Frequently Asked Questions

Diving

What is the difference between diving in Raja Ampat Central&North and Raja Ampat South?

Raja Ampat Central&North is mostly dominated by hard coral reefs while the South has more soft coral and black coral. The kind of fish one sees regularly seems to be different, too. Wobbegongs for example are often spotted in Central&North but much less in the South. Schools of Sweetlips do not exist in the South while they can be relatively easily spotted in Central&North. The landscape is also different. The South has more tiny islands, often just rocks which raise sharply from the seabed and have few sandy beaches while the islands in Central&North are of smoother shape with a good number of sandy beaches. There are also more populated islands in Central&North.

Do I need Indonesian Rupiah in cash or can I pay by card in West Papua?

You will definitely need cash in West Papua. Payments for ferry tickets, taxis, food, drinks, and shopping in all but the biggest supermarkets in Sorong are done in cash. On Gaya Baru Indah we are asking for cash payment for your marine park ticket, rental gear, prebooked dive course, and drinks in Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). You may need some cash for tips, too.

Where should I change money when coming to West Papua?

Exchange rates and provided services are better in Jakarta and Bali than in West Papua. Money changers at Sokarno Hatta Airport Terminal 3 in Jakarta have very acceptable exchange rates and are certainly convenient for the traveler who has just arrived from overseas and continues directly to Sorong. ATMs in Sorong and Waisai are not always working and the amount you can withdraw on your card per day is limited. Banks generally accept only absolutely clean, new banknotes. Some will only take 100 USD or 100 Euro banknotes.

How does the cost of living in West Papua compare to Bali?

West Papua is likely to be the most expensive place in Indonesia when it comes to prices for food, industrial products, and services. Most goods that are sold here have come a long way from Jakarta, Surabaya, Makassar or other industrial areas of the country. The minimum wage is among the highest in the country. Do not think that you are being ripped off, if local prices seem higher than what you are used to from Bali or other tourist destinations in western and central Indonesia.

Should I tip in Indonesia?

It is not generally the custom to tip all the time but a hotel porter or a taxi driver will thank you with a friendly smile when you tip them. On diving liveaboards it is the custom to tip generously. We recommend to tip our hard working crew at 5% - 20% of the price of your cruise. Of course this depends completely on your level of satisfaction and your generosity.

Will my phone work in Indonesia?

You can buy a tourist SIM card from TELKOMSEL, the national telecommunication company. These will work for 30 days and are available for sale at Sokarno Hatta Airport Terminal 3. They can be hard to find in West Papua and other areas in the country where tourists visit less frequently. A normal Indonesian SIM will work in foreign phones only if the phone is registered with the Indonesian Customs. This can be done at Terminal 3 Sokarno Hatta Airport on the 3rd floor. After you have passed immigration and customs you go up to the 3rd floor and look for the phone registration office. The procedure can take some time depending on the number of people waiting. To our knowledge there is no other place in the country to do this.

Which telephone company works best in West Papua?

The only SIM cards that work well in West Papua are by TELKOMSEL, the national telecommunication company of Indonesia.

Is there wifi or good phone reception on the ship?

Raja Ampat is a remote location, as such wifi is not easily available. Waisai and some of the islands have a good 4G network which allows access to the internet, if you have an Indonesian SIM card. Phone service can come and go as we pass through the islands. Take the opportunity to escape from modern life for a few days, you might just like it.

Do I have to bring towels and shampoo when cruising on Gaya Baru Indah?

We provide 2 large towels for each guest. Shampoo and body wash are provided in the bathrooms.

Do you have beer on the ship?

We sell beer, coke, Sprite and tonic water on the ship. We do not sell beverages in plastic bottles or multi layer tetra packs because these are not recyclable in Raja Ampat. We are asking for 70.000 IDR for a 500ml can of beer. This might seem expensive but it should be understood that this is the local shop rate in Waisai. Soft drinks are 10,000 IDR. Please do not bring beer or other alcoholic beverages to the ship.

When does Gaya Baru Indah arrive in port and when can I fly to my next destination?

At the end of a cruise we arrive in Waisai harbor at 12:00 noon and will make sure that you can catch the ferry to Sorong at 14:00. It will arrive in Sorong at 16:30. This is normally too late to fly out of Sorong on the same day. Spend a night in Sorong and fly out the next morning. Arrivals in Ambon, Kaimana or Sorong are at 14:00. We will assist you with your departure to your next destination. Please make sure to plan for a 24hour interval after your last dive before boarding an aircraft.

How can I travel around in West Papua?

Papua has no wide spread road system. The roads most often do not go much further than a few Kilometers out of town. Inland travel is by private 4WD vehicle or on foot. Travel between cities is mostly by plane, ferry or small boat. It can be time consuming to go from one place to the other. Public transport is reasonably priced but it can get costly if you have to make arrangements by private vessels.

What else is there to do in Raja Ampat?

Bird watching jungle tours, kayak tours, visit the Blue River (Kali Biru) and swim in this clear water jungle river, boat trips to waterfalls and deserted beaches, visit a local village, stay in a local homestay on a small island and enjoy Papuan life.

What is the religion in West Papua?

The population is mix of Muslim and one of the many varieties of the Christian faith. There is also a Buddhist temple in Sorong.

Is there a specific dress code in Raja Ampat or on the ship?

On the ship it is dive suits, swim suits, bikinis, shorts, T-shirts, anything goes. On land the dress code is very casual, mostly shorts and T-shirts. Do not go to villages in beach wear and avoid extreme mini skirts and tank tops. Keep in mind that local people of all religions are conservative folks. On the other hand pajamas seem to be acceptable clothing for local females in town.