Latest news:
Wings Air now operates from Kupang to Rote every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 9.00 am and it returns at 9.40 am to Kupang.
The Bahari Fast Ferry harbour is back in Baa town. This means less driving time on your arrival in Rote.
Traveling to Rote Island, Indonesia and Boa Vida
Placed in East Indonesia, in the East Nusa Tenggara province, and just southwest of Timor Island, Rote might seem a little out of the way. But getting to Rote Island and Bo’a Vida Rote is easy with several travel options available to suit you.
The steps to get to Rote Island Indonesia are:
Fly to Kupang (KOE) in Timor: There are regular flights from Jakarta (CGK) and Bali Denpasar (DPS).
Fly or Ferry from Kupang to Rote Island: The options available will depend on which day you are traveling and the size of surfboards you might be bringing.
Drive from ferry port or airport to us at Bo’a Vida Rote.
Some Quick Tips
If you are flying internationally into Indonesia on your route to Rote, the fastest and most economical way to travel is to fly into Jakarta (CGK) airport.
If you arrive in Jakarta in the afternoon or evening, you’ll find many hotels close to the airport with a range of prices to choose from. These hotels offer various amenities such as rooms with refreshing showers, gyms, spa treatments, and restaurants, giving you time to relax before taking the Kupang flight. We can recommend Jakarta Airport Hotel (located in the airport terminal) or the FM7 hotel (5 minutes from the airport). FM7 have a complimentary pick up and drop off shuttle service.
Step 1: Fly to Kupang (KOE)
Jakarta (CGK) to Kupang (KOE)
There are several flights Jakarta Kupang however, if you do not want to spend 1 night in Kupang on your trip to Rote, we recommend you take the Batik Air flight from Jakarta to Kupang that departs every morning at 2:00 am.
This flight arrives in Kupang at 6:10 am allowing you time to either catch the daily fast ferry to Rote Island at 9 am , take the Susi Air flight at 7:30 am (Only available on Mondays, Wednesday,s and Fridays) or take the wings Air at 9 am.
Traveling from Bali (DPS) to Kupang (KOE)
If you are traveling to Rote from Bali, there are several flights available from Bali to Kupang, however, we recommend choosing the Lion Air flight that departs at 11:05. am and reaches Kupang at 12:45 pm.
Once you arrive in Kupang, you can take the slow ferry that departs at 3pm and arrives in Rote between 6.30 and 7 pm, or check into a hotel for an stay overnight and take the 7:30 am Susi Air flight, the 9 am Wings Air or the daily 9 am ferry the next day. Please remember that Susi Air flights on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 7:30 am and Wings Air on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 9:00 am.
If you decide to stay in Kupang, we recommend Aston Hotel or La Hasienda, which can be booked directly or through popular booking sites like Booking.com or Agoda.com.
If you want to dine in Kupang we recommend you wither Bambu Kuning for lunch or. Taman Laut Handayani Seafood Restaurant, for dinner. There is a garden and terrace with great views of sunset, making it a great way to end a day of travel.
Boa Vida can assist you with transfers and hotel booking in Kupang. Our driver will pick you up at the airport on arrival and take you to the hotel. In the morning they will then be waiting at the hotel to take you to the ferry, or the airport depending on your requirements. Boa Vida assist you as well with ferry tickets purchase.
Step 2: Kupang to Rote
Once in Kupang, there are 3 main options for your onward journey to Rote. These depend on what day of the week, and the time you arrive into Kupang.
Option 1: Fly Kupang (KOE) to Rote Islands (RTI) with Susi Air
Susi Air is an Indonesian airline that primarily operates in remote and hard-to-reach areas of the country, and currently operates 3 flights per week between Kupang and Rote.
The Susi Air flight schedule from Kupang to Rote is:
- Monday – 7.30 am
- Wednesday – 7.30 am
- Friday – 7.30 am
Flights with Susi Air can only be booked 90 days before your date of travel. Book with Susi Air Rote – WhatsApp +62 811 2001 1917
The flight takes about 30 minutes, and from the airport to Boa Vida takes roughly 50 minutes by car. This means you can be at Boa Vida at 9 morning.
Susi Air allows surfboards within 20kg weight limit per bag (maximum size. 1.8 m) with extra fees for additional weight. Larger surfboards are better transported by ferry. Our driver can meet you at the airport and send it with the ferry for you if needed.
