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 2 ferries every day at 9AM and 2PM between Sorong and Waisai (in both direction, same schedule, 2.5h trip more or less depending of the sea). Tickets can be bought at the office right before the pier to go to the ferry.
UPDATE:
Ferry Schedule Update – Effective August 12, 2025
Starting August 12th, 2025, the ferry service will operate as follows:
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Tuesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays: Afternoon departures only at 2:00 PM.
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Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays & Sundays: Morning departures at 9:00 AM and afternoon departures at 2:00 PM
The ticket price:
Economy: 125.000 IDR (+12.000 IDR harbour tax in Sorong)
VIP: 250.000 IDR (+12.000 IDR harbour tax in Sorong)
How to get to the islands from Waisai?
Your homestay will pick you up in the harbour. Ask your homestay about the transfer costs or they can be found on stayrajaampat.com
How about accommodation ?
We’re excited to announce that starting November 2025, we’ll begin offering on-site accommodation to enhance your stay.
In the meantime, we recommend the following nearby options for great value and comfort:
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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 – Enjoy a free pickup when you stay with them
Feel free to contact us for more details or assistance with your booking. We’re here to help make your visit seamless and memorable!
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 ?
We have a solid, paperless booking process — just contact us on WhatsApp at +62 822 127 373 to receive your booking link
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?
Yes, you can. But 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 6 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.
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 ?
We plan the dives following the wishes of our guests, trying mostly to avoid them to dive twice at the same place. The more you dive with us, the greater your opportunity to choose your dive sites. We appreciate your understanding that after just one or two days of diving, site selection may be limited.
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 dives, we request at least 2 divers.
For day trips, afternoon, and night dives, we require a minimum of 4 divers.
We operate from Monday to Friday 7AM-8PM, Saturday 7AM-5PM and are closed on Sundays.
How do I prepare for the daytrip?
Food: Day trips don’t include food. Please ask your homestay for a lunch box.
Shoes: There are 308 wooden steps at Piaynemo, it’s an easy trip, so the slippers are enough.
But at Batanta please bring some comfortable shoes what you can use for the trip! It’s one hour hiking in the jungle.
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 we offer free pickups from Mansuar (north side) and Kri. From Gam close to Sawinggrai, pickup will be charged 250k/day
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.
In our diving center, we have 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?
No, we are open all year long.
Do I need to pay fees to enter Raja Ampat National park?
- There is a 300.000 entry fee that you will pay for the Wasai office on arrival AND
- 700.000 IDR Marine Park Entrance fee, that all tourists in Raja Ampat must pay. You can order it directly here
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
.