Frequently Asked Question
Journey & Accommodation
How do you get to Raja Ampat ?
You have to take a plane to Sorong (airport code SOQ). There are flights through Makassar from Bali and Jakarta on several schedules. There is a direct flight from Manado too.
How to get from Sorong Airport to the harbor?
You have to go to the harbour Rakyat (pelabuhan Rakyat) to take the ferry to Waisai.
You cannot order a taxi from the airport with an online app like Grab, Gojek or Maxim. If you want to do so, you have to walk out of the airport area, then a taxi will cost you between 25k and 50k IDR. Otherwise you can take a taxi directly at the airport for 100k IDR.
Ferry from Sorong to Waisai
There are ferries every day (please check the schedule below as it changes regularly) between Sorong and Waisai (2.5h trip more or less depending of the sea). Tickets can only be bought at the office right before the pier to go to the ferry.
Ferry Schedule Update – Effective from September 1st 2026
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2 ferries per day, 9AM and 2PM in both direction every day
Ticket price (one way): Economy: 200.000 IDR
How to get to the islands from Waisai?
Transfer to Mantastic Lodge from Waisai costs 1’000’000 IDR per boat per way.
Otherwise your homestay will pick you up at Falaya harbour in Waisai. Ask your homestay about the transfer costs or they can be found on stayrajaampat.com
How about accommodation ?
We have now 3 on-site bungalows to enhance your stay.
We can also recommend the following cheaper and nearby options :
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Terima Kasih Homestay – Excellent value for money, next door
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Seahorse Homestay, Frances Homestay, Mansuar Raja Ampat Bungalows, Eddo Homestay
*we offer free pickup for all those above* - All accommodations near Sawinggrai, such as Blue Sea, Nyanse, Binnbetew, Methos
What to do if I (or my partner) don't dive on certain days ?
Usually your homestay can offer activities, such as tour, snorkeling, etc… Please contact them directly for more details. We, as a diving center, are focused on diving. Sometimes snorkelers can join for certain tour such as Piaynemo for example, but only if we have enough space on the boat.
Diving
How do I book and how I can pay my dives and/or accommodation ?
We have a solid, paperless booking process — Simply choose your preferred dates and send them to us via WhatsApp at +62 822 12 00 99. Once we confirm availability, you’ll receive a personalized booking link to secure your dives effortlessly.
You can pay us with Revolut, Wise, bank transfer, cash or credit cards. (NB: for credit card online, there is a 3% extra fee). We have also the machine to pay by credit card (+2% extra fee)
Can I rent snorkeling gear?
Snorkeling gear are free to use for guests staying at the Lodge. If you join us on a day trip for snorkeling, the equipment price is included.
How many guests can join at the same time?
We have now 2 boats.
“Marguerite” can accommodate 12 divers,
“Alexandra” can take up to 4 divers.
Is there any drinking water on the boat ?
Yes, we provide water, tea, coffee and snack on the boat.
How is a typical morning diving day ?
We start between 7:30 AM and 8 AM, depending on the day’s schedule. We will go diving twice and aim to return and drop you off at your homestay by around 1 PM, with a maximum return time of 2 PM.
On Sundays and some special days such as Christmas, New Year, Independence Day (17.08), we may go diving only during the afternoon.
Can my partner join to trip like a guest? Can snorkelers join? Can freedivers join ?
Non-divers/snorkelers can come on the boat for day trips like Piaynemo or Batanta. They can also come if we go diving to spots like Arborek, Sawandarek, Yenbuba Jetty. But only if we have enough room on the boat. We are a diving center, our priority is the comfort of our divers. Thank you for your understanding.
We don’t accept freedivers on board.
How do you organise the dive spots ? When are you open ? What is the minimum amount of people to go diving ?
Our priority is to provide personalized planning and services for guests staying at Mantastic Lodge or diving with us over several days. For guests joining us only 1–2 days, we are happy to welcome you on our scheduled dives, but we are unable to arrange customized planning.
Therefore the planning is made day by day. We also try to take new guests to easier dive spots for their first day to see how comfortable they are in the water, for your safety and ours. It also depends on sea conditions, weather, tides, etc…
Please be aware that if you come with your partner/friend/husband/wife and you don’t have the same level of diving certification (for ex. OW and AOW), we may not be able to take you in the same group.
For morning, afternoon and night dives, we request at least 2 divers.
For day trips, we require a minimum of 4 divers.
Our opening hours are all weekdays from 7AM-6PM, Saturday and Sunday 7AM-4PM.
How do you plan daytrips?
Flexible and Responsible Planning
Our diving trips to Piaynemo, Batanta or Gam are truly exceptional, but they cannot be scheduled weeks in advance. To ensure safety and comfort, we require a minimum of 4 divers to confirm the excursion. Final decisions depend on weather conditions, sea state, and logistical factors at the time.
We remain attentive and will keep you informed as soon as the opportunity arises to enjoy this adventure under the best possible conditions.
What to know about Open Water Course and Try Scuba?
Open Water Course: We can give OW Course but be aware that Raja Ampat is not the perfect easiest place for that. It can be tricky with currents and sometimes the weather cannot allow us to give the course in good condition. If you want OW Course, please take in consideration that you may need up to 4 days to achieve it, but at least a minimum of 3 days.
Try Scuba (Discovery Dives) : Same as OW Course, sometimes with currents and/or weather, it’s not possible to do discovery dives even in a bay that seems protected. Don’t hesitate to anticipate several days in your planning in case the conditions are not good. In high season, we are almost not capable to offer Try Scuba.
Which emergency equipment do you have ?
There is always an aluminum oxygen cylinder on the boat, ready for use. Additionally, we have two other oxygen cylinders at the diving center.
A first aid kit is available on both the boat and at the diving center.
Can you pick me up when we go to dive ?
Yes, but ask us first before booking. Distances here are huge.
Other
Which internet provider works in Raja Ampat?
The provider is Telkomsel. If you want internet, buy a Telkomsel SIM card. No other providers are active in Raja Ampat. If your Telkomsel credit is labeled “Internet Lokal”, it won’t work here but only where you have bought your SIM card. Be sure that you buy credit labeled “Internet”, it will work in the entire country. Do not buy E-Sim, it does not work here.
In Mantastic Lodge you can expect a good wifi connection with Starlink and electricity 24/7.
Where is the closest ATM?
The closest ATM is in Waisai. There is no ATM in the harbour. If you need cash, withdraw it in Sorong.
When is the best season to visit?
There is no best season, all year is amazing, just different.
High season is from November to April-May. This is also the manta season.
Are you closed at any period of the year?
Yes, we are closed the month of June
Do I need to pay fees to enter Raja Ampat National park?
- There is a 1.000.000 entry fee that you will pay at Wasai upon arrival
- 1.000.000 IDR Marine Park Entrance fee, that all tourists in Raja Ampat must pay.
Check our page here for more details
Do you recommend any must have before I come to Raja Ampat ?
Do not forget that Raja Ampat is a very remote archipelago. Prepared for all eventualities, it is better if you have tetanus injection.
We will really appreciate if you use reef safe sunscreen
.