GETTING TO MANDUNA

Rote is an Indonesian island in East Nusa Tenggara and the country’s southernmost territory. Largely untouched by mass tourism, Rote remains a remote tropical paradise, known for its white-sand beaches, dramatic cliffs, caves, mangroves, pristine forests, and world-class surf breaks — the island’s main attraction.

Getting to Manduna Resort involves three steps:
 1. Fly to Kupang (KOE) from Bali, Jakarta, or Surabaya.
2. Take a short flight or ferry from Kupang to Rote.
3. Drive to Manduna Resort in Nemberala – our car will meet you.

Depending on where you fly from and on which day, you may be able to reach Rote on the same day you land in Kupang — see Same-Day Connections. Otherwise, plan an overnight stay in Kupang. Some flights to Rote operate only a few times a week, so it pays to plan ahead.

If you’re traveling with sports equipment such as surfboards, let us know in advance so we can arrange the logistics. We’re happy to coordinate your transfers between airports, ferry ports, and hotels to take the stress out of the journey.

Kupang is the capital of East Nusa Tenggara, on the western tip of Timor Island. As the main gateway to remote islands like Rote, Sabu, Alor, and Flores, Kupang’s El Tari Airport (KOE) connects travelers to major hubs such as Bali, Jakarta, and Surabaya. If your journey requires an overnight stay in Kupang, we recommend the Aston Kupang Hotel.

From Kupang, you can reach Rote by a short domestic flight (about 35 minutes) or by ferry (2–4 hours depending on the vessel). Flights are quicker but only run on certain days; ferries run daily but depend on the weather. Flights land at D.C. Saudale Airport near Ba’a, the fast ferry arrives at Ba’a Harbor, and the slow ferry at Pantai Baru Harbor. A Manduna Resort car will meet you and bring you to the resort. We recommend booking flights via Traveloka.

Want to reach Rote on the day you land in Kupang? On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, the afternoon Wings Air flight to Rote connects with flights from both Jakarta and Bali.

Getting home from Rote is basically the journey in reverse, though some flight times may differ. Take the ferry or flight to Kupang, then connect to Bali, Jakarta, or Surabaya. Always check schedules in advance, as weather can affect connections.

Kupang has daily domestic flights to Jakarta, Surabaya, and Bali, so it’s easy to continue your travels
across Indonesia or connect home.

• Double-check before you book. This guide is for reference and was last updated in September 2026. Flight schedules change often; check Traveloka for the latest times and prices.
• Ferry times are confirmed daily. Operators announce departures the day before, and the weather can change plans. We’ll confirm the schedule for you and can buy your ferry tickets on your behalf.
• Plan for a night in Kupang if needed. If your arrival doesn’t match a same-day connection (see page 06), we recommend the Aston Kupang Hotel. It makes for a relaxed start the next morning.
• Leave some buffer time. Your flights to Kupang and your onward flight or ferry are separate bookings, so a delay on one isn’t covered by the other. This matters most on your way home.
• Traveling with surfboards? The planes between Kupang and Rote are small with limited space, and extra fees apply for boards. Contact us in advance: we can send your boards separately by ferry with one of our drivers and make sure they arrive safely.
• Book early in peak season. Flights to Rote have limited seats and fill up quickly, especially from June to September.
• Staying 7 nights or more? When you book directly with us, round-trip transfers from Rote Airport or the ferry harbor are complimentary.