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Dive Review of Aggressor Fleet in
Indonesia/Wakatobi and Alor

Aggressor Fleet: "Disappointing Trip", Nov, 2017,

by David Marchese, PA, US (Sr. Contributor Sr. Contributor 20 reports with 28 Helpful votes). Report 10071 has 1 Helpful vote.

Photos Submitted with this Report


Click on an image to see an enlarged version and captions

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Accommodations 3 stars Food 3 stars
Service and Attitude 3 stars Environmental Sensitivity 3 stars
Dive Operation 3 stars Shore Diving N/A
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ 2 stars
Beginners 3 stars
Advanced 3 stars
Comments This was our 4th trip to Indonesia, and our least favorite (by a lot). The diving in Wakatobi was just ok. In general, the reefs seemed stressed, the fish density was low, and there were few colors. We spent about 3 days diving Wakatobi, and all guests were bored so we asked to move to Alor. We dove "the volcano" for two days on the way. Diving there was "interesting" but nothing special. The active volcano continually dumped ash on the reef which continually had to grow through it. The scenery was healthy coral growing through black sand. But the fish density was low and the reef didn't have much color. Night dives were just boring with virtually nothing happening.

Our first dive in Alor was fantastic! The Boardroom was one of the most beautiful, healthy reefs I've ever seen. Fish density was fantastic and the main color of the reef was purple. I thought, "Finally, this is why I traveled all this way!" Unfortunately, the next dive was a muck dive (Mucky Mosque) were we saw mostly garbage. Most guests complained, and we were told that the currents were too strong to dive the nice reefs. We dove Mucky Mosque 5 times when once was enough. Overall, this trip was a let down. Based on all I've read about Wakatobi and Alor, I can only speculate that the crew on this particular trip just didn't know the area well enough (or understand the currents) to take us to the best sites. It took more than two day and 6 flights each way to get to this destination. The diving was not even in the same ball park as we experienced in Raja Ampat or Komodo.

Also, the boat crew was "ok" but generally seemed disinterested and burned out. The food was repetitive and bland.
Websites Aggressor Fleet   

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience Over 1000 dives
Where else diving Grand Cayman, Little Cayman, Turks & Caicos, Bay Islands, Bahamas,
Fiji, Saba, Maldives, California, Revillagigedo, Cozumel, Midway, Kona,
Galapagos, Panama, Palau, Tahiti, Cocos, Tonga, PNG, Komodo, Sulawesi,
Holbox, Solomon Islands, Belize, Komodo, Raja Ampat.
Closest Airport Kundari Getting There Took 12 Flights (both ways)!!

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny Seas calm
Water Temp 74-85°F / 23-29°C Wetsuit Thickness 5
Water Visibility 25-100 Ft/ 8-30 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions 60 minutes/dive
Liveaboard? yes Nitrox Available? yes

What I Saw

Sharks None Mantas None
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles 1 or 2 Whales None
Corals 3 stars Tropical Fish 2 stars
Small Critters 3 stars Large Fish 2 stars
Large Pelagics 1 stars

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Subject Matter 2 stars Boat Facilities 3 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 3 stars Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments There is a camera table on the dive deck. It's about 2' x 20' long. There are two air guns, but no charging stations. Charging is done in the salon. There are two dedicated rinse tanks. The camera table was used by a bunch of "stuff". I was the only one on board with a DSLR. I think maybe 4 DSLR would fill up the table.
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Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed nor edited by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above.

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