Join This 12 Day Small Group Snorkel Safari to a Remote Resort in the Famed Coral Triangle
July 10-21, 2026
We are delighted to announce this Alami Alor Resort snorkeling trip to snorkel the incredibly alive reefs around the islands in the Alor Regency of Indonesia, using that remote resort as your base. We (Galen and Nicole) have stayed at and snorkeled from this resort and these were some of the most alive reefs we have ever seen. They were diverse and abundant with the coral and fish life that you would expect from the Coral Triangle, the epicenter of marine biodiversity in the world.
Our partner has been running trips to Alami Alor for a number of years now and it is consistently one of their most exciting and interesting destinations. Because of when this trip is scheduled, you will have good chances of encountering blue whales, pods of dolphins, and mola molas.
As you float over fields of pristine corals you are also likely to encounter a huge variety of fish, big and small, with endless opportunities to find some of the ocean’s most interesting critters like nudibranchs, octopus, and a variety of scorpionfish. The resort has a house reef that is full of life and a joy to explore too.
This trip is being run by our partner and friend Ben and his team. Based in the U.K., they are experts in the Coral Triangle, run amazing excursions, and have a great appreciation for the underwater world. This small group trip (14 guests) is exclusively for snorkelers.
Alami Alor Resort Snorkeling Trip Itinerary and Map
Within the famous Coral Triangle, the Alor Regency’s group of islands is in southern Indonesia.
This snorkeling trip begins when you arrive at the Jakarta Airport. You will check into a comfortable hotel and meet your tour leader and fellow snorkelers at a welcome dinner.
Later, you will check out and catch an early morning flight to Alor, via Kupang. Once you arrive you will be transferred by private car to the Alami Alor Resort. You will spend 10 nights at this wonderful resort.
At the end of your stay, you will be transferred back to the airport for a final flight to Bali via Kupang, where the trip ends.
The Alor Regency is made up of 15 islands, nine of which are inhabited and six are uninhabited. Alami Alor is on the largest island in the regency, Alor, as is the capital Kalabahi.
The island and the way of life there feels very far flung to us westerners and is a treat to experience. The islands are rugged and volcanic creating beautiful scenery.
Alami Alor Resort is in a secluded setting on a large bay. The seven well-appointed oceanfront bungalows look directly onto the water. The resort’s house reef is wonderfully alive with enough creatures, fish and corals to keep you happy for a long time.
The location of the resort allows for short speed boat trips out to visit reefs around the neighboring islands, including Pura, Pantar, and Ternate.
What Is Alor and the Snorkeling Like?
Alor is one of Indonesia’s last frontiers, and is remarkably undeveloped. Very few tourists visit the area, and you will likely be the only group on the reefs, besides an occasional local canoe fishermen or some curious kids from the local villages.
Locals have never used destructive fishing practices and as a result we can confirm the reefs remain in their virgin condition.
You will occasionally see traditional fish traps (see picture below) used that are both beautiful and seem to have a low impact on fish populations. And we were pleased to see very little trash in the water or on the shores.
Alor was previously difficult to access because of a lack of infrastructure, so this archipelago is largely unspoiled.
The main islands are Alor and Pantar, and between them is a strait of world class reefs.
Alor is very special in our hearts for how untouched and diverse the reefs are and we believe it has some of the finest snorkeling to be found anywhere. Most of the reefs you explore are fringing an island, with a shallow shelf to explore and sometimes a gorgeous wall that drops off into the deep blue.
While you will see lots of fish, particularly a crazy abundance of smaller reef fish, and larger fish schools of batfish, fusiliers, and jacks, what really stands out for us about Alor is how incredibly diverse the fields and walls of coral life are, and how healthy they are. Every spot we visited seemed like a different ecosystem, with very different colorful corals, sponges and anemones, and the most marine biodiversity we’ve seen.
Of course the chance to see mola mola and dolphins, and blue whales, adds to the thrill. This trip was scheduled for July because the chances are higher for seeing blue whales as they migrate through the area. It was also scheduled during the new moon, which brings upwellings of cold water and the mola mola to the surface.
You will have nine full days plus some time on arrival and departure days to snorkel from the Alami Alor Resort. Each of the full days you will have two guided snorkel boat trips to the best reefs in the area.
