Due to its popularity as one of the most beautiful places on earth, many have seen or heard about Raja Ampat in West Papua. And many even want to explore this incredible destination in Indonesia.
But where is this mysterious place that goes by the name of Four Kings or translated as Raja Ampat? This island paradise comprises more than 1,500 small islands and sits on the northwestern tip of West Papua.
Yes, Papua is divided into two different countries, the east being Papua New Guinea (PNG) and the opposite to Indonesia's West Papua and Raja Ampat is located here.
But where is this mysterious place that goes by the name of Four Kings or translated as Raja Ampat? This island paradise comprises more than 1,500 small islands and sits on the northwestern tip of West Papua.
Yes, Papua is divided into two different countries, the east being Papua New Guinea (PNG) and the opposite to Indonesia's West Papua and Raja Ampat is located here.
Airlines that fly to Raja Ampat
Ironically, most travellers have a fear of not knowing how to travel to Raja Ampat. Still, since 2015 and 2016, several local Indonesian airlines have made the journey here much more accessible.
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| Piaynemo is one of Raja Ampat's most beautiful destinations. |
Connectivity is no longer an issue as there are daily flights into Sorong, the international airport. This has made travelling here easy not only for travellers but the locals too. This does not mean you can connect directly from any major city worldwide but from selected cities around Indonesia.
As visiting Raja Ampat was a massive tick off my bucket list, my inaugural trip here was in October 2017. I travelled with a group of international scuba divers, exploring some of the most beautiful dive sites in this part of Indonesia and possibly in the world.
For my trip, we flew into Raja Ampat via Makassar in Sulawesi, Indonesia. We boarded a Garuda Indonesia flight, which uses a Bombardier CRJ-1000 Next-Generation aircraft that was comfortable and smooth, two-hour and fifteen-minute.
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| The amazing view of Piaynemo in Raja Ampat. |
Upon arriving at Sorong City via the flight, I looked out the window only to be welcomed by some fantastic old-world scenery of fishing boats and low-rise settlements before landing at the Domine Eduard Osok Airport here.
It felt more like a time travel trip as I am so used to seeing tall buildings, highways and modernization, but my plane view was the opposite.
Then again, this was what I truly wanted: to go where only a few people have explored, and my journey would only get better.
Anyway, I will get to the details and information that most people want: the airlines that fly into Raja Ampat below.
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| Lion Indonesia at one of the local Indonesian airports |
Four main airports in Indonesia service the city of Sorong in Raja Ampat. They are Jakarta, Makassar, Ambon and Manado, where you can catch a direct or a connecting flight, depending on your choice.
- Jakarta to Raja Ampat
- Makassar to Raja Ampat
- Manado to Raja Ampat
- Ambon to Raja Ampat
For Malaysians or Singaporeans, we have slightly better choices as we can catch direct flights into Makassar or Manado, making it easier for us to connect to Raja Ampat.
You may have to look at your options for other countries, as your main port of entry would be Jakarta.
Alternatively, you can also choose to transit to Kuala Lumpur or Singapore to connect to Manado or Makassar, and with this, take the opportunity to explore these beautiful places before heading to Raja Ampat.
Please note that if you fly into Denpasar, Bali, there is no direct flight to Raja Ampat, and you will need to connect to Makassar or Jakarta to get to Sorong. Many travellers need to be made aware of this and tend to head to Bali automatically.
There are also no direct flights from Kupang and Labuan Bajo in NTT Flores. You must connect to Ambon in Maluku to fly into Raja Ampat.
Flying from Jakarta to Raja Ampat
There are also no direct flights from Kupang and Labuan Bajo in NTT Flores. You must connect to Ambon in Maluku to fly into Raja Ampat.
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| Garuda Airlines Bombardier CRJ1000 aircraft at Sorong Airport. |
International long-haul flights will primarily land here, and you can connect from Jakarta to Raja Ampat with a couple of airlines. However, it will be another four to five-hour flight before you reach Sorong city in West Papua.
You should also take note that Sorong City and West Papua are two hours ahead of Jakarta in terms of time, so the arrival time shows the local time there.
Via Garuda Indonesia
From Jakarta to Sorong, Raja Ampat
- Flight GA682 - Direct Flight
- Depart Jakarta (CGK) - 00:20 Soekarno Hatta International Airport
- Arrive Sorong (SOQ) - 06:35 Domine Eduard Osok Airport
- Flight time: 4 hours 15 minutes
*The Jakarta-Sorong route uses a Boeing 737-800 Next-Generation aircraft that has a capacity of 162 passengers, with 12 business class seats and 150 economy class.
