How to Take the Public Ferry From Sorong to Raja Ampat (updated September 2026)
Updated: Oct 9
Good news for anyone travelling to Raja Ampat! From September 1st 2026, the public ferry between Sorong and Waisai returns to two departures per day.
Ferries depart at 09:00 and 14:00 every day in both directions.
On public holidays, only the 14:00 departure operates.
The economy ticket price for international tourists has increased to 200,000 IDR per person, while the VIP ticket costs 300,000 IDR per person.
----- If it's your first time visiting Raja Ampat, you might be wondering:
"How exactly does the public ferry from Sorong to Waisai work?"
Don't worry. The process is actually quite straightforward.
Every year, thousands of travellers use the public ferry to travel between Sorong and Raja Ampat. In this guide, we'll walk you through the entire process, from arriving in Sorong to stepping off the ferry in Waisai.
If you're looking for a broader overview of how to reach Raja Ampat, be sure to check out our How to Travel to Raja Ampat Guide as well.
Step 1: Get to Sorong Harbour
The public ferry departs from Sorong Harbour and arrives in Waisai, the capital of Raja Ampat.
📍 Name: Pelabuhan Rakyat Sorong
📍 Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/qCp4XsxZG3YZALzE6
Most travellers arrive via Domine Eduard Osok Airport (SOQ) in Sorong. From the airport, the ferry terminal is approximately a 15 to 20-minute drive away.
Getting Between Sorong Airport and the Ferry Harbour
Whether you're arriving in Sorong to catch the ferry to Raja Ampat or returning from Waisai after your trip, one thing often surprises travelers:
Grab and Gojek are not allowed to pick up passengers directly at either Sorong Airport or the ferry harbour.
Because of this, you have two options.
Option 1: Airport or Harbour Taxi (Recommended)
The easiest option is to take one of the regular taxis waiting outside the airport or harbour. The standard price between Sorong Airport and the ferry terminal is approximately IDR 100,000 per car.
Before getting into the taxi, make sure to clearly confirm the price.
For most travellers, especially those carrying suitcases, dive equipment, or multiple bags, this is by far the easiest and most comfortable option.
Option 2: Grab or Gojek
Grab and Gojek are usually cheaper. Depending on demand and your destination, the fare can sometimes be as low as IDR 40,000 to 60,000. However, because online drivers are not allowed inside the airport area or harbour area, you'll need to walk outside before requesting a ride.
If you're traveling with only a backpack, this can be a good way to save some money.
If you're carrying large suitcases, dive gear, or arriving after a long flight, we'd personally recommend spending the extra few euros/dollars and taking a regular taxi instead. It's simply a smoother start (or end) to your Raja Ampat adventure.
What If You Arrive in Sorong Early?
This is something many travellers don't think about when planning their trip.
With ferries now departing Sorong at 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM daily, you have a little more flexibility when planning your journey to Raja Ampat.
If your flight arrives early enough, you might be able to catch the 9:00 AM ferry. Otherwise, you'll have a few hours to spend in Sorong before the afternoon departure.
Just make sure to allow enough time to collect your luggage, travel from the airport to the harbour and purchase your ferry ticket. We wouldn't recommend planning a tight connection, especially since ferry tickets can only be purchased at the harbour.
Don't rush straight to the harbour.
The harbour is designed for transportation, not for spending an entire day.
Instead, consider stopping at a café, restaurant, or shopping center in Sorong first. Enjoy a proper meal, grab a coffee, use a comfortable bathroom, and take your time before heading to the ferry terminal.
You can also ask your taxi driver to stop at an Indomaret or Alfamart, or big supermarkets like Saga along the way. This is a great opportunity to stock up on snacks, drinks, tissues, sunscreen, or any last-minute essentials.
Step 2: Buy Your Ferry Ticket
One important thing to know:
There is currently no way to buy ferry tickets online.
Tickets are only sold at the harbour itself.
When you arrive, head to the ticket counter and purchase your ticket.
Current Ticket Prices UPDATE SEPTEMBER 1ST 2026!
Economy Class• IDR 200,000 per person
VIP Class• IDR 3000,000 per person
Why the price increase? Rising fuel and operational costs made it difficult to keep two ferries running every day. After negotiations between the ferry company and local government, they found a solution that brings back the twice-daily schedule without increasing the fare for local Raja Ampat residents.
Step 3: Pay the local port tax
After purchasing your ticket, you'll be directed to a second counter (loket).
Here you'll pay:
IDR 12,000 per person
This fee is only paid when traveling from Sorong to Waisai.
You do not need to pay it when returning from Waisai to Sorong.
Keep both your ferry ticket and receipt handy.
Step 4: Wait for Boarding
Depending on the day, the waiting area can be relatively quiet or extremely busy.
