First Timer Liveaboard in Raja Ampat - Help Needed

[tsuyoshi]

pardon me for piggy backing this thread as it is relevant to me too and could provide reference to others.
Can anyone that are more familiar with the logistics in Sorong comment that if Grab works for getting driver from Airport to Hotel? Swiss-bel is quoting 200 IDR one way transfer. Any other local driver recommendations? (I'm getting in a day early for the LOB & the ops can't do pick up until day of departure)
TIA

 

[davinajmyers]

pardon me for piggy backing this thread as it is relevant to me too and could provide reference to others.
Can anyone that are more familiar with the logistics in Sorong comment that if Grab works for getting driver from Airport to Hotel? Swiss-bel is quoting 200 IDR one way transfer. Any other local driver recommendations? (I'm getting in a day early for the LOB & the ops can't do pick up until day of departure)
TIA

We did use Grab in Sorong, HOWEVER after requesting the car finally figured out that they are not allowed into the actual airport but could only do pickup out in the main road. It’s a few minutes walk, but a bit of a hassle if you’re lugging dive gear. And no sidewalks so our bags got a little muddy. But it was cheap!

 

[rmorgan]

pardon me for piggy backing this thread as it is relevant to me too and could provide reference to others.
Can anyone that are more familiar with the logistics in Sorong comment that if Grab works for getting driver from Airport to Hotel? Swiss-bel is quoting 200 IDR one way transfer. Any other local driver recommendations? (I'm getting in a day early for the LOB & the ops can't do pick up until day of departure)
TIA

$200,000 IDR is $12 US. Outside the airport is a frenzy of drivers, recruiters for drivers, people who want to handle your bags, etc.--not overbearing or aggressive (in fact, pleasant and helpful) but plentiful. After long flights there's something to be said for a driver known to the hotel.

 

[Luko]

Side note for GRAB in Indonesia : be aware that Grab takes up to 40% from what you pay. There are now some places in Bali where the Grab driver will ask you the amount of your tip BEFORE driving you. While if you get directly a driver he won't ask for nothing more than what you pay AND would even make more money.

For the past years, no one had ever needed such applications for finding a driver in Indonesia, where almost everyone having a car can take you to wherever you want for a mere amount that will go COMPLETELY in local people pockets.
Just need to ask around, no one will hurt you, talking is easy : the "Taxi" word is widely understood especially if it is followed by the name of a hotel.

FWIW 200 kIDR is the usual price for driving you around for 2 HOURS in Sorong. Normal price from airport to SwissBel should be under 100kIDR.

 

[rmorgan]

Normal price from airport to SwissBel should be under 100kIDR.

The hotel's quoted price (FAQ) is 200k, but I'm sure it can be had for less.

 

[tsuyoshi]

Side note for GRAB in Indonesia : be aware that Grab takes up to 40% from what you pay. There are now some places in Bali where the Grab driver will ask you the amount of your tip BEFORE driving you. While if you get directly a driver he won't ask for nothing more than what you pay AND would even make more money.

FWIW 200 kIDR is the usual price for driving you around for 2 HOURS in Sorong. Normal price from airport to SwissBel should be under 100kIDR.

Thanks for the input. Lugging bags around in dirt road won't work for me. From experiences such as CGK & DPS airport taxi, I tend to not trust those hustlers. But good to know a base number here which is what I think is normal, now anyone know of a reliable driver I can contact so I don't need to look and haggle w these guys while trying to wake up from jetlag & red eye flight?

 

[Luko]

The hotel's quoted price (FAQ) is 200k, but I'm sure it can be had for less.

Yes of course. It's quite customary that hotels will charge you much more than what you should expect to pay.
By experience if you ask the reception desk at SwissBel for a driver to go downtown NOT USING their own services, they will happily help you find a driver on the roadside with "local" prices.

From experiences such as CGK & DPS airport taxi, I tend to not trust those hustlers.

Sorong is nowhere like DPS or CGK, it's not a touristy town. Noone as pushy : after one "NO" to the "Taxi?" question, the few of them are gone. In Sorong there are not many hustlers more helpful people as stated above, Papuans are not known for their marketing/bargaining skills ...

I would still suggest you get at the airport and deal with the first guy who asks you for a taxi.
You have to ask to confirm the price : "SwissBelotel , how much/Berapa harga?" if they say anything more than 100kIDR (seratus ribu rupiah) you stand on 100kIDR. Guaranteed you have a deal. Just be a little confident in mankind, don't worry you won't get stuck at the airport, there's always a helping hand in the worst case scenario.
Just prepare a 100kIDR note (the red one) in your pocket. If they charge you for less than that, well... leave it as a tip. (or ask for a 2 hours drive around later in the day)

 

[Dan]

The Rp.100,000,- rate for taxi (Taksi) from SOQ to Swiss Belhotel has been that much for awhile. I paid that much 2 years ago, when I went there a day early before boarding on the LoB.

As soon as I pick up my luggage & exited the arrival gate, a guy offered me a taxi ride. I told him I wanted to go to Swiss Belhotel. He said Rp.100,000,-. I said, OK let’s go.

I’m going back there again in January 2025. We’ll see if it’s still the same rate.

Trip Report Thread 'Raja Ampat in December 2022'

Feb 11, 2024

I was in Raja Ampat in December 2022 on Mermaid 2 liveaboard. I saw no manta in the famous Magic Mountain. We saw one in unexpected place, in Black Rock, Kawe, North Raja Ampat.

Here’s the trip video:



The trip was not as good as the one I went on Amira before Covid, in January 2020, as you see, below:



I’ll be back to Raja Ampat next week on Blue Manta. I hope it’ll be as good as the diving in January 2020 (fingers crossed).

• Dan
• amira mermaid 2 raja ampat
• Replies: 6
• Forum: Indonesia

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[Luko]

I’m going back there again in January 2025. We’ll see if it’s still the same rate.

Was still the rate this year in spring

 

[Dan]

Glad to hear that. I was in RA in February this year, but Blue Manta crews picked us up at the SOQ. So, I didn’t have a chance to check.

Trip Report Thread 'Raja Ampat 2024'

Mar 16, 2024

I just came back from Raja Ampat on Blue Manta for 19-29 February 2024 trip. It’s my 10th time there and the best one, so far.

The route for the 11 day trip is as shown, below.

Table 1, below, shows the daily activities.

And here’s the trip video:



About Blue Manta
You can check directly at their website:

White Manta Diving - KM Blue Manta

www.whitemanta.com

• Dan
• Replies: 23
• Forum: Indonesia

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