Sangalaki - any problems with authorities

[benchan]

Hi everyone,

I'm planning to go to Sangalaki with some friends in June. Heard that sometimes the immigration authorities there can give you problems if you don't book through one of the main resorts. Has anyone encountered this before?

Any issues we need to look out for?

Thanks!

 

[Albion]

Not that i saw, however indonesia has just tightened up their visa procedures leading to more delays. I went to Sangalaki in 2002 and booked through sangalaki themselves, they had an agent meet me at balikpappan airport to ensure i got onto the the next flight to Berau ok, and it worked out well. The connecting flight is a small domestic route where they weigh you and your hand lugagge and charge you if overweight, so it is useful having someone there to make sure the wheels were greased if neccsary, but not overlubricated.

You would need to check flight schedules, i took the silkair flight direct form singapore to balikpappan and that gacve me 1 hour to transfer which was enough then , however with the tighter visa you may need more time or get the visa beofre you leave

 

[ssra30]

Yes, definitely get the Visa ahead of time unless you have passports from the few countries that do not require Indonesian Visa (Thailand, Singapoare, Malaysia and a few more). Visa on arrival is only available at the busier international airports such as Bali, Jarkata etc. I did not see Balikpapan listed on a list of airports with Visa on Arrival booth, according to a local newspaper report here in Thailand. There have been tourists who had been sent back immediately when they arrive with out visa on some of the smaller airports.
We are going there in April and I already adviced all of my friends to get visa before departure.

 

[benchan]

Thanks for the reply guys!

Heard that if you book through and agent, it should be fine since the agent sorts things out with the authorities. And we're going through an agent so we should be ok (fingers crossed). From Malaysia so shouldn't be a problem with visas.

Looking forward to mantas and jellyfish!!!

 

[Albion]

Thanks for the reply guys!

Heard that if you book through and agent, it should be fine since the agent sorts things out with the authorities. And we're going through an agent so we should be ok (fingers crossed). From Malaysia so shouldn't be a problem with visas.

Looking forward to mantas and jellyfish!!!

30+ manta's whilst snorkeling before one of our dives ))))