FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The capital Jakarta is seven hours ahead of GMT. Alor is in the Central Time Zone, eight hours ahead of GMT.
Raja Ampat, Cenderawasih Bay, Ambon and Banda are in the Eastern Indonesia Time Zone and are nine hours ahead of GMT.
There are about 583 languages and dialects spoken in the archipelago. Bahasa Indonesia is the national language. In all tourist destination areas, English is the number one foreign language. All of our dive staff speak English as well as some members of the crew.
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Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) is the official currency. It is advisable to exchange money at banks with more favourable exchange rates; most are open Monday to Friday. We recommend exchanging enough currency for general tips, excess luggage fees (at the airport often payable only in cash), taxes and small pocket change. Most restaurants, hotels, car rental companies, and larger shops accept major credit cards (Visa and Master, whereas American Express is less accepted). ATM facilities are available at larger airports such as Jakarta, Bali and Ujung Padang (also called Makassar) but are rare in smaller regional airports.
All guest rooms are individually air-conditioned and have ensuite bathrooms. A “grazing” breakfast (fruits, muesli, croissants, jam etc.) is available from 6 am before the first dive. Full breakfast (Western and Indonesian-style) is cooked to order and is served after the early morning dive. A buffet lunch and an elegant meal at dinner with waiter service are included in the package. Additionally, fresh mid-afternoon snacks are available. Beverages (non-alcoholic and local beer) are complimentary while onboard. Shampoo, conditioner and body wash, and a hairdryer are provided in your stateroom. Linens and towels are changed mid-cruise. Filled tanks, weights and dive weights are included. Our package offers ground transfers between the airport and the vessel upon your arrival. The transfer between Dewi Nusantara and the airport is also included at your destination. If you arrive a day early, you must make your own way to your hotel (transfers can be arranged as part of a hotel package). Your complimentary transfer to the vessel will be from your hotel on the day of departure.
Our cruise package does not include any air transportation (domestic or international). As of February 9, 2015, all airlines departing from Indonesia must include the airport departure tax in the ticket price. This new regulation is valid for both domestic flights as well as international flights departing from Indonesia.
Dive instruction, equipment rental and “boatique” purchases (souvenirs or additional alcoholic beverages) must be settled onboard before departure.
Acceptable payment methods include US Dollars, Euros, local currency, or credit cards (Visa or Master Card; we do not accept American Express). Personal cheques are not accepted. Crew gratuities (as a usual guideline, guests typically pay 10% of the cruise fare) are also additional expenses. Tipping of the crew is entirely up to our guests.
Like all airlines globally, Indonesian airlines have changed their standard flight schedules due to Covid-19. As of July 2023, most flight connections have resumed. Â The “Getting There” section in our FAQs describes some of the usual travel options.
Our destinations change, and so does the flight schedule of Indonesian airlines. The travel options below describe the typically available options but may not be 100% accurate as airlines amend their schedules or open new routes. If you have questions regarding your travel options, please get in touch with us at sales@dewi-nusantara.com
Please take a look at our website’s cruise schedule https://dewi-nusantara.com/schedules for details on where each cruise starts and ends. Some cruises start and end in the same harbour (like our “all of Raja Ampat” cruises which start and finish in Sorong. Other cruises travel from one part of Indonesia to another island – for these, you will require one-way domestic airline tickets, which is not a problem.
Indonesia has several gateway cities: Jakarta (airport code CGK), Bali (DPS), and Manado (MDC) usually have daily international arrivals. Air Asia flies from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) on selected days to Ujung Padang (also called Makassar, UPG). Ujung Padang’s Sultan Hassanudin is a major hub in South Sulawesi from which flights connect to many parts of Indonesia. Below are two examples illustrating how to travel to Raja Ampat and Cenderawasih Bay. Since we operate throughout the year in various other areas of Indonesia, it’s impossible to describe all travel arrangements here. If you have questions about how to arrange your travel bookings, please get in touch with us at sales@dewi-nusantara.com.
Each gateway city has advantages, disadvantages, and different facilities, such as hotels nearby the airport, and we’ll explain those below. Depending on your international flight’s arrival times, you may need to spend one night in those gateway cities to connect to your domestic flights the next day. You may need a similar overnight stay on your journey back home. Many of our guests stay for a few days in Bali upon arrival to sleep off any jetlag and arrive on Dewi Nusantara well-rested for plenty of diving!