Option 2: Fly Kupang (KOE) to Rote Islands (RTI) with Wings Air
Wings Air is now operating flights to Rote on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
The Susi Air flight schedule from Kupang to Rote is:
- Monday – 9.00 am
- Wednesday – 9.00 am
- Friday – 9.00 am
- Sunday – 9.00 a.m
The flight takes about 30 minutes, and from the airport to Boa Vida takes roughly 50 minutes by car. This means you can be at Boa Vida at 10.30 am in the morning.
Option 3: Take the Bahari Fast Ferry
The Bahari Fast Ferry is also a very popular option for your journey to Rote. If you are traveling with multiple surfboards, in particularly longboards, this will be your best option as Susi Air is not able to accommodate larger boards.
Our driver will meet you after breakfast at your hotel and will take you to the ferry port, Terminal Helong Kupang, about 30 minutes drive from the Aston Hotel and 40 minutes from La Hasienda. They will assist you with your luggage and paying the porter fee for surfboards.
The ferry ride takes an hour and a half and it doesn’t go particularly far from land, so you will have good data and phone coverage for the journey which helps pass the time quickly. The VIP area of the boat has comfortable reclining chairs, cold AC, as well as TV and music for entertainment.
The fast ferry arrives in Baa and the drive from here to Boa Vida takes around 50 minutes. Meaning you typically you will arrive at Boa Vida 12 pm.
The Bahari fast ferry schedule is as follows:
Kupang – Rote Schedule
- Monday to Sunday at 9:00 am
Rote – Kupang Schedule
- Monday to Sunday at 12:00 pm
We highly suggest you double-check the schedule on their Instagram page Bahari Kupang or at their website expressbahari.com
How much does the Bahari fast ferry cost?
Fast ferry bahari ticket costs 245.000 IDR VIP Class or 172.000 IDR Executive Class one-way and takes about 1.5 – 2 hours.
Can I take surfboards on the Bahari Fast Ferry?
Yes, you can. There is a small additional fee to be paid, around 30,000 IDR per board bag. This is paid separately to your tickets.
To the far right in front of the ferry terminal building in Kupang, you will see a man usually surrounded by boxes. He will write you a receipt with your information and the amount to pay, you then keep this to show the staff when boarding and they will load your surfboards.
Option 3: Take the flow ferry
If time is not of concern and you would rather get to Boa Vida in one day of travel but cannot make the early flights or fast ferry, there is the option of the slow ferry. The slow ferry departs Kupang at 3:30 pm and takes around 4 hours, arriving at Pantai Baru Harbour, around 7.30 – 8pm.
There are basic snacks and drinks available for purchase on board, as well as an indoor air-conditioned seating area.
It cost 64,000 IDR for adults and 41.000 IDR for kids.
From there, it takes around two hours to reach Boa Vida. You will arrive at Boa Vida around 10 pm, and dinner will be ready when you arrive.
Traveling with surfboards
If you are traveling with surfboards there is some important things you must know.
Susi Air does not charge for surfboards if you bring one surf bag with a maximum of two boards inside. The weight allowance for the surfboard bag is 20 kg, if more than that there will be an extra charge. If you need to bring extra boards it will cost 774.250 IDR.
Please be aware there are size restrictions of 1,80 cm. If you are traveling with a longer board bag or a longboard let us know and we will arrange for it to be transported by ferry. A Boa Vida representative will meet you at the airport to collect your boards, which will then be shipped on the next ferry crossing, collected, and delivered directly to you at Boa Vida.
Lion Air charges 1.000.000 IDR per surfboard and there is no size restriction.
There is a small additional charge for the Bahari Fast Ferry, around 30,000 IDR per board bag.
There is no additional fee for surfboards on the slow ferry, but you will need to leave your board bag in the vehicle parking area of the ferry.
Departing Rote
Rote (RTI) to Kupang (KOE) with Susi Air
Susi Air flight departs Rote (RTI) at 8:10 am and Wings at 9:30 am arrives in Kupang (KOE) 20 minutes after departure. This flights are very convenient as they can connect with any Jakarta or Bali flight of your preference.
We always recommend that our guests travel with travel insurance that covers travel disruption because flights in remote Indonesia are quite weather-dependent. Additionally, we advise our guests to leave a minimum of 24 hours of spare time to catch their onward international flights, to ensure there is enough time to reach Bali, Jakarta or Surabaya for their onward flight should there be any delays.
Rote to Kupang with the Bahari Fast Ferry
The Bahari Fast Ferry departs Rote at 12 pm daily, reaching Kupang around 2pm. Tickets can be purchased on arrival at the harbour.
Rote to Kupang with the slow ferry
The slow ferry departs Rote at 9am daily, arriving in Kupang around 1pm. Tickets can be purchased at the harbour.
