Raja Ampat private charter is a different product from Komodo, with its own season, its own access route and its own fee system. Published VVIP rates start at USD 13,500 per night (Mutiara Laut, 7 cabins, 15 guests). In 2026 foreign visitors pay two separate charges: an IDR 700,000 marine park conservation fee plus an IDR 1,000,000 regency entry ticket.
First, an honest point about the vessel
Mutiara Cruise Phinisi’s published operating area is Komodo National Park, departing Labuan Bajo. She is not listed as a Raja Ampat vessel. If your trip is Raja Ampat, the charter runs on the operator’s Raja Ampat fleet — the VVIP entry there is Mutiara Laut, a 46-metre phinisi with a 9.40-metre beam, 3.10-metre draft, Yanmar 6AYM-ETE 485 kW engine, 7 cabins and 15 guests, published from USD 13,500 per night. We would rather tell you that than sell you a repositioning that is not on the schedule.
| Vessel | Length | Cabins | Guests | Published from-rate per night |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mutiara Laut | 46 m | 7 | 15 | USD 13,500 |
| Lamima | 65.2 m ketch | 7 | 14 | USD 27,000 + 11% VAT (2026) · USD 28,000 + 11% VAT (2027) |
| Prana | — | 9 | 18 | Rate on request |
| Alila Purnama | — | 5 | 10 | Rate on request |
| Silolona | — | 5 | 10 | Rate on request |
| Velocean | — | 10 | 18 | Rate on request |
The 2026 fee structure, and why the internet disagrees with itself
Raja Ampat changed its charging structure on 1 January 2026, and most pages online still describe the old single fee. There are now two separate payments.
| Charge | Foreign visitor | Indonesian visitor | Validity | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marine park conservation fee (PIN card) | IDR 700,000 | IDR 425,000 | 12 months from purchase | BLUD / Raja Ampat Marine Park |
| Visitor entry ticket / tourist levy, from 1 Jan 2026 | IDR 1,000,000 | IDR 300,000 | Not clearly defined in published sources | Raja Ampat Regency |
| Children under 12 | Exempt | Exempt | — | Both charges |
| Reported total, foreign visitor | IDR 1,700,000 | — | — | Trade press, January 2026 |
Two cautions, stated rather than hidden. First, the domestic total is reported inconsistently: the two components add to IDR 725,000, while trade press reporting in January 2026 gave a combined domestic figure of IDR 650,000. Confirm at the counter. Second, several commercial sites now describe a single IDR 1,000,000 “marine park permit” — that appears to be the regency levy being described under the older label. Ask for both receipts.
None of this touches Komodo. The two parks run separate systems, and paying one does not credit the other.
| Line | Foreign visitor | Indonesian visitor | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official park entry, PP No. 36/2024 | Rp 250,000 per person per visit | Rp 50,000 weekday · Rp 75,000 weekend and public holiday | Balai Taman Nasional Komodo / KLHK |
| Komodo Island site charge collected by the operator | USD 100 per person (Komodo + Padar combined) | Rp 200,000 per 5 guests | Operator rate card |
| Padar Island | included in the USD 100 above | Rp 150,000 per 5 guests | Operator rate card |
| Rinca Island | USD 40 per person | Rp 100,000 per person | Operator rate card |
| Gili Lawa | USD 25 per person | — | Operator rate card |
The two rows are not in conflict, and this is the single point most trip pages get wrong. Rp 250,000 is the national-park entry tariff set by regulation. The figures you see quoted by boat operators — and the Rp 600,000 or Rp 650,000 numbers circulating on comparison blogs — are bundles: park entry plus regional retribution plus ranger and trail-management charges for each specific site. The Rp 3,750,000 “conservation membership” proposed in 2022 was cancelled and is not payable.
Season — the opposite calendar to Komodo
| Period | Raja Ampat | Komodo |
|---|---|---|
| October–April | Main liveaboard season; most itineraries run | December–March is monsoon and roughest sea, but peak manta |
| June–August | Reduced operations; many vessels reposition | Peak season — highest demand and tightest availability |
| April–June, September–November | Shoulder into and out of the main season | Calmest water, best visibility, shoulder pricing |
That inversion is the single most useful planning fact on this page: the months when Raja Ampat quietens are exactly the months Komodo is at its busiest, which is why vessels move between the two regions. It is operator practice rather than regulation, so confirm your specific vessel’s schedule in writing.
