Alor: Kalabahi Bay – Pilaar Dive Site – Alor Archipelago

Site Overview

Pilaar is a distinctive reef site located in Kalabahi Bay approximately 15 minutes by boat from Kalabahi harbor, named for the limestone pillar formations that create dramatic underwater topography along the reef wall. The site features a combination of vertical walls, coral slopes, and natural limestone pillars rising from the bay floor, descending from 3 meters to approximately 22 meters. The pillars create interesting light patterns and provide habitat for diverse marine species. The shallower sections at 3 to 8 meters feature coral gardens on the wall tops with diverse hard corals. Schools of fusiliers, damselfish, and anthias move through the water column above the reef. The wall sections at 8 to 16 meters are covered in sea fans, barrel sponges, and soft corals, with the limestone pillars creating dramatic columns between 10 and 18 meters. Hawksbill turtles forage along the wall, and moray eels, lionfish, and scorpionfish inhabit the crevices. The overhangs at 12 to 18 meters shelter whitetip reef sharks and lobsters. The deeper sections at 16 to 22 meters have sandy ledges where blue-spotted stingrays and garden eels are common. The limestone pillars at depth are encrusted with colorful sponges and tunicates, providing excellent macro photography subjects. Pilaar is best dived from April through November during the dry season. The site offers a unique geological diving experience that complements the nearby muck diving and coral garden sites in Kalabahi Bay.