Dive Site: Sharks Galore

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.

Dive site facts: Sharks Galore

Depth

15–40 m

Current

Gentle drift / mild

Visibility

20–30 m

Water temperature

25–28°C

Entry

Liveaboard / tender

Level

Open Water Diver

Dive type

Pelagic, reef drift

Night dive

Not typical

Region / port

Alor, East Nusa Tenggara

Coordinates

-8.25, 124.268

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

Grey reef shark

common

White-tip reef shark

common

Dogtooth tuna

occasional

Barracuda

occasional

Surgeonfish

common

Fusilier

common

Snapper

occasional

Moray eel

occasional

Clownfish

common

Blue-spotted ray

rare

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

• Clown Valley

  Adjacent to Sharks Galore, known for abundant clownfish.

• Pura Island Drop-off

  A wall dive with diverse corals near Pura Island.

• Kal's Dream

  A vibrant seamount with schooling fish and potential for larger pelagics.

• The Arch

  Natural underwater arch with soft corals and resident sweetlips.

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

FAQ

Sharks Galore FAQ

Liveaboards diving Sharks Galore

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

Naga Biru

Indonesia

12 guests40 m

$273/day

Jaya

Indonesia

14 guests23 m

$280/day

Komodo Aggressor

Komodo, Indonesia

16 guests29 m

$312/day

Blue Manta

Indonesia

20 guests45 m

$482/day

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

$350/day

Mermaid I

Alor

15 guests28 m

$479/day

Mutiara Laut

Indonesia

14 guests46 m

$741/day

Neptune One

Indonesia

16 guests38 m

$332/day

Dewi Nusantara

Indonesia

18 guests57 m

$599/day