Cove Eco Resort it is! Now, how to get there...

[also_anon_dc]

Singapore (SIN) → Jakarta (CGK)

• Singapore Airlines | Flight SQ962
• Departs: May 15 at 17:25 (SGT)
• Arrives: May 15 at 18:10 (WIB)

Jakarta (CGK) → Sorong (SOQ)

• Garuda Indonesia | Flight GA682
• Departs: May 16 at 00:05 (WIB)

What is your plan in CGK from getting off the flight from SIN to departing for SOQ? I second the Anara hotel even if only for a few hours. I remember it being fairly cheap but a great place to shower and relax in air conditioning. If you don't get a room you'll be in the domestic terminal without AC for many hours. I'm not sure I would have ever found the Anara on my own so read lots of reviews/descriptions of its location if that's your plan. I booked a meet & greet service which is basically a person that helps you with your bags through customs and on to your next destination, always worth every penny when lugging around dive gear after long days of traveling IMHO.

 

[TostitoBandito]

Nah... don't stay your full day at a airport hotel.
Jewel is great for transit but you don't stay a full day in a mall!

It's your first trip to SEA, Singapore is a nice/very easy place to visit a walk around, Central area/Clarke Quay is about 20 minutes cab from the airport (about 20$-30$ ride, no tipping necessary or even expected : remember that in Spore). even though hotels are expensive for Asia (about 200$/night) it's the occasion to chill at the pool, visit some places (Gardens by the bay, you need to get those legs working after all that sitting time), eat out (Lau Pa Sat for instance, the easiest for a first trip). MTR is a cheap and easy way to get to any place in S'pore.

For ideas, we're staying at The Clan Hotel Singapore just east of chinatown not far from the raffles, clarkes/boat quays, marina bay, etc... Sort of right in the middle of everything and right on transit as well. Plenty of great food, bars, and sights within a few minutes walk.

I would concur though, don't stay at the airport. There's plenty of much nicer places in the middle of the city for as much or less than the airport hotels. Transit is great there and it's super easy to hop on the train from the airport and get to most anywhere in the city quickly.

 

[Centrals]

Pity that SQ has pulled out from YYZ not long ago.
Korean Air serves between YYZ and SIN via ICN.

 

[TostitoBandito]

Pity that SQ has pulled out from YYZ not long ago.
Korean Air serves between YYZ and SIN via ICN.

For reference, the only current North American cities served nonstop by Singapore Air are EWR (Newark), JFK, LAX, SFO, and SEA. I think Air Canada may also fly there out of Vancouver. Just so all the options are out there.

 

[Centrals]

For reference, the only current North American cities served nonstop by Singapore Air are EWR (Newark), JFK, LAX, SFO, and SEA. I think Air Canada may also fly there out of Vancouver. Just so all the options are out there.

OP is from Toronto.
YYZ - SIN via ICN by KE or UA via SFO or AC via YVR.

 

[cetacean]

@BigDaddyGlad

Lots of good advice already given...

1. Yes, do the stopover in Singapore. It's the cleanest, safest, (mostly) interesting city in SE Asia. We just did two stopovers in Singapore on our recent trip diving in the Philippines and Maldives earlier this month (just got back last week). Very easy to get around, everyone can speak English (literally everyone), and really (really) good food.

2. Don't spend your layover near the airport. That would be like visiting New York and spending your time in Newark. There are a ton of affordable hotels around the city, and as I said - it's a very easy place to get around. We end up walking most places, just keep in mind that it could be hot (and/or rainly).

3. Some have suggested booking the Garuda flight from Singapore to Jakarta so your bags can can be checked through to Sorong. That is definitely true, however, even after the short flight from Singapore to Jakarta, we always want to make sure our bags make our connection, so we collect our bags in Jakarta, and re-check them to Sorong. That means we can also fly Singapore Airlines to Jakarta without worrying about our bags being checked through. Given the departure time of the Garuda flight to Sorong, you have the time to do this without rushing. SIA was just voted the word's 2nd best airline (Qatar Airlines was #1), we try to fly them as much as we can in Asia - they are just better (service, food, and planes).

4. We've been to central and northern RA several times in June (due to school vacation schedules). The weather is usually fine. On three trips we've never experienced the wind that others have mentioned, but the visibility can be variable depending on where you dive. You will get some rain, but that's true for the entire region for most of the year.

Last - seriously consider eating out in Singapore. The food is world class... their (unofficial) national dish is Singaporean Chilli Crab. It is outstanding...

 

[BigDaddyGlad]

So grateful to all the tips, folks. This is obviously a big, "bucket list" trip for the three of us, so I want to make sure it's a good one. There is no substitute for learning from others' experiences.

I like the idea of using the layover time to explore Singapore. I'll look into some other hotel options rather than staying in the airport. Thanks, and keep the comments coming if you've got them!

 

[Centrals]

KE has non stop flight to CGK, no need to change flight in Singapore.
YYZ - ICN - CGK as ONE ticket.