Will flying into Sorong become my lob preference?

[chillyinCanada]

I've just read this with a feeling of horror. Will Raja Ampat become even more of a pain to access?

• "Currently this trip is scheduled to use the port of Sorong(SOQ). However, the government of Raja Ampat is considering to ask all liveaboards on Raja Ampat trips to go through the port of Waisai in the future. Waisai is about a 2h ferry ride from Sorong and has its own small airport, Marinda airport (RJM)."

 

[Dan]

Ya, I’m not looking forward to the change. I hope it won’t happen before my Dec 2019 & Jan 2020 trips to RA.

 

[thumbsplitter]

Does anyone know the rationale for the proposed change?

 

[chillyinCanada]

thumbsplitter, I was hoping to learn more about it myself. I'm sure part of it is related to congestion at port of Sorong.

 

[dirtfarmer]

Someone probably has some real estate in Waisai they want to sell or develop.
It's also a great way to have people need to stay overnight in Sorong on the way in and out.
Sounds like a giant clusterf##k.

 

[thumbsplitter]

Hopefully it won't apply to the land-based ops. We dived with Papua Explorers in Dec. and their boat picked us up and dropped us off in Sorong. It seems like a side trip to Waisai would be waste of time.

 

[nudisusie]

There are so many lobs in sorong these days that i suppose the authorities are trying to come up with a solution to the overcrowding, just Waisai is not it as there are limited fueling options for boats and getting stock will be a complete pain in the bottom. Currently all lob guests disembark at the same tiny pier that is always overcrowded - though the new hut for the porters looks lovely. haa haaa - fees well spent!

 

[Wingy]

Interesting times. Indo Govt has signed agreements and $ committed to "develop 10 new balis" from Aus and who knows how many other investors and governments.

Banda Neira having an expanded airport....Wasai perhaps might get an international one in times to come. Sorong port is overcrowded...RA is dangerously becoming overcrowded.

I read a paper on tourism expansion plans for Indo - "greater accessibility for the boutique cruise ship market" - Made me raise an eyebrow.

Guess we are all just going to have to sit here and wait...you never know..LAX to Wasai direct with a Starbucks, McDonalds and 7/11 in the airport with a conveniently located Marriott/ramada/Hilton with infinity pool for that night before boarding your LOB.

 

[tursiops]

This thread is the same as Sorong possibly no longer LOB departure point for Raja Ampat in future?.

 

[Dan]

This thread is the same as Sorong possibly no longer LOB departure point for Raja Ampat in future?.

May need to merge both.