How to travel to Raja Ampat in 2026
- Team Paparisa
- Jun 1
- 3 min read
So… you want to visit Raja Ampat. Good choice 🌴
But let’s be honest: getting here is not as straightforward as booking a flight to Bali. Raja Ampat is one of the most remote destinations in Indonesia, and while that’s exactly what makes it so special, it also means the journey requires a little more planning.
The good news?
Once you understand the route, it’s actually pretty simple.
This guide explains exactly how to get to Raja Ampat, including flights, ferries, private boats, what to expect upon arrival, and a few things we really wish more travellers knew before coming here.
Step 1: Fly to Sorong (SOQ)
The main gateway to Raja Ampat is Sorong Airport (SOQ) in West Papua.
There are direct domestic flights to Sorong from:
Jakarta
Makassar
Manado
Ambon
At the moment, there are no direct flights from Bali, so this route usually requires a transfer in Makassar or Jakarta.
A very important note about Indonesian domestic flights
Flights in Indonesia are not always… predictable 😅
Delays and cancellations happen regularly, especially with budget airlines like Lion Air. Sometimes schedules change last minute, and unfortunately this is outside anyone’s control, including ours.
If you need to catch an important international flight after your Raja Ampat trip, we highly recommend adding an extra buffer day somewhere in your itinerary.
Trust us on this one. If we personally have the option, we will always chose Garuda Airlines over any other airline.
Step 2: Take the Ferry from Sorong to Waisai
Most travellers continue their journey with the public ferry from Sorong to Waisai, the capital of Raja Ampat.
Current ferry schedule to and from Waisai (since June 1st 2026)
Monday–Saturday: 14:00
Sunday: 09:00 & 14:00
The ferry ride takes approximately 2 hours.
Ferry prices
Economy: 125.000 IDR
VIP: 250.000 IDR
In Sorong, an additional city tax of 12.000 IDR per person applies. (This is only paid departing from Sorong, not Waisai.)
Important:
Ferry schedules can change unexpectedly.
We know… it’s frustrating sometimes. But we also have no influence over schedule changes, so always double-check close to your travel date.
Alternative: Private Speedboat from Sorong
Don’t want to take the ferry?
It’s possible to arrange a private speedboat directly from Sorong to Kri Island or other islands in Raja Ampat. This is faster and more comfortable, but prices usually start around 6 million IDR per boat. There are facebook groups like this one where people look for other travellers to share the costs with.
For most travellers, the public ferry is perfectly fine.
Step 3: Boat Transfer to Your Island
Once you arrive in Waisai, your accommodation will usually arrange the final boat transfer to your island.
At Paparisa, we arrange pick-up from Waisai for 800.000 IDR per boat (not per person).
After arriving at the harbour:
You first pass the tourist registration office
Exit the port building
Our driver will be waiting outside
Easy 🌴
We can also help arrange transfers from other islands in Raja Ampat.
Things We Recommend Before Traveling to Raja Ampat
A few things we wish more guests knew beforehand:
Bring enough cash
Cash is still king here. Many places do not accept cards.
Bring reef-safe sunscreen
Not only hard to find here; but also much better for the ocean.
Don’t overplan every minute
Island life works differently here. Weather, ferry schedules and sea conditions can all influence plans. Flexibility makes the experience much more enjoyable. :)
Is Raja Ampat Worth the Journey?
We might be biased… but absolutely!
You don’t come to Raja Ampat for convenience.You come for untouched nature, marine life, island life, and the feeling of being far away from the rest of the world.
And once you arrive, you’ll understand why so many people fall in love with this place.
See you on Kri 🌊🐚
xo Team Paparisa
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