Snorkelling & Diving in Indonesia: Delve Beneath the Surface East of the Wallace Line
Diving holidays, snorkelling and swimming like in paradise! Around the islands of East Indonesia is this still possible. Dive in with us!
Hey Adventurer,
Diving holidays in Indonesia, snorkelling or simply a relaxing beach holiday – for many, this dream begins in Bali, the Gili Islands or Nusa Penida. These are beautiful places, without a doubt. But if you're looking for the thrilling feeling of having an entire reef all to yourself, travel a little further and discover the island paradise east of the Wallace Line, where Indonesia still breathes as it always has, beneath the waves of:
- the Moluccas: secluded reefs and coral-covered wrecks right in front of your veranda
- Sulawesi: muck diving in the Lembeh Strait and hard corals so dense and colourful that you hardly know where to look first
- the Sunda Islands of Komodo and Alor: powerful currents and sheer walls plunging vertically into the deep blue
- Raja Ampat: the heart of the Coral Triangle, where manta rays glide above cleaning stations
Get in touch. We'll tailor your diving and snorkelling holiday to your wishes as an individual trip to Indonesia.
Dive Resorts & Dream Beach Holiday Hotels in Indonesia's Island Paradise
Sunda Islands: Alor Tanapi Boutique Dive Resort
Alor Tanapi Boutique Dive Resort, Alor: Charming owner-run resort with only 8 bungalows, right on the beach, for diving, snorkelling and simply unwinding. Leave the world behind. Explore Flores & Komodo, and end your journey here.
- Hotel category:
Boutique Dive Resort – local style Bungalows (8 units) - Location:
Island of Alor, East of Flores, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia - Board basis:
Full-board with 3 meals per day, plus snacks, coffee, tea & water - Facilities:
Cozy and tasteful ambience with Western comfort and local touch - Location:
Hillside with view over island world of Pantar Straits - Transfers:
from/to Mali Airport: ca. 1 hr.; transfer included
Go on a discovery:
Are you one of those who seek real diving adventures off the beaten track? The Alor Tanapi Dive Resort on the island of Alor is a boutique resort opened in 2023, situated in one of Indonesia's most fascinating and still largely untouched diving areas. With only eight bungalows and a deliberately intimate setting, the quality of the experience – above and below the water – is at the heart of everything here.
The hillside location in Sebanjar on the Bird's Head Peninsula offers you a breathtaking panoramic view over the Strait of Pantar and the surrounding volcanic islands. In the evenings, the setting sun bathes the scenery in colour anew each day – the perfect end to an eventful day of diving. Snorkelling guests are also welcome.
Your expectations:
You've come to the right place if you…
- Are looking for top-level diving in the pristine waters of the Coral Triangle.
- Value personal service and a calm, relaxed atmosphere.
- Want to explore both breathtaking coral walls and fascinating muck diving sites.
- Wish to join a small, select group of like-minded divers and snorkellers for a while.
- Want to experience Indonesia's nature and culture away from mass tourism.
What you'll find here: Seclusion, exceptional dive sites, tranquillity, personal closeness, authenticity.
What you won't find here: Mass tourism, nightlife, luxury hotel ambience.
What can you do during your stay at the Alor Tanapi Resort?
Nature experiences
- Before coming to the Alor Tanapi Resort, it is well worth exploring the island of Flores and its neighbouring island Komodo, and even the island of Kupang. Consider doing a tour before or after your stay – we heartily recommend our Komodo-Flores tour, which takes you, among other highlights, to the active Kelimutu volcano with its three crater lakes and gives you a fascinating insight into this remote island world.
- Go diving with the resort's own boat and be curious about what you'll encounter beneath the surface.
- Take a snorkelling excursion to the surrounding islands or enjoy snorkelling along the house reef.
- Take a trip to Alor's traditional villages in the surrounding area and let yourself be enchanted by the foreign culture that surrounds you there.
Enquire now
Alor Tanapi Boutique Dive Resort: By the time you arrive here, you'll have already left your everyday life well behind, because the journey to Alor is already part of the adventure. Now make yourself comfortable and let yourself be enchanted by the breathtaking scenery that surrounds you. Above water, stunning island views invite you to gaze and linger. And below the surface, a fascinating marine world awaits that will not fail to cast its spell. Come and see! The other end of the world is waiting :-)
Location and Facilities: After your flight from Bali via Kupang or Maumere, you'll land at the small airport of Mali, near Alor's capital Kalabahi. From here, an approximately one-hour drive takes you through a landscape that immediately captivates you: volcanic cones rise into the sky, traditional villages nestle into hillsides, and time and again, views of the turquoise sea open up before you.
