frogfishes, Ambon Scorpionfishes, leaf-fishes, mercurial schools of venomous catfishes, mandarin fish, seahorses and  giant pen shells in black coral hedges under the town pier.

Other areas we’ll explore during our days at sea include Pantar and Marisa.  We’ll keep our eyes open for octopus. Mimic octopus, wonderpus, and the blue-ringed octopus are often found here.  There may also be various scorpionfish species including Rhinopius.  The black sand provides welcome contrast for the vivid colors of the otherwise cryptic critters.

Kawula offers the perfect habitat for muck critters. The visibility may be limited to 25ft, but these sites are meccas for frogfish, seahorses, rare scorpionfish, pipefish, and commensal crustaceans. We may get the chance to visit the small village “Lamalera”, which is located in a little bay close to an old volcano.  The locals practice an  unusual and traditional way of sustenance hunting.

As we continue our journey we’ll investigate the many colorful species of corals and textured sponges that adorn the reefs of Adonara. The 3-D structures forms rich habitats for a diversity of fauna of coral reef species. Adonara sites are also notable places to see pygmy seahorses.  These tiny wonders cling to the gorgonian sea fans whose polyps and coloration the pygmies have evolved to match perfectly. Schools of snappers, sweet lips and giant trevallies cruise along the drop-offs.
We’ll keep an eye out for sea turtles, manta rays, reef sharks and other pelagics.

In Alor,  young goggled-fishermen free-dive bare-footed, peering through homemade goggles to check their bamboo fish traps. While snorkeling we have a chance to see giant barrel sponges, fragile finger corals, huge boulder corals, flowing schools of glassfish, sweetlips, emperor angelfish and countless cleaning stations. Throughout our journey we’ll keep an eye out for sea turtles, manta rays, reef sharks and other pelagics.

What to expect:

• This is a snorkel-intensive program. You should be a proficient swimmer/snorkeler able to snorkel unassisted. A typical day features 3-5 hours of snorkel time.
• Be prepared for steep stairs on the live-aboard and ladders on and off the dinghy/zodiac.
• Snorkel sessions are guided by the helpful and experienced crew provided by the Pindito.
• Evenings are free to enjoy the sunset, a leisurely dinner and the company of your fellow passengers.

Price based on double occupancy is $5850.00 per person.
This departure is sold out. Please email  Wendy@SnorkelingEtc.com to waitlist. 

Price Includes:

• Airport transfers
  
• Hotel in Bali on May 7th.
• Round trip airfare from Bali to Maumere
•  $80.00 Harbor Fee
• 11 nights accommodation in a double or twin bed cabin with en-suite shower bath, toilet and AC
• Full board including all drinks on board the Pindito (excluding wine)
• Multilingual guides on board
• All offered snorkel and land excursions

Price Excludes:

• Round trip international  airfare
• Nationalpark fee for Alor:  approx. $20.00 a day payable on board
• Airport taxes for domestic flights and departure fees, payable at the airport
• Tips for the crew
• Travel Insurance
• Items of a personal nature

I look forward to traveling with you.
In the spirit of adventure,

Wendy@SnorkelingEtc.com
831 254-5001