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Taking Bahari Express Fast Boat to Raja Ampat

Taking Bahari Express Fast Boat to Raja Ampat

bahari-express-fast-boat-raja-ampat Taking Bahari Express Fast Boat to Raja Ampat

One way to go to Raja Ampat is by taking the Bahari Express Fast Boat from Sorong to Waisai. Most travellers would like to know the best way to get here, and on my trip in September 2017, I experienced using the Bahari Express.

In another article, I shared information on travelling to Raja Ampat from Bali, Jakarta, or Makassar, 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.

 

How to take the Bahari Express Fast Boat to Raja Ampat
bahari-express-ticket Taking Bahari Express Fast Boat to Raja Ampat
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 take a short flight to Waisai or the Bahari Express fast boat, which takes only two and a half hours.
Below is how to take the Bahari Express Boat;
  • Arrive at Sorong Airport
  • Take a taxi to the Sorong Jetty or Sorong Harbor (IDR 100,00)
  • Book Bahari Express fast boat to Waisai
  • Choose a Standard Seat (IDR 130,000) or a VIP Seat (IDR 220,000) per person.
  • VIP seating is air-conditioned with Karaoke
  • The ferry departs at 2.00 PM daily
  • Extra trip at 9.00 AM on Monday, Wednesday and Friday
  • The journey takes 2.5 hours to Waisai
  • Arrive in Waisai and wait for your resort boat to pick you up at the harbour/port.
fast-boat-to-raja-ampat Taking Bahari Express Fast Boat to Raja Ampat
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. They also sell popular Indonesian cup noodles with hot water provided if you are hungry. Biscuits and snacks are also sold there.
There is an outdoor area behind the Bahari Express boat for those who want to stretch their legs or have a cigarette. The economy class is usually filled with locals travelling from the islands.
bahari-express-vip-seats Taking Bahari Express Fast Boat to Raja Ampat
The VIP seating on Bahari Express from Sorong to Raja Ampat

VIP Ticket on Bahari Express

Since I took the VIP ticket on the fast boat, the seats were spacious and comfortable. The air conditioning was also quite cold, while there was a large flat-screen television in the front along with a Karaoke machine.

Although no one sang along with the two-and-a-half-hour journey, they pre-programed it to play some popular English and Indonesian songs throughout the journey. Lyrics appear on the screen so that you can sing along.

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 feel the rocking motion. Perhaps if the weather is brutal, you could feel it.

ferry-boat-counter-waisai-raja-ampat Taking Bahari Express Fast Boat to Raja Ampat
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 and tell them you want to take the Bahari Express to Waisai.
They will point you in the right direction. After getting your tickets, head to the jetty and look for the fast boat named Bahari Express. It’s quite huge. The one I took was red and white.
From Waisai back to Sorong, a Bahari Express ticket counter is 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.
boat-to-raja-ampat Taking Bahari Express Fast Boat to Raja Ampat
Boarding the fast boat to Sorong from Waisai Harbor

When you get into and off the fast boat, please be cautious as they only have a wooden plank to step on. Boat assistants will help you get on and off the boat. So, if you have multiple bags, be extra careful.

At the arrival destinations, you will encounter local porters (without uniforms) coming into the boat and asking you if you need help with your bags. Usually, if you ignore them, they will not bother you. But if you need their service, you can engage them and pay them a couple thousand Rupiah.

bahari-ekspres Taking Bahari Express Fast Boat to Raja Ampat
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 the journey is probably three to four hours one way. They are Getsemani Ferry and Fajar Mulia Ferry services. Their schedules are not fixed, so it is best to take Bahari Express.

This is important because when you buy your Bahari Express Fast Boat Ticket, double-check the ticket. Due to language or confusion, you may end up with another company ferry, which will also go to Waisai.

waisai-harbor-raja-ampat Taking Bahari Express Fast Boat to Raja Ampat
The scene at the Waisai Harbor in Raja Ampat is where you depart for 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 must spend a night in Sorong and catch the ferry the following day.

Well, situations have happened before where flights are delayed, so it’s best to be prepared for this in the event it does happen to you. There are numerous budget or decent hotels around Sorong, so choose one near the harbour if you must.

sorong-harbor-raja-ampat Taking Bahari Express Fast Boat to Raja Ampat
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.
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 the article I wrote in the link above. I hope that this information is valuable in helping you plan for your Raja Ampat trip.

Again, Indonesia Tourism invited me to the Trip of Wonders Adventure and Dive Campaign, and Raja Ampat was one of the destinations that I explored.

bahari-express-boat-sets Taking Bahari Express Fast Boat to Raja Ampat
Inside the economy seating area of Bahari Express
bahari-express-cafe-canteen Taking Bahari Express Fast Boat to Raja Ampat
The Cafe or Cafeteria on board Bahari Express
kapal-cepat-bahari-express Taking Bahari Express Fast Boat to Raja Ampat
Sorong to Waisai ferry ticket from Bahari Express

Known as one of the best places on the planet to visit, this has indeed been a huge tick for two of my bucket lists: Diving in Raja Ampat and visiting Piaynemo, one of the most beautiful natural structures in the world.

Conclusion
To summarize, I highly recommend taking the Bahari Express fast boat to Raja Ampat, as this is probably the most economical and easiest way to get there from Sorong. Just remember to plan for extra days in the event of delays and so on. If you have questions, please ask them below in the comment form.

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