Where to stay close to the airports of the gateway cities?
Jakarta: Close to Jakarta airport are several hotels (FM7 Hotel, Ibis, Mercure, Anara, and others) which offer overnight/day use and transfer from and back to the airport. Staying there is a popular option for guests who must spend more than a few hours between international and domestic flights.
Bali: You can choose one of the hundreds of hotels on the island of Bali.
Manado: Novotel Manado is located approx. 15 min drive from the airport. Alternatively, you can stay in Manado City (45 min drive). If you want shore-based diving before arriving for your Dewi Nusantara cruise: Bunaken National Marine Park or muck diving in the Lembeh Strait are good options.
Ujung Padang/Makassar: Inside the airport is an IBIS hotel. While the rooms are small, the location is convenient due to the early morning flying times from Ujung Padang to Sorong or Manokwari. Alternatively, you can stay overnight in Ujung Padang (45 min drive) in various hotels.
Getting to Raja Ampat in Eastern Indonesia is a two-step process.Â
Step 1:
Arrange your international air transportation to one of the Indonesian gateway cities.
Step 2:
Sorong is the starting point of your Raja Ampat cruise. You can purchase a domestic air ticket from your Indonesian Gateway city to Sorong (airport code SOQ) in the Indonesian part of Papua Island.
Bali gateway: This routing is ideal for guests who want to experience Bali’s magical hospitality before embarking on the remote area of Raja Ampat. Using this routing, guests fly to Denpasar Airport in Bali (DPS) using their favourite international carrier. The onward journey to Raja Ampat from Bali requires two legs. First is a 75-minute flight to Ujung Pandang (UPG), a major domestic hub on the island of Sulawesi. An overnight hotel stay is often required in Ujung Pandang. The following day, the two hours and twenty-minute flight to Sorong (SOQ) operates daily with early morning departures. Alternatively, you can fly from Denpasar to Jakarta and connect with a non-stop flight into Sorong and onwards to Manokwari. On the return, guests can route through either Ujung Pandang or Ambon (AMQ) to return to Bali. Usually, you can return to Bali on the same day.
Manado gateway: Using this routing, guests would fly into Singapore (SIN), then connect with Singapore Airlines’ regional partner, Scoot, for a flight into Manado (MDC) on North Sulawesi in Indonesia. An overnight stay may then be required in Manado at this point, depending on flight schedules. From Manado, you connect to Sorong (SOQ) with Lion Air. The return flights work the other way around. Again, you may need an overnight stay in either Manado or Singapore to synchronise with your international flights.
Jakarta gateway: A third alternative for guests is to use Soekarno Hatta International Airport in Jakarta (CGK), Indonesia, as a gateway. Garuda and Batik Air depart from Jakarta to Sorong (SOQ) on a non-stop flight, usually in the early morning. Flights from Jakarta with a stop-over in Ujung Padang (UPG) are also available. The return trip from Sorong to Jakarta can also be completed on the same day.
Ujung Pandang (Makassar) gateway: Air Asia flies from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) to Ujung Pandang (UPG), from where flights to Sorong are available. An overnight stay in Ujung Pandang is usually required.
We offer two types of Cenderawasih cruises: Your departure point is either Sorong for the Sorong to Cenderawasih Bay cruises or Manokwari for the Manokwari into Cenderawasih Bay and back to Manokwari cruises, and the return cruise from Manokwari back to Sorong.
Getting to Cenderawasih Bay in eastern Indonesia is a two-step process similar to getting to Raja Ampat.
 Step 1:
Arrange your international air transportation to one of the Indonesian gateway cities.
Step 2:
Purchase a domestic air ticket from your Indonesian gateway city to either Sorong (for the Sorong to Manokwari cruises) or Rendani Airport in Manokwari (airport code: MKW) on the Indonesian part of Papua Island for cruises with a Manokwari departure.
