Reviews: "Love the newsletters! Keep them coming" Janice Fleming...MORE REVIEWS
Scuba Diving Timor-Leste (East Timor)
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
Dive Sites of Timor-Leste
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.
"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:
(1)
"20 dive site within 40 km of the capital. From wall to muck to amazing reefs. Easy access via car. "
Brett Edwards
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
Reviews:
(2
"Fantastic dive when the tide is in as there is a 40 m surface swim. With the tide out its a little harder in the shallows. But well worth the effort. Another great Site in Timor...Has to be visited. "
Kathy
"A lovely gentle dive. You should only dive this site at high tide as you may damage coral at low tide. "
Michael Lym
Reviews:
(1)
"30 m Cave on 100 m wall...Everything everywhere...got to see it to believe it. "
Kathy
Reviews:
(1)
"Easy dive, swimming along sloped dive wall, huge turtle, great scorpion fish, "anenome city", good sandy patch to hover and watch the world swim by."
Gemma Steel
Reviews:
(1)
"We wanted to dive at Atauro, and Kim from Compass Charters was very helpful...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."
David Johns, Australia, 4 March 2013
" A whole island of walls, currents, pelagics and critters. Untouched for thousands of years "
Brett Edwards
Reviews:
(1)
"Great fast deep dive. Thousands of pelagics and sharks. One wild ride. "
Mick Daffy
"Deep Dive on Atauro island. Great dive with strong current. The highlight is the large schools of pelagics and sharks. Great thrill rush dive. Good guides and safety needed. "
Nathan
"Awesome "
Chris
Reviews:
(3)
"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. "
Brett Edwards
Reviews:
(1)
"Great wall dive with huge amount of fish and Jurassic size corals. Can have a wicked current too. "
Mick Daffy
Reviews:
(2)
"Wall dive that ends on a sand flat bottom with sharks gallore. Great dive with the best vis i have seen (40 m easy). "
Nathan
"Great clear water dive at the tip of Atauro Island. Great wall dive that opens up to flat sand bottom with small coral outcrops. Great for sharks. "
Brett Edwards
Jaco is a small coral island at the east of the country where the Banda and Timor seas meet.
Reviews:
(1)
"Small island at the east end of the country. The best diving I have ever seen. Clear calm water with so many fish and untouched reefs. "
Brett Edwards
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:
(1)
"Freedom and peaceful."
Chris, 2012
Timor-Leste Diving Operators
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: kym@dtceasttimor.com
"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
Reviews:
(3)
Dive Timor Lorosae
Dili
Timor-Leste
Tel: (+670) 7237092
E-mail: info@divetimor.com
Web: divetimor.com/
"Dive Timor Lorosae has to be Timor's premier dive centre. With purpose built dive vessels, full time staff and professional and friendly staff, it's easy to see why Dive Timor Lorosae has established themselves as the leaders in this undiscovered country. Their boat is a purposed built dive vessel that is made especially for Timor. The hour trips in Timor mean you need a seat on the trip. Best diving I have seen to date. "
Mick Daffy, UK
"Dive Timor Lorosae is without doubt the premier dive centre in East Timor. Located right on the beach (and having two dive centres) these guys are the friendly, professionals you expect to find in the diving game. I would dive with these guys every time. The boat is great. Heaps of room and with seats. All boat dives take about 1 hour to get to so comfort is needed. Be careful the other dive operators (if they have boats) don't have seats! I stayed next to the dive centre is these massive rooms that cost about 30 USD a night. Great value and location. The day is from 9am till 5pm with whale watching dolphin watching and heaps of other water activities. Well worth the cash - but ask for a discount! The diving would have to be the best I have seen. So untouched and remote. "
Nathan
"Dive Timor Lorosae is by far the most experienced and professional company within in this new dive destination. Probably one of the best dive areas i have been to. Lots to see and so close. More fish than divers. The night life is a little slower but great food. "
Brett Edwards
Ave De Metiaut
Dili
Timor Leste
Tel: +670 770 997 34
E-mail: info@timordiveacademy.com
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: dive.aquatica@hotmail.com
Compass Resort Atauro Island
Avenida Ilha de Atauro
Beloi
Timor Leste
Tel: +670 7723 0965
E-mail: compasstimorleste@gmail.com
Beloi
Atauro
Timor Leste
Tel: (+670) 7738 6166
E-mail: info@ataurodiveresort.com
Beloi Beach Hotel Dive Resort
Atauro Island
Timor Leste
Tel: (+670) 755 83 421
E-mail: beloibeachhotel@outlook.com
Your Comments and Reviews
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.