The Alor Tanapi Dive Resort is located in the northwest of Alor island, the largest island of the Alor Archipelago, approximately 20 kilometres from the capital Kalabahi. The resort's hillside position gives you that incomparable panoramic view: in the mornings, you watch the sun bathe the volcanic mountains opposite in warm light. During the day, you can observe fishing boats gliding leisurely through the strait. And in the evenings? The sky transforms into a spectacular display of colour that you can enjoy from your bungalow terrace.
The owners made a conscious decision to establish a small property, because they wanted to create a place where every guest receives the best possible attention. The Alor Tanapi Resort is a place where you feel at home after a short time, because the team knows your preferences and because you get to know the other guests over dinner together.
The eight bungalows themselves combine the best of two worlds: Indonesian architecture meets western comfort. All units feature King-size beds under mosquito nets, air conditioning for the hot afternoons and ceiling fans for the nights. The special touch, however, is the open-air bathrooms – an outdoor shower with warm water and views of the greenery. It is this feeling of being connected to nature while not having to forgo comfort that makes the charm of this accommodation. At the Alor Tanapi Resort, guests can choose from four bungalow categories.
The Hillside Standard Bungalows are set slightly elevated and offer a partial sea view. The cosy terrace with armchairs quickly becomes a favourite spot – ideal for reading during a midday break or chatting over a sundowner. Best of all: In this category, no single supplement applies – perfect for solo travellers!
The Oceanfront Standard Bungalows are positioned in the front row facing the Pantar Strait. The spacious terrace is equipped with a hammock and comfortable sofas – a private viewpoint with direct sea views. This is a wonderful place to swing gently while fishing boats pass by and waves softly lap the shore. In the mornings, the sea is the first thing you hear – a natural alarm clock that is far more pleasant than any phone.
The Seaview Deluxe Bungalows offer more space and amenities. In addition to the standard features, they include a minibar, a comfortable daybed for relaxing, extra wardrobe space and a double washbasin in the bathroom. The large terrace with sun loungers, table and chairs becomes an extended living room. This category also accommodates a third person (child between 10 and 15 years).
The Oceanfront Deluxe Bungalow combines the amenities of the Deluxe category with the finest location in the resort: direct, unobstructed sea views from a generous terrace, waking up to the panorama of the Pantar Straits and enjoying your morning coffee while the sun makes the water glitter… and rounding off the day with a spectacular sunset. (It will become a Seaview Deluxe Bungalow in 2027.)
Occupancy: max. 3 persons
Restaurant: The heart of the resort is the restaurant. This is where the small diving community gathers for breakfast, where the morning's experiences are shared over lunch, and where everyone sits together in the evening as the chef serves his latest creation.
The Culinary Concept is deliberately Indonesian in character, but adapted with a light touch for international palates. Three fresh meals are served daily – sometimes with recipes from Java, sometimes with Southeast Asian influences, sometimes with a hint of internationality. The team works closely with local farmers and supports them in developing their growing areas, so that a broader range of fruits and vegetables can be made available.
Vegetarian? Vegan? Western cuisine? No problem. The team always strives to accommodate special dietary wishes and requirements. Early advance notice is important here, as sourcing supplies can sometimes take a little time due to Alor's remoteness. Between meals, snacks, freshly pressed juices, smoothies with coconut or kenari nut milk, homemade iced teas, and of course coffee and tea are available. Beer is available; wine and spirits on request.
The adjoining Lounge is more than just a room for relaxing. It is the place where you can share your underwater adventure of the day with your fellow-travellers in the evenings, and where you can browse through the marine biology books in the small library to find out which fascinating sea creatures were captured on camera today. The perfect place to swap dive stories and make plans for the next day.
Activities / Diving: Alor is one of the dive world's best-kept secrets – a hidden gem in the heart of the Coral Triangle. The waters of the Pantar Straits surprise and delight with their diversity: vibrant coral walls and slopes, dramatic underwater caves, deep drop-offs, and black sand areas for muck diving enthusiasts. The nutrient-rich currents make Alor one of Indonesia's most species-rich diving destinations.
From the resort, over 40 world-class dive sites are accessible within 30–45 minutes by speedboat. Visibility ranges from 15 metres during the rainy season to 40 metres during the dry season (June–October).
Diving in Alor is not like diving at the house reef of a Caribbean resort. The Pantar Straits are famous – or rather notorious – for their unpredictable currents, and it is precisely these currents that make Alor what it is: a hotspot of marine life. But they also mean that as a diver, you should be fit and experienced.