Bali Gateway: This routing is ideal for guests who want to experience Bali’s magical hospitality before embarking on the remote area of Cenderawasih Bay. Using this routing, you would fly to Denpasar Airport in Bali (DPS) using your favourite international carrier. The onward journey to Raja Ampat requires two legs. First is a 75-minute flight from Bali (DPS) to Ujung Pandang (UPG), a major domestic hub on the south-east side of the island of Sulawesi. An overnight hotel stay is usually required in Ujung Pandang. The following day, the two-hour and ten-minute flight to Manokwari (MKW) operates daily with early morning departures. On certain days you may need to stop over in Sorong. Alternatively, you can fly from Denpasar to Jakarta and connect with a non-stop flight into Sorong and Manokwari. On the return, guests can route through either Ujung Pandang (UPG) or Ambon (AMQ) to return to Bali. The return to Bali can usually be accomplished on the same day.
Manado Gateway: Using this routing, guests would fly into Singapore and connect with Singapore Airlines’ regional partner, Scoot, for a flight into Manado (MDC) on North Sulawesi in Indonesia. An overnight stay may then be required in Manado at this point, depending on flight schedules. From there, connections can be made using Lion Air to fly into Manokwari (MKW), usually with a stop-over in Sorong. The return flights work the other way around. Again, you may need an overnight stay in either Manado or Singapore to synchronise with your international flights.
 Jakarta Gateway: A third alternative for guests is to use Soekarno Hatta International Airport in Jakarta (CGK), Indonesia, as a gateway. The journey to Manokwari (MKW) can then be completed in a single day with flights on Garuda Air or Batik Air that connect either in Ujung Pandang (UPG) on Sulawesi Island or in Sorong (SOQ). The return trip from Manokwari to Jakarta can usually be completed on the same day.
Ujung Pandang (Makassar) gateway: Air Asia flies from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) to Ujung Pandang (UPG), from where flights to either directly Manokwari (MKW) or via Sorong (SOQ) are available. An overnight stay in Ujung Pandang is usually required. You can fly from Manokwari to Ujung Padang on the return trip on the same day.
What luggage restrictions do I need to be concerned about?
Guests are encouraged to pack carefully and as lightly as possible. Please check with your carrier about weight restrictions and any other restrictions on your luggage content for international flights. No matter which gateway city you use, you will also fly on a domestic Indonesian air carrier to reach your local destination. Domestic airlines have different baggage weight restrictions than international carriers. A rule of thumb is that passengers are allowed 50 lbs (23kg) on Garuda but less on other airlines. Above that—expect excess baggage charges, which on most airlines can be booked together with the flight ticket. At the airport, excess luggage charges are often payable only in cash with Indonesian Rupiah.
In case your luggage arrives late at your destination airport, we can arrange to get it to the vessel during the trip. Please note that this transfer usually involves some extra costs. However, we can’t guarantee that this will always work.
What travel documents will I need?
You must possess a passport valid for at least six months from the date of arrival and have proof of return or onward ticketing. Your passport should have at least two blank pages in it to pass through immigration. You will also require a Visa. You may qualify for a Visa on arrival, depending on your citizenship. Please contact your local Indonesian Embassy or Consulate, review the requirements on one of the many travel visa information websites, or contact us.
What should I know about customs and immigration?
At the airport, customs formalities are usually quick and trouble-free. Tourists are allowed to bring articles for use during their stay. These include personal adornment items, wearing apparel, toiletries, and any portable articles that someone can reasonably be expected to use during their stay. Please note that it is strictly forbidden to any illegal drugs into the country. The death penalty applies to drug smugglers in Indonesia.
 What are the embarkation and disembarkation times?
Embarkation time is 12 noon. If you arrive on an early flight, the Dewi team will meet at the airport and take you to a hotel for breakfast and coffee. Once all guests are on board, we will depart. Dewi Nusantara typically returns to port in the afternoon or evening the day before disembarkation at the end of the cruise. Final disembarkation will occur according to guests’ departure flight but latest at 09:00 am.
How do I get from the airport to Dewi Nusantara?
The Dewi Nusantara cruise package includes a transfer from the embarkation airport to the harbour, where the boat will be waiting for you. The crew will greet you outside the arrival hall and help you with your luggage. Please look for a crew or agent from our transfer company holding a Dewi Nusantara sign or a sign with your name. It is, in most locations, approximately a 20-minute drive from the airport to the harbour where the ship is.