There is also an excellent house reef that is full of life to explore. It is a shallow shelf, accessed from the pier, that is full of coral life, small reef sharks, nudibranchs, batfish, and lots of other reef fish. The house reef is an amazing place to snorkel as the sun goes down as fish behaviors change and different creatures emerge. One of the unique creatures is the gorgeous and tiny Mandarinfish.
Night snorkeling on the house reef will also be available on selected evenings. You may see nocturnal hunters like octopus, cuttlefish, crabs, shrimps, and squids.
The resort has two boats with shade covers that hold six guests plus crew. So each day your group will go out in two boats. These boats are big enough to handle a bit of weather, but small enough to drop you off and pick you up right up close to the reefs. You drop into the water from the sides of the boats, and get back on from solid stainless steel step ladders on the side of the boats (you can just see the ladder retracted in the picture below). You return to the resort for lunch between outings.
What Is the Alami Alor Resort Like?
Alami Alor is an intimate resort situated on a remote and quiet bay which combines luxury accommodation and delicious locally inspired food. There are seven waterfront bungalows, and it will be only your group at the resort. The bedroom is air-conditioned, and there is an open air garden bathroom. There is a pool next to the community building and many comfortable outdoor seating areas.
Guests can enjoy full breakfast, lunch, and dinner served in the dining room, family style, at the communal dining table. They serve an assortment of dishes influenced mostly by tropical Indonesian and Asian style, but also international cuisines. We found the food to be healthy and delicious, with excellent cocktails available at your own cost.
Alami Alor can accommodate most special diets such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and so on.
Trip Details and How to Sign Up
We expect this trip to fill quickly. Your spot is reserved with your deposit. Contact Ben below for deposit instructions.
Trip Date:
July 10-21, 2026 – Available.
Trip Price:
$5845 US per person (Twin/Double Share)
Single supplement: $2000 US
The initial deposit for this trip is $400 US per person. At 12 months before departure there is a $600 US per person interim deposit, and at six months there is another $1000 US per person interim deposit. The final balance will be due three months before departure. A few payment options are available including debit and credit cards.
Individual travelers – Ben will happily find someone of the same sex for you to share a room with. If he cannot find you someone, no single supplement surcharge will apply.
Inclusions:
- 1 night accommodation in a Jakarta hotel with welcome dinner
- Round trip domestic flights, transfers, and connections (Jakarta – Kupang – Alor – Kupang – Bali) in Economy Class with 20 kg/44 lbs of luggage allowance
- 10 nights at Alami Alor Resort in Waterfront Bungalow with full board (all meals and snacks)
- 2 boat snorkel sessions per day for 9 days
- Unlimited house reef snorkeling
- Guide from Ben’s team
- Services of snorkel guides throughout
- WiFi
Exclusions:
- International flights (booking available on request)
- Snorkeling equipment rental
- Tips
- Travel insurance (recommended)
- Health insurance (compulsory)
- Soft drinks and alcoholic drinks, laundry and general sundries
Trip Organizers
Ben and his U.K. based team are the organizers and leaders of this trip (more about them below). Galen and Nicole from TropicalSnorkeling.com are promoting this trip, but all signups, trip organization and payments are made to and managed by Ben’s team. TropicalSnorkeling.com does receive a referral fee in exchange for promoting the trip, at no extra cost to attendees.
How to Sign Up or Learn More?
Use the contact form below to contact Ben and his team to request more information about them and express your interest in signing up. They will get back to you shortly with full details.
More About Ben and Our Partnership
Ben (pictured with Nicole) is our friend and snorkeling trips partner. He and his team are based in the U.K. and have over 20 years of experience guiding in Asia and beyond. He has been running his own business since 2010 and is primarily offering guided snorkeling trips, but he started with diving. He began offering snorkeling specific trips because he was aware that snorkelers often get the short end of the stick when thrown in with divers. He and his team love the freedom and low stress of snorkeling, and are very aware of the different needs of snorkelers versus divers, in terms of the reef depth, and calm surface conditions needed.
From our experience going on some of his snorkeling trips we found them very well organized, the guides were fantastic and very helpful, and the underwater experiences were exceptional. Snorkeling groups really get the benefit of all of Ben and his guides’ years of experience in the water, and with different resorts and liveaboards.
All of his trips are small groups of 12-18 guests, or with a similar ratio of snorkelers to guides. These are premium trips including nearly everything you will need, accommodation, meals, transportation, and more.
His company is licensed and insured. Barring extreme circumstances they do not cancel trips.