From Sorong to Jakarta
- Flight GA683 - Direct Flight
- Depart Sorong (SOQ) - 07:35 Domine Eduard Osok Airport
- Arrive Jakarta (CGK) - 09:15 Soekarno Hatta International Airport
- Flight time: 3 hours 40 minutes
*An additional 7 return flights from Sorong require one or two stops and take around 6 to 21 hours. This includes transits and layovers.
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| Flying over some of the beautiful islands of Raja Ampat. |
Batik Air From Jakarta to Sorong, Raja Ampat
- Flight ID7797 - Direct Flight
- Depart Jakarta (CGK) - 01:00 Sultan Hasanuddin Airport
- Arrive Sorong (SOQ) - 07:10 Domine Eduard Osok Airport
- Flight Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
- Flight ID7780 - Direct Flight
- Depart Sorong (SOQ) - 07:50 Domine Eduard Osok Airport
- Arrive Jakarta (CGK) - 10:00 Sultan Hasanuddin Airport
- Flight Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
Via Sriwijaya Air
Some flights from Jakarta to Sorong, Raja Ampat, are mostly one- or two-stop flights that take five to 10 hours.
This can be used if you are in a hurry to fly there. However, Sriwijaya is known to delay or re-time their flights. More information can be seen on the official Sriwijaya Air website.
Flying from Makassar to Raja Ampat
This can be used if you are in a hurry to fly there. However, Sriwijaya is known to delay or re-time their flights. More information can be seen on the official Sriwijaya Air website.
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| The Makassar Airport is seen from the outside. |
Makassar is one of the best options to fly into Raja Ampat as they have one of the earliest arrival times, giving you a good head start.
There are also many choices for direct flights from Garuda, Wings Abadi and Batik Air.
There are also many choices for direct flights from Garuda, Wings Abadi and Batik Air.
The good news is that Batik Air and Wings Abadi Air operate five direct flights from Makassar to Raja Ampat, providing excellent choices for flight timings. On the return, there are also four direct flights back to Makassar.
There are many other connecting or transit flights for those who want options, which may be cheaper but have long transit times.
Via Garuda Indonesia
Garuda From Makassar to Sorong, Raja Ampat
- Flight GA698 - Direct Flight
- Depart Makassar (UPG) - 03:30 Sultan Hasanuddin Airport
- Arrive Sorong (SOQ) - 06:45 Domine Eduard Osok Airport
- Flight Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
- Flight GA699 - Direct Flight
- Depart Sorong (SOQ) - 14:55 Domine Eduard Osok Airport
- Arrive Makassar (UPG) - 16:10 Sultan Hasanuddin Airport
- Flight Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
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| Wings Abadi Air that flies to Raja Ampat. |
Via Batik Air or Wings Abadi Air
Batik Air From Makassar to Sorong, Raja Ampat
1. Flight ID6196 - Direct Flight
Depart Makassar (UPG) - 04:10 Sultan Hasanuddin Airport
Arrive Sorong (SOQ) - 07:30 Domine Eduard Osok Airport
Flight Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
2. Flight ID7703 - Direct Flight
Depart Makassar (UPG) - 04:10 Sultan Hasanuddin Airport
Arrive Sorong (SOQ) - 07:30 Domine Eduard Osok Airport
Flight Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
3. Flight ID8196 - Direct Flight
Depart Makassar (UPG) - 04:10 Sultan Hasanuddin Airport
Arrive Sorong (SOQ) - 07:30 Domine Eduard Osok Airport
Flight Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
4. Flight ID6288 - Direct Flight
Depart Makassar (UPG) - 09:45 Sultan Hasanuddin Airport
Arrive Sorong (SOQ) - 13:05 Domine Eduard Osok Airport
Flight Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
5. Wings Abadi Flight IW1187 - Direct Flight
Depart Makassar (UPG) - 09:45 Sultan Hasanuddin Airport
Arrive Sorong (SOQ) - 13:05 Domine Eduard Osok Airport
Flight Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
*3 additional flights with stopovers and transits with a total time of 10 to 15 hours.
Batik Air From Sorong to Makassar
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| Departing the Sorong Airport in Raja Ampat, West Papua. |
1. Flight ID6197 - Direct Flight
Depart Sorong (SOQ) - 08:00 Domine Eduard Osok Airport
Arrive Makassar (UPG) - 09:20 Sultan Hasanuddin Airport
Flight Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
2. Flight ID6265 - Direct Flight
Depart Sorong (SOQ) - 08:00 Domine Eduard Osok Airport
Arrive Makassar (UPG) - 09:20 Sultan Hasanuddin Airport
Flight Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
3. Flight ID6195 - Direct Flight
Depart Sorong (SOQ) - 14:05 Domine Eduard Osok Airport
Arrive Makassar (UPG) - 15:25 Sultan Hasanuddin Airport
Flight Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
4. Flight ID6285 - Direct Flight
Depart Sorong (SOQ) - 14:05 Domine Eduard Osok Airport
Arrive Makassar (UPG) - 15:25 Sultan Hasanuddin Airport
Flight Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
*There are 4 additional transit and stopover flights back to Makassar, total travel time of 3 to 12 hours. More flight information can be found on the official Lion Air Indonesia website.
