Sharks Galore – Channel in Alor

Name: Sharks Galore
Address: Alor

About Sharks Galore

Sharks Galore, an iconic drift-dive in Alor, offers thrilling encounters with diverse marine life. Located in the Pantar Strait, the site benefits from strong currents that funnel nutrient-rich waters, supporting a vibrant ecosystem. Divers typically enter a dynamic drift, soaring past steep underwater formations that plunge into the depths. While its name hints at frequent shark sightings, the site also unveils a stunning variety of other pelagic species attracted by the rich currents. The topography here includes dramatic walls and potential extensions into anemone-carpeted areas. The dive is renowned for its potential to spot Grey Reef Sharks, alongside other large pelagics like tuna and barracuda. The powerful currents that characterize this site bring in a wealth of nutrients, fostering incredible coral growth on the walls and supporting abundant reef fish, ensuring a lively and engaging dive experience. The typical drift concludes in an area known as Clown Valley, which is densely populated with anemones, each hosting numerous clownfish. This vibrant spectacle creates a colorful contrast to the deeper, pelagic-focused start of the dive. Due to the consistent strong currents, Sharks Galore is best suited for advanced divers comfortable with drift diving. Entry is often a negative entry, requiring quick descent and good buoyancy control. The site is part of the Alor region, known for its exceptional diving with varying conditions, making it an excellent destination for experienced divers seeking adventurous and rewarding underwater experiences. While the name suggests shark abundance, the dive offers a rich tapestry of marine encounters.

Highlights

Frequent Grey Reef Shark sightingsDynamic drift diving experienceEncounters with large pelagic fishStunning anemone fieldsVibrant reef fish populationsDramatic underwater topographyStrong, nutrient-rich currents

Season calendar

Best months to dive here

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Excellent

Good

Off-Season

Apr – Nov (Dry Season)

Best visibility up to 30m+, calm seas, minimal rain. Peak pelagic action with hammerheads Oct–Nov. Ideal liveaboard conditions.

Mar & Dec (Transition)

Changing conditions, still good diving. Occasional rain showers but underwater life remains excellent. Good value season.

Jan – Feb (Wet Season)

Rainy season with reduced visibility (10–15m) and rougher seas. Some liveaboard operators pause Alor itineraries. Budget-friendly if operating.

Conditions & Currents

Sharks Galore is specifically noted for its gentle or still current conditions, offering a comfortable drift dive experience. This contrasts with many other Alor sites where currents can be strong and unpredictable. Divers can expect a relaxed pace, allowing ample time to observe the sharks and other marine life without significant exertion. However, it's always prudent to be aware of local conditions as currents can occasionally pick up, particularly in the Pantar Strait region where tidal changes influence water movement. Visibility here is consistently good, often ranging between 20-30 meters, contributing to an enjoyable and clear underwater experience. This site offers a welcome reprieve for divers seeking pelagic encounters without the challenge of ripping currents.

Marine life & sighting chances

Dive profile & how the dive runs

Your dive at Sharks Galore typically begins with a tender entry directly into the water, following your dive guide. The site's gentle current allows for a relaxed drift along the reef, providing ample opportunity to scan the blue for pelagic encounters. You'll typically maintain a depth between 15-25 meters to observe the cruising sharks and dogtooth tuna. The dive progresses along the reef, often heading towards the adjacent Clown Valley, where the topography shifts and clownfish abound. You'll turn the dive based on air consumption and the drift direction, ascending gradually. The safety stop is usually performed in the shallower sections of the reef, offering a final chance to observe reef fish before surfacing near the tender for pickup.

Underwater photography

For photography at Sharks Galore, a wide-angle lens is ideal to capture the grandeur of the cruising sharks and the expansive reef scenes. Given the excellent visibility, you'll have good opportunities for ambient light photography, but strobes will enhance color and detail, especially on the reef. Pay attention to your buoyancy, as maintaining a stable position will help with sharp shots of fast-moving subjects. If transitioning to the adjacent Clown Valley, consider bringing a macro lens or a camera with good zoom capabilities to capture the intricate details of the clownfish in their anemones. Patience is key for capturing marine life, so take your time and observe their behavior before shooting.

