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Country: Timor Area: Timor
Water Temp: 26 - 30°C (79 - 86°F)
Visibility: 5 - 30m (16 - 98 ft)
Depth Range: 2 - 50m (7 - 164 ft)
Book A Diving Trip OnlineAs the newest country in Asia, Timor Leste has an amazing natural beauty both above and below the water which is very much unspoilt. Located in the eastern end of the archipelago making up Indonesia and just north of Australia, the proud people of this island nation endured a decades long struggle for independence which was achieved in 2002.
Book A Dive Center OnlineTimor Leste is one of the six countries making up the Coral Triangle, the global centre of marine biodiversity, which entices adventurous divers to explore its waters which have only just opened up to divers in the past years. Trekking in the stunning mountains is also a draw including up to Mount Ramelau to enjoy a sunrise from nearly 3,000 metres.
Timor Leste has easy access to some of the most recently discovered and least explored diving in the region! Making up the southern section of the Coral Triangle, Timor is home to a massive diversity of coral and fish species. The best thing is that the fringing reef across the northern coast is easily accessible from the shore often beginning only a few meters from the water’s edge.
In addition to having the best shore diving in Southeast Asia, this tiny country sits at the edge of two different continental plates, with the Banda Sea to the north and the deep Ombai and Wetar Straits separating Timor from Atauro Island. Migrating whales use this path for several months of the year and this channel which extends down to over 3.5 kilometres deep also brings colder nutrient rich water via currents that contribute to the health of the areas coral reefs. Diving in Timor Leste gives you a chance to see everything from exciting Hammerhead Sharks and endangered Dugongs to interesting critters like Frogfish, Seahorses and Ghost Pipefish!
There are no hyperbaric chambers in Timor Leste.
Fish, Timor Leste, Credit
Due to no industrialisation or commercial fishing in Timor Leste the reefs are exceptionally healthy. In 2012 a team of scientists conducted the first ever extensive marine survey along the northern coast of Timor-Leste and “found seven potentially new marine species and extremely high concentrations of biodiversity with 734 fish species and 360 species of corals recorded. The survey also found that Timor-Leste’s waters are at least 2-3 degrees Celsius cooler than neighboring areas making its marine ecosystems more resilient to climate change impacts and serving as a well-placed refuge for marine species in the Coral Triangle threatened by rising sea temperatures.”
School of fish, Credit
May through November is the dry season and peak diving season in Timor Leste while December to April can be wetter but there is excellent diving to be had year round. Water temperature varies from 26-30 degrees C but can occasionally run into even cooler thermoclines.
Classy Polka Dots, Credit
Ghost Pipefish, Frogfish
Information & Photos kindly provided by: Dive Timor Lorosae
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The majority of diving on Timor Leste's north coast is easily accessible from the shore with the closest site just 5 minutes drive from the dive centre. The shore dive sites consist of sloping reefs and walls with the tops of the reefs starting from just 2-3 metres and descending down to depths of 30-40 meters with some shear walls even dropping 60+ metres allowing everything from snorkeling, recreational diving and even technical diving directly from the shore.
Blue trim nudibranch,Credit
The local dive sites around the Dili area range from Tasi Tolu area to Christo Rei beaches and offer some excellent diving from beautiful corals and reef fish to excellent macro dive sites with all the interesting critters. Being so close into Dili makes it easy to head out for a dive any time at these sites as well as offering some top night dives.
The coastal dive sites are approximately an hour drive either to the east or west of Dili and offer many more dive options including some of the deeper walls. These are normally dived as day trips from Dili doing 2-3 dives and bringing lunch to enjoy under the shade of a tree on the beach between dives. The drives also follow some exceptionally beautiful coastline as well local villages and some old colonial relics.
Longnose hawkfish,Credit
Atauro is the primary destination for boat diving in Timor Leste and the 25 kilometre boat ride to the island usually reveals dolphins, pilot whales as well as larger whales especially in season from November to February. Boat dive day trips to the island leave from Dili harbour and include 2-3 dives and lunch before returning.
On the east side of the island the dive site Outer Reef is a sloping reef that offers for a great drift dive and is usually the place that when lucky, divers spot hammerhead sharks especially early in the morning. Manta Cove is a sheltered dive site with shear wall dropping down to around 80 metres. Along the western coast of the island dive sites Frank's Crack and Table Top are known for deep walls covered in hard and soft corals and plenty of life. On the southwest corner Big Fish dive site is only for experienced divers due too very strong currents but can get huge schools of pelagics.
Blue Starfish,Credit
The Pinnacle is an excellent boat dive site that is just a few minutes out of the Dili harbour and excellent site for pelagics, reef sharks and turtles. This pinnacle rises from about 40-50 metres to the top of 12-14 metres and can have strong currents at times.
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There is an international airport just outside of Dili that has flights from Bali, Singapore and Darwin. Passport with an expiry date not less than 6 months from the date of entry into Timor Leste required and a visa on arrival may be granted valid for stay of up to 30 days for all nationalities, valid for single entry. The fee is 30 USD. There is no ATM or currency exchange in the airport before purchasing the visa so best to make sure you have the US dollars and note that only 2006 series or more recent are accepted in Timor Leste. Airport departure tax is 10 USD.
Cristo Rei East beach, Dili, East Timor, Credit
It is also possible to arrive in Timor Leste overland from Indonesia's West Timor via Kupang. Ensure you have obtained a visa for Timor Leste prior to reaching the land border as visas on arrival are not granted.
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There are many restaurants throughout Dili offering a range of cuisines from Asian to Western. A good local option is at the west end of the beach in front of Dili, where satay/BBQ stands set up with wood fires and plastic chairs and tables right on the sandy beach. They offer a huge array of different meats and fish on skewers served with local rice ketupa, wrapped and cooked in young coconut palm leaves.
Signal goby, East Timor, Credit
Several bars spread along the waterfront around Dili and continue toward Areia Branca just east of Dili. Most popular bars are Castaway Bar with its weekly live music or Dili Beach Hotel showing live sport.
Most questions are answered by our
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PADI Bubblemaker and Seal Team scuba diving programs are on offer for children from age of 8 to experience scuba diving in a swimming pool under the close supervision of an instructor introducing fun and safe experiences to get kids interested in the underwater world.
Delicate tubeworms,Credit
From age 10 children can participate in the PADI Junior Open Water Diver course which is essentially all the same materials, skills and dives as any Open Water Diver course but with shallower maximum depths and closer supervision.
Snorkeling Trips are run along with the dive trips as nearly all of the dive sites are also ideal for snorkelers.
Under the Pier, Credit
Trekking is a favourite activity of some of the travellers visiting Timor Leste with many different options but the favourite is climbing to the peak of the highest mountain in the country, Mount Ramilau. With an elevation of nearly 3,000 metres most opt to climb to the summit early in the morning to be at the top for sunrise to enjoy the breath taking views.
4 wheel drive or motorcycle tours are also available that will take you all through the country enjoying the culture, history and natural beauty of Timor Leste.
Most questions are answered by our
diving community within 24 hours
Currency is US dollar and only 2006 series or more recent is accepted. There are a few ATMs in Dili to access cash. Credit cards are not widely accepted but some dive centres and hotels can however there is an additional 5% bank fee.
Taxis are the main source of transport around Dili for most visitors but make sure fares are agreed on beforehand as taxis are known to attempt to extort far higher fares from foreigners. Standard fairs around Dili are 2 USD, to Areia Branca/Christ Rei is 3-4 USD and from the airport standard rate is 10 USD. Beware of leaving any belongings in taxis either.
Soft coral, Credit
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