Alor and West Komodo Snorkeling Trip

Join This Unique 15 Day Resort Based Safari and Have Pristine Reefs All to Yourself

Numerous 2025 and 2026 Dates to Choose From

This exciting new Alor and West Komodo snorkeling trip offers the opportunity to explore vibrant reefs and see some of the ocean’s most iconic residents, like manta rays and giant ocean sunfish. Both areas see very little tourism and you will have the reefs all to yourself. You will stay at two fabulous resorts, with a small group of 14 snorkelers, on this unique guided trip that is not to be missed!

Note: The itinerary for this trip recently changed. If you have any questions, contact our partner on the form below.

Damselfish over branching hard corals in Komodo

Your tour begins in Alor at the secluded Alami Alor Resort. The colorful diverse coral reefs there will blow you away, and the sparkling abundance of reef fish will delight you. There is also the possibility of coming across some of the ocean’s most iconic inhabitants, like a superpod of dolphins and melon-headed whales, giant ocean sunfish (mola mola), and even blue whales, as you travel to snorkel sites.

Hard coral reef with a traditional fish trap in Alor

Your next destination is the east coast of the island of Sumbawa, where your group will have exclusive access to four different regions in West Komodo with amazing and unique snorkeling. You will explore the west side of Komodo Island, the Sangeang Island Volcano, Gili Banta, and the eastern coast of Sumbawa Island. The stunning Kalimaya Resort will be your base for this portion of your trip. Expect to find pristine abundant hard and soft coral reefs full of fish, good chances of turtles, manta rays, and reef sharks. Around the volcano you can swim over the bubbling black sand, and see the hyper-rich reefs unique to the area.

Sangeang Volcano Island Indonesia
Sangeang Volcano Island

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 trip is exclusively for snorkelers. It is a unique opportunity to experience a guided remote adventure filled with fantastic reefs, beautiful landscapes, and remote island resorts.

Watch the Video Below for a Quick Preview of This Trip

The Alor and West Komodo Snorkeling Trip Itinerary and Map

World map with Coral Triangle highlighted

Within the famous Coral Triangle, the islands of Alor and Sumbawa are 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 seven nights at this beautiful resort.

Then, you will be taken back to the airport to fly to Bali, via Kupang, for a one night stay.

The next afternoon you will continue your journey and fly to Bima Airport on the island of Sumbawa. You will be met there and transferred by car to Kalimaya Resort. After your five night stay at Kalimaya, you will be transferred back to the airport for your final flight back to Jakarta, where the tour ends.

Snorkeling in Alor

Mandarinfish pair in Alor

Alor is very remote, and very few tourists visit the area. That, combined with a lack of destructive fishing practices, means that the reefs are exceptional, unspoiled, and full of unique life. The other reason the reefs are so healthy and full of life is that Alor has strong currents, that flush the area with nutrients.

You will occasionally see traditional fish traps used that are both beautiful and seem to have a low impact on fish populations.

Alor is very special in our hearts for how untouched and diverse the reefs are. While you will see lots of fish, particularly a crazy abundance of smaller reef fish, and larger fish schools of spadefish, 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.

Leather and other corals with butterflyfish in Alor

Also of note about Alor, and probably one of the big reasons the reef is so healthy, is because there is a large tidal range, and with that strong currents in the area. This flushes a lot of water through the reefs, full of nutrients. Because of this, Alor is a place to snorkel with a very experienced guide. Because of the currents our guide would often have us dropped off at one end of a reef, we would drift with the current, and we would be picked up at the other end of the reef by our boat.

Banded Sea Krait on a colorful coral reef in Alor

For six days, your group will snorkel nearby reefs from small boats twice a day, returning for lunch. Every spot you visit in Alor is very unique, from plateaus of colorful reefs, with clouds of small reef fish, to larger drop-offs, with larger species. Just some of the unique life you can see in Alor are mola mola, dolphins, frogfish, mandarinfish, and blue whales.

Mola mola in blue water in Alor

The Alami Alor Resort has a wonderful house reef to explore. It is a shallow shelf, accessed from the pier, that is full of coral life, small reef sharks, nudibranchs, spadefish, mandarinfish, crustaceans, and lots of other reef fish.

The resort has two boats with shade covers. So each day your group will split into two groups. 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.

Alami Alor Snorkel Tour Boat

What is Alami Alor Resort Like?

You will have seven nights at the Alami Alor Resort. This 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.

Alami Alor waterfront bungalow interior
Alami Alor Resort open air garden bathroom
Alami Alor Resort swimming pool
Alami Alor Resort community patio
Alami Alor Resort open air common building

Guests can enjoy a 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.

