Cetacean
Sperm whale
Physeter macrocephalus
The largest toothed whale, a deep-diving squid hunter that passes through the deep straits around Alor and neighbouring Lembata, a long-known cetacean corridor. Encounters are almost always at the surface (from the boat) rather than on scuba, and occur mostly during the mid-year to late-year migration window. Blue whales and other cetaceans are also reported in the area.
- Max size
- Up to about 16-18m (males)
- Habitat
- Deep offshore water; here in the deep Ombai and Pantar straits
Best places to dive with Sperm whale
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | rare |
| February | rare |
| March | rare |
| April | rare |
| May | rare |
| June | rare |
| July | rare |
| August | rare |
| September | occasional |
| October | occasional |
| November | occasional |
| December | occasional |
Sperm whales are reported in Timorese waters year-round, but Mongabay puts fewer than 100 individuals moving through the region annually — a small and vulnerable population. Encounters are boat-based and infrequent, and researchers have documented defensive clustering when swimmers approach. Not a diving encounter.
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | not seen |
| February | not seen |
| March | not seen |
| April | not seen |
| May | rare |
| June | rare |
| July | rare |
| August | rare |
| September | rare |
| October | rare |
| November | rare |
| December | not seen |
Passes through the deep Ombai/Pantar straits mainly in the mid-to-late-year whale season; typically seen from the surface during crossings rather than underwater.
Sources & last checked
Checked July 2026
Research is source-backed, but conditions and fees should still be confirmed locally.
View 1 source and checking notes
- Scuba diving in Alor, ZuBlu
Note on the data: Cetacean passage in the Ombai Strait is reported by operators and consistent with the strait's known whale traffic, but no survey data was verified; treat as a surface-encounter chance, not a dive target.