Atauro Island is a beautiful island north of Dili, the capital of Timor-Leste. The easiest and most budget-friendly way to get there is by public ferry, although private boats are another option.
On Thursday, 15 October 2026, we travelled from Dili to Atauro Island aboard the Berlin Nakroma ferry. We arrived at the port at 7 am to buy our tickets, but boarding was delayed until after 8.30 am. The ferry finally departed at 9 am, and we reached Atauro at around midday.
In this guide, I’ll explain how to travel from Dili to Atauro Island by ferry, including the timetable, fares, ticket purchase and boarding arrangements. I’ll also share what our crossing was actually like, from waiting at the port to arriving on the island.
🇯🇵 この記事を日本語で読む：DiliからAtauro島への行き方｜フェリーの料金・時刻表と実際の乗船体験
- How to Get from Dili to Atauro Island
- How to Buy Ferry Tickets to Atauro Island
- Waiting at the Dili Ferry Port
- Boarding Was Delayed, and We Departed at 9 am
- What Is the Berlin Nakroma Ferry Like Inside?
- The Ferry Journey from Dili to Atauro Island
- Arriving at Beloi, Atauro Island
- Practical Tips for Taking the Dili–Atauro Ferry
- Final Thoughts: Travelling from Dili to Atauro Island by Ferry
How to Get from Dili to Atauro Island
There are two main ways to travel from Dili to Atauro Island: by public ferry or by private boat.
The public ferry is an affordable option for independent travellers. Two regular services operate on different days and depart from different locations in Dili: the Berlin Nakroma and the MV Success.
Ferry Timetable, Ticket Prices and Journey Times
Berlin Nakroma
- Operating days: Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday
- Scheduled departure from Dili: 8 am
- Departure port: Porto Dili
- Arrival point on Atauro Island: Beloi
- One-way fare: US$4
- Approximate crossing time: 2 hours 15 minutes
MV Success
- Operating days: Tuesday and Friday
- Scheduled departure from Dili: 8 am
- Departure port: Kolmera
- Arrival point on Atauro Island: Beloi
- One-way fare: US$5
- Approximate crossing time: 3 hours
The return ferry from Atauro to Dili usually departs Beloi at around 3 pm.
We travelled on the Berlin Nakroma, which operates on Thursdays. The published schedule gives an arrival time of approximately 10.15 am, but actual arrival times can vary depending on the day’s circumstances.
Timetables and fares may change, so check the latest information before travelling.
How to Buy Ferry Tickets to Atauro Island
Public ferry tickets are generally sold at the port on the day of departure. There is no need to rely on an online booking system for the regular service, but it is important to arrive early enough to buy your ticket and wait for boarding.
We arrived at the port at 7 am and went to the ticket booth.
We were asked to show our passports. After handing them over, we waited while the staff processed our tickets, then paid the fare.
Our Berlin Nakroma tickets cost US$4 per person one way.
More people gradually joined the queue behind us, so I would recommend arriving early rather than leaving ticket purchase until the last minute.
Bring cash in US dollars, as this is the currency used for the fare. Smaller notes are useful to have as well.
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Waiting at the Dili Ferry Port
The ferry was already at the port when we arrived, but that did not mean we could board straight away.
Although the scheduled departure time was 8 am, boarding did not begin at 8 am. The departure time and boarding time were two different things.
There were a few stalls at the port selling food, drinks and water. We also spotted hot water and instant noodles, but we could not find a proper restaurant.
If you are travelling early in the morning, it is worth bringing drinking water and a few snacks. You may end up waiting longer than expected.
What Was Happening at 7.25 am?
At around 7.25 am, we noticed vehicles moving in and out of the ferry. At first, it looked as though vehicles were being loaded for the crossing.
However, the process appeared to be different. Vehicles drove onto the vessel, unloaded their cargo, and then drove back off. It seemed that the staff were transferring goods onto the ferry rather than loading the vehicles for transport.
We wondered whether passenger boarding would begin only after this work was finished, so we continued to wait.
