Raja Ampat Entry Fee: The Marine Park Tag, Tourist Levy and How to Pay

Every visitor to Raja Ampat pays to be there, and the money goes towards running one of the best protected marine areas in the world. The system is simple once you know it, but it confuses a lot of people: there are two separate charges, the prices changed in 2026 and the online portal has had wobbles. Here is what the Raja Ampat entry fee covers, how much it is and how to pay without stress.

Two charges, not one

When people talk about the Raja Ampat entry fee, they usually mean only one of two charges. Foreign visitors pay both. The first is the marine park entry permit, often called the marine park tag or PIN card, because you get a physical card or tag to carry. The second is a separate regency tourist levy collected by the local government. They are paid to different offices, and people often assume one covers the other. It does not.

The marine park tag

For international visitors the marine park tag costs IDR 1,000,000 per person. The price went up on 3 August 2026 from IDR 700,000, so older blogs and some invoices still show the lower figure. The tag is valid for a year, which helps if you plan a return trip. Children under 12 are exempt, but they still need to be registered under an adult. Indonesian citizens pay a much smaller daily rate.

This part of the Raja Ampat entry fee pays for ranger patrols, the community programmes that keep villages involved in protection and the monitoring that has helped Raja Ampat's reefs stay in such good shape.

The tourist levy

The regency tourist levy is a separate charge. Published figures for foreign visitors have differed between sources in 2026, from IDR 300,000 to IDR 1,000,000 per person, so budget for the higher end and check the current amount with your operator or the official counter before you travel. Some sources describe it as valid for a single visit, which means you pay again if you leave the regency and come back.

Registering on SIPARI

Raja Ampat uses an online registration system called SIPARI. You enter passport details, travel dates and where you are staying, and you get a QR code. The idea is that you pay online and collect the physical tag on arrival. In practice the online payment side has been unreliable during a website migration, and in-person registration has been accepted. If your operator is handling it, choose the option to pay at the counter and let them sort the rest.

Where to pay

• Sorong. There is a marine park counter at the harbour ferry terminal, which most people pass through on the way to Waisai.
• Waisai. The marine park office and the regency tourism counter are both in Waisai, the capital of Raja Ampat on Waigeo.
• Through your operator. Liveaboards and resorts often collect the fees and pay on your behalf, then add them to your bill.

Bring cash in rupiah. Card machines exist but fail often, and the official line is cash. Large notes are fine at the counters, but small notes help for boat drivers and village homestays. There are ATMs at Sorong airport and in town, but withdraw what you need before you leave Sorong.

Other fees you might see

Depending on your operator, you can also see a harbour fee in Waisai, a dive fee or small charges for specific sites such as viewpoints or village homestays. On a liveaboard these are usually bundled in. Ask for a written list of what is included before you book. For a full picture of the trip budget, read our breakdown of Raja Ampat liveaboard cost, and for the journey in, see how to get to Raja Ampat.

Quick checklist before you fly to Sorong:

• Register on SIPARI or confirm your operator has done it.
• Carry enough rupiah for both charges, plus a buffer.
• Keep your tag on you. Rangers check at popular sites.
• Keep your receipt if you plan to come back within the year.
• Ask whether the Raja Ampat entry fee is already in your trip price, so you do not pay twice.

Sail and dive with us

Our Sail & Dive Raja Ampat trip is a 10-day pinisi liveaboard from Sorong, with Wayag Lagoon, drift dive channels and more than 33 dives across the Coral Triangle. The planned departure is 20 to 29 November 2027, with a maximum of eight guests. Dates and price are still being confirmed, so ask us about park fees when you apply. Applying is free.