How to get to Raja Ampat | (How to get to Sorong)

Raja Ampat is a corner of paradise part of the Coral Triangle in Indonesia, but it’s often described as hard-to-reach. Wondering how to get to Raja Ampat and how to get to Sorong? Read this guide to get the low-down on the best and simplest ways to visit. Your next trip is within reach!

• Save

• Save

How to get to Raja Ampat

Step 1: Get to Sorong

If you’re considering visiting Raja Ampat, you need to get to Sorong.

WHAT IS SORONG? Sorong is the largest city in the province of West Papua and it is the main gate to Raja Ampat. When you check flights to Raja Ampat, you will check flights to Sorong.

Sorong is home to more than 250.000 people. However, despite the size of the city and the increasing popularity of the region, there are no international flights to Sorong and very few internal flights are available either.

• Save

As seen on the map, if you neglect local flights to other cities in West Papua, Manado and Ambon – all of which are already pretty remote themselves – you will only find direct flights from Surabaya, Makassar (Ujung Pandang) and Jakarta.

• Save

– Get to Sorong from Bali

If you’re in Bali and want to visit Raja Ampat there are two options:

• INDIRECT FLIGHT: the easiest option would be to take an indirect flight from Denpasar to Sorong, via Makassar (Ujung Pandang). Lion Air operates this route. Expect to pay around $100-$150 USD depending on the time of the year. However, the quickest trip takes nearly 8 hours, as there’s a 4-hour long layover in Makassar.
  
  
• EAST JAVA ROAD TRIP: The second option would be deciding to spend a few extra days exporing East Java and then fly directly from Surabaya. Getting from Bali to Surabaya will also involve taking the ferry from Gilimanuk to Ketapang.

TIP: We personally took the indirect flight from Denpasar to Sorong via Makassar on our way there and then opted for the direct flight from Sorong to Surabaya for the return trip, and we loved it. We spent a good 5 days in East Java and would totally recommend it.

– Get to Sorong from Surabaya

Thai Lion Air and Citilink fly from Surabaya (East Java) to Sorong several times a week. The trip takes about 3 hours and it costs about $80 USD.

– Get to Sorong from Jakarta

Batik Air, Thai Lion Air, Lion Air and Garuda Indonesia all fly directly from Jakarta to Sorong. The trip takes just over 4 hours, prices vary depending on the airlines but expect to pay around $100 USD.

TIP: If you come from abroad, consider Jakarta as your first option.
If you're already in Indonesia, Surabaya may be the best of the bunch as you can combine it with a visit to Mount Bromo and explore the wilderness of East Java.

• Save

Step 2: Get from Sorong Airport to Sorong Harbour

BY TAXI: After landing in Sorong, you can grab a taxi from Domine Eduard Osok Airport to Pelabuhan Harbour in Sorong.

The harbour is just 3.5km away from the airport.

The ride takes about 10 to 20 minutes, and expect to pay around 100,000 IDR (or $7 USD)

BY WALK: Alternatively, you can walk from the airport to the harbour.

Keep in mind it will take you about 30-40 minutes to get to Pelabuhan Harbour by walk.

Step 3: Get from Sorong to Waisai

After landing in Sorong, if your next stop is Waisai here is all the info you need.

Waisai is the main town on the island of Waigeo, in the Raja Ampat Islands, and the most common way to get there is by ferry.

Here, a ferry leaves every day twice a day, at 9AM and 2PM. The ferry takes about 2 hours.

The ferry costs Rp. 125.000 ($9 USD) for the economy and Rp.215.000 ($15 USD) for the VIP tickets.

There is no online booking service, but you can purchase your ticket directly from the counter, or even on the ferry itself.

• Save

Step 4: from Waisai to your accommodation

Once you arrive to Waisai Harbour, you’ll have to walk to a different harbour. It’s just a 2 min walk and everyone is going to the same direction, so you can’t miss it.

Before you can leave Waisai, however, you will have to pay the Environmental Service Fee. Read more about it on our complete Guide to Raja Ampat.

After you get your receipt, it’s finally time to catch a boat to your accommodation. If you booked a homestay on stayrajaampat.com you probably included the first transportation on your reservation. Just wait at the harbour until the owner of your accommodation shows up.

– SHOULD YOU INCLUDE THE FIRST TRANSPORTATION ON YOUR RESERVATION?

It depends. If you are going to one of the most popular islands like Kri Island, you can consider not booking your own transportation and get on one of the other boats at the harbour.

Someone else will most likely go to the same island, and you can share the price of the boat saving a few bucks.
On the other hand, if you’re planning to go more off the beaten path then we highly recommend booking your own boat upon reservation.

If, for any reason, your hosts don’t show up, just ask for help from the people who collect the Environmental Service Fee you just paid. Everyone knows each other on the islands, they have (or can find) the phone number of anybody.

Looking for the most authentic experience in Raja Ampat? Check out the Fam Islands!

How to get around the islands of Raja Ampat

There’s no other way to get around the different islands of Raja Ampat than by asking your host or other hosts on the island you’re staying in.

Transportation in Raja Ampat is expensive, so try to share the boat with other travellers if you’re on a tight budget.

• Save

How to get from Sorong to Misool

If you’re looking for an even more off-the-beaten-path experience and you’re headed to the island of Misool, you can still get a ferry from Sorong. The Express ferry costs Rp.250.000 ($17 USD) and the trip takes about 4.5 hours.

However, ferries to Misool only leave 3 times a week. Here is the full schedule:

Hope this blog post answered all of your questions! If you have any doubts please leave a comment below!

Cheers!

Would you like to write a blog post for backpackersintheworld.com?
Send us an email at backpackersintheworld@gmail.com or send us a DM on Instagram.

• Save

• Save