Combine with nearby dive sites

Getting there & logistics

Access to Alor, and subsequently Sharks Galore, typically involves flying into Kupang (KOE) in West Timor, then taking a connecting domestic flight to Alor's Mali Airport (ARD) near Kalabahi. Most divers visiting Sharks Galore do so via liveaboard, which often depart from Kalabahi or can be integrated into longer itineraries from other Indonesian regions like Flores or the Banda Sea. Liveaboard trips to Alor usually span 7 to 10 days, allowing exploration of various sites within the Pantar Strait and surrounding islands. Dive resorts in Alor also offer day trips. There are no specific park fees mentioned for this site, but general liveaboard costs and potentially local dive center fees apply. It's common for itineraries to combine Alor diving with other remote Indonesian destinations due to the travel required.

Safety & environment

Diving in Alor, including Sharks Galore, requires a strong emphasis on personal safety due to its remote location. The nearest recompression chamber is in Denpasar, Bali, necessitating a multi-leg evacuation in case of a serious diving injury. Therefore, comprehensive dive insurance that covers emergency medical evacuation is non-negotiable. While Sharks Galore is known for gentle currents, conditions in Alor can change, so always follow your dive guide's instructions. Keep a safe distance from marine life, particularly sharks, and avoid touching or disturbing the reef. Maintain good buoyancy control to protect the fragile coral ecosystems. A well-maintained and reliable dive computer, along with sufficient gas planning, is crucial for all dives.

Who it suits, and who it doesn't

Suited for

Experienced Open Water Divers
Divers seeking pelagic encounters
Photographers with wide-angle setups
Divers preferring gentle drift dives
Those looking for uncrowded dive sites

Less suited for

Absolute beginner divers (minimal current experience)
Divers without comprehensive dive insurance
Those primarily interested in macro-only diving
Divers uncomfortable with remote travel
Individuals expecting abundant 'eating fish' (due to local fishing)

FAQ

Sharks Galore FAQ

What kind of sharks can I expect to see at Sharks Galore?

At Sharks Galore, you can commonly expect to encounter grey reef sharks and white-tip reef sharks. These species are frequently sighted cruising the reef and in the blue, offering exciting pelagic interactions for divers. While named for sharks, sightings of other large marine species like dogtooth tuna are also possible.

Are the currents strong at Sharks Galore?

No, Sharks Galore is specifically known for its gentle or often still current conditions, providing a comfortable drift dive experience. This makes it an accessible site for many divers to enjoy pelagic encounters without the challenges of strong, unpredictable currents that are found at some other Alor dive sites.

What is the visibility like at Sharks Galore?

Visibility at Sharks Galore is generally excellent, often ranging between 20 to 30 meters, especially during the peak diving season. This clear water enhances the experience of spotting sharks and other marine life in the distance and across the vibrant reef scape. Good visibility contributes to a highly visual and enjoyable dive.

Can beginners dive at Sharks Galore?

While the currents are typically gentle, Alor is generally recommended for divers with some experience, and an Open Water Diver certification is usually sufficient for Sharks Galore. However, beginners should be comfortable with basic drift diving techniques and always follow the guidance of their dive master. Divers with AOWD certification and current experience will find it even more comfortable.

Is Sharks Galore suitable for underwater photography?

Yes, Sharks Galore is highly suitable for underwater photography, particularly for wide-angle shots. The excellent visibility and frequent sightings of sharks and other pelagics provide great opportunities to capture dynamic marine life. Photographers should consider bringing wide-angle lenses and strobes to make the most of the clear conditions and diverse subjects.

How do I get to Sharks Galore?

Sharks Galore is typically accessed via liveaboard trips operating in the Alor region, or through day trips from dive resorts on Alor. The most common route to Alor involves domestic flights from major Indonesian hubs like Bali or Jakarta to Kupang, followed by a connecting flight to Alor's Mali Airport near Kalabahi. From there, dive operators arrange transport to the dive sites.

Why dive Sharks Galore from a liveaboard?

Sharks Galore is one of Alor's signature dive sites. A liveaboard sleeps you on the water and puts you in the water for three to four guided dives per day, including dawn and night dives that day-boat operators rarely offer. You skip the daily commute back to port and reach quieter, less-crowded sites in the same region on a single trip.

Below are the liveaboards that include Sharks Galore on their Alor itineraries.

Indonesia

18 guests57 m

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