Via Sriwijaya Air
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| Sriwijaya Air that flies to Raja Ampat. Photo from JakartaPost. |
Sriwijaya Air From Makassar to Sorong, Raja Ampat
- Flight SJ572 - Direct Flight
- Depart Makassar (UPG) - 03:15 Sultan Hasanuddin Airport
- Arrive Sorong (SOQ) - 06:25 Domine Eduard Osok Airport
- Flight Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
- Flight SJ570 - Direct Flight
- Depart Makassar (UPG) - 04:15 Sultan Hasanuddin Airport
- Arrive Sorong (SOQ) - 07:25 Domine Eduard Osok Airport
- Flight Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
Sriwijaya Air From Sorong to Makassar
- Flight SJ571 - Direct Flight
- Depart Sorong (SOQ) - 10:50 Domine Eduard Osok Airport
- Arrive Makassar (UPG) - 12:00 Sultan Hasanuddin Airport
- Flight Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
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| Domine Eduard Osok Airport in Sorong, Raja Ampat. |
For those who prefer to fly from Manado in North Sulawesi, two daily flights from Garuda Airlines depart to Raja Ampat early in the morning. There is also one direct flight from Lion Air that also departs in the morning.
This means you must fly in the evening before and overnight in Manado to catch the next day's early morning flight.
Manado is connected not only by Indonesian airlines but also by AirAsia and Silk Air from Singapore. This city provides more accessible options for Southeast Asians visiting Raja Ampat.
Via Garuda Indonesia
This means you must fly in the evening before and overnight in Manado to catch the next day's early morning flight.
Manado is connected not only by Indonesian airlines but also by AirAsia and Silk Air from Singapore. This city provides more accessible options for Southeast Asians visiting Raja Ampat.
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| Garuda Airlines Bombardier CRJ-1000 aircraft |
Garuda From Manado to Raja Ampat
- First Flight GA470 - Direct Flight
- Depart Manado (MDC) - 05:40 Sam Ratulangi Airport
- Arrive Sorong (SOQ) - 08:10 Domine Eduard Osok Airport
- Flight time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Second Flight GA472 - Direct Flight
- Depart Manado (MDC) - 06:45 Sam Ratulangi Airport
- Arrive Sorong (SOQ) - 09:10 Domine Eduard Osok Airport
- Flight time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Flight GA471 - Direct Flight
- Depart Sorong (SOQ) - 13.50 Domine Eduard Osok Airport
- Arrive Manado (MDC) - 14:30 Sam Ratulangi Airport
- Flight Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
*On certain days, another flight, GA473, at 14.30 to Raja Ampat. More flight details on Garuda Indonesia.
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| Wings Abadi Airlines is under Lion Air Indonesia. |
Lion Air From Manado to Raja Ampat
- Flight JT796 - Direct Flight
- Depart Manado (MDC) - 08:05 Sam Ratulangi Airport
- Arrive Sorong (SOQ) - 10:30 Domine Eduard Osok Airport
- Flight time: 1 hour 25 minutes
Lion Air From Raja Ampat to Manado
- Flight JT799 - Direct Flight
- Depart Sorong (SOQ) - 16:40 Domine Eduard Osok Airport
- Arrive Manado (MDC) - 17:20 Sam Ratulangi Airport
- Flight Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
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| Ambon in Maluku, Indonesia. |
Ambon is also one of the up-and-coming scuba diving destinations, and this city is located on the island of Maluku, between Raja Ampat and Makassar.
It truly is one of the unexplored destinations of East Indonesia and well worth visiting.
Via Garuda Indonesia
Garuda from Ambon to Sorong Raja Ampat
*There is an alternate flight to and from Ambon to Raja Ampat, but that is a transit flight that takes about 15-24 hours of flight time.
