Are you looking to explore a lesser-known island in Indonesia? Set your sights on the island of Morotai! Morotai Island is the pearl of the northeastern corner of Indonesia. Located in the Halmahera archipelago, Northern Maluku, the underrated tropical haven has not yet been explored by many tourists, even though the place is rife with natural wonders that surely will make its visitors stand in awe. To reach Morotai Island, all you have to do is take a ferry or fly from Ternate or Manado city. Unfamiliar with the best tourist attractions on the island? Relax! We have brought you a list of five amazing spots in Morotai Island that you should save into your bucket list for future travel. Just check out these five fantastic places and take note!
1. Babua Island
Babua Island is a small uninhabited island with tremendous view of marine and underwater site. This island is near to Jailolo harbor, it only takes 10-15 minutes by using wooden boat. The view around Babua Island is about Halmahera Island, especially Jailolo, Ternate and Tidore.
There are few of small beaches with white sandy beach that still worth visiting. If we crave to dive and to snorkel, this island is perfect for doing that. There are two diving spots that can be choosen. NHR 1.
NHR is stands for foremer regent in west Halmahera, Hamto Hui Roba that found one spot diving in Jailolo. This diving site is considering easy; starts from the wall, slope and return to the wall again the dept is about 15 – 25 meters.
NHR 6
This diving spot is popular by as Jojo Reef. The divers that diving to this spot have to go round the coral reef in the depth of 5 meter until 20 meter, including the side wall of Jailolo ocean. The condition of the sea water is not always clear and the visibility is about 15 – 20 meter. Yet, even in the muddy water, the beauty is still enchanting.
2. Bacan Island
Bacan is a group of islands in the Maluku Islands and becomes the largest island on the territory. The islands are mountainous and forested. The islands lie in south of Ternate and west of Halmahera’s southernmost arm. Bacan itself is the largest; while, the second and third largest islands are Kasiruta and Mandioli. The rest are about dozens of smaller islands in the group.
Bacan Island is part of North Maluku province, precisely located in the Bacan sub-district.
Bacan is an island that inhabited by any of the Quadrumana, a black ape occurring here as in the Moluccas. The island is very rich in birds and insects. Bacan (along with Halmahera)is home for the world’s largest bee, the giant mason bee, Chalicodoma pluto. Geographically, The island is an irregular form, consisting of two distinct mountainous parts, united by a low isthmus, which a slight subsidence would submerge. The island is in part of volcanic formation, and the existence of hot springs points to volcanic activity. However, coal and other minerals have been discovered in this island. A large portion of the island is richly wooded, and sago, coconuts and cloves are abundantly produced.
The hinterland of the island is relatively uninhabited and none of the coast-dwellers are indigenous. They consist of the Sirani (Christian descendants of the Portuguese), of Malays, Papuans, and immigrants from other islands. The total number of inhabitants is about 13,000. The most significant town on the island is the Bacan sub-district capital Labuha, which situated on the west side of the island. Nearby is the town of Amasing (or Amasingkota), once a significant settlement on the island. Several Austronesian and non-Austronesian languages are spoken on Bacan, including Tobelo, Galela, Ternate, Bajau, and Tukang Besi. However, the indigenous language of Bacan is Bacanese, also known as Bacan Malay.
3. Bobale Island
Indonesia is rich in unique nature, especially islands and nearby underwater worlds. Starting from the eastern tip of Indonesia near Sabang in Aceh, Sumatra, to the most western one in Merauke in Papua all of them have their specific and unique enchantment of beauty. Bobale Island is worth mentioning. Bobale Island is situated in North Kao district in North Maluku Province. This small island is surrounded by white sands and managed by North Halmahera Tourism Department. Although this island is small it has become a favorite place for daytrips for travelers and locals in North Maluku Province as the island is used as a base for the amazing views and sights around this island, underwater: snorkeling or diving.
There are several great spots around this island with lots of species. It can be easily found at a depth of only 2 - 10 meters under sea level thanks to very clear water, like crystal. Because of this, Bobale Island has become a favorite place for divers. Unfortunately, there is no diving or snorkeling equipment for rent so you would need to bring diving and snorkeling equipment by yourself before you go here.
