Dive Site: Coconut Point

About Coconut Point

Coconut Point is a renowned dive site located in Alor, celebrated for its exceptional water clarity and vibrant marine ecosystems. This site offers divers an immersive experience, showcasing extensive hard coral gardens that gradually slope downwards, creating a breathtaking seascape. The topography at Coconut Point is characterized by these beautiful coral formations and ridges, with depths that allow for both extensive exploration and shallow, colorful reef experiences. The remarkable visibility, often reaching up to 50 meters, allows for clear observation of the intricate reef structure and the diverse life it supports. Divers frequently encounter large schools of fusiliers, various species of triggerfish, and numerous parrotfish patrolling the reefs. In the deeper blue, curious dogtooth tuna, wahoo, and schools of jacks and barracuda are common sights. The site is a testament to Alor's healthy marine environment, thriving on nutrient-rich waters. The practical dive experience at Coconut Point is generally straightforward, though the presence of currents can influence drift characteristics. It is a site that appeals to both wide-angle photographers due to its expansive views and healthy corals, and those seeking vibrant reef life encounters.

Dive site facts: Coconut Point

Depth

5–30 m+

Typical dive

15–25 m, 50–60 min

Current

Mild to strong

Visibility

15–40 m

Water temperature

24–28°C

Entry

Tender / Liveaboard

Level

Intermediate to Advanced

Dive type

Coral reef, drift, wide-angle

Night dive

Not typically offered

Region / port

Alor, Indonesia

Coordinates

-8.272, 124.235

Conditions & Currents

Coconut Point, like many Alor dive sites, experiences varied current conditions, influenced by the strong currents that push through the Pantar Strait. While it can offer calm, leisurely dives, currents can also be moderate to strong, especially during new and full moons, attracting pelagic life. Divers should be prepared for potential drift dives, and current hooks are recommended for more advanced scenarios or for observing marine life in stronger flows. Visibility is frequently outstanding, ranging from 15 to 40 meters, though occasional thermoclines can cause slight temperature drops. Entry is typically by tender, and divers should maintain good buoyancy control to avoid impacting the pristine coral structures.

Marine life & sighting chances

Fusiliers

common

Triggerfish

common

Dogtooth Tuna

occasional

Wahoo

occasional

Jacks

occasional

Barracuda

occasional

Moray Eels

common

Octopus

occasional

Hammerhead Sharks

rare

Gray Reef Shark

rare

Dive profile & how the dive runs

A typical dive at Coconut Point begins with a tender drop, often directly onto the reef to minimize environmental impact. The dive generally follows the gently sloping hard coral gardens, progressing from shallower depths of around 5-10 meters down to 25-30 meters. Divers can explore along ridges and coral formations, keeping an eye on the blue for pelagic activity. The route usually involves a drift along the reef, guided by the prevailing current, which allows for effortless viewing of the extensive coral ecosystems and schooling fish. Turnaround points are often dictated by air consumption or bottom time limits. The safety stop is typically conducted in the shallower, protected areas of the reef, allowing for observation of smaller reef inhabitants and colorful soft corals before surfacing.

Underwater photography

Coconut Point's exceptional visibility and expansive coral gardens make it ideal for wide-angle photography. A dome port is essential to capture the grandeur of the healthy hard corals and the large schools of fusiliers and other reef fish. When currents are present, utilize them to drift effortlessly over the reef, framing sweeping reef-scapes. For macro enthusiasts, while the site is known for wide-angle opportunities, closer inspection of the corals and sponges can reveal smaller inhabitants. Ensure excellent buoyancy control to avoid contact with the pristine reef, and use strobes to bring out the vibrant colors of the corals and fish against the clear blue water.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• Pura Island Drop-off

  Pura Island Drop-off, also known as Sharks Galore, is a dynamic dive site located off the coast of Pura Island in the Alor archipelago.

• Clown Valley

  A black sand muck dive site known for macro life.

• The Arch

  Features a natural underwater rock arch with soft corals.

• Mahi Point

  A shallow reef renowned for macro photography subjects.

• Beang Abang

  Known for night dives with unique critter sightings.

• Kal's Dream

  A pristine coral wall with pelagic visits.

Getting there & logistics

Access to Alor is typically via domestic flights to Mali Airport (ARD) near Kalabahi, often connecting through Kupang (KOE) or Bali (DPS). Liveaboards are a popular way to explore Alor's dive sites, with itineraries often ranging from 7 to 10 days. Shore-based resorts in Kalabahi Bay also offer daily boat dives to sites like Coconut Point. Trip planning usually includes an arrival day, several full diving days, and a departure day. There are usually no specific park fees for diving at Coconut Point itself, but general marine park contributions may be included in liveaboard or resort packages. Alor is often combined with other Indonesian destinations like Banda or the Forgotten Islands for extended expeditions.

Safety & environment

Diving in Alor, including at Coconut Point, requires adherence to standard safety protocols. The nearest recompression chamber is in Denpasar, Bali, necessitating robust evacuation plans in case of a dive emergency. Divers must have adequate dive insurance that covers emergency medical treatment and evacuation. Site-specific hazards at Coconut Point include potential strong currents, which may require advanced diving skills and the use of current hooks. Always dive with a reputable operator, follow your guide's instructions, and maintain good buoyancy control to protect the delicate coral ecosystems. Surface conditions can occasionally be choppy, so comfortable boat handling is beneficial.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

Coconut Point FAQ

Liveaboards diving Coconut Point

These liveaboards may visit Coconut Point on selected itineraries — the exact dive sites depend on departure, weather and conditions.

Naga Biru

Indonesia

12 guests40 m

$311/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

$422/day

Mutiara Laut

Indonesia

14 guests46 m

$741/day

Neptune One

Indonesia

16 guests38 m

$332/day

Dewi Nusantara

Indonesia

18 guests57 m

$493/day