Raja Ampat is a without doubt a remote location and currently the only entry point into the area is to fly in to Sorong, although it is reported that several other runways are under consideration/construction on the islands.
The Domine Eduart Osok airport at Sorong is a low-key facility and has yet to be refurbished, as have several other regional facilities – such as the airport Ambon in Maluku Province.
There are no international flights in to Sorong, so you will have to enter Indonesia through one of the three main international “hubs” of the capital Jakarta, Bali or Manado.
Flight schedules seem to constantly chop and change, but at the time of writing this (July 2013) there are no direct flights from either Bali or Manado to Sorong, but there are good connections from both through Makassar (Ujung Pandang) and there is supposed to be a daily direct flight from Jakarta.
Stay Raja Ampat seems to do a good job of keeping up to date with the flight schedule, so it is worth checking their site, but personally I arrange my flights through Come2Indonesia which is run by Norberto Sanchez and his wife Melysa in Bali.
The bottom line is that you are in for a long journey which may require multiple stops – even from my home in Bali I have to overnight in Makassa to get to Sorong…
Raja Ampat Logistics – Where to Stay?
Wherever possible you should try and arrange your travel so that you are picked up on arrival by your liveaboard or resort and similarly on the way out you should hopefully be able to go straight to the airport and out.
But that is not always possible and if you have to stay overnight there are currently three “western standard” hotels in Sorong – the Je Meridien (that’s right Je, not JW…), the Mariat (yep… Mariat, not Marriott) and the Royal Mamberamo.
Prior to my last trip to Raja Ampat in November 2013, I had personally only ever stayed at the Je Meridien and had found it to be very very handy as it’s literally just across the road from the airport.
The rooms are clean, the food is quite good and the beer is cold – but the service is a bit chaotic and after a couple of days you start to lose your sense of humor…
Then, on the last trip, I ended up staying at the Royal Mamberamo as the Je Meridien was fully booked and was quite pleasantly surprised. The hotel is much newer that the Meridien, the rooms are nicer and the general ambiance is better.
The Mamberamo is in an area of Sorong called Kampong Baru, which means new village in Bahasa, and refers to the fact that the whole area has only been developed in recent years.
There are a few other hotels in the general area – some new, one a bit old and another looking positively decrepit…
There is also one quite large supermarket close by and several mini mart type places, so you can buy most of what is available locally.
Also, just in case you are going to Sorong for the nightlife, I was surprised to see the Mona Lisa discotheque on the corner of a street close to the hotel.
I had no idea Sorong actually had a disco scene – I obviously need to get out more!
Raja Ampat Logistics – Is Sorong Safe?
Well… in my opinion – yes it is. I have been there several times, and although only in transit or for a couple of days at a time, I have had no problems at all. Probably the biggest risk is malaria, as it is endemic to Raja Ampat, although it is only in Sorong and the hinterland that it is a real issue as once you are on a liveaboard you seem to leave the mosquitos far behind.
If you are staying at a resort you should check with them, but personally I take malaria medication and always use strong DEET based repellant every evening.
I also use the advice provided on the www.traveldoctor.com.au website and here is the link to their Indonesia Fact Sheet which provides good information on what vaccinations you should consider.
Raja Ampat Logistics – Indonesian Visas
If you are from one of the Asean countries you can enter Indonesia without a visa, but everybody else needs one… But it’s not a big deal as most nationalities can get a 30 day visa on arrival at Jakarta, Bali or Manado by queuing up and payomg US$25 at the counter.
The 30 day visa can be extended by another 30 days, but only at the immigration offices in major cities such as Jakarta or Denpesar in Bali. If you need longer than 30 days the best bet is to apply in advance for a 60 day visa at the Indonesian embassy or consulate in your country – trust me, it’s a lot less hassle!
Raja Ampat Logistics – Indonesian Rupiah, ATM’s and Credit Cards
Credit cards are now widely accepted in Indonesia and the main hotels in Sorong.
But it all relies on connectivity to the supporting bank’s network, which is not a given and if the link is down you are done – so always make sure you have a decent amount of Indonesian Rupiah just in case.
The average exchange rate to the US$ is about 10,000 to 1 – so a $100 exchange makes you an instant millionaire!
ATM’s are now quite common even in Sorong and seemingly everywhere in the main cities. They are quite safe and the best way to change money in my opinion.
Travelers checks are difficult to change as you have to go to a bank, which are only open during the week.
If you have cash, the US$ is the currency of choice but the notes have to be in perfect condition and dated earlier than 1996 or they will be rejected.
There are currency changers at Jakarta, Bali and Manado airports but the rates are not very good and it is also possible to change money in Sorong, but at an even worse rate.