Bicycles, Beaches and Bubu Fishermen: Diving in Indonesia’s Alor Island
Rachel, Jamie and Jacqui are here to help give you the inside track.
Seeking the best of both worlds? On this 17-day Indonesian getaway, enjoy a week of diving bliss on the hidden-away island of Alor paired with culture-filled stays in the Balinese towns of Sidemen and Jimbaran.
Begin in Sidemen, where you can soak up scenic landscapes on bicycle tours and discover Balinese traditions and customs in local villages.
After two days of exploring, it's time to journey to Alor Island, a beautiful off-the-beaten-track atoll complete with fantastic water conditions and pristine dive sites. During your stay at the incredible Alami Alor Dive Resort, enjoy five days of unlimited diving, whether you'd rather explore the resort's beautiful house reef or head further out to spot tropical fish and schools of sharks on the island's myriad dive sites. You'll even be treated to an exclusive dive with bubu fishermen, who use traditional fishing methods that have been practiced for generations.
Back on land, spend your final few days in sunny Jimbaran, whether you'd rather stroll along the sand, swim in the sparkling sea or lounge poolside. You'll return home armed with a golden tan, a newfound knowledge of Indonesian culture and a whole host of incredible diving memories - does it get any better than that?
Itinerary at a Glance:
- Dive to your heart's content in faraway Alor Island, where mandarinfish, napoleon wrasse, sea snakes and even schooling sharks await
- Experience a distinctive diving adventure as you observe local bubu fishermen in action under the water
- Enjoy exciting experiences on solid ground, from cycling in Sidemen to discovering Uluwatu's beaches
Why Book with Original Diving?
- 100% Carbon Off-setting
- UK Departure Assistance
- Fast Track UK Check-in
- Fast Track UK Security
- UK Airport Lounge Access
- Pre-booked Airline Seats
When To Travel
All of the holidays we create are completely tailor-made to you
Days 1 & 2: Fly to Indonesia
Masks at the ready: your diving adventure begins today with an overnight journey to Denpasar, Bali. Head to the airport, whizz through security and enjoy some pre-flight nibbles in the airport lounge before boarding. With a brief layover at a Middle Eastern hub airport, the journey will take between 18 and 20 hours, landing the next day.
When you touch down in Denpasar, you'll be met and privately transferred to Sidemen, a two-hour drive away. It'll likely be evening by the time you arrive, so check into the Wapa Di Ume Sidemen, a beautiful hillside hotel, and head up to bed, ready for tomorrow's exploring.
Day 3: A Bicycle Tour of Ubud
It might be tempting to dive straight in (get it?), but a few days of exploring above the surface is the perfect introduction to this beautiful country. This morning, you'll be picked up and privately transferred one hour to Ubud for a bicycle tour around Bali's spiritual and cultural hub.
Accompanied by a private guide, experience authentic Bali as you pedal along country roads and pause to admire some of Ubud's most spectacular sites, from views over Mount Batur and its sparkling lake to traditional blacksmith workshops in Kemukus.
Along the way, stop at tiny traditional villages to speak to local residents and learn more about Balinese daily life, before concluding the tour with a tasty lunch at a local restaurant.
Day 4: Explore Sidemen
We've left today free for you to explore Sidemen at your own pace. If you're an early riser, head to the town's daily morning market, an authentic market featuring stalls piled high with fragrant herbs, fresh fruit and vegetables and various local delicacies.
Travelling with a nature lover? You're in luck: Sidemen is the perfect starting point for scenic strolls through sprawling rice fields, lush vegetable gardens and pretty flower plantations. Or, if you're after a local souvenir, visit one of the town's many weaving workshops to learn all about Balinese songket, a traditional fabric woven with intricate gold and silver patterns.
Later, head back to the hotel for an evening lounging by the pool, or stay in town for a tasty dinner at a local restaurant - our clued-up Concierge is on hand to recommend some authentic spots.
Days 5 & 6: Onwards to Alor
This morning, you'll be picked up and transferred back to Denpasar to begin the journey to Alor Island. When you arrive at the airport, board your two-hour flight to Kupang, where you'll be staying overnight in a nearby hotel.