Getting there
| Leg | Approximate duration |
|---|---|
| Jakarta (CGK) → Sorong (SOQ), non-stop | about 4–4.5 hours |
| Makassar (UPG) → Sorong (SOQ), direct | about 2–2.5 hours |
| Sorong → Waisai, fast ferry | about 2 hours |
We are not publishing a ferry ticket price because no current, verifiable 2026 figure is available in published sources — and an invented number in a table like this is worse than a blank. Ask your operator on the day.
Best for
- Divers travelling October to April, when the main Raja Ampat season is running.
- Groups of 14–18, which matches the cabin counts of the vessels actually stationed there.
- Travellers combining both parks across a season — Komodo in the middle of the year, Raja Ampat at either end.
- Not suited to anyone expecting the Komodo vessel to relocate on request, or to short-notice June–August Raja Ampat trips.
For the Komodo side of the same decision, the deck plan and rate table are on our main charter page, and the full price comparison is at charter price benchmarks. Region-by-region availability is held at komodoluxury.com/private-yacht-charter-komodo/.
How to check dates and book
Tell reservations the region and month first — it decides which hull is even available. Charter dates for Mutiara Cruise Phinisi are held by the reservations desk of Komodo Luxury, the operator that markets and charters the vessel, in business since 2015 and part of Juara Holding Group. A booking is confirmed with a 50% deposit; the balance is due no later than 30 days before departure.
- WhatsApp: +62 811 3823 875 — fastest for availability and holds
- Email: [email protected] — best for quotes, contracts and invoices
Ask for the current rate sheet in writing before you transfer anything. Rates apply to the year in which they are issued and are adjusted annually.
Frequently asked questions
What does a private charter in Raja Ampat cost?
Among vessels with published rates, Mutiara Laut lists from USD 13,500 per night for 7 cabins and 15 guests, and Lamima from USD 27,000 plus 11% VAT for 2026 and USD 28,000 plus VAT for 2027, with 7 cabins and 14 guests.
Can Mutiara Cruise Phinisi sail to Raja Ampat?
Her published operating area is Komodo National Park from Labuan Bajo. Raja Ampat charters through the same operator run on the Raja Ampat fleet — Mutiara Laut is the VVIP option listed for that region. Ask reservations rather than assuming a repositioning.
What are the Raja Ampat entry fees in 2026?
Two separate charges. The marine park conservation fee is IDR 700,000 for foreign visitors and IDR 425,000 for Indonesians, valid 12 months. From 1 January 2026 a regency visitor entry ticket adds IDR 1,000,000 for foreigners and IDR 300,000 for Indonesians.
Are children exempt from Raja Ampat fees?
Published guidance says children under 12 are exempt from both the marine park conservation fee and the regency visitor entry ticket. Confirm at the point of purchase, since the regency ticket is new and its rules are still being clarified.
When is the best time for a Raja Ampat liveaboard?
October to April is the main liveaboard season. Many vessels reduce operations or reposition between June and August. This is operator practice rather than a published regulation, so confirm your vessel’s schedule directly.
How do I get to Raja Ampat?
Fly to Sorong (SOQ). Jakarta to Sorong is roughly 4 to 4.5 hours non-stop and Makassar to Sorong roughly 2 to 2.5 hours, based on published airline schedules. The fast ferry from Sorong to Waisai takes about two hours.
Is the marine park permit valid for more than one trip?
The marine park conservation fee card is documented as valid for 12 months from purchase. The validity of the newer regency visitor entry ticket is not clearly defined in available sources — treat it as single-visit until you are told otherwise in writing.
Do Komodo and Raja Ampat fees overlap?
No, they are entirely separate systems. Komodo National Park charges under PP 36/2024, with Rp 250,000 official entry for foreign visitors. Raja Ampat charges a marine park conservation fee plus a regency visitor levy. Neither credits the other.
Vessel and rate data on this page is taken from the operator’s published Mutiara Cruise Phinisi listing and was checked on 1 August 2026. Rates are reviewed annually and can change with fuel costs, added routes and government regulation. Confirm the current figure in writing before paying a deposit.