Manado to Sorong Need Advice

[TightLines]

I'm currently planning a trip for March / April and need some advice on getting from Manado (after a few days at Lembeh) to Sorong to grab our liveaboard.

We need to be on the liveaboard on 3/16 for a departure on the morning of 3/17.

The flight we had intended on taking from Manado to Sorong would arrive at 5:15 pm on 3/16 but the boat is instead suggesting that we we fly into Sorong a day earlier (3/15) and overnight in Sorong. Now, from my limited understanding, Sorong is a place that you should spend as little time in as possible.

Can someone with more experience (preferably someone that has done the same trip) comment on this?

Our original trip did not include Lembeh and had us flying from Bali to Makassar with an overnight then Makassar to Sorong on 3/16. In this instance, the overnight makes sense seeing as the connection adds some uncertainty to the flights.

Since it is a straight flight from Manado to Sorong I just want to make sure an overnight in an undesirable place such as Sorong and making an already short stay in Lembeh even shorter is absolutely necessary.

Thanks in advance for any input.

[The World In My Eyes]

Arrive 5.15pm imagine that is Lion Air.Simple really if your flight is camcelled for any reason will the LOB come back to Sorong the following day to pick you up.if not arrive day before.Myself would arrive the day before,thats how i do things.Sorong is in a 3rd world country.its not great.think people should remember that you are in a 3rd world country and in a fairly remote area.for just a overnight stay don't think its a big deal really

[Darnold9999]

The hotel across the street from the airport in Sorong is a comfortable place to overnight.

In my fairly limited experience with domestic Indonesian flights to and from Sorong (two trips) "on time" means at least 60 minutes late and out of nine flights in and out of various locations in Indonesia including Monado to Sorong only two were "on time". The rest were late - anywhere from 1 to 9 hours. Again with limited experience it seems the later in the day the flight the more likely it will be significantly delayed. Something like your doctors office - the delays throughout the day accumulate.

IMHO you would be crazy to schedule an arrival at 5:15 PM the day the boat was to depart. The chances that you will miss the boat are significant. If you were arriving at noon or before then you might want to take a chance, but that late in the day with a very small margin for delay I would not.

[highdesert]

Why 3/14? It looks you maybe meant to say 3/15, correct? In any event, you have "fair" (somewhat less than "good") odds of your Manado-Sorong flight arriving at a reasonable time. The real catch is your return flight ... it's not uncommon for a flight departing Sorong to be 2-3 hours late, maybe more. That's the direction where you need to build in extra time, IMO.

[TightLines]

The hotel across the street from the airport in Sorong is a comfortable place to overnight.

In my fairly limited experience with domestic Indonesian flights to and from Sorong (two trips) "on time" means at least 60 minutes late and out of nine flights in and out of various locations in Indonesia including Monado to Sorong only two were "on time". The rest were late - anywhere from 1 to 9 hours. Again with limited experience it seems the later in the day the flight the more likely it will be significantly delayed. Something like your doctors office - the delays throughout the day accumulate.

IMHO you would be crazy to schedule an arrival at 5:15 PM the day the boat was to depart. The chances that you will miss the boat are significant. If you were arriving at noon or before then you might want to take a chance, but that late in the day with a very small margin for delay I would not.

Just to clarify the first night on the boat is 3/16 but the boat does not depart the port until 3/17.

My previous thinking was that since the boat was overnighting in port that would provide us with our safety margin.

Either way, consensus is to play it safe and get in on 3/15 and overnight nearby.

Now, the obvious follow-up question. Anyone have any suggestions on how to kill a day in Sorong?

[TightLines]

Why 3/14? It looks you maybe meant to say 3/15, correct? In any event, you have "fair" (somewhat less than "good") odds of your Manado-Sorong flight arriving at a reasonable time. The real catch is your return flight ... it's not uncommon for a flight departing Sorong to be 2-3 hours late, maybe more. That's the direction where you need to build in extra time, IMO.

Yes, I meant 3/15.

[Darnold9999]

Missed the departing the next morning part. In that case you would probably be safe - as long as the departure was after the first flight in the morning arriving from Monado. I would probably stay diving in Lembeh the extra day, but it is a significant risk. The flight could be cancelled and then you are looking at hiring a water taxi to get you to the boat. Assuming you can contact the boat and find out where it will be.

[Captain-Hook]

I lived and worked in Raja Ampat for several seasons on a few different liveaboards, most recently earlier this year. In my experience picking up plenty of guests at the airport in Sorong (and having plenty of friends doing the same on other boats), the flights from Manado make it the day they are scheduled (even maybe if "a little late", whatever that means in Asia).

Several years ago in Sorong the big problem wasn't so much the flights arriving late (or not at all like in some other Indonesian outposts), more that many of the guest's heavy diving bags were left behind in Manado for a day, leaving the operators to hang around nearby to Sorong doing the first days diving and juggling speed boats to pick up the bags the next day. But that wasn't this year because the airlines have upgraded to "larger" aircraft. I've seen entire plans loaded full of divers arrive many times WITH everyone's luggage. Even this season I know of a boat that was offering guests to arrive a day early and stay on-board free of charge to make sure everything went off smoothly. They have since cancelled that service, stating that the flight reliability has improved dramatically in Sorong so guests should arrive the day of departure.

