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. 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, and 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 near 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: Several hotels (FM7 Hotel, Ibis, Mercure, Anara, and others) are close to Jakarta airport. These offer overnight/day use and transfers 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 approximately 15 minutes drive from the airport. Alternatively, you can stay in Manado City (45 minutes’ 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 Cordia 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.