SAILING INDONESIA
This page provides insights from 2 separate sailing trips in Indonesia aboard SV Wandoo (2015) and SV Black Duck (2021-2022). These voyages covered a wide range of destinations, from western to eastern Indonesia, including West Papua, Raja Ampat, Wakatobi, and Komodo National Park (Labuan Bajo).
Drawing on 15 months of sailing across these regions, this guide offers practical tips on where to anchor, how to source diesel, LPG, and drinking water, and the procedures for VISAS and clearing into Indonesia at various ports.
What is There to Know?
- Indonesia is rapidly growing in popularity, with places like Raja Ampat, which 8 years ago was a secret paradise, seeing a huge increase in new resorts and yacht charters.
- With growing tourism, popular islands and Marine Parks are raising fees. For example, Komodo National Park now requires multiple permits, including a Park Entry Permit, Sailing Permit (CAIT), Ranger/Guide Fee, and Snorkeling/Diving Permit, totaling around $32 to $61 per day.
- People still follow the trends, and the majority of Indonesia is still untouched by tourism.
- With charts still being widely inaccurate in most Indonesian water, satellite images are a must-use navigation tool!!
- Indonesia is a nation of Sailors, and the most valuable sailing information is local knowledge. I highly recommend learning some Indonesian Sailing Lingo—it is not a hard language.
Indonesian Anchorages
Our list of anchorages is sorted into the Indonesian regions of Sundra Islands, SE Sulawesi (Wakatobi and Buton Strait), Maluku, West Papua and Raja Ampat, The Java Sea, Belitung, and the Riau Archipelago; click the link below.
Refueling & Water in Indonesia
For information about refueling, types of fuel, LPG refills, and how to get clean water in the different cities around Indonesia.
Visas & Clearing into Indonesia
The formalities in Indonesia, i.e. check-in procedures and visa extensions, can be a bit of a headache if you are not prepared.
SV Black Duck's Route
Click on the Anchorages and Routes to see Lat/long, Hours underway, sailing/motoring, diesel use, weather conditions, and dates.
The routes in this map are estimates and should not be used for direct navigation. See Indonesian Anchorages above for more detailed anchorage information.
Speaking the Language
Guides to Indonesian Sailing Destinations
In these guides, I’ve pulled together everything we found helpful during our city stops for visa extensions and restocking.
You’ll find tips on where to get diesel, gas, drinking water, and fresh food, along with our experience at the Immigration Office for visa extensions.
I’ve also added locations of hardware stores and other shops that came in handy for getting parts and supplies.
++ Useful Navigation Resources ++
- Navionics https://www.navionics.com/gbr/apps/navionics-boating
- Zulu Waterways web/app https://www.zuluwaterways.com/
- Cruising Guide to Indonesia by Andy Scott https://cruisingguideindonesia.com/
- Offline Maps app
- The Hacking Family’s website hackingfamily.com sailing SV Ocelot in Indonesia.
- Sherry and Dave McCambell’s website, svsoggypaws.com
Sailing Stores from Indonesia
From Singapore Strait to Singapore Streets – Warships and Water Shows
Reading the Signs – Lessons from Neptune and Jesus
On Passage with Black Duck – Jibing through the Java Sea
Nights at Sea #3 Stress is a part of It
From Sea to City – The Jakarta Excerpts
A Muslim, a Christian and two Atheists walk into a Mosque
Nights at Sea #2 Loneliness and the sound of thoughts
The lost Time at the Mecca of Paperwork and The unsuspected Captain
Nights at Sea #1 Shiver me Timbers is that a Tornado?
Weird and Wonderful
Lebebae – for a Sustainable and Musical Ambon
The Independent Life of an Indonesian Sailing Family
What About the Rooster? – Sailing Buru
The Village On the Water
