Raja Ampat

How to get to Raja Ampat

Raja Ampat is a diver’s mecca situated in West Papua, Indonesia’s easternmost province.

Its isolated location makes it relatively hard to reach, which has largely kept Raja Ampat a pristine underwater paradise, far from congestion, pollution and crowded tourist spots.

The name "Raja Ampat" translates to “The Four Kings,” referring to the four main islands of Waigeo, Batanta, Salawati, and Misool. Aside from these four main islands, the archipelago consists of 1,500 more islands, many of which are uninhabited.

Is Raja Ampat worth visiting?

It requires a lengthy journey to get to Raja Ampat, making it one of the most expensive places to visit in Indonesia. However, that hasn’t stopped a steady stream of travellers keen to experience what is dubbed ‘the last paradise on earth.’

Raja Ampat’s coral reefs are rightly called the ‘bullseye of biodiversity’ with more varieties of marine life than anywhere on the planet. This is a destination that should be right at the top of the bucket list.

The number of marine species is mind-boggling, and new ones are being discovered every year. This includes the discovery of the unique Raja Ampat ‘walking shark’ only a few years ago. Unsurprisingly, it is the pinnacle for all serious scuba divers.

It is a true reef-to-rainforest destination with much to see and do on land too. The most iconic attraction is Raja Ampat’s elusive birds of paradise, which live wild in the jungles.

Wondering if Raja Ampat is worth the expense and the long journey? If you’re looking for pristine beaches with virtually no other tourists, turquoise waters, and abundant marine life, Raja Ampat simply cannot be beaten. We recommend visiting during the dry season from October to April.

Read on for a step-by-step guide on how to get to this amazing archipelago!

Quick answer on getting to Raja Ampat

To reach Raja Ampat, you’ll need to fly to Domine Eduard Osok Airport in Sorong. This airport is the closest airport to Raja Ampat and is located in the largest city in the province.

Direct flights are available from only Makassar and Jakarta, or you can take an indirect flight from Bali, Lombok, and Flores. From Sorong, it takes about 15 minutes to the harbour where you can take a 2-hour ferry to Raja Ampat.

Origin	Duration	Cost	Tickets
Direct Flight from Makassar	2h 10min	1,200,000 IDR ($70)	Check Flights
Direct Flight from Jakarta	4 hours	3,000,000 IDR ($174)	Check Flights
Indirect Flight from Bali	6 hours	2,500,000 IDR ($145)	Check Flights
Indirect Flight from Lombok	13.5 hours	3,000,000 IDR ($174)	Check Flights
Indirect Flight from Flores	13.5 hours	3,000,000 IDR ($174)	Check Flights

While there is a good range of budget and mid-priced accommodations in these paradise islands, you’ll be shocked by the price of speedboat fares between the islands.

Transportation within the archipelago is extortionate so choose the location of your accommodation carefully to limit the costs of getting around the islands.

Flying to Sorong, West Papua

Sorong is the gateway to Raja Ampat. Keep in mind that direct flights to Domine Eduard Osok Airport in Sorong are limited and available only from a few cities. Makassar offers the cheapest and most direct flights to Sorong daily, but you can also book a few direct flights from Jakarta.

If you’re coming from other destinations like Bali, Lombok, and Flores, you can only book an indirect flight, most of which have a layover in Makassar.

Option 1: Direct Flight from Makassar

If your flight is delayed and you cannot make the afternoon public ferry, another option is to charter a speedboat.

Be prepared, though, as private speedboat travel is incredibly expensive. Depending on where your accommodation is, prices will likely start at about 2,000,000 IDR ($116) one-way. It may cost as much as several hundred dollars if you arrange this through some of the larger dive resorts.

If you miss the afternoon ferry, consider booking an affordable hotel in Sorong to stay for the night and then take the public ferry the next day.

Pick-up is often included by accommodations on Waigeo

Most accommodations on Waigeo offer pick-up at the harbour. Make sure to arrange this with your accommodation beforehand, and remind them with a message before you depart from Sorong just to be sure.

Also, note that pick-up rates can be expensive because you might need a private speedboat to get to your homestay. Remember to haggle and agree on a price beforehand!

If you have spent some time travelling in Indonesia, you’ll soon realize that local transportation and other essentials are far more expensive here than anywhere else due to the isolated location.

Interisland transfers in Raja Ampat

Getting around between the different islands is also extremely expensive and widely varies, as many islands are quite far away from each other. It can certainly make a major dent in your budget without careful planning.

It pays to choose your accommodation wisely so that you do not have to rely too much on transport between islands.

In addition, try to be flexible about when you go on boat excursions as you may be able to join other travellers at a convenient time to share costs.