FAQs

Yes! Dugongs frequent the surrounding coastline in search of seagrass, which is part of our house reef. The best times to spot them are around 06:00 and 16:00. Our tours often follow the coastline and include a visit to Arefi Village, where you can also buy basic supplies and amenities. 

We offer our own boat transfers from Waisai and Sorong to our location: 

• Waisai Speedboat transfers = IDR 3,500,000 (max 6 passengers)

• Waisai longboat transfers = IDR 2,000,000 (max 4 passengers). 

• Sorong Speedboat transfers = IDR 5,000,000 (max 6 passengers). 

Please contact us in advance to arrange your transfer. 

For budget-conscious travelers, public cargo boats to Batanta are also available with limited sailings. However, sometimes these boats may be cancelled for up to a month for maintenance reasons. Here is the Indonesian ferry website: https://www.asdp.id/

Herbs like, tumeric, lemongrass, garlic and shallots. We also have off-the-tree seasonal fruits like coconuts, mangos, pineapple, Duran & sea almonds All harvested here on the islands! 👍 Ask for a tour of our gardens 😁

Our meals are home-cooked and feature fresh, local ingredients. The menu typically includes: 

• Vegetables (locally sourced and seasonal). 

• Local curries (mild and flavorful). 

• Rice (a staple in Indonesian cuisine). 

• Fresh seafood (fish is a mainstay, caught daily by local fishermen and sometimes ourselves). 

• Eggs (served in various styles). 

• Vegetarian or vegan meals available on request

If you have dietary restrictions or special requests, please let us know in advance so we can accommodate your needs as we may need to purchase items from the mainland. 

In addition to our world-class Scuba Dive Center, we offer: 

- Snorkeling on our house reef or at nearby sites like Pulau Urun and Pulau Dua. 

- Jungle hikes to explore Batanta’s lush forests and wildlife. 

- Birdwatching tours to spot hornbills and other exotic species. 

- Visits to the Batanta Waterfall and Piaynemo’s iconic karst islands. 

- Relaxation under the shade of our Ketapang tree or on the calm, sandy beach. 

Yes, as we are surrounded by lush forests, mosquitoes are present, especially during dawn and dusk. Each bungalow is equipped with deluxe walk-in mosquito nets for a comfortable night’s sleep. We also keep lemongrass plants, a natural repellent, near the bungalows to help ward them off. We recommend bringing insect repellent and wearing long sleeves or pants during these times. 

We have invested in premium resort-quality spring mattresses (see image), versus common foam mattresses, to ensure you have the best night’s sleep during your stay. 

Electricity is supplied by up to three generators (see image) starting around sunset to around midnight. Extended hours are available for an additional fee. There is no wifi router here, so buy a Telkomsel SIM with data in advance. Telkomsel shop n Sorong is here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/WxbD7J7qMN6vad8u9

While there is no Wi-Fi router at Dugong Retreat, we receive a 4G phone signal from a nearby tower in Arefi, 20 mins by boat, with occasionally speeds of up to 6Mbps. The signal here is sufficient for basic connectivity and messaging 90% of the day.
The strongest signal reception here is next to our Scuba Diving Center. For stronger signal, we can take you to Arefi Village. 

Telkomsel shop n Sorong selling SIM cards is here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/WxbD7J7qMN6vad8u9

We are currently researching to purchase a mobile signal amplifier too. 

Absolutely! We welcome families and offer child discounts. Our sandy beach and shallow snorkeling areas are perfect for young adventurers. Plus, we have a huge sea almond tree extending over the beach if you prefer shade over a sun-tanning and sand castle building 🏖. 

To ensuring environmentally friendly disposal, we have built environmentally friendly concrete septic tanks behind our bungalows to protect our ecosystem. The waste is directed through tubes from our Bungalows into a double-container concrete septic tanks.  

Unfortunately, like many islands in Raja Ampat, ocean plastic can occasionally wash up on our shores. While this is out of our control, we make it a priority to clear the beach daily to maintain the natural beauty of our retreat. We also encourage guests to minimize plastic waste during their stay and take any non-organic trash with them when they leave. 

We are committed to preserving Raja Ampat’s pristine environment. You can help by: 

• Taking all non-organic waste with you when you leave. 

• Using reef-safe sunscreen to protect the coral reefs. 

• Minimizing plastic use and bringing reusable water bottles or containers. 

• We also provide guests with glass water bottles for your use

Here’s a quick checklist: 

- Insect repellent (for dawn and dusk). 

- Reef-safe sunscreen (to protect the marine environment). 

- Snorkeling or diving gear (if you prefer your own equipment). 

- Light clothing for warm weather and a light jacket for cooler evenings. 

- Essential toiletries and medications (as supplies in Arefi Village are limited). 

The best place to stock up is in Sorong or Waisai before arriving. Otherwise, the nearest village is Arefi Village, a 25-minute boat ride away. Here, you can find stores selling: 

- Snacks and drinks. 

- Toiletries (soap, shampoo, etc.). 

- Simple groceries (rice, canned goods, etc.). 

For anything beyond the basics, we recommend bringing it with you from Sorong or Waisai.