Sorong is the largest city of West Papua province, on the western tip of the Bird's Head Peninsula in Papua, Indonesia.

Understand

Thor amboinensis, a colorful type of shrimp, in the waters of Sorong

Most people fly to Sorong to go to Raja Ampat. One usually must transit in Sorong, and most people take an early flight so they can catch the ferry to Waisai (see below).

Get in

There are some roads into Sorong from nearby villages, but in practice the only ways to get into the city are by plane or by ferry.

By plane

The port of Sorong

• 1 Dominique Edward Osok Airport (SOQ  ^IATA) (just 1 km south of the city centre and about 3 km east of the ferry port). There are daily flights the national capital Jakarta, as well as from the major cities of Eastern Indonesia including Makassar, Manado, Ambon and Jayapura.  

By ferry

There are 10 weekly ferries between the Sorong ferry port 2 Pelabuhan Rakyat (People's Port, to distinguish it from the container port) and Waisai, the district capital of Raja Ampat. From Sorong to Waisai, daily ferries depart at 14:00, with in addition ferries at 9:00 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. From Waisai to Sorong, ferries depart daily (except Saturday) at 14:00, with additional ferries at 11:00 on Mondays, 9:00 on Wednesdays and Fridays, and 12:00 on Saturdays. The journey time is about 2 hours.

In addition to the frequent ferries to and from Waisai, Sorong's ferry port is part of the national PELNI ferry network. There are weekly ferries (at irregular times) in westerly (to Fakfak and further to Maluku and Sulawesi) and easterly (to Manokwari and further to Biak and/or Jayapura) directions. Virtualy all destinations along the PELNI ferry routes can be reached much more easily by plane.

See

Solenostomus halimeda (Halimeda ghost pipefish) in the waters of Sorong

Do

Although Raja Ampat is more popular for diving, the waters of Sorong itself abound in beautiful marine life.

Sleep

• 1 Swiss-Belhotel Sorong, Jl. Jendral Sudirman, Sorong, ☏ +62 951 321199. Luxurious hotel located between the airport and the ferry port. (updated Sep 2016)
• Paparisa Manisee. A decent and clean (though charmless) option in the city, reasonably close to the airport and harbour. (updated Feb 2016)