Accessing Atauro Island

Academy, Accommodation, Activity, Diving, Timor Leste

Accessing Atauro Island

Atauro Island is a wonderful addition to your East Timor holiday especially if you are coming fro snorkelling and diving!! However, what really are the options on how to see it, how to dive it and where to go?

Well Dreamers Dive Academy Timor is providing you with an overview to make it easier for you to access the island

Getting there

Slow ferry and Dragon boat

Seemingly run by the same operator (or at least you get your tickets at the same place and board the boat in the same place for both) their schedules are interlinked. Thus it is determined which days you a travelling across as to which option you have available.

You buy the tickets from a small office next to the Burger King, Gloria Jeans and Rolls and Bowls opposite the main port. You can buy them in advance or the same day of your trip. Just make sure you are there at 7am to get the ticket as not to miss out.

Also be aware it’s a bit of a walk between the road and where the boats dock so if you have a lot of stuff you don’t need to take try and leave it in DILI or ask one of the local hanging around to carry it for you…. this may cost up to $10 depending on how many bags. Note this is not an official porter service so cannot be guarenteed.

The slow ferry takes around 3 hours but only costs $5. You can sit outside if you make your way to the top deck or inside the airconditioned cabin below

The dragon boat takes an hour and costs $18; however if is a long boat so can rock a lot in rougher weather. There is only the option to sit inside and the air con can be set quite cold so take a warmer layer.

Also they store all the bags outside (maybe they move them when it’s wet) so make sure you have what you need before getting into the cabin. When exiting/enetering qt Atauro they use a small dingy so you ae likely to get a little wet, especially your feet, when you hop on or off.

Water taxi

Some companies and boats offer water taxi options but the main company focusing on this is Compass charters

Their boats have a dry area for bags but the boats are open (so sunscreen etc and you may get wet if it’s rough). The trip takes an hour but if you get lucky and see dolphins or whales they will stop and let you look for them a bit. Overall very comfortable and quick. They also dock at the beach so be prepared for those wet feet but a lot less distance to carry your stuff.

Advisable to contact them ahead of time but they usually run trips daily.

Price: $45 per person per way

Office: +670 7723 0965

Email: compasstimorleste@gmail.com

Diving trip to Atauro/ drop offs and pickups by dive trips

Dreamers Dive Acadmey Timor can assist you to get in touch with local operators in Dili who run boat trips and dive trips, who weather and schedule permitting can drop you off before or after diving. We are happy to help organizing dive trips combining shore dives in Dili and trips across to Atauro so contact us directly for your tailor made package options.

Other operators

Dive Timor Lorosae

Office. +670 7723 7092
Email. info@divetimor.com

Aquatica Dive Resort

Office: +670-7803-8885

Email: dive.aquatica@hotmail.com

Please be aware dropoffs and pick ups this way depend on the season, weather and wind as boats may not be able to access on side. Please arrange your transport before you arrange your stay as not to be disappointed

Places to stay in Atauro

Please contact directly for more information. We are happy to help organizing dive trips combining shore dives in Dili and a trip across to Atauro so contact us for your tailor made package options