Full-day Wetar Strait boat trip for pygmy blue whales & dolphins (Oct-Nov).
October-November. A full-day boat trip (about 7 hours, 8am-3.30pm) into the 3km-deep Wetar Strait for pygmy blue whales, resident dolphin pods and the occasional orca, run on the SAFFY II by our own English-speaking Timorese crew. In-water encounters when conditions allow, with snacks and lunch aboard. Tours start and finish on Atauro Island. Children under 10 are $200; under-6s can stay aboard for the watching but are not permitted in the water. Child life jackets, floating noodles and a life ring are carried. One of the only places on earth where pygmy blues pass this close to shore.
Atauro is 25km north of Dili, accessible by ferry or light aircraft.
Public ferry
Tuesday to Sunday (no Monday)
Leaves Dili 08:00 · Leaves Atauro 15:00
Berlin Nakroma ~2 hrs 15 min · MV Success ~3 hours
Dili port: Porto Dili, Farol (Berlin Nakroma) · Kolmera, Dili (MV Success)
Fares $4 to $5 one way. Tickets are sold for cash at the port on the day, so arrive early.
MAF light aircraft
Monday 07:30, Wednesday 10:00 and Friday 16:30 · $80 one-way
Flights back from Atauro leave Monday 08:10, Wednesday 10:40 and Friday 17:10.
About 20 minutes from Dili. Book directly with MAF Timor-Leste, and reserve early because seats are limited.
Private boat
$70-$75 per person one way
Run by the lodges (Compass, Atauro Dive Resort, Beloi Beach Hotel). A private charter starts at about $200 an hour. Arrange it when you book.
No ferry sails on Monday, in either direction.
The boat back from Atauro reaches Dili in the early evening, too late for a same-day flight to Darwin. Plan your last night in Dili.
Based in Atauro Island
Book online up to 36 hours before the start (Dili time).
How late you can bookFree to enquire, no payment required. Rezerva will confirm payment details once availability is confirmed.
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