If you are done looking under water you can go hiking on the island to the old bunkers. There are several ruins of Japanese bunkers build during World War II all build on the coast overlooking the sea.
From Tobelo City (Central City of North Halmahera) you can go by speedboat to Daru Village Port about 57 km away and a 1,5 hours boat ride. This port is located just in front of Bobale Island. From this port, you can get to Bobale Island by a traditional small boat 'ketinting' which will take just about 20 minutes.
4. Dodola Island
As an archipelagic country, Indonesia has tourism potential, some of which are hidden, especially in the tourist area of Eastern Indonesia. One of the tourism potential that can be found in eastern Indonesia is Dodola Island located in the District of Morotai Island, North Maluku Province. Not many people know and understand the beauty of the island stored. The island is very easy to reach from the city Tobelo, the gateway leading to Morotai Islands by sea.
The island is basically divided into two, namely Dodola Besar and Dodola Kecil Island. Interestingly, these two islands will appear separately when the sea level on high tide and will look connected when sea levels receded. The white sand also has two different types that are coarse and fine white sand. But basically the atmosphere in the two islands is quite relaxing and fun, combined with the beautiful scenery that surrounds this island. In addition, there are many exciting activities you can do in this place, such as swimming, diving, fishing and speed boating. Various local tradition events are also commonly held in this place, like the tradition of Buka Panen Wangongira held every June each year and Tradisi Gelaran Timba Laor, a local tradition that is held after every full moon.
On this island there are no fancy facilities like other famous places. No ATM can be found in this location. You should really provide cash to pay a visit to this place. But do not worry as this island still does have a cell phone signal. If you want to spend the night, there are inns available built by the local government.
To visit Dodola Island you can take the flight to Tobelo. From Tobelo city you can go to Port Tobelo to proceed to Port MS Lastori in Daruba town, Morotai using ferry or speedboat. Arriving in Port M.S. Lastori, you can rent katinting boat or speedboat to go directly to the island.
5. Gebe Island
Gebe Island is an island that located in the easternmost end of North Maluku, precisely part of central Halmahera regency, North Maluku. But in fact geographically, culturally and fanatically it already part of the Raja Ampat Islands of neighboring West Papua.
Locally, it is best known for its large mine. Gebe Island is divided in four villages, which is Sanafi, Kacepi, Umera, and Omnial that located in Yoi Island.
Most people on Gebe, especially in the main town, are migrants from other regions attracted by jobs in the mine. The native people are related to the Papuans of Raja Ampat, but centuries of racial mixing has made them look more like people from the rest of Maluku. Their language still links them to Raja Ampat though, and they maintain family ties with the inhabitants of Gag in particular. They are all Muslims. The island is inhabited by approximately 5,000 people.
To reach Gebe Island, it can be accessed by plane, boat or by road. As of April 2011, Merpati flies from Ternate to Gebe once a week, with NBA running cheaper, subsidized flights on the same route twice weekly. A Pelni ship incredibly actually stops at Gebe on its loop around Halmahera once every 4 weeks. The more frequent option is the fortnightly KM Faisyayang that comes here all the way from Bitung in North Sulawesi via Ternate, Weda and Patani. Two Perintis ships also stop here once every 3 weeks on their way between Halmahera and West Papua. Meanwhile, Gebe has a single, badly rutted main track that connects all 4 villages to each other, and to the airport.
Public transport is limited to the occasional truck to Umera. Your best bet is renting an ojek to take you around.
Have you chosen which place you’re going to visit? Put these hidden gems into your bucket list, and enjoy some of the most astonishing tropical landscapes in eastern Indonesia! Feel free to further check out other amazing spots around Maluku and Papua. Explore the incredible twin island of Ternate and Tidore or see pelicans on the shore of Ngurtafur Beach! As always, try your best to comply with the existing health protocols, such as wearing your mask in public spaces, keeping your distance from others, washing your hands regularly, avoiding crowded places, and minimizing your mobility.
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