Getting to Raja Ampat with Papua Diving Resorts
Divers, explorers and adventurers are no strangers to Raja Ampat’s fabled beauty. Just a mere mention of ‘Raja Ampat’ brings to mind glistening emerald islands in dazzling turquoise waters, rich in nutrients and teeming with all manner of marine life.
Out-of-this-world dive sites like Cape Kri, Manta Sandy and Melissa’s Garden beckon the eager diver and snorkeler. Above the surface, the lush forests are a haven for exotic creatures and the world’s rarest birds, including the breathtaking Red and Wilson’s Birds of Paradise, which can only be seen in the region.
Its remoteness is exactly why Raja Ampat—often dubbed the “World’s Last Paradise” — continues to boast pristine ecosystems, above and under the water. Although the idea of traveling to such a remote location can seem far, the easiest route to Raja Ampat is to take a flight to one of the major Indonesian cities like Jakarta, Makassar, Ambon, or Manado, and then fly domestically from there to Sorong.
Based on which route you take, here’s a rough estimate on the following flight times to the Sorong Domine Eduard Osok Airport (SOQ):
- Jakarta (Soekarno-Hatta International Airport – CGK). Flight time is approximately 4 hours.
- Makassar (Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport – UPG). Flight time is approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes.
- Manado (Sam Ratulangi International Airport – MDC). Flight time is approximately 1 hour and 25 minutes.
- Ambon (Pattimura Airport – AMQ). Flight time is approximately 1 hour and 25 minutes.
If you’re flying to Raja Ampat Airport from Denpasar, Bali, you’ll be departing from Ngurah Rai International Airport – DPS. Do note that there are currently no direct flights from Bali to Sorong, but connecting flights are available through the cities mentioned above.
There are currently no international flights flying directly into Sorong, so the best way to reach Raja Ampat would be to fly into any of the cities mentioned above and board your connecting flight to Sorong.
Getting to the Raja Ampat Islands with Papua Diving Resorts
To get into the marine protected area of Raja Ampat, after arriving at Sorong’s Domine Eduard Osok Sorong Airport (SOQ) travelers will need to take a ferry to Waisai, the main town on Waigeo Island. And from Waisai, they’ll need to arrange for another transfer to get to their final destination in Raja Ampat.
Guests staying at Papua Diving Resorts with a standard package booking of 7 nights or more will enjoy complimentary boat transfers from Sorong. Our standard departure days are Sundays and Wednesdays, where a Papua Diving staff member will pick up guests directly at Sorong airport and drive them to the marina, where our transfer boat awaits. The boat ride takes about 90 minutes from the Sorong marina to our resorts on Kri Island.
For more information on boat transfer schedules, days and times, check here.
For all other arrival or departure days and non-standard packages (min. 3 nights) bookings, boat charter fees will apply. See Papua Diving Resorts rates for more information.
Raja Ampat Diving Holiday with Papua Diving Resorts
Exploring Raja Ampat does not have to be a hassle. When booking with Papua Diving Resorts, we ensure that all our guests have an easy and stress-free stay in paradise.
Our unique location along the Dampier Strait makes us a favorite with divers and our two private PADI 5-star dive resorts – Sorido Bay Resort and Kri Eco Resort – both come with their own dedicated dive centers offering PADI Courses, complete with fully serviced, high-quality rental equipment. Dives and courses are led by experienced PADI professionals with many years of experience. Papua Diving Resorts is also a PADI Eco Center, ensuring our operational practices reflect our heart and mission for sustainability and conservation.
Our house reef, Cape Kri, is renowned for being the world-record holder of the most fish species seen on a single dive. Other famous dive sites around Raja Ampat like Blue Magic, Mike’s Point and Sauwandarek were discovered by our founder, Max Ammer, and are just a 10-minute boat ride away from our resorts.
Sorido Bay Resort
Perfect for those who want a touch of luxury, Sorido Bay Resort is a collection of 9 charming bungalows with spacious rooms and ensuites, each with Wi-Fi, AC, a fan and a veranda that overlooks a vibrant house reef.
Kri Eco Resort
Looking out over the dark blue waters of the Dampier Strait and distant mountain ranges, Kri Eco Resort is a cluster of 13 authentic Papuan-style water bungalows built from locally sourced materials with 3 room types to choose from.
Sustainability at Our Core
Built with sustainability in mind, Papua Diving Resorts aims to provide education and training for the local indigenous Papuan villagers, as well as protecting the pristine ecosystems of the region through its non-profit organization, the Raja Ampat Research and Conservation Center (RARCC).
By staying at Papua Diving Resorts, travelers become part of the effort to protect this beautiful yet fragile environment. From offering schooling and sustainable employment for indigenous people, to boosting shark populations, Papua Diving Resort’s aim is to leave the area better than we found it.
All of our boats and most of the furniture at the resorts are created by our local staff from our boatbuilding and woodworking workshops. With boat designs aimed at making travel and fuel consumption as efficient as possible, our fiber glass boats are the first to be built in the region.
Our furniture and buildings are built in the traditional Papuan design, using locally sourced wood and high-quality materials to ensure our facilities last in the Raja Ampat weather.
Ready to explore Raja Ampat with Papua Diving Resorts? Learn more about us and what we offer. Book your Raja Ampat holiday with us for the best rates and inclusions.
Photo Credits
- over & under image: Renee Capozzola
- coral reef image: Scotty Graham
- aerial of Kri Island: Don Silcock
- catamaran image: Mike Ammer
