Flight advice Jakarta to Lembeh in November 2025

[Tim Clark Diving]

I am going to Lembeh in November for Alex Mustard's photo workshop and would like some flight advice. I am flying Guam - Manila - Jakarta - Manado. I plan on arriving in Jakarta on a Sunday at 12:20 AM. Garuda has a 2 AM flight from Jakarta to Manado. Is that enough time to clear customs and check back in? Unfortunately, they don't have any other flights on Sunday, so not making it would mean an overnight in Jakarta and make either the 2:00 AM or 9:20 AM flight the next day. If I have to overnight, is staying at the Anara Airport Hotel in Terminal 3 still a good option? Thanks for any advice!

 

[matts1w]

Unfortunately, that is probably way too tight—especially if you have to collect your bags—which I think you do—and walk them through customs for a possible but unlikely contents check. You then have to walk down to the domestic side of Terminal 3, get everything checked in, go through security, and get to the gate. Baggage claim is usually brutal, and there are many other potential landmines. Terminal three is huge, and even the walk from your arrival gate to immigration can take forever.

The Anara is for sure a good way to go, but surely there are other options to Manado that Sunday.

 

[cozcharlie]

You would need to take Scoot (low cost affiliate of Singapore airlines ), but some people get to Manado via Singapore. I have never taken Scoot because I always get nervous about stricter carry on limitation enforcement on discount airlines (stated rules aren’t necessarily different , likelihood of enforcement may just be higher). Photographer friends have taken Scoot from Singapore to Manado without problems while carrying on reasonable amounts of camera gear , but if something is going to go wrong it will happen to me.

Others may chime in.

 

[Darnold9999]

I would do the Batik flight at 8:00.