Dive Site: Mike’s Delight

About Mike’s Delight

Mike's Delight is a celebrated drift dive located off the east coast of Pura Island, within the Alor Archipelago. This site is renowned for its diverse topography, featuring sloping reefs, ledges, drop-offs, and numerous boulder formations. It transitions from a shallow reef to deeper waters, offering a comprehensive cross-section of Alor’s rich underwater environment. The reef begins at approximately 8 meters and descends to depths of 30 meters, with substantial coral growth continuing beyond 12 meters. The vibrant hard and soft coral fields, including impressive staghorn corals, are a highlight. The site's dynamic currents attract a significant biomass of fish life, making it a bustling underwater ecosystem. Divers here can expect encounters with a wide array of reef fish, from schooling anthias and parrotfish to larger species like Napoleon wrasse and various pelagic fish. The nutrient-rich waters also create opportunities to spot sea snakes and even dolphin pods passing through deeper sections. This combination of healthy corals, abundant fish, and the potential for larger marine animals makes Mike's Delight a truly exceptional dive. The typical dive involves a drift along the reef, allowing divers to observe the changing scenery and marine inhabitants. While currents can be strong, especially around the island's tip, experienced guides ensure a safe and enjoyable exploration, often using the flow to cover significant ground along the beautiful reef.

Dive site facts: Mike’s Delight

Depth

8–30 m

Typical dive

8–30 m, 50–60 min

Current

Mild to strong drift

Visibility

25–50 m

Water temperature

25–30 °C, with thermoclines possible

Entry

Liveaboard / tender drop

Level

Intermediate to Advanced, current experience recommended

Dive type

Drift, reef, pelagic

Night dive

Not specified

Region / port

Pura Island, Alor

Coordinates

8.1916° S, 124.5973° E

Conditions & Currents

Mike's Delight is primarily a drift dive, characterized by currents that can range from mild to strong, particularly with the south current along Pura Island's east coast. These currents are an integral part of the dive, often dictating the flow and allowing divers to cover extensive reef sections effortlessly. Divers must stay close to the reef, especially when currents are robust enough to drift around the island's tip, to avoid being pushed offshore. Strong, unpredictable currents are a known feature of Alor's waters, sometimes creating whirlpools on the surface. While visibility is generally excellent, it can fluctuate with current intensity, requiring divers to remain aware of their surroundings and maintain good buoyancy control. Experienced divers are better suited to manage the dynamic conditions, with attentive guides crucial for safety and navigation.

Marine life & sighting chances

Banded Sea Krait

common

Dolphin pods

occasional

Napoleon Wrasse

occasional

Sweetlips

common

Parrotfish

common

Lionfish

common

Boxfish

common

Anthias

common

Schools of Jacks

common

Angelfish

common

Butterflyfish

common

Red-toothed Triggerfish

common

Lobsters

occasional

Dive profile & how the dive runs

Your dive at Mike's Delight typically begins with a tender drop along the east coast of Pura Island. This is a drift dive, allowing the south current to guide you along a dynamic sloping reef. You'll descend to around 8 meters where the reef begins, exploring ledges and boulder formations, and then gradually progressing deeper to about 15 meters. Expect to reach depths of 25-30 meters in areas where pelagics, including dolphin pods, might pass by. The dive then gradually ascends, moving shallower to explore the rich hard and soft coral gardens found from 30 meters up to 12 meters. The final, shallower section from 12 meters upwards showcases soft corals interspersed with hard coral bommies and impressive staghorn coral fields around 7 meters. During strong currents, your guide might allow a drift around the tip of the island, requiring strict adherence to staying close to the reef and above 7 meters to avoid being swept away. The safety stop is usually conducted in the shallower, calmer sections, surrounded by abundant reef fish.

Underwater photography

Mike's Delight offers superb opportunities for both wide-angle and macro photography. The healthy, colorful corals, including vibrant staghorn fields and sea apple corals, make excellent subjects for wide-angle shots, especially with the exceptional visibility often exceeding 30 meters. For pelagic encounters like dolphin pods or large schools of jacks, a wide-angle lens is essential. Macro enthusiasts should be attentive to the diverse reef structure, which hosts smaller creatures like lionfish, boxfish, and various reef fish. Capturing the beautiful banded sea kraits requires a medium-range lens. Given the potential for strong currents, maintaining excellent buoyancy control is crucial to prevent disturbing the fragile reef and to secure stable shots. Utilizing strobes will help bring out the vivid natural colors of the corals and marine life, which can be muted at depth.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• Clown Valley

  Known for the world's highest concentration of sea anemones and clownfish, located near Apura village.

• Kal's Dream

  A seamount between Kepa and Pura, famous for pelagics and schooling fish, suitable for experienced divers due to strong currents.

• The Aquarium

  A visually stunning site with abundant marine life and clear water, often featuring stingrays.

Getting there & logistics

Access to Mike's Delight is typically via liveaboard or day boats departing from Kalabahi, the main town on Alor Island. Alor is reachable by air through Kupang (Timor), with flights arriving at Alor's local airport. Alternatively, ferries operate from Sorong, West Timor. Dive trips usually range from 6 to 8 days, combining various northern and southern Alor sites. Permits or park fees are generally included in liveaboard packages. It is common for Mike's Delight to be part of an itinerary that also includes other Pura Island sites like Clown Valley, offering a mix of vibrant reef and macro diving. Trip lengths and itineraries are designed to maximize exposure to Alor's diverse dive offerings while accounting for travel times between sites.

Safety & environment

Diving in Alor, including Mike's Delight, requires an awareness of currents, which can be strong and unpredictable. Divers should always be accompanied by experienced guides familiar with local conditions. The nearest recompression chamber is located in Bali, emphasizing the importance of conservative dive planning and appropriate insurance that covers emergency medical evacuation. Evacuation from Alor typically involves air transport from Alor's airport to Kupang, then onward to Bali. Divers must ensure they carry comprehensive dive insurance, including emergency medical and evacuation coverage. Water temperatures can vary, with potential thermoclines, so appropriate thermal protection (e.g., a 5mm wetsuit) is recommended. Always maintain good buoyancy, stay close to your buddy, and adhere to your dive guide's instructions.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

Mike’s Delight FAQ

Liveaboards diving Mike’s Delight

These liveaboards may visit Mike’s Delight on selected itineraries — the exact dive sites depend on departure, weather and conditions.

Naga Biru

Indonesia

12 guests40 m

$274/day

Jaya

Indonesia

14 guests23 m

$280/day

Komodo Aggressor

Komodo, Indonesia

16 guests29 m

$312/day

Blue Manta

Indonesia

20 guests45 m

Gaia Love

Alor

20 guests

$554/day

Emperor Raja Laut

Raja Ampat, Indonesia

12 guests31 m

$413/day

Coralia

Indonesia

16 guests48 m

$577/day

Ilike

Indonesia

16 guests40 m

$298/day

Mermaid I

Alor

15 guests28 m

$372/day

Mutiara Laut

Indonesia

14 guests46 m

$741/day

Neptune One

Indonesia

16 guests38 m

$284/day

Dewi Nusantara

Indonesia

18 guests57 m

$493/day