Agats Ferries

Sorry, there is currently no available ferries on this route.

Accessing Agats requires some planning as this remote location is primarily reachable via a combination of air and water transport. Most visitors first fly to Timika or Merauke, then connect to smaller aircraft serving the nearby airstrip at Ewer, followed by a short boat ride to Agats. The journey from major Indonesian cities like Jakarta typically takes a full day of travel with multiple connections. Public boats regularly connect Agats with neighboring communities, while water taxis provide on-demand service around the stilted town. For those bringing vehicles, be aware that Agats itself has no roads - your car will need to remain at the mainland connection point while you explore the town by boat.

Nestled along the winding rivers of Papua, Indonesia, Agats serves as the capital of the Asmat Regency and a vital ferry hub for this remote region. This unique settlement built entirely on stilts offers travelers an authentic glimpse into traditional Papuan life and culture. With its waterways serving as streets and boats as the primary mode of transportation, Agats presents a fascinating destination for adventurous travelers seeking to experience one of Indonesia's most distinctive communities.

Agats experiences a tropical climate with significant rainfall throughout the year, though the relatively drier period from June to September offers more comfortable conditions for visitors. The water levels in the region's rivers and canals are particularly important to consider, as extremely low water can complicate transportation while very high water during the December-March rainy season can lead to flooding. May through August typically provides the best balance of weather conditions for exploring the region. The Asmat Cultural Festival, usually held in October, showcases traditional woodcarving, dance and ceremonies, making it an excellent time to witness local customs despite occasional rain showers.

From Agats, regular ferry and boat services connect travelers to several fascinating destinations within the Asmat region. The traditional villages along the Asmat River can be reached within 1-3 hours by motorized canoe, offering authentic cultural experiences and opportunities to witness master woodcarvers at work. A 4-hour boat journey takes visitors to Flamingo Bay, known for its unique ecosystem and bird watching opportunities. For more adventurous travelers, extended boat trips (8-10 hours) reach the remote Korowai region, home to communities known for their remarkable tree houses. The waterways from Agats create a natural network for exploring this remarkable region where roads simply don't exist.

The Asmat Museum in Agats houses an impressive collection of traditional woodcarvings, offering insight into the region's globally renowned artistic traditions and spiritual beliefs. Take a guided boat tour through the stilted village to observe daily life conducted entirely on and around the water, with local markets, schools, and government buildings all built above the tide. Sample traditional sago-based foods at local eateries, where freshwater fish and tropical fruits complement this regional staple. The area around the Catholic Diocese showcases interesting architectural adaptations to the wetland environment while housing historical artifacts from the region's cultural and religious development. For photography enthusiasts, the late afternoon light creates striking scenes as boats navigate between the stilted structures of this unique water world.

Agats holds the distinction of being one of the world's few towns without a single road - residents navigate entirely by boat through a complex network of canals that serve as aquatic streets. The Asmat woodcarvings produced in and around Agats are so highly regarded that they're displayed in major museums worldwide, including New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art. During extremely high tides, residents sometimes fish directly from the windows of their stilted homes. The town's name derives from a local word meaning 'where trees grow in water,' perfectly describing this remarkable settlement built in harmony with its wetland environment.