We spent Thanksgiving on Atauro Island, Timor-Leste (East Timor) this year. We opted for barracuda over turkey and were not disappointed. Travel to the island is by public ferry or water taxi.
Atauro Island Welcoming Committee
The trip to Atauro from Dili takes you across the 9,000 foot deep Wetar Straight. Allegedly home to submariners from the world powers. We looked from the side of the boat this trip, but didn’t see much but beautiful blue waters, and a few whale spout.
Looking for Submarines in the Wetar Straight
At present, there is only one water taxi operator in Timor-Leste.
The australian operators are a bit spotty in customer service matters such as use the of telephone for bookings and confirmations. But the boats are in good shape and they get you back and forth from Dili to Atauro quickly and without incident. You may even see a few dolphin and whales along the trip, as we did this time.
We stayed at Barry’s Ecolodge while on the island. Its a quite little place in the midst of a quiet little fishing village. The people are warm and welcoming and the village children enjoy visiting with the foreigners. Just offshore from Barry’s is a beautiful reef that comes right to the edge of the Wetar Straight. Its scary deep from the water and full of all of the worst fears of my imagination.
Happily, it is only my imagination and the reef is not really frequented by any of the “nasties” as Barry calls them.
The view from Barry's
The reef and the sea floor leading to shore are full of starfish and sea grass and a terrific variety of sea life.
Brightly colored soft corals in the reef off of Atauro
Whether Thanksgiving or not, I heartily recommend a trip to Atauro Island and Barry’s Ecolodge for snorkeling, diving and a quiet island getaway.
Free Diving on the Edge of the Abyss in the Wetar Straight
Sea CucumberFree Diving on the Edge of the Abyss in the Wetar Straight
A variety of Black Spotted Starfish on the shores of Atauro Island, Timor-Leste
Timor-Leste Images 