Good Bad and Ugly- Travel to Raja Ampat

[tgarvin]

Headed to Raja Ampat for 10 day LOB with Aggressor Fleet and and another week at Raja Eco Biodiversity Resort. Could anyone share lessons learned on travel through Jakarta to Sorong?
Arrival / Departure gotchas??

Thank you.
T

 

[outofofficebrb]

I was on the Raja Ampat Agressor in October. I arrived in Jakarta just shy of midnight and caught a 5:30AM Batik Air flight out to Sorong. It was an Indonesian non-stop meaning it stopped briefly in Makassar. I took the free bus from our international arrival terminal to the domestic terminal. We hung out at a restaurant that was open all night until it was time to check in. We didn’t worry about our luggage since we slept plenty on the flight. Some others suggest catching a good night’s snooze in Jakarta to rest before going to Sorong. I would arrive Sorong with cushion in case of any delays so you don’t miss the boat. I shoot to arrive at least 24 hours before embarking on the boat.

 

[tgarvin]

Thanks for the info. Much appreciated.
We are scheduled to arrive on the afternoon of Dec 1st and board the boat on Dec 3rd.
So hopefully we don’t have any major delays with luggage.

 

[dirtfarmer]

Swiss Bell hotel in Sorong is a go to hotel for many.
Raja Amat is some of the best your in for a treat.
Only downside is the Indo addiction you may form. You might find yourself obsesivly plotting to get return to dive many of Indo's top spots.

 

[outofofficebrb]

Only downside is the Indo addiction you may form. You might find yourself obsesivly plotting to get return to dive many of Indo's top spots.

Yup. No kidding! You have been warned...it’s a very slippery slope and like an addict, you will want to take your next hit as soon as possible. Just ask @Dan_T. Lol.

My first taste of Indonesia was late September, early October of 2016. It was in Komodo. I went to Raja Ampat in October 2017 and loved it so much, I’m returning to Raja Ampat April 2019. That’s still not enough....back to Komodo and then to check out Banda Sea in October 2019.

 

[tgarvin]

I will do my best trying to avoid the inevitable addiction you refer to. Sounds like there may already be RA (Raja Anonymous) group meetings to help with side effects.

 

[Dogbowl]

I will do my best trying to avoid the inevitable addition you refer to. Sounds like there may already be RA (Raja Anonymous) group meetings to help with side effects.

Yup, code named Friends of @Dan_T

 

[outofofficebrb]

Yup, code named Friends of @Dan_T

 

[Dan]

I must be damn lucky. I’ve been to RA 7 x since 2010. Always arrived in the morning of the boarding time & never missed an LOB (knock on wood).

Dec is a good month to visit RA. My 8th & 9th trips to RA would be in Dec 2019 & Jan 2020.

 

[borisphotosafari]

I always try to have a night in Jakarta at FM Resort, try to get over all the flights and jet lag. Then hopefully direct flight to Sorong. I have been lucky in Asia, luggage arrived with me.
I've never tried Singapore - Manado - Sorong route.