The resort recommends a minimum of 100 logged dives and solid experience with drift diving. This is not an arbitrary number – it is about ensuring you feel confident when the current picks up. That you know how to use a reef hook correctly. That your buoyancy control is good enough to hover over the corals without touching them, even in a current.
An important note on moon phases: During full and new moon, the currents are at their strongest – this is challenging on one hand, but also means the best chances of large pelagic encounters. During the half moon, however, the currents are milder and the dives more relaxed. Plan your trip according to your experience level and preferences!
PRICES VALID FROM 20.03.2026 - 20.12.2026
(Prices for 2027 further down below)
Special cancellation policy applies: Accommodation costs are due in full immediately upon booking.
Minimum stay of 3 nights as divers or non-divers.
INFO:
- Package prices for divers apply from 5 nights
- Single room supplement: EUR 70/night (except Hillside Standard – no supplement there!)
- Long-stay discount: From 14 nights, one night is complimentary.
- Group discount: With 7 paying guests, the 8th person stays free (lower category)
- Flexibility: One dive day can be swapped for a land tour (except Mt. Sirung)
- Full board: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- A Marine Park fee of 1,500,000 IDR per person (approx. EUR 80) is payable on-site. Valid for one year.
FOR NON-DIVERS
ACCOMMODATION (Bungalow for double occupancy per night)
- 422 EUR Hillside Standard Bungalow (1)
- 482 EUR Oceanfront Standard Bungalow (2)
- 546 EUR Seaview Deluxe Bungalow (4)
- 568 EUR Oceanfront Deluxe Bungalow (1)
FOR DIVERS
À la Carte
- 128 EUR 2 morning boat dives
- 72 EUR 1 afternoon or night dive (by boat)
Package: 2 morning dives per dive day
| Nights / Dives per person double occupancy | Hillside Standard EUR | Oceanfront Standard EUR | Seaview Deluxe EUR | Oceanfront Deluxe EUR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 nights / 9 dives | 1,412 | 1,559 | 1,716 | 1,772 |
| 6 nights / 12 dives | 1,726 | 1,901 | 2,089 | 2,155 |
| 7 nights / 15 dives | 2,014 | 2,213 | 2,427 | 2,503 |
| 8 nights / 18 dives | 2,287 | 2,510 | 2,749 | 2,834 |
| 9 nights / 21 dives | 2,575 | 2,823 | 3,088 | 3,184 |
| 10 nights / 24 dives | 2,856 | 3,129 | 3,421 | 3,524 |
| 11 nights / 27 dives | 3,130 | 3,427 | 3,745 | 3,857 |
| 12 nights / 30 dives | 3,417 | 3,738 | 4,083 | 4,205 |
| 13 nights / 33 dives | 3,699 | 4,047 | 4,417 | 4,550 |
| 14 nights / 36 dives | 3,699 | 4,047 | 4,417 | 4,550 |
Package: 3 dives per dive day
| Nights / Dives per person double occupancy | Hillside Standard EUR | Oceanfront Standard EUR | Seaview Deluxe EUR | Oceanfront Deluxe EUR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 nights / 9 dives | 1,625 | 1,772 | 1,929 | 1,985 |
| 6 nights / 12 dives | 2,008 | 2,183 | 2,369 | 2,435 |
| 7 nights / 15 dives | 2,358 | 2,557 | 2,771 | 2,846 |
| 8 nights / 18 dives | 2,691 | 2,915 | 3,154 | 3,239 |
| 9 nights / 21 dives | 3,041 | 3,290 | 3,555 | 3,649 |
| 10 nights / 24 dives | 3,383 | 3,657 | 3,949 | 4,052 |
| 11 nights / 27 dives | 3,717 | 4,014 | 4,331 | 4,444 |
| 12 nights / 30 dives | 4,064 | 4,387 | 4,732 | 4,854 |
| 13 nights / 33 dives | 4,409 | 4,756 | 5,127 | 5,259 |
| 14 nights / 36 dives | 4,409 | 4,756 | 5,127 | 5,259 |
Subject to change without notice. Increased prices may apply during Indonesian holidays such as Ramadan or Idul Fitri. Our terms and conditions apply.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PRICES VALID FROM 20.03.2027 - 20.12.2027
Special cancellation policy applies: Accommodation costs are due in full immediately upon booking.
Minimum stay of 3 nights for divers or non-divers.
INFO:
- Package prices for divers apply from 5 nights
- Single room supplement: EUR 80/night (except Hillside Standard – no supplement there!)
- Long-stay discount: From 14 nights, one night is complimentary.