Boarding Was Delayed, and We Departed at 9 am
Eight o’clock came and went, but we still could not board.
Boarding finally began sometime after 8.30 am. We heard that government officials or other VIPs were travelling on the ferry, which apparently contributed to the delay. However, this was what we understood from the situation on the day, rather than an officially confirmed explanation.
The ferry eventually left Dili at 9 am.
This was a useful reminder that a scheduled 8 am departure does not necessarily mean the vessel will leave the port at exactly 8 am. Boarding may begin later, and the actual departure can be delayed too.
If you have accommodation check-in arrangements or other plans on Atauro Island, allow plenty of extra time.
What Is the Berlin Nakroma Ferry Like Inside?
The ferry had two main seating areas: economy, without air conditioning, and business class, with air conditioning and fans.
On our crossing, passengers appeared to be free to sit where they wished, regardless of class. However, seating arrangements may vary, so follow any instructions given by the crew.
There were no chairs on the outdoor deck. Instead, local passengers sat directly on the deck floor.
I had understood that the vessel could carry around 300 passengers, but it felt almost full, if not over capacity. The outdoor deck was particularly crowded, with very little room to move around.
Several vendors walked around selling food and packed meals, so there were opportunities to buy something to eat after boarding.
We were not asked to show our tickets again once we were on board.
As parts of the ferry have no air conditioning, bring drinking water and perhaps a small towel if you are sensitive to the heat.
The Ferry Journey from Dili to Atauro Island
We finally departed Dili at 9 am.
The crossing was calm on the day we travelled, and the journey itself was relatively comfortable.
The published crossing time for the Berlin Nakroma is approximately 2 hours 15 minutes. However, because our departure was delayed, we did not reach Atauro Island until around midday.
I would not plan anything time-sensitive around the published arrival time alone. Even if the ferry is scheduled to leave Dili at 8 am, delays can affect the rest of the journey.
Allow some flexibility in your itinerary, particularly if you need to arrange transport or meet your accommodation host after arriving on the island.
Arriving at Beloi, Atauro Island
We reached Beloi on Atauro Island at around midday.
Getting off the ferry was rather chaotic. There did not seem to be a particularly organised disembarkation process, and passengers began making their way off the vessel in their own time.
We collected our belongings and followed the flow of people towards the exit.
Once we were off the ferry, we headed straight to the homestay we had already shortlisted. Our journey from Dili to Atauro Island was complete, and we were ready to begin exploring the island.
Practical Tips for Taking the Dili–Atauro Ferry
Based on our experience, here are a few things I would recommend to anyone planning the same trip.
- Arrive early: We reached the port at 7 am to buy our tickets. Allow time for queues and the boarding process.
- Bring your passport: We were asked to show it when purchasing tickets.
- Carry US dollars in cash: The one-way fare was US$4 per person on the Berlin Nakroma. Smaller notes can be useful.
- Bring water and snacks: There are small stalls at the port, but we did not find a proper restaurant.
- Allow extra time: Boarding and departure may be delayed, so avoid scheduling anything important too soon after your expected arrival.
- Check your departure port: The Berlin Nakroma leaves from Porto Dili, while the MV Success departs from Kolmera.
- Check the return ferry: The usual departure from Beloi is around 3 pm, but confirm the latest schedule locally before making plans.
Final Thoughts: Travelling from Dili to Atauro Island by Ferry
Taking the public ferry from Dili to Atauro Island is an affordable way to reach the island, with one-way fares starting at US$4.
We travelled on the Berlin Nakroma on Thursday, 15 October 2026. Although the ferry was scheduled to leave at 8 am, boarding did not begin until after 8.30 am, and we eventually departed at 9 am. We arrived at Beloi at around midday.
The crossing itself was calm, but the waiting time, crowded deck and chaotic disembarkation were all part of the experience. My main advice is to arrive early, carry your passport and US dollars, and allow plenty of flexibility in your plans.
Most importantly, check the latest timetable before travelling, as ferry schedules can change.
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