Everything we've been asked, answered honestly. Booking, transport, life on the island, food, health, families. If something's still unclear after reading, message Risyard directly.
Seven categories, around thirty questions. Click any card to scroll to that section, or read top to bottom — it's organized in the order most guests ask.
How to reserve, what's included, what to pay and when.
Refunds depend on how far ahead you cancel:
Three payment methods accepted: Wise, bank transfer, and cash.
The full accommodation cost and the full boat transfer cost are paid in advance via Wise or bank transfer to confirm your booking. Activities and extras can be settled in cash on arrival, or by Wise transfer at the end of your stay.
The minimum is 3 nights. In practice, most guests stay 4 or 5 nights because Susi Air flies only on Mondays and Thursdays — if you arrive on a Monday, you typically leave on a Thursday or the following Monday.
The homestay can also accommodate longer stays. Guests have stayed 15 to 20 days.
At least 14 days in advance, ideally 30 or more. Susi Air planes hold only 10 seats and operate just twice a week, so flights fill quickly. Earlier bookings also give Risyard time to secure fuel for the boat transfers.
The rate of IDR 700,000 per adult per night (half-price for children under 7) includes:
The following are paid separately:
Routes, schedules, who arranges what.
Every route starts with an international or domestic flight to Sorong (SOQ). From there, three options:
Full breakdown of costs, schedules, and contacts on the Getting there page.
It depends on your route. Public ferries from Sorong to Waisai operate daily, so the ferry route is flexible.
Susi Air flies only on Mondays and Thursdays — if you take that route, your arrival days are fixed.
Susi Air cancellations and delays happen, especially in bad weather. If this affects your transfer, message Risyard on WhatsApp — he'll adjust the boat departure to match your actual arrival.
The 14-day minimum booking window helps absorb these disruptions. Travel insurance with trip-interruption cover is wise.
Risyard organizes the boat transfer (the final leg to Ayau) and can also book your Susi Air flights for you. This is often easier than coordinating yourself.
You are responsible for: international flights, the Sorong domestic flight, taxis from Sorong airport to the port, and the public ferry tickets (bought on the day at the port office).
Susi Air's strict baggage limit is 15 kg per person. Excess fees are paid in cash on-site.
There's no luggage limit on the public ferry or private boats. Pack light regardless — the homestay is rustic and the climate is hot, you won't need much.
What's in the bungalow, what's not, and how life works on the island.
Three bungalows, accommodating a maximum of 6 guests in total. All hand-built by Risyard in the traditional Papuan style — wooden, raised, open to the trade winds.
Each bungalow has one double bed plus one single floor bed, sleeping 2 to 3 people. All beds have mosquito nets.
The configuration can be adjusted to your preference (e.g. friends wanting two separate beds) — let Risyard know when booking and Risyard will set the bungalow accordingly.
Yes. Couples always have a private bungalow.
Solo travelers and small groups may share or have a private bungalow depending on the other bookings during your dates — Risyard can confirm before you arrive.
Honest summary of what's available:
Standard European-style round 2-pin sockets (Type C/F, 220V).
If you're coming from the US, UK, Australia or other regions with different plugs, bring an adapter — there are none for sale on the island.
Yes. Risyard's staff can wash clothes during your stay for an additional fee, paid directly to them. Drying takes a day or two depending on the weather.
Three meals a day, cooked by Risyard's wife.
Local Papuan and Indonesian cooking. Fresh fish — often from the day's catch — rice, sautéed greens, fruit, coconut. Simple, fresh, locally sourced.
Three meals per day are included: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Tea and coffee usually available.
Yes. Risyard's wife adapts the menu to your needs — vegetarian, pescatarian, no spice, allergies. The kitchen is straightforward, so substitutions work well.
Important: tell Risyard when you book so the right ingredients can be brought from the mainland. Last-minute changes on the island are not possible — the village shop is very limited.
No. Ayau is a Christian community with no alcohol sales on the island.
If you'd like a drink at sunset, buy it in Sorong or Waisai and bring it with you. Drink discreetly in your bungalow out of respect for the village.
Yes. Risyard provides drinking water in jerry cans and refilled bottles, sourced from the local drinking water network.
The homestay also has a plastic waste collection point — bring a reusable water bottle and refill on-site to keep the island clean. There's no need to bring bottled water from Sorong.
What to do, what to expect, what to bring.
Three categories of excursion, all by private boat with Risyard:
Outside of organized excursions, the beach and shallow reef in front of the homestay are accessible at any time.
Prices per group (up to 4 passengers per boat):
Paid in cash or by Wise transfer at the end of your stay.
Masks and snorkels are available on the island, but quality and fit vary.
It's strongly recommended to bring your own — especially if you wear glasses, have a particular preference, or care about hygiene. A good personal mask is the difference between a fun snorkel and a frustrating one.
Yes — and we recommend it if you want to fish. The homestay doesn't rent fishing rods or spearguns, so bring your own if pelagic fishing or spear fishing interests you.
Medical care, insurance, evacuation, weather.
No. Ayau is malaria-free. No anti-malaria medication is needed.
Bring a basic mosquito repellent for the evenings — bites are mild but possible. The bungalows have mosquito nets above all beds.
Yes. There's a small medical post in a neighboring village on Ayau, staffed by responsive medical personnel. They handle minor injuries, infections, and stomach issues.
For anything serious, evacuation by boat to Waisai or Sorong is required — a multi-hour journey depending on sea conditions.
No. Since opening in June 2024, no serious medical or safety incidents have occurred with guests. The local medical post has handled minor issues without requiring evacuation.
This isn't a guarantee for the future — Ayau is remote, and evacuation is slow if it becomes necessary. Travel insurance remains essential.
Yes — strongly required. Ayau is remote; medical evacuation means a multi-hour boat ride to Waisai or Sorong, potentially followed by air transport to a major hospital.
Make sure your policy includes:
Recommended providers: World Nomads, SafetyWing, or any major travel insurance with full remote-Indonesia coverage.
March to October is optimal — calmer seas, clearer water, more reliable Susi Air operations.
November to February is a wetter, windier period. Strong westerly winds and rainy spells are common, but the homestay never closes and visits remain possible. Expect more weather-related disruption to boat transfers and flights.
Water temperature stays warm year-round (28–30°C).
Coming with kids, traveling alone, language barriers.
Yes, families are welcome. For babies, parents need to bring:
The bungalows accommodate families, but supplies are limited on Ayau — bring everything you might need from Sorong.
Yes. Children aged 0 to 6 stay at half-price: IDR 350,000 per night instead of IDR 700,000.
Children aged 7 and above pay the full adult rate. All children count toward the 6-person homestay maximum.
Yes, solo travelers are welcome. The IDR 700,000 rate is per person, per night — there's no single supplement.
You'll be hosted with the same care as larger groups. Risyard can help connect you with other guests during your stay if you'd like to share boat excursions to reduce costs.
Risyard is learning English and uses a translation app for daily exchanges — communication is friendly but sometimes limited. He reads and replies to all WhatsApp messages personally.
His nephew Hengky, who is fluent in English, helps translate whenever a conversation needs precision — bookings, allergies, detailed planning.
If we haven't answered your question above, the fastest way to get an answer is to message Risyard on WhatsApp. He reads everything personally from the island and replies within 72 hours.