Since the current ferry schedule was reduced, certain departures can become crowded, especially when multiple flights arrive in Sorong around the same time.
Our advice?
Arrive on time and don't leave things until the last minute.
Food & Drinks at the Ferry Terminal
Inside the harbour and on the ferry itself, you'll usually find local vendors selling drinks, instant noodles, snacks, cookies, chips, and other small items.
Cold drinks are generally available as well.
However, don't expect a wide range of options.
If you're arriving in Sorong early in the morning, we'd recommend having a proper breakfast or lunch before heading to the harbour.
Your future self will thank you.
A Quick Toilet Tip
Let's just say this is one of those travel tips that people appreciate afterwards.
If possible, use the bathroom before arriving at the harbour and before boarding the ferry. We also recommend carrying a small pack of tissues and some hand sanitizer or antiseptic wipes in your day bag.
While public toilets are available, facilities can vary, and it's always nice to be prepared when traveling in remote parts of Indonesia.
A little preparation goes a long way.
Step 5: Board the Ferry
Once boarding begins, staff will direct passengers onto the ferry.
You may notice local men approaching travellers and offering to carry luggage onto the ferry.
They are not official port staff and are simply trying to earn some extra money by helping passengers with their bags. If you'd like assistance, agree on a price beforehand.
If not, a polite and friendly "No thank you" is perfectly fine.
Step 6: Enjoy the Crossing
The journey takes approximately two hours.
You can choose between:
Economy Class
Affordable and perfectly fine for most travellers.
The cabin is air-conditioned, although the AC isn't always working. So it's a bit of a gamble.
VIP Class
More comfortable seating and usually much stronger air conditioning.
If you're sitting in VIP, we highly recommend bringing a sweater. Trust us on this one.
What to Expect at Sorong Harbour
Let's talk about something that most travel websites don't mention.
For many visitors, Sorong Harbour is their very first introduction to Papua.
And honestly? It can be a bit of a culture shock.
The harbour is busy, crowded, noisy, and very much a working port. It's not a polished marina lined with cafés and souvenir shops. People are coming and going, goods are being transported, and there's a lot happening at once.
Another thing many first-time visitors notice is the amount of red stains on the ground.
Don't worry.
It's not blood.
Many Papuans chew betel nut, locally known as pinang, a popular stimulant that has been part of daily life for generations. Chewing it turns the mouth bright red, and people often spit the residue onto the ground. The result is the red stains you'll see around parts of the harbour and throughout Papua.
We know this sounds like a strange thing to mention, but we can't count the number of times guests have asked us about it afterwards.
Step 7: Arrive in Waisai
Congratulations!
You've officially arrived in Raja Ampat.
After disembarking, you'll find taxis, local transport, homestay representatives, and boat operators waiting near the harbour.
Unlike in Sorong, there is no additional harbour fee to pay upon arrival.
From here, most travellers continue by boat to their final destination.
Sorong Is Not Raja Ampat
This is probably the most important thing we want to share.
The atmosphere at Sorong Harbour is not representative of Raja Ampat itself.
Sorong is a busy city and transportation hub. Raja Ampat is something completely different.
Once you arrive in Waisai and continue to the islands, you'll find small villages, quiet beaches, turquoise water, limestone islands, and some of the most biodiverse reefs on the planet.
We've lived in Raja Ampat for years now, speak the language, and know the harbour well, so for us it feels completely normal. But we also understand that some travellers can feel a little overwhelmed during their first hour in Papua.
That's exactly why we like to share the real deal.
Not to scare anyone, but to help manage expectations and make your journey feel a little smoother.
Current Ferry Schedule (Updated August 2026)
Sorong → Waisai
Monday to Saturday• 2:00 PM
Sunday• 9:00 AM• 2:00 PM
Waisai → Sorong
Monday to Saturday• 2:00 PM
Sunday• 9:00 AM• 2:00 PM
New Ferry Schedule as of September 1st 2026
Sorong → Waisai
Monday to Sunday • 9:00 AM & 2:00 PM
Waisai → Sorong
Monday to Sunday • 9:00 AM & 2:00 PM On public holidays, the ferry only runs at 2:00 PM. You can find an overview of the Indonesian public holidays here: https://publicholidays.co.id/
Please note that schedules can change, so always double-check before traveling.
Staying at Paparisa Homestay?
If you're staying with us on Kri Island, we can help you arrange your transfer from Waisai to Kri in advance. Once your ferry arrives, we'll let you know exactly where to go and who to meet.
Final Thoughts
For first-time visitors, the ferry process often sounds more complicated than it actually is.
In reality, it's simply:
Get to the harbour.
Buy your ticket.
Pay the IDR 12,000 fee.
Board the ferry.
Enjoy the ride.
Arrive in Raja Ampat.
And then the adventure really begins. 🌴
Comments