Via Wings Airlines
Via Garuda Indonesia
Garuda from Ambon to Sorong Raja Ampat
- Flight GA680 - Direct Flight
- Depart Ambon (AMQ) - 12:00 Pattimura Airport
- Arrive Sorong (SOQ) - 12:55 Domine Eduard Osok Airport
- Flight Time: 55 minutes
Garuda from Sorong, Raja Ampat to Ambon
- Flight GA681 - Direct Flight
- Depart Sorong (SOQ) - 14:10 Domine Eduard Osok Airport
- Arrive Ambon (AMQ) - 15:15 Pattimura Airport
- Flight Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
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| The Pattimura Airport in Ambon. |
Wings Air from Ambon to Sorong Raja Ampat
- Flight IW1506 - Direct Flight
- Depart Ambon (AMQ) - 12.00 Pattimura Airport
- Arrive Sorong (SOQ) - 13:10 Domine Eduard Osok Airport
- Flight Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Wings Air from Sorong, Raja Ampat to Ambon
- Flight IW1505 - Direct Flight
- Depart Sorong (SOQ) - 06:50 Domine Eduard Osok Airport
- Arrive Ambon (AMQ) - 08:00 Pattimura Airport
- Flight Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
*Please note that on Wings Air, there are selected flights throughout the week and not every day.
Via Sriwijaya Air
A third airline, Sriwijaya Air, also flies to the many remote destinations around Indonesia. They also have direct and transit flights to Raja Ampat but have a track record of being delayed or re-timed.
Sriwijaya Air from Ambon to Sorong Raja Ampat
The above are all the flights from various cities around Indonesia that fly to Raja Ampat. The flight timing and other information are taken from the official website of the respective airline websites.
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| The on board meals on Batik Air are impressive and very local. |
A third airline, Sriwijaya Air, also flies to the many remote destinations around Indonesia. They also have direct and transit flights to Raja Ampat but have a track record of being delayed or re-timed.
Sriwijaya Air from Ambon to Sorong Raja Ampat
- Flight IN607 - Direct Flight
- Depart Ambon (AMQ) - 09:30 Pattimura Airport
- Arrive Sorong (SOQ) - 10:20 Domine Eduard Osok Airport
- Flight Time: 50 minutes
Sriwijaya Air from Sorong, Raja Ampat to Ambon
- Flight IN606 - Direct Flight
- Depart Sorong (SOQ) - 12:10 Domine Eduard Osok Airport
- Arrive Ambon (AMQ) - 13:00 Pattimura Airport
- Flight Time: 50 minutes
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| Landing at Sorong, Raja Ampat. |
An essential tip in booking your flights is to ensure you have enough time to make that transit for your next flight. Otherwise, you may miss your connecting flights.
The easiest way is flying to Raja Ampat via Makassar in Sulawesi, as they have the most flights starting exceptionally early in the mornings. Not only that, but three airlines fly out of Makassar with multiple direct and connecting flights.
What most travellers do is that they fly into Makassar check-in at the airport Novotel Hotel to catch the early morning flight the following day. This is the safest way to take advantage of your flight.
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| Marinda Airport in Waisai, Raja Ampat |
This is a new option for those who prefer to fly closer to Raja Ampat, as there is a once-a-day flight from the Sorong Airport to the Waisai Airport.
The flight is a 30-minute flight versus a two-hour ferry ride and is suitable for those who get seasick.
The price is quite reasonable, but you need to connect on this flight from Sorong; therefore, you need your original flight to be on time.
On my trip here, the flight to Sorong was delayed by 20 minutes, and due to many passengers connecting, the Sorong to Waisai flight actually waited for our plane to land.
Other Airlines that Fly to Raja Ampat
Other airlines fly into Raja Ampat, but mainly the smaller local airlines which service the smaller cities around the east Indonesia sector. However, if you are in that part, you can check out those local airlines, which are;
- Nam Air
- Susi Air
- Xpress Air
You should plan your trip according to your flight timings, as it will be smooth sailing once planned well.
Raja Ampat is well known as one of the best marine biodiversity places on earth and is literally non-commercialized.
Many people have one fear that the destination is expensive. When planned well, it is only that expensive if you plan to spend your time on a live on board boat.
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| A Garuda Airline stewardess serving meals and drinks on board the flight |
For those who want different alternatives, I have also done another article on how to get to Raja Ampat using boats and ferries. This is suitable for those travelling on a budget and who have the luxury of time to travel slowly.
The most commercial way that most people use from Sorong is by taking the Bahari Express Ferry to Raja Ampat, which takes about two hours. This is an air-conditioned fast boat service and is reliable.
Conclusion
As an option, AirAsia MOVE now connects travellers to most of the airlines mentioned above, making it easier to book flights and hotels via the website or app. This was once known as the AirAsia Superapp.
This article has provided most of the critical information for travelling here and for those who want to know what are the airlines that fly to Raja Ampat. Remember, you need at least two days of travel to get here, which includes flights and boats.