Ternate Island: A Guide to Exploring Indonesia's Hidden Gem

Ternate Island, a conical volcanic island in the North Maluku Province of Indonesia, may not be a likely destination for a relaxing vacation, but it boasts fascinating attractions and a rich history.

In the 16th century, Ternate was one of the prominent kingdoms in the Moluccas, known as the "Spice Islands," which drew European powers to compete for control of the spice trade. Today, the island remains a key gateway to North Maluku.

If you happen to be passing through Ternate on your way to other parts of Indonesia, consider taking a detour to explore this wonderful island.

Travel Guide: Ternate Island

How to Get to Ternate Island

Ternate Island has its own airport (TTE), offering direct flights from Jakarta, Surabaya, Makassar, Manado, and Ambon. If you're traveling from Bali, you'll need to connect through one of these cities. Flight prices may be relatively expensive due to the limited number of airlines operating flights to Maluku.

Alternatively, you can take a boat from Halmahera Island to Ternate Island. A fast boat ride from Sofifi Port takes only 45 minutes and offers affordable ticket prices.

Getting Around the Island

Ternate Island's small size makes it very convenient to get around.

A well-paved road circles the island, and driving the entire loop takes just 1.5 hours. While some smaller roads may be a bit steep, such as the one leading to Lake Ende, the main road is smooth and flat.

You can rent a motorcycle from your hotel or hire a private driver with a car. Ternate also supports the Grab ride-hailing app, which is convenient for short trips.

Best Sightseeing Spots in Ternate

• Fort Toluco: Built by the Portuguese in 1512, this fort has witnessed the struggle for control of the spice trade among various European countries and the Sultanate of Ternate. You can visit the fort for a small fee and climb to the rooftop for a breathtaking view of Mount Gamalama.

  
  

• Fort Karamata: Another colonial fort built by the Portuguese in 1540, it later changed hands between the local sultanate and other European colonial powers. Located on the southern side of Ternate Island, it offers stunning views of the islands of Tidore and Metala, especially from the rooftop.

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• Kastella Beach: One of the best spots on the island to watch the sunset, with a group of picturesque trees resembling the dancing trees of Sumba Island. Be cautious when venturing into the woods for close-up photos, as the water is shallow but we nearly stepped on a sea snake swimming around the rocks.

  
  

• Lake Ende: This lake boasts one of the most enchanting views on Ternate, with the volcanic peak of Tidore Island in the distance. The ugly and silly zip line installed at the viewpoint almost ruins the scenery, but thankfully, it doesn't obstruct the view and you can still take photos. Drone use is subject to a fee, which we only discovered too late. You can also pay a small fee to use the swing.

• Lake Tolire: A bright green volcanic lake located at the foot of Mount Gamalama. In 1775, a violent eruption of Mount Gamalama killed 141 people and buried a nearby village, forming this lake. According to local legends, a white crocodile guards the lake. We didn't see the crocodile during our visit, but locals told us about crocodile attacks on people fishing in the lake. The newspaper Forum shared a video in 2022 of a crocodile found in the lake, but no one knows how it got there considering the steep edges of the crater. We did see many lizards at the viewpoint, including our first iguana sighting in Indonesia.

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• Tolire Beach: A cool beach with black sand from the volcano, offering a distant view of the island of Siri. It's close to Lake Tolire. We saw a large red crab scurrying across the beach and managed to snap a photo.

• Batu Angus: A small park where you can see a jagged black volcanic rock deposited by Mount Gamalama. It serves as a reminder of how the volcano's ongoing activity over centuries has shaped Ternate Island. Mount Gamalama has erupted dozens of times in recorded history, sometimes violently.

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• Mount Gamalama: In the center of Ternate Island stands an active volcano - Mount Gamalama. While you can hike to the top, it takes several hours from Moa and involves risks. If you have a drone but don't want to climb to the top, you can still capture some stunning photos of the summit from halfway up.

• Sulamadaha Bay: A beautiful bay with turquoise water suitable for snorkeling, although the best fish and coral are farther from the shore. This hidden bay can only be reached by parking your car at the black sand beach and walking through the jungle for about 300 meters until you find the bay. There's a second bay on the east side serving as a port to the island of Siri.