I don't know what boat you are on or what the specific itinerary is, so my knowledge is limited, but will tell you that the most 'usual' schedule is to leave port late on the departure date (the 16th, or early the 17th for you) and motor overnight to either Kri (if the boat plans to stay North), to Batanta (if they plan to go South to Misool), or even straight down to Misool the first night if they are daring enough to use the Salawati Straits. Any of those scenarios really leaves plenty of time for you to step on-board by 7 or 8pm. But then again I have no idea why they are suggesting you fly a day early and sleep in Sorong on your dollar. Maybe they have some special plans or know something I don't, which could very well be the case. But NO operator to my knowledge has EVER left a guest behind because of their flights (maybe for other reasons but that's a different story), and I think it would be an absolute outrage if they did.

Worst case scenario is your plane is late and can't land in Sorong because there's no runway lights and has to turn back (hasn't happened in a long time as it costs the airline loads of money), or your bags are left in Manado. Either way the boat will just have to rearrange their schedule to accommodate the change in plans.

So, you could voluntarily lose a day of diving in Lembeh + add a day in SoWrong, chance it and lose a day of diving + a little traveling story, or run with it and enjoy the riskier side of life out in the last frontier...you never know in Indo, things always seem to work out in the end...

And Lembeh is pretty awesome.

Whatever you do, good luck and enjoy your trip.

If you're looking for any other info on the area/diving/places to stay, etc, just let me know.

[rusti999]

Was on a liveaboard last month where some guests were scheduled to arrive from Manado on the afternoon flight on the day of the departure, with the liveaboard originally scheduled to go to Batanta that night on the way to Misool. However, their flight got delayed until the next morning, the primary reason being that the runway at Sorong airport is not lighted, so no flights after it gets dark. So we ended up doing the first day's dives near Sorong (not comparable to the rest of Raja Ampat), skipping Batanta, and while the plan was to originally do Misool and then Mansuar/Kri, we ended up doing Mansuar/Kri first, and then Misool. I think one day in Misool was lost because of this.

[rusti999]

I would probably stay diving in Lembeh the extra day, but it is a significant risk. The flight could be cancelled and then you are looking at hiring a water taxi to get you to the boat. Assuming you can contact the boat and find out where it will be.

Also, on the assumption that there is a morning flight from Manado to Sorong on 3/16, another alternative is to stay in Manado the night before and take the morning flight to Sorong on 3/16, since from my understanding some resorts in Lembeh might decline to transfer you to the airport very early in the morning. Definitely more risk than getting to Sorong the day before, but I would think overnighting in Manado would beat overnighting in Sorong. You should check if such a flight is available though.

[jake11]

We have been to Sorong( so wrong) 3x and went 3 different ways. The WORST way which was agony was the Bali to Makassar(overnight) then onto Sorong! We got into Makassar in the morning and spent a VERY long day with little to do in Makassar although the hotel was GREAT! ( Aryaduta or something like that) The next time we did Jakarta to Ambon( did some diving from Maluku divers resort..awesome) then onto our connection.This way was great and easy. 3rd time we went to Manado and took the very early flight out of Manado to Sorong arriving there in the morning and had no problems. The overweight fees for this early am flight were steep since it was a small plane ( maybe express air ??? can't remember) The Jakarta way was also easy! We arrived in Jakarta at night and then headed over to the domestic airport where we took a 1am Lion air flight to Ambon. No problems at all with that flight. We arrived in Ambon at around 6 am and we were diving by 8:30 am! I liked this way the best! I HATED the Makassar way... too much waiting!
Have fun as you will love RA!

[jake11]

p.s.- be prepared for you wait in the Sorong airport! Drink plenty of water as it will be around 95degrees F. with 100% humidity! They have apx. 2 small fans to cool you off! HA!! Our flights have been VERY late EVERY time!! Also, factor in most people in the airport are smoking and it is a formula for a less than enjoyable time!

[highdesert]

p.s.- be prepared for you wait in the Sorong airport! Drink plenty of water as it will be around 95degrees F. with 100% humidity! They have apx. 2 small fans to cool you off! HA!! Our flights have been VERY late EVERY time!! Also, factor in most people in the airport are smoking and it is a formula for a less than enjoyable time!

... but at least the bathrooms are spotless! :rofl3::rofl3::rofl3::rofl3::rofl3::rofl3:

[danz]

Has anybody an idea what the fares are for overweight for the Manado-Sorong flight? I am on a Lionair flight in February

[rusti999]

Has anybody an idea what the fares are for overweight for the Manado-Sorong flight? I am on a Lionair flight in February

You are actually flying on Wings Air, right? I wasn't on that particular flight, but to give you an idea, I was overweight by 5kg (15kg limit) for my Wings Air Ambon to Sorong flight, and the charge was less than US$ 10 (after conversion from rupiah).

