Diving in Timor-Leste
Timor-Leste’s diving is not only spectacular but also very accessible. The bulk of the regularly visited dive sites are located either in Dili or near Maubara in the west. The drive out to the sites east of Dili is part of the adventure, as you rise above the sea before descending to the dive sites. All of these sites can be accessed from the shore.
Drive up to the beach, unload in the shade, gear up and walk into the water. Within minutes, schools of fish, colorful corals, marine critters and dugongs surround you. The diving is not deep either, so more time is spent seeing marine activity rather than decompressing.
Boat dives can access sites in and around Dili, in addition to the underwater paradise of Atauro Island. If you can get a group of six or eight divers together, these boat dives are similarly priced to those from the shore. Further along the east coast, Dili dive operators can arrange dive safaris to sites around Corn, Tutuala and Jaco Island — by vehicle, boat, or a combination of both. The expense increases for these trips, but the dive sites are well worth the effort for their rich coral and sea life.
Those who want to learn to dive in East Timor will find a full suite of PADI courses on offer in Dili. Courses start at $255 (US dollars) and include dives at some of the country’s best sites. Discuss your requirements with the dive operators, who will be able to put together a package that caters to your needs and budget.
Snorkeling
Everyone who comes to Timor-Leste should go snorkeling. A mask and snorkel is every season’s must-have accessory. It is always good to bring your own mask and snorkel equipment, although dive operators can supply them. A well-fitting mask is essential and means you can go snorkeling at any time.
There are two ways to snorkel: either independently or with a dive operator. Going independent is easy, particularly if you have a vehicle. The reef hugs the north coast, so pulling over at one of the deserted beaches for a look can prove to be an underwater paradise. There is also good snorkeling at the existing dive sites — ask around where you are staying, as most people are happy to share their favourite spots.
One of the great things about diving in East Timor is that with the prevalence of shore diving, your non-diving friends and family can easily join you. Operators are comfortable taking non-divers on trips to the dive sites for a reduced fee. Snorkelers can still have an amazing experience, as much of the coral and marine life is accessible to them too.
Planning Your Diving and Snorkeling Trip
Diving is possible year-round, although conditions are smoother and the water clearer during the May to November dry season, when visibility is typically 20–30 metres. During the wet season (December to April), visibility is still 15–20 metres. February is probably the worst month, with some sites affected by silt run-off from swollen rivers. It picks up again by mid- to late March, and in April visibility is once again excellent.
September is great for manta rays and, if you are lucky, whale sharks. Some dive sites can experience strong currents and are more suitable for advanced, experienced divers. Water temperatures fluctuate between 26°C and 28°C year-round.
Why Is the Diving So Good?
The diving in Timor-Leste is world class, thanks to a perfect mix of cool, deep water, undamaged reefs, underfished marine life, and its prime location in the Coral Triangle. Ocean trenches reaching several kilometres deep yield cool thermoclines that rejuvenate coral life, which is relatively untouched compared with East Timor’s neighbours such as Indonesia and the Philippines.
The practice of dynamite fishing never caught on because explosives were tightly controlled during the Indonesian occupation. Sea life is as plentiful as it is diverse — from nudibranchs to turtles to schooling fish. Scientists travel halfway around the world to see species of fish or sponge that are so plentiful in East Timor.
Large-scale commercial fishing has not started around any of the dive sites, and supplies are in equilibrium with what locals eat and sell in Dili’s restaurants. This perfect mix treats divers to a colorful array of hard and soft corals and a vivid assortment of reef fish. Pelagics — open-water species such as tuna, bonito, and mackerel — are regularly encountered, along with harmless reef sharks, manta rays, dolphins and dugongs.
The Coral Triangle
Timor-Leste lies in the southwest corner of the Coral Triangle, which also includes the tropical marine waters of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands. The Triangle is recognized as the global epicenter of marine biodiversity, with 76% of the world’s 805 coral species found there. Moreover, 37% of the world’s coral-reef fish can be found in the Triangle — the highest coral-reef fish diversity in the world.
Scientists believe that each eco-region contains at least 500 species of reef-building corals. The Triangle encompasses portions of two biogeographic regions: the Indonesian-Philippines Region (where East Timor lies) and the Far Southwestern Pacific Region.
For sea conditions on a specific day, check the forecast at windguru.com.
Surfing
More recently, surfing has emerged as a growing activity in Timor-Leste. If you surf, don’t miss what this island has to offer — the coastline holds real potential for wave-riders exploring beyond the usual Southeast Asian circuits.