Viewing dolphins and whales in the wild is totally exhilarating and Timor-Leste is a top location for this.
While dolphins and especially the smaller whales, such as short-finned pilot and melon-headed, can be seen year round, from October to December the Wetar Strait separating Dili and Atauro becomes a major migratory route (a marine super highway) between the Pacific and Indian Oceans. During this time different species of whales, from massive to smaller, including the blue, beaked, humpback, sperm, killer, short-finned pilot and melon-headed, along with very large pods of dolphins can be viewed from cruise boats and the shoreline.
Marine scientists refer to Timor-Leste as a global hotspot for whales and dolphins due to their abundance, diversity and sheer density of numbers.
Several certified diving operators run dolphin & whale watching cruises during the migration season:
- Aquatica Dive Resort – aquaticadiveresort.com
- Atauro Dive Resort – ataurodiveresort.com
- Compass Diving – compassdiving.com
- Dive Timor Lorosae – divetimor.com
- Reverse Timor – reversetimor.com
Viewing dolphins and whales in the wild is totally exhilarating and Timor-Leste is a top location for this.
While dolphins and especially the smaller whales, such as short-finned pilot and melon-headed, can be seen year round, from October to December the Wetar Strait separating Dili and Atauro becomes a major migratory route (a marine super highway) between the Pacific and Indian Oceans. During this time different species of whales, from massive to smaller, including the blue, beaked, humpback, sperm, killer, short-finned pilot and melon-headed, along with very large pods of dolphins can be viewed from cruise boats and the shoreline.
Marine scientists refer to Timor-Leste as a global hotspot for whales and dolphins due to their abundance, diversity and sheer density of numbers.
Half-day and full-day whale watching tours are operated by licensed scuba scuba diving operators departing mainly from the capital Dili and the nearby Atauro Island. Tours are conducted with a strong emphasis on responsible and sustainable practices, ensuring minimal disturbance to the marine environment while offering visitors unforgettable experiences. Travelers can book excursions through the following certified operators:
- Aquatica Dive Resort – aquaticadiveresort.com
- Atauro Dive Resort – ataurodiveresort.com
- Compass Diving – compassdiving.com
- Dive Timor Lorosae – divetimor.com
- Reverse Timor – reversetimor.com