How do I get from the hotel to Dewi Nusantara if I arrive early on embarkation day?
We will call the hotel on embarkation day and advise boarding time. Once Dewi is ready for boarding, we will transfer you from the hotel to the ship.
What do we do on the day we disembark?
Dewi Nusantara returns to a port usually in the evening of the day before your disembarkation. Final disembarkation will occur according to the departure flight schedule or latest, at 09:00 am at the end of the cruise. Transfers are provided to the airport for guests departing. If your flight is late in the afternoon, we will take you to a local hotel for day use and transfer you to the airport in time for your flight.
How do I arrange for pre-and-post charter hotels and transfers?
Besides booking your domestic airline tickets, Dewi Nusantara’s travel specialists have created several extension packages based on different experiences in the area. Alternatively, they would be happy to design something specifically with your interests in mind.
Do I need a trip or diving insurance?
Yes! Diving Insurance such as DAN dive accident insurance or similar insurance covering comprehensive dive accident, evacuation and medical insurance is mandatory for all guests.
We strongly recommend that every guest purchases general travel insurance to cover baggage and trip cancellation and interruption insurance when making a reservation. Trip insurance will protect you from financial disappointment if you are prevented from making your scheduled trip due to illness or family illness or if unforeseen circumstances prevent the airline or ship from making its scheduled trip. If it is necessary to cancel or interrupt a charter due to weather or any matter beyond the control of Dewi Nusantara, there will be no refund or credit issued.
All rates are quoted on a shared basis; therefore, unless you require a single guaranteed room and pay an additional supplement, you will likely be sharing your stateroom with one other guest of the same gender.
Meals prepared by our onboard chef consist of an international mix with a local flair. If you have any special dietary requirements, please let us know as soon as possible so we can adequately prepare to meet your needs. Special dietary and beverage requests may sometimes not be available due to the location’s remote nature.
Dewi Nusantara’s selection of beverages includes fruit juices, soft drinks, iced water, tea and speciality coffee and a limited local beer selection. One glass of wine is served with dinner. Fresh milk may not be available, although UHT long-life milk is provided onboard.
We recommend that you purchase any particular alcoholic beverage brands that you may want to consume onboard at the Duty-Free Shop at any airport. We encourage you to drink lots of non-alcoholic liquids during the cruise to avoid dehydration. Remember: Alcohol and diving do not mix. Once you consume alcohol, your diving is over until the next day.
The Indonesian government strictly controls the importation of alcoholic beverages into Indonesia through quota restrictions. Locally produced beer has fewer restrictions. In accordance with local cultural customs and regulations, we provide local beer, and one glass of wine is served with dinner as part of your Dewi Nusantara package. At all other times, additional alcoholic beverages (based on availability), including bottles of imported wines and drinks containing spirits, may be purchased through the ship’s bar. There are no corkage or bottle
charges imposed for guests who choose to bring their favourite bottle of wine or spirits for personal consumption on board. Customs regulations allow foreign tourists arriving in Indonesia to bring one litre of alcohol per adult. If you have a favourite wine or spirit you would like to consume on your upcoming cruise, we encourage you to bring it with you. While customs in Indonesia are laid back and friendly to tourists, the importation limits are enforced. All checked and carry-on bags are x-rayed when clearing Customs, so Customs officers easily identify bottles and containers. Any tourist who attempts to circumvent the import limits opens themselves up to a very inconvenient situation with government officials.
The electrical current on Dewi Nusantara is 220 volts. There are charging stations in the camera room, which offer access to both 110V and 220V power. The standard current in all of Indonesia is 220 volts.
Our crew will conduct a comprehensive safety briefing after all guests have arrived onboard. The safety briefing also includes the current rules regarding the charging of personal electric devices and dive lights.
