Getting to Oecussi by Ferry

Atauro Express – Ferry to Oecussi from Dili

The Atauro Express runs from Dili to Oceussi on Mondays and Fridays.

The boat is Indonesian and will be replaced by a donated ship from Germany in the year 2007.

(dp note – this ship has already been replaced)

This ferry is the main lifeline between Dili and Panta Makasar in Oecussi. It is not necessary to cross a land border to Dili when you arrive by boat from Oecussi.

The visa hassle is a big problem because if you do not have a multiple entry visa for Indonesia it will cost you 35.00 dollars to cross the border and another 30.00 to get back into East Timor territory if you go by land.

There is a meeting in Kupang next week with the politicians trying to iron out a better solution.

Trade in Oecussi is strangled by the present policy and tourism is almost non existent.

Oecussi is a hidden gem and one of my top choices for travel in East Timor, but it is very difficult to get around if you do not have your own wheels.

Buses make the run to the border near Kefa, in West Timor from the pier so passing through is not a problem.

Getting into the back country is challenging. Everyone that lives out there walks but I took a motorbike along and paid 10.00 dollars fare to Oecussi and 15.00 for the return trip to Dili.

There is only room for 4 to 5 four wheeled vehicles on the ferry so be sure to reserve your spot in advance if you plan to take an automobile.

Bags of rice, goats, chicken and pigs will be tucked in between the cars.

Usually a space for a blanket to be spread is reserved for the gamblers who play cards the whole way over.

You can sleep wherever you can find room. Passengers pay 10.00 each way.

The border patrol tells me that 5 foreigners or so pass through the border to Kefa every week.

Traveling by ferry  is an adventure and a great way to return to Kupang if you do not want to backtrack through Atambua. We also enjoyed watching at least hundred dolphins and one whale splashing around near the boat on the way back to Dili from Oecussi.

Oecussi