10 September 2024
Timor-Leste lies at the southwest corner of the coral triangle. This contains nearly 600 different species of reef-building corals, six of the world’s seven marine turtle species and more than 2000 species of reef fish.
When and where to dive?
Diving is possible all year round. The visibility is best from April to November, and worst in February. Manta rays and whale sharks may arrive in September. Water temperature is a warm 26-28 oC. The tropical cyclone season in Timor-Leste normally runs from November to April. The dive sites are mainly off the islands of Jaco and Atauro, and around Dili.
Where is Timor-Leste?
North of Australia and south of Indonesia, Timor-Leste includes the eastern half of the island of Timor, the Oecussi region on the northwest portion of the island of Timor and the islands of Atauro and Jaco. It lies at the eastern side of the Lesser Sunda islands (Nusa Tengarra), most of which are in Indonesia. The capital is Dili, home to the international airport.
Timor-Leste is South-East Asia’s youngest nation and a relatively new destination for diving. Whilst the border region with West Timor (Indonesia) may be troublesome, the diving areas further east are safer. (You can check the British Foreign Office site for the current situation.)
Previously Portuguese, East Timor became independent in 1975 for just nine days. The Indonesian army then moved in. Not until 2002 was Timor-Leste internationally recognised as an independent state, when it changed its name from East Timor.
Medical Facilities and Currency
There are limited medical facilities in Timor-Leste: check that you are covered in your insurance for medical evacuation (to Australia or Singapore). If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial 110 and ask for an ambulance.
Take US dollars with you, which is the local currency. The limited banking system in Timor-Leste will not exchange Pounds Sterling or Euro. Few places accept credit cards.
Dive Sites of Timor-Leste Timor-Leste Diving Operators Timor-Leste Accommodation Your Comments and Reviews
The main diving areas are around Dili and Atauro Island. Most of the Dili dives are shore dives whilst the Atauro Island dives are boat dives. Non-divers are generally welcome to accompany divers to dive sites.
DepositPhotos
“Totally unspoilt diving – couldn’t wish for more – sharks, turtles, millions of fish, giant squid, rays, abundance of living coral. Only need to swim out from shore about 5 metres before you hit the drop off round the island – and this slopes gently to about 40 m, and then straight down to about 2 km! Also great diving around 10 m mark – so air lasts for ages. More fish species here than anywhere else in the world. Living coral like I have never seen. Divers paradise.
“
Gemma Steel
Dili Atauro Island Jaco Island Oecussi
Reviews:
(2
“Shore Dive. Slope to drop off..garden eels, Frog fish, leaf scorpian fish and more….one of the closer dive sites to Dili.”
Kathy
“Closest of all dive site. I was told this was the training dive site. Although not as fantastic as the rest of Timor with a good guide this is a great close dive.”
Brett Edwards
Pink frog fish. Tim Nicholson
“Cove dive in smooth waters. Huge 80 m wall with great overhangs and amazing reef and marine life.
“
Mick Daffy
“Calm wall dive with great reef and wild over hangs. Best time to dive around 2 pm as the shadows make for a great effect for photos. No mantas on my dive but everything else.
“
Nathan
“Bite in the corner of a cliff. Great wall dive with many over hangs and no current. Deep or shallow this wall dive has it all. Must dive from boat.
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Brett Edwards
Jaco is a small coral island at the east of the country where the Banda and Timor seas meet.
Oecussi is an enclave on the North West of the Island. All its land borders are with Indonesia. A ferry from Dili goes overnight twice a week. Few people travel to Oecussi. If you plan to travel overland (rather than by the ferry) you will need two further US$30 tourist visas as well as the $40 double-entry full page transit visa for Indonesia.
Reviews:
(2)
Compass Charters specialise in Dive Adventures, Eco Tourism, Recreational Sailing Charters, Dolphin and Whale Watching, Guided Snorkeling and Land-Based Cultural and Historical Tours.
Now, with our newly constructed Eco Dive Safari Camp of Adara (Tua Klungu) on the west coast of Atauro Island, we can also offer a unique secluded accommodation experience right on the beach to immerse yourself in the idyllic natural settings whilst having the chance to view village life on the culturally rich Island.
Whether your here for a week or just a weekend we will be able to tailor something special to your needs. So contact our experienced team of Diving, Sailing and Touring professionals today to get your adventure started.
Compass Charters
Ave. Dos Martires Da Patria
Palapaso
Dili
Timor Leste
(office is located in the Tiger Fuels Complex)
Tel: (+670) 77230967
E-mail: [email protected]
“We wanted to dive at Atauro, and Kim from Compass Charters was very helpful. We contacted them in Dili one day, and they were able to organise to take us by boat to Atauro the next day (they need 3 divers as a minimum number). The diving is run by an Australian couple, with a Timores First Mate, and they were great to dive with. The boat that we went out to Atauro on is a powerful, safe, (ex-US embassy) boat. On the journey to Atauro we saw dolphins and whales – our skipper carefully steered the boat so we could watch them as long as possible. The diving at Atauro is excellent – the coral is in beautiful, undamaged, pristine condition, and visibility was approximately 25 meters. The diving instructors are extremely competent – they gave a safety briefing before we departed Dili – and they are relaxed and friendly, and provided a tasty lunch. A great day.”
David Johns , Australia, March 2013
“Just had a fabulous experience diving off Atauro Island and east of Dili in East Timor with Compass Charters. Professional, good equipment, careful dive briefings and good company. The diving itself was amazing with almost perfect viz. So much coral and so many fish all in a small area, water was a perfect temperature and absolutely no one else around!! Highly recommended.”
Jan T, Australia, March 2013
Dili
Australian owned and run business established in 2013.
Aquatica Dive Resort
Aldiea Metin 1
Bebonuk
Comoro
Dili
Timor Leste
Tel: +670-7803-8885
E-mail: [email protected]
Atauro Island
Compass Resort Atauro Island
Avenida Ilha de Atauro
Beloi
Timor Leste
Tel: +670 7723 0965
E-mail: [email protected]
Atauro Island
Beloi Beach Hotel Dive Resort
Atauro Island
Timor Leste
Tel: (+670) 755 83 421
E-mail: [email protected]
Please send us your comments on Timor-Leste. Do you want to recommend a diving centre or dive site? Let us know. If you own a dive centre get yourself added.
