Raja Ampat, located in Indonesia’s West Papua province, is widely known for its incredible marine life and coral reefs. However, many independent travellers hesitate to visit because the journey seems complicated.
Travelling to Kri Island—one of the main hubs for staying in local homestays—requires a combination of air, land, and sea transport.
In this guide, I will break down the entire journey from Jakarta to Kri Island via Sorong. This guide is based on our personal experiences, and you can also follow along visually with our YouTube video below to see how each transfer works.
🇯🇵 この記事を日本語で読む: 【決定版】ジャカルタからラジャアンパット・クリ島への行き方！フライト・フェリー徹底ガイド
Where to stay in Jakarta? This is our one of favourite hotels:
➡ Studio One Thamrin Hotel Review: The Ultimate Budget Transit Stay Near BNI City Station, Jakarta
- 1. Route Overview and Timeline
- 2. Air Travel: Flights from Jakarta to Sorong
- 3. Land Travel: Getting from Sorong Airport to the Ferry Harbour
- 4. Sea Travel Part 1: The Fast Ferry from Sorong to Waisai
- 5. Sea Travel Part 2: Waisai to Kri Island by Small Boat
- Financial Preparation: Cash and Wise Payments
- Conclusion
1. Route Overview and Timeline
To make your journey smooth, it helps to look at the timeline first. The most important rule for travelling to Raja Ampat is to coordinate your journey with the departure times of the public ferry from Sorong.
| Stage | Section | Mode of Transport | Duration |
| Stage 1 | Jakarta (CGK) ➔ Sorong (SOQ) | Flight (Overnight only) | Approx. 4 hours |
| Stage 2 | Sorong Airport ➔ Public Ferry Harbour | Grab Car (from outside airport) | 15–20 minutes |
| Stage 3 | Sorong Harbour ➔ Waisai Harbour | Fast Ferry (Bahari Express) | Approx. 2 hours |
| Stage 4 | Waisai Harbour ➔ Kri Island | Pre-arranged Homestay Boat | 1–1.5 hours |
Our Snorkelling Reviews in Indonesia (more to come!):
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2. Air Travel: Flights from Jakarta to Sorong
Understanding the Flight Schedule
Your gateway to Raja Ampat is Domine Eduard Osok Airport in Sorong. The direct flight distance from Jakarta (Soekarno-Hatta International Airport) is roughly 2,800 kilometres and takes about 4 hours.
The critical thing to know is that currently, direct flights from Jakarta to Sorong are only available as overnight options. These flights usually depart Jakarta between midnight and 03:00.
Choosing an Airline
Several airlines operate on this route, each offering a slightly different experience:
- Pelita Air: We used this airline for our recent video. It operates like a high-quality budget carrier. The planes are modern and clean. They also provide a small snack.
- Batik Air: We have used them in the past. As a full-service carrier, they generally include a higher checked luggage allowance, which is helpful if you are carrying bulky snorkelling or diving gear. Most planes feature individual seat-back screens.
- Garuda Indonesia: The national carrier offers excellent service, but their tickets are normally quite a bit more expensive than the other options.
Taking an overnight flight means you will land in Sorong between 06:00 and 07:00. This timing is convenient because it leaves you with plenty of time to catch the morning ferry to Waisai at 09:00.
3. Land Travel: Getting from Sorong Airport to the Ferry Harbour
Our Travel Hack: Avoiding Taxi Negotiations
When you exit the terminal at Sorong Airport, many local taxi drivers will approach you to offer rides to the public ferry harbour (Pelabuhan Rakyat). The drive takes about 15 to 20 minutes. If you want to avoid negotiating prices right after an overnight flight, we recommend using the ride-hailing app Grab.
How to Call a Grab at Sorong Airport
There is one important rule: Grab cars are not allowed to pick up passengers inside the airport grounds.
To use the app, simply follow these steps:
- Walk out of the terminal building and continue all the way outside the main airport gates. (5 minute walk)
- Once you are outside the airport property, open your Grab app and request a car.