[jake11]

... but at least the bathrooms are spotless! :rofl3::rofl3::rofl3::rofl3::rofl3::rofl3:

Ha ha ha ha!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jake11]

Has anybody an idea what the fares are for overweight for the Manado-Sorong flight? I am on a Lionair flight in February

We have been on several Lion Air flights and we have paid very little overweight fees on those flights! All of our flights on Lion Air have been on time!

[photog]

I agree with the recommendation of the ship. Fly Manado to Sorong on the 15h. Stay one night in a hotel then go to the ship. Best thing to do in Sorong? Read a book, watch a movie, assemble & test an underwater camera rig, sleep.

If the ship's people ask you to arrive a day early, you should do what they ask. I'm happy to hear that they recognize the potential problem and try to help their guests avoid delays in the ship's departure (and so you do not miss part of the trip).

Captain Hook wrote: "But NO operator to my knowledge has EVER left a guest behind because of their flights ... and I think it would be an absolute outrage if they did. "

Depends on the point of view.. that of the late diver or the divers who arrived on time who are waiting and missing dives in Raja Ampat (as mentioned by rusti999).

My opinion is different. I think it not fair (outrageous?) to deprive on-time guests of diving in Raja Ampat they've all paid for ($$$$) because of a late arriver.

------

My thoughts on this are based on my experiences organizing trips to Raja Ampat for groups and individuals for 13 years.

1. Flights between Manado and Sorong are not as reliable as Jakarta-Sorong or Makassar (UPG) - Sorong. Jakarta or Makassar routes offer more flights per day, earlier arrival times so that flights are less likely to be delayed 'til the next day, fewer cancellations or delayed bags (depending on airline and route of course.. but there are choices of less risk via Jakarta & Makassar).

2. Knowing that airlines (not only in Indonesia but in Europe, USA, etc.) often cancel flights or flights are late, travelers should schedule plenty of connection time and plan to arrive early for ship departures. This includes International flights as well as flights within Indonesia.

3. Arriving late impacts not only the person who is late, but also all the other guests booked onto the trip. The only benefit would seem to be to the liveaboard owners since it could eliminate one day of motoring (and fuels costs) around Raja Ampat to stay near Sorong waiting for late guests. Should a liveaboard that has a load of guests who did choose a less risky route or airline or to arrive early and stay overnight in Sorong deprive on-time guests of a day of diving in Raja Ampat to wait on late guests?

------------

My experience with groups and the Manado - Sorong route is that 50% of the time either the flight is canceled or some bags do not arrive. Using route Jakarta - Sorong or UPG - Sorong there have been no cancellations or delayed bags in 13 years.

This month, Dec 2011, the group FOLLOWING my last group booked Manado - Sorong. Big aircraft. Their flight was canceled and they were rerouted via UPG. They lost one day diving Raja Ampat. Then their return flight was canceled too. The airline offered a return 2 days early or one week later than the ticket they purchased. After some argument with that airline by their travel agent (Indonesian agent) they were offered a flight on a different airline at no extra cost on the original date of their ticket.

If the flight Manado - Sorong is cancelled it may come the next morning or the passenger may have to change airlines or route another way so that they arrive the next afternoon or 2 days later.

If bags Manado - Sorong or Sorong - Manado are delayed the next chance to get bags is on the next flight by that same airline which may be 2 days later.

On the trips I organize we board the ship at 9AM on departure day and leave port shortly thereafter.. we are diving on the first day 2-3 dives.

My recommendation for my own groups is to arrive in Sorong the day before ship departure if coming via Jakarta or Makassar (UPG) or two days before ship departure if coming from Manado. Also if diving in the Manado area, schedule that diving AFTER the liveaboard trip in Raja Ampat if at all possible. If the Sorong-Manado flight is delayed, then a call to the resort for a later pickup is all that is needed.. and if bags are delayed the resorts can provide rental gear until the bags arrive.

If someone arrives in Sorong late and the ship is far away when they arrive, a speedboat can be arranged to bring the late diver to the ship. Meanwhile the rest of the group will be enjoying their dives in Raja Ampat.. what they paid for! Travel insurance will cover the cost of the speedboat. We will help with speedboat arrangements and leave a crew member in Sorong to meet them at the airport and escort them to the ship.

Obviously things change if ALL guests are late!

I call myself paranoid for analyzing risk of flight delays, etc. One of my guests calls it a touch of OCD.

[photog]

Has anybody an idea what the fares are for overweight for the Manado-Sorong flight? I am on a Lionair flight in February

I believe these are still correct rates (may be slightly more) - I had only one guest on one flight segment on this route in 2011

Allowances are 15 kg (Wings), 10 kg (Express)
Excess per kg are Rp 16,500 (Wings), Rp 35,000 (Express)

Excess charged regardless of whether your bags arrive with you or not!

[Kilili]

On my last trip from Manado to Sorong, the President of the country commandeered my flight at the last minute, plus my hotel in Sorong. Did not find out until boarding time. Put me up in a miserable hotel [even for Indonesia standards], and arrived a day late. Expect the unexpected.