Rise early the next morning for your one-hour flight to Alor, where you'll be met by an Alami Alor representative and whisked away to the resort, just under an hour away. When you arrive, you'll be checked into your waterfront bungalow, framed by a lush garden and overlooking the sparkling sea. Take your time to rest and refresh after your long journey before heading to the beach for a sundowner, soaking up the sun as the salty sea breeze welcomes you to paradise.
Days 7 - 11: Dive into Alor Island
The next five days are all about diving, whether you're taking advantage of unlimited diving on the house reef (available morning, noon and night) or heading further out. Set just steps from your beachfront bungalow, Alami Alor's house reef is home to a variety of marine life, so keep an eye out for mandarinfish, lobsters and shy marble shrimp.
Around the island are a plethora of virtually untouched dive sites, from spooky caves and silty muck bottoms home to macro oddities to exhilarating drifts and vibrant coral gardens bursting with fish life. As you glide through the clear water, watch for waves of schooling hammerheads, bumbling Napoleon wrasse and even the elusive mola mola.
In between dives, simply relax beachside with a cocktail (or mocktail) in hand and watch the sun set over the sparkling sea.
Day 12: Experience a Traditional Fishing Dive with Bubu Fishermen
Today, swap everyday diving for a truly special experience: diving with local bubu fishermen. This traditional fishing method, which is only practised in a few places around the world, sees local workers using a bubu (a hand-woven fish trap made from the rattan plant) to catch fish sustainably. Relying on finless feet and hand-carved wooden goggles, bubu fishermen effortlessly place their traps on the reef, utilising specific locations inherited from former generations.
After a quick briefing, gear up and make your descent with the local fisherman to observe their skills in action. Keep your camera at the ready - this special dive is unlike any other, making for an extraordinary experience (and some fantastic memories).
Later, return to the resort for one last beachfront sundowner and tasty dinner.
Days 13 & 14: Back to Bali
Sadly, the time has come to wave goodbye to Alor Island. This morning, you'll be privately transferred back to the airport for your one-hour flight to Kupang, where you'll have an overnight stopover.
The next morning, depart Kupang early and fly back to Denpasar, just under two hours away. When you touch down, you'll be privately transferred 30 minutes to Jimbaran, a beautiful coastal resort and fishing village. Check into Open House, a secluded hotel set on Jimbaran Bay, where you'll be staying for the next two nights.
The rest of the day is yours for the taking, whether you'd rather stroll along the beach, take a dip in the sparkling sea or simply lounge poolside with a good book. Come evening, enjoy a tasty dinner in town - fresh seafood, anyone?
Day 15: Discover Uluwatu's Beaches
Set just a half-hour drive from Jimbaran, Uluwatu is known for its scenic shores, sparkling sea and spectacular surf conditions. This morning, you'll be picked up by a friendly driver and whisked to Uluwatu, where you can spend the entire day discovering the best of its beaches, from the iconic Padang Padang to the quieter Melasti.
In between spates of soaking up the sun and swimming among the waves, pause for lunch at one of the town's traditional eateries, sampling local delicacies like satay (spiced meat skewers) or gado-gado (mixed vegetables with an aromatic peanut sauce).
Later, head back to Jimbaran and enjoy a sundowner overlooking the bay, toasting to your incredible Indonesian diving experience.
Days 16 & 17: Homeward Bound
Sadly it's sadly time for your Indonesian adventure to draw to a close. After one last morning by the pool, you'll be collected from your hotel and transferred back to Denpasar Airport for your overnight flight back to the UK. With a short stopover, the journey will take between 19 and 20 hours, so settle in with a drink and start plotting your next dive trip before you touch down the next morning.
All of the holidays we create are completely tailor-made to you
A Rough Idea of Price
This Itinerary
If you would like to book the exact itinerary mentioned above, with economy flights, during mid-season and staying in our preferred room category at our preferred hotels.
From
£4,450pp
Bare Necessities
If you would like to pare back the above itinerary by travelling at non-peak times, staying in a standard room and removing some or all of the guided activities.
From
£3,900pp
Bells & Whistles
If you are looking for something extra special and would like to add business or first class flights, stay in top room categories at some of the most luxurious hotels we work with, and add more activities and guiding.
From
£5,550pp
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Rachel, Jamie and Jacqui are our experts for this itinerary and as seasoned travellers they have the inside track on the most memorable adventures.