Sorong

Sorong is the largest city of Southwest Papua province, on the western tip of the bird's head peninsula in Papua, Indonesia.

Understand
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 ferry
There are 10 weekly ferries between the Sorong ferry port (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. Virtually all destinations along the PELNI ferry routes can be reached much more easily by plane.

Get around
You can get around by taksi (minivan) or ojek (motorcycle taxi).

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

Food souvenirs
Keripik keladi is a Sorong taro chip, the famous one is the sweet spicy variant.

Textile
Batik Papua is a batik with Papuan uniqueness from the aspect of the motif, because it was developed from the rich culture and uniqueness of the exotic nature of Papua.

Eat
At Tembok Berlin beach area, many seafood hawkers open in the evening.

Drink
There are many coffee shops around the city.

Connect
The telephone area code of Sorong is 0951.

East

 * Manokwari. 12 hr by land.
 * Maybrat. 6 hr by land.
 * Tambrauw. 5 hr by land.

Northwest

 * Raja Ampat. 2 hr away by ship.

Southeast

 * Fakfak. An hour by plane.