FUEL & WATER
How and where to get food, water, diesel and gas.
Water
It is definitely not recommended to drink untreated water in Indonesia, as much of Indonesia’s water supply has been found to contain E. Coli.
- Air Minum (Drinking water)
Purified drinking water (UV treated) can be found in small shops in bigger towns and cities in Indonesia. We are usually charged 6,000 IDR to get a 20L jerry-can filled.
Another option is to purchase the 19L Aqua Bottles, which we see used in many homes and restaurants. - Air Matang (Boiled water)
In small villages, UV treated water might not be available and drinking water will come in the form of boiled ground water which you can buy for a similar price at a “water boiling” shop. Again just ask for Air minum, - Air Mandi (Shower water) Tap or well water is usually available for free, just ask around for Air Mandi and someone will most likely let you fill from their tap or well. We use ground water for showering, dishes and laundry and sometimes for cooking if air minum is not available.
Fuel
There are three kinds of diesel in Indonesia:
- Solar is the cheapest and most available. In small towns and rural places you will most likely only find Solar. However, foreigners are not allowed to buy Solar at fuel stations, as it is subsidized for Locals. (not all sailors like using it, as it has a high sulfur content, but we have spoken to many cruiser who have been using it without any issues) Although Solar is the cheapest, the price varies greatly depending on how rural you are. We have seen it sold for between 7-11,000/L
- Dexlite is of better qualiy than Solar, but not as widely available. We usually get this at Fuel Stations. We bought Dexlite in Ambon for 9,500/L in Oct 2021
- Pertamina Dex is of the highest quality, but it is even less available than Dexlite. Although it is the best, we have found that it can still be a bit brown. We bought Pertamina Dex in Kupang for 11,000/L in Oct 2021
The main fuel Supply Company in Indonesia is Pertamina. Pertamina Stations are found in Cities and some bigger towns. Although some cruisers have said that they don’t like you to bring your jerry-cans to the pump, we have found absolutely no issues with doing this.
- Petrol is also available at most Fuel Stations. Petrol in Indonesia is called Bensin.
When the fuel station has been too far away for carrying jerry-cans we have had great success with bringing them in a Bemo/Angkot, just ask first of course.
LPG bottles + Refills
It is illegal to refill gas bottles in Indonesia and it is very hard to find places that will do it for you, mind you this might be different in more touristy areas and Marinas.
Where these places are not available, you have 2 options. Do it yourself or change to Indonesian Bottles. The latter being the easiest option.
Refilling by yourself: If you have not prepared a hose already, you will need to find the right fittings to fit both your bottle and an Indonesian Bottle.
There are two types of fitting in Indonesia, one which fits the smaller bottles which goes on the top, and one which fit the huge bottles, which happens to be the same as the European/Australian fitting.
The problem is that for refilling you need fittings without regulators and this can be a little harder to find.
You can find these fittings in major Cities in Indonesia, I know of Jakarta, Kupang and Sorong or online on Tokopedia.
We ordered a hose with both fittings from Pak Victor Saputra in Sorong (He works with Warwick Alliston who runs Marine Nusantara) at a price of 621,000 IDR including shipping to Ambon. WApp–+628124833831
I thought this was a little expensive and we have found cheaper parts on Tokopedia, however this is the only preassembled piece we found.
Clearing out of Indonesia – Fast, Free and without Agent (Belitung)
13 Things we wish we knew before sailing to Indonesia
A Sailors Practical Guide to Buton Strait, Raha and Baubau
A Sailors Practical Guide to Sorong
A Sailors Practical Guide to Ambon