Snorkeling in West Komodo

During your stay at Kalimaya Resort on eastern Sumbawa, you will have access to outstanding snorkeling spots previously only accessible by liveaboard. These spots are in four different regions: West Komodo National Park, Gili Banta, Sangeang Volcano Island, and the eastern coast of Sumbawa. There is a high probability that you will have these wonderful snorkeling sites all to yourself. You will have four days of boat snorkeling sessions from Kalimaya.

Diverse hard coral reef with snorkelers in Komodo

The snorkeling in West Komodo National Park and Gili Banta are known for their currents which move nutrients through the area. This creates vibrant coral reefs full of sea life, and attracts large schools of fish, like tuna and jacks, along with big pelagic creatures like sharks, manta rays, mobula rays, and eagle rays. Your guides will time your snorkels for slower currents and you will always drift with them.

Komodo reef with three manta rays

The Sangeang Volcano sits on an island to the north of the resort. It is still semi-active and you can snorkel in the bubbles that rise from the black sands surrounding it. You can also explore the hyper-rich reefs which are unlike any of the other reefs in the region as a result of its nutrient-dense volcanic substrate. These colorful coral reefs pop against the black sand background, and there are many unique creatures to spot, too.

Underwater coral reef and Sangeang Volcano over the water

The east coast of Sumbawa, including the Kalimaya house reef, is home to a variety of creatures, including octopus, shrimp, nudibranchs, eels, frogfish, stingrays, and more.

The coral reefs in all these areas extend out in slopes from the shoreline and drop off in walls, both of which offer wonderful opportunities to see a wide range of fish and sea creatures, including sea turtles.

Three cuttlefish over coral with snorkeler in Komodo

Kalimaya’s house reef is available for you to snorkel at any time. If the tide and weather cooperates, you can even snorkel the house reef at night and be able to see nocturnal creatures like crabs, eels, rays, cuttlefish, squid, octopus, and more.

In addition to the snorkeling, you will have a trip to Komodo Island to see the wild Komodo Dragons. This is a fantastic opportunity to see the dragons in their true natural habitat away from typical areas frequented by tourists.

Pair of Komodo Dragons in Komodo National Park

Your daily snorkel boat from Kalimaya is a large fiberglass speedboat with a covered interior area, and marine toilet. You will exit the water by a sturdy ladder.

Kalimaya Snorkel Boat

What Is Kalimaya Resort Like?

Kalimaya Resort is built right on the edge of a beautiful white sand beach where the sand quickly merges with a stunning coral reef. Your group will occupy both the Beach Bungalows and Sea View Bungalows. Each bungalow has an en-suite open-air bathroom with hot water, air-conditioning, cold drinks, coffee station, and a private veranda with chairs that face the sea.

The restaurant serves up a variety of Indonesian and international meals throughout the day. Kalimaya is a very remote resort and resources can be quite scarce, particularly when it comes to special diets. But, with proper notice they can accommodate most dietary requirements. Note: alcohol is not served at Kalimaya.

Kalimaya Resort Restaurant, Pool, and lounge areas.

There are lounge areas around the pool and beach that are a great place to get together at the end of the day. There is also a spa for relaxing massages and treatments.

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 Dates and Prices:

April 20 – May 4, 2025 – One double occupancy room available.
May 16-30, 2025 – Two double occupancy rooms available.
August 2-16, 2025 – One female share space available.

2025 Trips Price:
$7975 US per person (Twin/Double Share)
Single supplement: $1500 US

April 13-27, 2026 – One double occupancy room available.
September 25 – October 9, 2026 – Available.

2026 Trips Price:
$8295 US per person (Twin/Double Share)
Single supplement: $1750 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 – Alor – Bali – Bima – Jakarta) in Economy Class with 20 kg/44 lbs of luggage allowance
  • 7 nights at Alami Alor Resort in Waterfront Bungalow with full board (all meals and snacks)
  • 2 boat snorkel sessions per day for 6 days at Alami Alor
  • 1 night accommodation in a Bali hotel with full board (all meals)
  • 5 nights at Kalimaya Resort in Beach or Sea View Bungalow with full board (all meals and snacks)
  • 2 boat snorkel sessions per day for 4 days at Kalimaya
  • Half-day Komodo Dragon land tour
  • Unlimited house reef snorkeling at both resorts
  • Guide from Ben’s team
  • Services of snorkel guides throughout
  • Entrance fees and Marine park fees

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
  • Spa services

Note: alcohol is not served at Kalimaya Resort.

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 and Nicole in Alor

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.

Learn More About the Resort

Alami Alor Resort Website

Kalimaya Resort Website


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