Alor · Indonesia · Muck & macro · Sand slope
Ampera
Black sand to 20 metres with regular rhinopias sightings
Area photo: Sims8899 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Ampera is a classic black sand slope muck dive near the town of Kalabahi, with a maximum depth of 20 metres and minimal current. It holds nudibranchs, seahorses, shrimp, crabs and frogfish, and rhinopias sightings here are regular rather than a matter of luck.
Where it is and how deep
8.2350° S, 124.5300° EApproximate position — the dashed circle shows where the site lies; your operator's briefing has the mooring.
The dive
This is a black sand slope with nothing structural to navigate by, which is exactly the point. The bottom shelves down to a maximum of 20 metres, currents in Kalabahi Bay are minimal, and the dive is a slow sweep across open sand with the group spread out. Long bottom times are easy at this depth, so there is no reason to rush a subject once you have found one.
Nudibranchs, seahorses, shrimp, crabs and frogfish are the standing cast, and rhinopias are sighted here regularly. Because everything worth seeing sits on or just above the bottom, the dive is spent looking down at a metre of sand at a time; the shallow maximum depth means you can work the slope for the whole tank and come up with plenty of gas in hand.
Marine life and season
- Frogfish
- Nudibranchs
- Macro critters
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fair | Fair | Fair | Good | Good | Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Good | Good | Fair |
Season follows Alor: April–November dry season gives the most reliable liveaboard access and calmer crossings.
Questions divers ask
How deep is Ampera?+
Maximum depth is 20 metres. The site is a black sand slope, so the profile is whatever depth you choose to work along it, and long bottom times are straightforward.
Sources
- Alor Dive Sites — Dive The World
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