- Group discount: With 7 paying guests, the 8th person stays free (lower category)
- Full board: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- A Marine Park fee of 1,500,000 IDR per person (approx. EUR 80) is payable on-site. Valid for one year.
FOR NON-DIVERS
ACCOMMODATION (Bungalow for double occupancy per night)
- 438 EUR Hillside Standard Bungalow (1)
- 500 EUR Oceanfront Standard Bungalow (2)
- 562 EUR Seaview Deluxe Bungalow (5)
FOR DIVERS
À la Carte
- 140 EUR 2 morning boat dives
- 72 EUR 1 afternoon or night dive (by boat)
Package: 2 morning dives per dive day
| Nights / Dives per person double occupancy | Hillside Standard EUR | Oceanfront Standard EUR | Seaview Deluxe EUR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 nights / 9 dives | 1,511 | 1,661 | 1,847 |
| 6 nights / 12 dives | 1,813 | 1,993 | 2,217 |
| 7 nights / 15 dives | 2,116 | 2,326 | 2,586 |
| 8 nights / 18 dives | 2,418 | 2,658 | 2,956 |
| 9 nights / 21 dives | 2,720 | 2,990 | 3,325 |
| 10 nights / 24 dives | 3,022 | 3,322 | 3,695 |
| 11 nights / 27 dives | 3,324 | 3,655 | 4,064 |
| 12 nights / 30 dives | 3,627 | 3,987 | 4,434 |
| 13 nights / 33 dives | 3,929 | 4,319 | 4,803 |
| 14 nights / 36 dives | 3,929 | 4,319 | 4,803 |
Package: 3 dives per dive day
| Nights / Dives per person double occupancy | Hillside Standard EUR | Oceanfront Standard EUR | Seaview Deluxe EUR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 nights / 9 dives | 1,780 | 1,946 | 2,016 |
| 6 nights / 12 dives | 2,136 | 2,335 | 2,527 |
| 7 nights / 15 dives | 2,492 | 2,724 | 2,949 |
| 8 nights / 18 dives | 2,848 | 3,113 | 3,370 |
| 9 nights / 21 dives | 3,204 | 3,502 | 3,791 |
| 10 nights / 24 dives | 3,560 | 3,892 | 4,212 |
| 11 nights / 27 dives | 3,916 | 4,281 | 4,634 |
| 12 nights / 30 dives | 4,272 | 4,670 | 5,055 |
| 13 nights / 33 dives | 4,629 | 5,059 | 5,476 |
| 14 nights / 36 dives | 4,629 | 5,059 | 5,476 |
Subject to change without notice. Increased prices may apply during Indonesian holidays such as Ramadan or Idul Fitri. Our terms and conditions apply.
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Alor Tanapi Dive Resort: Island View from Restaurant
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Dinner Place with View in Alor Tanapi Dive Resort
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Alor Tanapi Dive Resort: Terrace with View
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Exterior View Standard Oceanfront Bungalow; Alor Tanapi Dive Resort
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Standard Oceanfront Bungalow Interior View; Alor Tanapi Dive Resort
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Alor Tanapi Dive Resort: Terrace with Hammock, Standard Oceanview Bungalow
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Exterior View Deluxe Bungalow; Alor Tenapi Dive Resort
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Seaview Deluxe Bungalow in Indonesian Alor Tanapi Dive Resort
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Alor Tanapi Dive Resort: Terrace with cosy Corner
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Interior View Deluxe Bungalow in Alor Tenpin Dive Resort, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia
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Indonesia, Alor Tenapi Dive Resort: Deluxe Bungalow with Terrace
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Bathroom Deluxe Bungalow; Alor Tenpin Dive Resort, Indonesia
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Culinary Delights at the Alor Tanapi Dive Resort, Indonesia
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View to Alor Tanapi Dive Center and Restaurant
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Sun Terrace by Dive Center in Alor Tanapi Dive Resort
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Wetsuits out for drying; Alor Tanapi Dive Resort
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Alor Tanapi Dive Resort
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Alor Tanapi, Lesser Sunda Islands: Healthy Coral Reef
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Cave Diving with Alor Tanapi Tauch Resort
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Murene spotted while diving with Alor Tanapi Dive Resort
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Alor Tanapi Dive Resort Underwater Garden
Snorkelling & Diving in the Moluccas; Indonesia's unknown Underwater Paradise
Imagine a place so quiet that, while diving or snorkelling, you can hear yourself breathe. A reef unfolds before your eyes, and suddenly you get the feeling that you are the first person ever to have seen it. That is exactly what diving in the Moluccas is like. At some dive sites, you can still find shipwrecks from a bygone era, now long since covered in corals and surrounded by dense schools of fish gliding past. A sea turtle drifts peacefully by, while you are the only witness to this underwater scene. If you are looking for a diving holiday in Indonesia off the beaten track, you will find exactly what you are searching for around Halmahera and Morotai. The Moluccas also have plenty to offer snorkellers. The house reefs are so close that you can reach them in just a few steps from your bungalow veranda. Halmahera and Morotai are the two island regions where the few, but exceptional, resorts in this part of Indonesia are concentrated. Many are small, offer an intimate and personal atmosphere, and are managed by German or other European operators.
