Internet & SIM Cards in Raja Ampat: What to Expect (2026 Guide)

One of the questions we receive most often before guests arrive is:

"Will I have internet in Raja Ampat?"

The short answer is: yes.

The longer answer is: yes, but don't expect the same connection you have at home.

Raja Ampat is one of the most remote destinations in Indonesia. That's exactly what makes it so special, but it also means internet can sometimes be slow, unstable, or temporarily unavailable.

If you're coming here expecting to stream Netflix every evening, you may be disappointed.

If you're coming here to spend more time in the ocean than on your phone, you'll probably be just fine.

Which SIM Card Works Best in Raja Ampat?

Without a doubt: Telkomsel.

Telkomsel has by far the best coverage throughout Raja Ampat and Papua.

Other Indonesian providers may work in larger cities, but once you start traveling through Raja Ampat, coverage becomes much more limited. If staying connected is important to you, choose Telkomsel.

Raja Ampat-inspired phone case

The Most Important Telkomsel Tip Nobody Tells You

If you buy your Telkomsel SIM card in another province, such as Bali or Java, make sure you specifically ask for:

Data Nasional

And then double-check that it has actually been activated.

Many travelers unknowingly receive local data packages that only work in specific regions such as Bali or Java. In some cases, the package includes only a small amount of national data, sometimes as little as 2GB.

Everything works perfectly while you're in Bali, and then suddenly stops working when you arrive in Papua. We've seen this happen many times.

Before leaving the shop, always ask exactly how much national data is included in your package.

What About eSIMs?

Many travellers now prefer using eSIMs because they can be activated before arriving in Indonesia.

Guests staying with us have reported good experiences with both:

• Airalo

• Nomad

As with any eSIM provider, coverage can change over time, but these are currently the options we hear positive feedback about most often.

Where Can I Buy a Physical SIM Card?

If you prefer a physical SIM card, the easiest place is usually Sorong.

We recommend purchasing and activating your SIM before heading to Raja Ampat.

While SIM cards are sometimes available in Waisai, you'll generally find more options and better support in Sorong.

How Good Is The Internet in Raja Ampat?

This depends entirely on where you're staying.

In Waisai, internet is generally quite good. On the islands, things become a little less predictable. Even with Telkomsel, there may occasionally be moments where the network is slow or temporarily unavailable.

Welcome to island life.😉

Internet at Paparisa Homestay

At Paparisa Homestay we use Starlink WiFi.

The connection is generally very reliable and significantly faster than what many travelers expect in such a remote location. However, there is one important thing to know:

Our WiFi is only available when we have electricity.

Our Starlink receiver (while the tide was incredibly low)

Currently, electricity is available for approximately 12 hours per day, which means the WiFi follows the same schedule. When the power is off, the WiFi is off too.

For guests using a Telkomsel SIM card, we usually find that the strongest mobile signal can be found around our restaurant and jetty. The connection towers are less obstructed there by surrounding islands and limestone formations.

That said, Telkomsel can occasionally experience outages or weaker signal days as well.

Can I Work Remotely From Raja Ampat?

Technically: yes.

Many of our guests answer emails, join occasional video calls, upload photos, and stay in touch with family without major issues. However, Raja Ampat is still a remote destination.

If you have an important presentation, a critical Zoom meeting, or a deadline that absolutely cannot be missed, we'd recommend planning ahead and downloading anything you might need in advance.

Our Final Advice

Before traveling to Raja Ampat, download:

• Offline maps

• Flight tickets and boarding passes

• Diving certifications

• Hotel confirmations

• Netflix episodes

• Spotify playlists

• Any important documents

Not because you'll necessarily need them, but because it's always nice to have a backup plan.

Most guests arrive worried about the internet and leave wishing they had spent even less time on their phones.

The reefs, sunsets, and island life are usually far more interesting than whatever is happening online anyway. 🌴