- Meet your driver at the gate and enjoy a stress-free, metered ride to the harbour.
4. Sea Travel Part 1: The Fast Ferry from Sorong to Waisai
Ferry Timetables and Ticket Classes
Once you arrive at the harbour, go to the ticket office to buy a ticket for the “Bahari Express” fast ferry to Waisai (the administrative centre of Raja Ampat).
- Standard Departures: 09:00 and 14:00 daily
- Travel Time: Around 2 hours
Note: Ferry schedules can change or be cancelled without much notice depending on local conditions and seasonal demand. Always verify the current times locally when you arrive.
There are two seating options: Economy and VIP. While the VIP section offers slightly more reclining seats, the Economy section is fully air-conditioned and perfectly comfortable. We always travel in Economy.
- Economy Ticket: Approx. 125,000
- VIP Ticket: Approx. 250,000
Arriving in Waisai: The Marine Park Entry Fee (PIN)
When the ferry docks at Waisai, you must register and pay the Raja Ampat Marine Park Entry Fee (often called the PIN) at the harbour office.
Be aware that the regulations and fees change frequently in Indonesia. The entry fee can vary depending on whether you plan to scuba dive or stick to snorkelling. Over our four visits to Raja Ampat, the pricing has changed dramatically:
- 1st Visit: Free (there was no one at the counter to collect fees – Covid times).
- 2nd Visit: 300,000 IDR (we stated we were only snorkelling, not diving).
- 3rd Visit: 1,000,000 IDR (a flat rate applied to everyone at the time).
- 4th Visit (Most Recent): 300,000 IDR (again, for snorkelling only).
Do not rely entirely on older online articles. Be prepared to pay whatever the official rate is at the counter when you arrive.
5. Sea Travel Part 2: Waisai to Kri Island by Small Boat
Organise Your Boat in Advance
To get from Waisai to Kri Island, you must use a small local boat. It may be difficult to find a reliable boat at the harbour on the day of your arrival. You should always contact your homestay or resort ahead of time to arrange this transfer.
Please note that independent homestay boat transfers are different from commercial resort tours; drivers will not be standing at the pier holding a sign with your name on it. Make clear arrangements with your host beforehand so you know where to meet them.
What to Expect on the Boat: Sun and Spray
The boat ride from Waisai to Kri Island takes about 60 minutes. The scenery along the way is beautiful, but you need to be prepared for the elements:
- Sun Protection: Most of these local boats do not have roofs. You will be exposed to intense tropical sunlight for over an hour. Wear a hat, a rash guard, and apply sun protection before boarding.
- Waterproofing: Depending on the wind and waves, sea spray can be heavy. Protect your cameras, phones, and bags by placing them inside lightweight plastic cases or zip-lock bags inside your luggage.
Financial Preparation: Cash and Wise Payments
There are no ATMs on Kri Island or any of the smaller islands in Raja Ampat. You must withdraw enough Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) for your transport, ferry tickets, and incidental expenses while you are still in Jakarta.
A Modern Convenience: Wise Payments
Fortunately, payment options are improving. A growing number of island homestays and diving operations now accept payments via Wise (either via direct app transfer or Wise debit cards). This makes managing your travel budget much easier and saves on foreign exchange fees.
Always message your homestay before your trip to ask, “Can I pay via Wise?” Even if they say yes, keep some backup cash with you in case the island’s internet connection drops.
Conclusion
The journey to Kri Island requires a night flight, a Grab ride, a large ferry, and an open boat. However, the moment you step onto the beach at Kri Island and see the clear blue water, the long journey becomes entirely worth it.
If you want a closer look at what the transfers, airport exits, and boats actually look like, please view our accompanying YouTube video. Safe travels!
Our Snorkelling Reviews in Indonesia (more to come!):
➡ Snorkeling with Whale Sharks in Gorontalo
➡ Snorkelling in the Togean Islands: Honest Reviews
➡ Maratua Island Snorkeling Guide: Best Guesthouses, Tips, and Hidden Spots
➡ Bali Snorkelling Spots Review: around Amed Beach in Rainy Season
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