Established and diverse: Diving & Snorkelling around Sulawesi
Imagine yourself floating above pitch-black volcanic sand: a ghost pipefish dances away, while right beside it a nudibranch glows in neon colours, displaying bizarre patterns you are unlikely to encounter anywhere else. Welcome to the Lembeh Strait, arguably the world's most famous muck-diving destination and a mecca for everyone who loves diving in Sulawesi for its incredible variety of nudibranchs. Just a few kilometres further on, around Bunaken and Bangka Island, the scenery changes dramatically: hard corals grow so densely and in such vibrant colours that you hardly know where to look first – a picture-perfect setting for anyone who prefers snorkelling in Sulawesi to exploring the depths.
Those who venture further afield are rewarded with something special: around Luwuk in the east and on Selayar Island in the south, an almost tangible tranquillity hangs over the water. Hardly another diver crosses your path here. This is exactly why small, family-run dive resorts can be found at various locations along Sulawesi. Whether you want to head out on a macro photography hunt while diving in North Sulawesi, or simply immerse yourself in the underwater world around Luwuk and Selayar, in both the literal and figurative sense – Sulawesi has something special waiting for you.
Diving around Komodo, Flores & Alor: Indonesia's wilde Diving Destinations
Hold on tight – quite literally: Diving around Komodo means powerful currents sweeping through the reefs of the national park, stirring up nutrients and attracting manta rays, reef sharks and entire schools of barracuda that swirl before your eyes like a living vortex. Meanwhile, above the water, Komodo dragons roam their dry kingdom – a sight you will find nowhere else. If that sounds a little too wild, diving around the Indonesian island of Flores offers a few calmer alternatives: sheltered bays, gentle reefs and plenty of time to explore every detail at your own pace.
Travel further south to Alor, and an almost reverential silence takes over. Sheer walls plunge vertically into the deep blue, while bizarre little creatures hide in between, making this a dream destination for muck-diving enthusiasts. At the same time, powerful currents occasionally bring in larger pelagic species such as ocean sunfish, also known as Mola Mola. Fishing boats bob peacefully in small bays, and underwater, you will often find yourself exploring with no one else around except your own dive group.
Diving & Snorkelling in Raja Ampat – Experience the Coral Triangle Up Close
Take a dive, and you will understand why Raja Ampat is considered the heart of the Coral Triangle: manta rays glide above cleaning stations so close that you can almost feel their presence, while reef sharks silently patrol the steep walls. All around you, fish abound in colours that hardly seem to have names – diving in Raja Ampat is an absolute sensory overload, in the best possible way. If you prefer to stay closer to the surface, snorkelling is just as rewarding. At many house reefs, all it takes is a jump from the jetty, and you are right in the middle of it all.
Back on land, your own little hideaway awaits: tranquil, lush green islands, accessible only by boat. Some dive resorts in Raja Ampat offer direct views of the Dampier Strait, while others are tucked away in quieter bays further south. Each is as different as the region itself, yet they all share that same feeling: there is still so much left to discover here.
A Colourful Underwaterworld, that Leaves You Speechless
Imagine yourself drifting above a reef that no one has ever described to you before: soft corals sway gently in the currents, while hard corals glow in shades of red, purple and turquoise, as if someone had turned up the ocean’s colour palette to the max. A parrotfish speeds past on its way to its grazing grounds, while a large school of sweetlips crosses your path. These are exactly the moments that make us fall in love with the underwater world of Eastern Indonesia.
Whether you are a passionate underwater photographer looking for your next diving adventure, an experienced diver hoping to capture that one unforgettable moment beneath the surface, or simply dreaming of a relaxing snorkelling and beach holiday where time seems to stand still – we take you to places where the ocean still tells its own stories. And at the end of the day, you can share your diving experiences with like-minded people at your accommodation, typically a small, family-run, bungalow-style dive resort.
Tell us what you dream of when it comes to diving and snorkelling in Indonesia, and together we will find the perfect spot for your adventure in the Coral Triangle.