Please plan to travel light. We recommend that you pack your gear in soft luggage such as a duffel bag for easy storage, and to add to your comfort in your cabin, leave those large, rigid suitcases at home. Clothing should be lightweight, and comfortable sportswear and swimsuits are a must. A light sweater or jacket is ideal for the evenings. Dress aboard is always casual. Light clothing that reflects the sun is best. Evening dress is informal. You may also want to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, walking shoes and a hat for your time on Dewi Nusantara. Hairdryers are provided in each cabin. We recommend you pack your regulator, dive computer, mask (especially prescription dive masks), swimsuit, change of clothes, medication (if any) and essential items in your carry-on bag. This will make it more comfortable if your check-in luggage is delayed. Please check with your airline what weight restrictions will apply to your carry-on and checked baggage.
In Raja Ampat, we may visit a pearl farm, ride our speedboats through the karst limestone islands, and climb to the Penemu Bay viewpoint. In other areas, you may have the option to visit local villages or do some local sightseeing, like a visit to Fort Belgica in Banda Naira (Banda Islands). When and if we go ashore always depends on the weather. Although most of our cruises treks can be completed in sandals, a pair of running shoes or light walking boots is a far better and more comfortable option (they may get wet!)
Currents and winds may cause moderate movement of the boat at times. If you tend to be seasick, we strongly urge you to bring over-the-counter motion sickness medication or consult your doctor about prescription brands, such as transdermal patches or Scopace tablets. Chewable ginger tablets or capsules of powdered ginger have also proved to be effective.
Our dive crews are trained in first aid and diving accident management. Dewi Nusantara has a complete first aid kit and a high-capacity oxygen system. The vessel also has direct contact with the closest hyperbaric chamber. Since emergency transportation and treatment cost is the responsibility of each guest, we strongly recommend that you dive conservatively. You must obtain special insurance for divers from Divers Alert Network, Dive Assure or a similarly ranked company. Be warned that the standard of hospitals in many parts of Indonesia could be better! It could take up to 3 days before you get to a hyperbaric chamber. You must plan your diving within the limits and standards of your certification organisation. Dewi Nusantara offers recreational diving only – no decompression diving!
In case of emergency, your family may contact you by calling our Bali office at +62 361 766 269 during business hours (10 am – 6 pm local Bali time, which is 8 hours ahead of GMT). For emergencies outside our operating hours, we have an emergency phone number, which will be sent to you before you leave your home for Indonesia. Please reserve calling this number for emergencies only.
Check with your local cell phone provider for roaming service while visiting Indonesia. Dewi Nusantara is equipped with a satellite-based phone for emergency communications. WiFi is available free of charge when we have a 3G or 4G signal, but it can be very slow. It is suitable for sending WhatsApp messages but may not work for uploading photos to Facebook. Tourist SIM cards are available at airports upon arrival – the provider Telkomsel (https://www.telkomsel.com/en/perdana/tourist-prepaid-card)Â works best in remote areas.
A designated area on the sundeck of the outdoor lido/upper deck is available for smoking. Smoking is not permitted in any other area for any reason.
Dewi Nusantara has a multisystem TV unit for digital video camera playback, a compact disc player, a DVD player, and a mobile phone/iPod speaker in the main salon. If you have a favourite movie, slide show or video to share, we encourage you to bring it along! A small library of “books for exchange” is maintained onboard, and marine life identification books for reference.
Dewi Nusantara also has two guitars and a keyboard onboard.
Our crew is delighted to help you celebrate any special occasion onboard, including birthdays, anniversaries, honeymoons, or weddings. Kindly advise our sales office at least 30 days before departure so we can adequately prepare.
Gratuities are not included. We prefer that our guests reward our crew based on performance. If the crew performs to your expectations, we suggest that a gratuity of approximately 10% of the published package price be considered normal. Payment of gratuities is entirely at the discretion of the guest. Payment of gratuities can be by cash or credit card (Visa or Master Card cards are accepted).
Dewi Nusantara has a small onboard “Boatique”, selling a selection of logo clothing, custom jewellery, sundries, diving accessories, additional alcoholic drinks etc. A crew member will be happy to help you with your purchases anytime during the cruise. US Dollars, Euros, Indonesian Rupiah or VISA and
Master credit cards are all accepted for bill payment. Unfortunately, American Express cards or personal and traveller’s cheques are not accepted.
Indonesian Airlines follow international guidelines on what you can bring on board aircraft. Your duty-free liquid items purchased on your international inbound flight can be hand-carried onto domestic flights.
