Getting to Raja Ampat starts with a ferry crossing from Sorong to Waisai. Since January 2026, the fast ferry operator PT Belibis Papua Mandiri has introduced an updated schedule with revised departure days and times.
Here is everything you need to know about the current ferry service, including the full timetable, ticket prices, and practical advice for planning your crossing.
Ferry schedule
The fast ferry Express Bahari operates the Sorong–Waisai route every day of the year. The crossing takes approximately 2 hours in calm seas.
The schedule applies to both directions: Sorong → Waisai and Waisai → Sorong.
How many departures there are depends on the time of year, and the operator decides when to switch. Through the diving season, roughly November to April, the ferry runs the full rotation with two crossings on some days. For the rest of the year it runs once a day, at 14:00.
Treat those months as a pattern, not a published calendar. PT Belibis Papua Mandiri sets the rotation according to demand and announces changes at short notice, sometimes only days ahead. Nobody outside the company knows the switch date in advance, and it moves from year to year. Check locally before you plan a connection around a specific crossing.
Full rotation: days with two departures
| Wednesday | Friday | Sunday |
|---|---|---|
| 9:00 and 14:00 | 9:00 and 14:00 | 9:00 and 14:00 |
Full rotation: days with one departure
| Monday | Tuesday | Thursday | Saturday |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 |
Reduced schedule: one departure a day
Outside the full rotation the ferry still sails every day, but only once, at 14:00. There is no 09:00 crossing while the reduced schedule is running, in either direction.
| Monday to Sunday |
|---|
| 14:00 |
The shoulder weeks are where this bites. Demand climbs towards the diving season before the operator adds the second crossing back, so the hardest seats to get are on the last days of the reduced schedule, whenever those fall that year.
Important: WIT is Eastern Indonesian Time (UTC+9), which is 1 hour ahead of Bali time (WITA/UTC+8). Keep this in mind when coordinating flights and transfers.
Ticket Prices
Tickets are purchased at the harbour ticket office. There is currently no online booking system.
| Economy | VIP |
|---|---|
| IDR 137,000 (~€8 / ~$9) | IDR 262,000 (~€15 / ~$17) |
Economy provides standard seating in an air-conditioned cabin.
VIP includes access to a separate air-conditioned cabin with dedicated bathroom facilities, a more comfortable option for the 2-hour crossing, especially if you are traveling with dive gear and luggage.
Payment is accepted in cash, by card, and via digital wallet (QRIS) at most ticket counters.
Once you arrive in Waisai, you will also need to complete Raja Ampat entry fees and registration, including the Marine Park Tag and Tourist Levy. We recommend registering through the SIPARI portal before your trip.
What to Expect at the Harbour
On busy travel days, particularly during the diving season from October to April, ferry tickets can sell out. Without a reservation system in place, passengers typically need to arrive 1 to 2 hours before departure to secure a seat, especially for the 09:00 morning crossing that connects with incoming flights from Bali and Jakarta. Remember that the 09:00 departure only runs during the full rotation, so for much of the year everyone is competing for the same single afternoon sailing.
Queues at the ticket counter can be long, and during holiday periods or weekends, there is no guarantee of availability on your preferred departure.
Travel With Ocean Earth Travels: Skip the Queue
When you book a Raja Ampat trip through Ocean Earth Travels, our team based in Sorong handles your ferry tickets in advance.
Here is what that means for you:
- Your tickets are secured ahead of time: VIP or Economy, your choice. No need to worry about availability.
- No early arrival required. While independent travelers queue up hours before departure, you can take your time with breakfast at your hotel and arrive at the harbour when boarding begins.
- On-the-ground assistance. Our local team meets you at the port, helps with luggage, and makes sure you board the right ferry without stress.
- Connections handled. We coordinate your ferry with your flights, airport transfers, and accommodation so the entire journey from landing in Sorong to arriving at your dive resort runs smoothly.
Whether you are heading to a resort for diving in Raja Ampat or joining a liveaboard trip in Raja Ampat, we handle the logistics end to end.
Getting to Raja Ampat should be the beginning of the adventure, not a source of stress. Our local presence in West Papua is one of the things that sets us apart from online booking platforms.
Tips for Your Ferry Crossing
- Book your flights wisely. Confirm which schedule is running before you book, because for much of the year the 14:00 crossing is the only one. When the 09:00 is running and you want it, you will need to arrive in Sorong the evening before. For the 14:00 departure, morning flights from Bali (arriving around 11:00–12:00 local time) can work, but allow buffer time for delays. Garuda Indonesia offers non-stop flights from Bali and Jakarta to Sorong.
- Getting to the harbour. The taxi ride from Sorong airport to the ferry harbour takes around 10–20 minutes, and fares are typically around IDR 100,000.
- Bring cash. While some counters accept cards, cash remains the most reliable payment method at both Sorong and Waisai harbours.
- Pack light for the crossing. Large dive bags and luggage go in the cargo area. Keep valuables and essentials in a daypack.
- Check for schedule changes. Ferry departures can occasionally shift due to weather, maintenance, or holidays. Having a local contact (or traveling with an operator like us) helps you stay informed of last-minute changes.
- Motion sickness. The Dampier Strait crossing can be choppy during monsoon season. If you are sensitive to motion sickness, take medication before boarding.
Plan Your Raja Ampat Trip
Raja Ampat is one of the most biodiverse marine environments on Earth, and the ferry from Sorong to Waisai is your gateway to it. Whether you are coming for world-class diving, snorkeling, or simply to experience one of Indonesia’s most remote and beautiful destinations, a little planning goes a long way.
Need help organizing your transfer, accommodation, and diving? Get in touch with our team and we will take care of the logistics so you can focus on the adventure.
Last updated: August 2026. Departure times from the official PT Belibis Papua Mandiri announcement effective January 26, 2026. The seasonal pattern comes from our own team in Sorong: the operator sets it by demand and does not publish the switch dates, so the months here are a guide rather than a timetable.
