One of the ways to go to Raja Ampat is by taking the Bahari Express Fast Boat from Sorong to Waisai in Raja Ampat.
Most travellers would like to know what is the best way to get here, and from my trip in September 2017, I managed to experience using Bahari Express.
In another article, I have shared information on travelling to Raja Ampat, from Bali, Jakarta or Makassar in Indonesia.
That article provides information on flights to Sorong in West Papua, before connecting to Waisai. Also, please read about the Raja Ampat Marine Park Permit at the end as it is very important.
That article provides information on flights to Sorong in West Papua, before connecting to Waisai. Also, please read about the Raja Ampat Marine Park Permit at the end as it is very important.
How to take the Bahari Express Fast Boat to Raja Ampat
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| Bahari Express VIP Ticket to Raja Ampat from Sorong |
Most travellers would make their way to the city of Sorong in West Papua. From here, you can either take a short flight to Waisai or take the Bahari Express fast boat which takes only two and a half hours.
Below is how to take the Bahari Express Boat;
- Arrive in Sorong Airport
- Take a taxi to the Sorong Jetty or Sorong Harbor (IDR 100,00)
- Book Bahari Express fast boat to Waisai
- Choose Standard Seat (IDR 130,000) or VIP Seat (IDR 220,000) per person
- VIP seating is air-conditioned with Karaoke
- The ferry departs 2.00 PM daily
- Extra trip at 9.00 AM on Monday, Wednesday and Friday
- The journey takes 2.5 hours to Waisai
- Arrive Waisai and wait for your resort boat to pick you up at the harbour/port
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| The Sorong Harbor where you catch the Bahari Express fast boat to Raja Ampat |
As simple as it sounds, you should book your tickets from the Bahari Express counter and possibly get your return ticket together. I would recommend you take the VIP ticket as it is more comfortable.
On board the ferry, there is a small cafeteria selling hot and cold drinks with limited selections. If you are hungry, they also sell popular Indonesian cup noodles with hot water provided. Biscuits and snacks are sold there too.
There is an outdoor area behind the Bahari Express boat, for those who want to stretch their legs or go for a cigarette. The economy class is usually filled with locals travelling from the islands.
VIP Ticket on Bahari Express
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| The VIP seating on Bahari Express from Sorong to Raja Ampat |
Since I took the VIP ticket on the fast boat, the seats were spacious and comfortable. The air condition is also quite cold, while there is a large flat-screen television in the front along with a Karaoke machine.
Not that anyone sang any songs along with the two and a half hour journey, but they pre-program it to play some popular English and Indonesian songs throughout your journey. Lyrics appear on the screen so you can sing along if you like.
I think, most people sitting here took the opportunity to sleep throughout the journey as it was quite a smooth ride.
This is mainly because the boat is huge, and you don't really feel the rocking motion. Perhaps if the weather is brutal, you could feel it.
This is mainly because the boat is huge, and you don't really feel the rocking motion. Perhaps if the weather is brutal, you could feel it.
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| The Bahari Express ticket counter at Waisai, Raja Ampat |
Bahari Express Fast Boat Tickets
At Sorong Harbor, look for a building that sells tickets or 'Loket'. Ask the locals where the counter is, tell them you want to take Bahari Express to Waisai.
They will point you in the right direction. After getting your tickers, head to the jetty and look for the fast boat with the name Bahari Express on it. It's quite huge. The one I took was red and white in colour.
They will point you in the right direction. After getting your tickers, head to the jetty and look for the fast boat with the name Bahari Express on it. It's quite huge. The one I took was red and white in colour.
From Waisai back to Sorong, there is a Bahari Express ticket counter in the post area, so it is hard to miss. However, to be super sure, ask the locals there, and they will point you to the counter.
When you get into and off the fast boat, please be cautious as they only have a wooden plank for you to step on. Boat assistants will help you get on and off the boat. So, if you have multiple bags, be extra careful.
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| Boarding the fast boat to Sorong from Waisai Harbor |
At the arrival destinations, you will encounter local porters (without uniforms) coming into to boat asking you if you need help with your bags.
Usually, if you ignore them, they will not bother you. But if you really do need their service, you can engage them and pay them a couple of thousand Rupiah.
Usually, if you ignore them, they will not bother you. But if you really do need their service, you can engage them and pay them a couple of thousand Rupiah.
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| Express Bahari fast boat from Waisai to Sorong |
Other Ferry Boat Service to Raja Ampat
There are other ferry services from Sorong to Waisai, but they are larger and take longer and probably three to four hours journey one way.
They are Getsemani Ferry and Fajar Mulia Ferry service. It is noted that their schedules are not fixed, so it is best to take Bahari Express.
They are Getsemani Ferry and Fajar Mulia Ferry service. It is noted that their schedules are not fixed, so it is best to take Bahari Express.
This is important as when you are buying your Bahari Express Fast Boat Ticket, make sure you double check the ticket.
Due to language or confusion, you may end up with another company ferry which is also going to Waisai.
Due to language or confusion, you may end up with another company ferry which is also going to Waisai.
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| The scene at the Waisai Harbor in Raja Ampat, this is where you depart to your resorts |
What happens if I miss the Bahari Express ferry?
Usually, you need to get into Sorong before 12 noon. This gives you ample time to arrive at the harbour and get your tickets.
So, if your flight is delayed, and you arrive at 1.00 PM, you simply need to spend a night in Sorong and catch the ferry the following day.
So, if your flight is delayed, and you arrive at 1.00 PM, you simply need to spend a night in Sorong and catch the ferry the following day.
Well, situations have happened before where flights are delayed, so best to be prepared for this, in the event it does happen to you.
There are numerous budget hotels or decent hotels found around Sorong, so choose one ear the harbour if you must.
There are numerous budget hotels or decent hotels found around Sorong, so choose one ear the harbour if you must.
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| The scene at the Sorong Harbor in West Papua |
Sometimes, the morning fast boat schedule may be cancelled, as it has happened before. This is not frequent, but you should be prepared due to weather or mechanical failure.
Therefore, if this happens, your boat trip will be pushed to the afternoon for the 2.00 PM boat.
This is important as you are required to get the Raja Ampat Marine Park Entry Pass before you arrive in Waisai.
Without this, you could pay a fine or be refused entry at Waisai, so please read up the article I wrote on that in the link above. I hope that this information is valuable in helping you plan for your Raja Ampat trip.
Therefore, if this happens, your boat trip will be pushed to the afternoon for the 2.00 PM boat.
How to Get the Raja Ampat Marine Park Permit?
This is important as you are required to get the Raja Ampat Marine Park Entry Pass before you arrive in Waisai.
Without this, you could pay a fine or be refused entry at Waisai, so please read up the article I wrote on that in the link above. I hope that this information is valuable in helping you plan for your Raja Ampat trip.
Again, I was invited by Indonesia Tourism on the Trip of Wonders Adventure and Dive Campaign, and Raja Ampat was one of the destinations that I explored.
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| Inside the economy seating area of Bahari Express |
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| The Cafe or Cafeteria on board Bahari Express |
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| Sorong to Waisai ferry ticket from Bahari Express |
Conclusion
To summarize it, I highly recommend taking Bahari Express fast boat to Raja Ampat as this is probably the most economical and easiest way to get to Raja Ampat from Sorong.
Just remember to plan for extra days in the event of delays and so on. Have questions, please do ask below in the comment form.
Just remember to plan for extra days in the event of delays and so on. Have questions, please do ask below in the comment form.