We will offer up to four daily dives, including a night dive. We offer two shallow dives on the last dive day (weather and sea conditions permitting). We recommend guests to check their flight departure time and follow their dive computer’s no-fly time.
Remember to bring your dive certification card or proof of certification. You must bring proof of DAN dive insurance (or similar). We require proof of certification and insurance before your first dive. We’ll email you our Cruise Application and Release agreement well before you leave for Indonesia – please fill the documents in and send them back to us by email.
Tender diving is the rule. All dives will be made from our two dive tenders. Guests board the tender and then don their gear on the way/at the dive site. We will be happy to help any diver requiring special assistance. Backward roll entry from the tender is the most convenient way to enter the water. Our crew will hand down cameras and other equipment. To re-board the tenders, guests may remove their gear in the water and hand it up to our staff and climb aboard by way of a convenient ladder secured to the gunwale of the tender.
For your safety, it is recommended that each diver carry an emergency SMB (safety sausage), Dive Alert or other suitable audible surface signalling device.
For safety reasons, all guests will be given a complimentary SMB, a whistle and a Nautilus Lifeline (marine GPS) for use while diving with Dewi-Nusantara. These must be returned before your disembarkation.
All diving onboard Dewi Nusantara should be planned as no-decompression dives and conducted within your certification agency’s limits and standards.
Dewi Nusantara is equipped with Nitrox facilities. Nitrox fills of up to 32% are usually available to all certified Nitrox divers for an additional charge. Nitrox dive profiles must be planned and executed with a Nitrox-compatible computer. It would be best for you to set the planned PO2 level within the limits of your certifying agency. All Nitrox fills must be analysed by the diver using it and logged before every dive. Nitrox certifications are usually available onboard to all certified open-water divers for an additional charge. Please get in touch with us at least four weeks before departure if you want to take a course and switch to Nitrox during your cruise.
Equipment provided aboard the Dewi Nusantara includes cylinders (11.2 litre/80 cu.) ft. aluminium with DIN/Yolk convertible “K” valves, weights and weight belts. Divers will also need the following equipment:
- Regulator with alternate air source
- Depth and pressure gauge
- Dive computer
- Buoyancy Compensation Device (BCD)
- Mask/fins/snorkel
- Night Dives: a torch if you have one; otherwise, you can rent one onboard.
- Recommended (Additional) Dive Equipment
- Dive light with extra batteries or a charger
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We suggest you bring your own to ensure it’s compatible with your personal equipment. All guests will be given a complimentary SMB and a Nautilus Lifeline (marine GPS) while diving with Dewi-Nusantara (if you don’t have your own). These must be returned before your disembarkation.
Photo opportunities are abundant, underwater and above, no matter what system you use. Guests may use the TV in the salon to view their images. The vessel is equipped with a variety of input cables. On the main deck is a large, dedicated camera room with charging stations for 220 and 110 Volts.
Dewi Nusantara has a large indoor camera room & workbench (10+ metres long) with individual power outlets and individual spotlights. 220v is our standard voltage, and 110v transformers are available. Below your dedicated camera space is ample storage. The camera room is located on the main deck.
Several charging stations with 110V and 220V power are available for your use.
Our crew will conduct a comprehensive safety briefing after all guests have arrived onboard on day one of your cruise. The safety briefing also includes the current rules regarding charging personal electric devices, cameras and dive lights and strobes.
Indonesia is generally warm water diving! Raja Ampat and Cenderawasih Bay typically have 29°C / 84°F water temperature. A light wetsuit is recommended, though some people choose more thermal protection (a 3 mm suit) to ensure continued core warmth throughout their visit. Certain areas, such as Alor in East Nusa Tenggara have dive sites with lower water temperatures where guests often choose more thermal protection (a 5 mm suit).
 There is a large “cameras only” rinse tank for the exclusive use of photographers onboard.
All divers are required to have a buddy with them at all times. When on a drift dive, photographers are expected to stay with the group they are diving with. You may move away from the group within reason – providing that you keep the divemaster leading the dive in sight at all times. You will not be permitted to separate from the group or carry your own drift line.
The maximum time for each dive is 60 minutes, inclusive of a safety stop.