Summary of Ternate Island Travel Guide
Ternate is a small, cone-shaped volcanic island situated in the North Maluku province of Indonesia. While it may not become a prominent tourist destination, it offers fascinating sights and rich history.
During the 16th century, Ternate emerged as one of the crucial kingdoms in the ‘Spice Islands’ of the Moluccas, where European powers contended for dominance in the spice trade. Even today, this quaint island serves as the primary gateway to the North Maluku province.
If you find yourself passing through Ternate on your travels in Indonesia, it is definitely worthwhile to explore.
This guide provides insights into some of the top attractions and activities on the island!
How To Get To Ternate Island
Ternate features an airport (TTE) with direct flights from Jakarta, Surabaya, Makassar, Manado, and Ambon. For visitors traveling from Bali, a transit in one of these locations is necessary.
You can search for flights on Skyscanner; however, it is essential to note that flights within Maluku can be relatively expensive by Indonesian standards due to the limited number of airlines servicing the area.
An alternative method of reaching Ternate is by boat from Halmahera, which we opted for after hiking Mount Dukono. The speedboat journey from Sofifi harbor takes approximately 45 minutes, and the ticket prices are quite reasonable.
Ngade Lake presents one of the most iconic vistas on Ternate.
How To Get Around The Island
Getting around Ternate (pronounced ‘ter-nah-tey’) is straightforward due to the island’s compact size.
A well-maintained paved road encircles the island, allowing for a complete drive in about 1.5 hours. Some side roads, such as the one leading to Ngade Lake, may be somewhat steep, yet the main road remains accessible.
Scooter rentals are available at local hotels, or you can hire a private driver with a vehicle, which was our choice. Additionally, Ternate has the Grab app, which facilitates convenient transportation for short distances.
Aerial view of another lake in Ternate, Danau Tolire.
Best Things To Do & See In Ternate
• Tolukko Fort
Constructed by the Portuguese in 1512 to oversee the spice trade in Ternate and the surrounding Maluku islands, the Tolukko Fort has changed hands several times over the centuries, being ruled by the Portuguese, the native Ternate Sultanate, the Dutch, the British, and the Spanish.
Visitors may enter the fort for a minimal fee and ascend to the rooftop for sweeping views of Mount Gamalama. It is a picturesque and captivating site to explore.
• Kalamata Fort
This colonial fort, established by the Portuguese in 1540, has also traded hands between the local sultanate and various European powers.
Situated on the southern side of Ternate, it offers splendid views of the Tidore and Maitara islands across the water, particularly from the roof of the fort.
• Kastela Beach
Kastela Beach is regarded as one of the finest locations on the island to witness the sunset, highlighted by a cluster of photogenic trees reminiscent of the dancing trees in Sumba island.
During our visit, the sunset colors were truly remarkable!
Caution is advised when approaching the trees for a closer photograph, as the shallow water is home to various sea creatures.
Stunning sunset hues at Kastela Beach.
• Ngade Lake
Renowned for its breathtaking views, Ngade Lake features the volcanic peak of Tidore island in the backdrop. This image is emblematic of Indonesia, appearing on the nation’s 1,000 Rupiah currency notes.
Although an unsightly bicycle zipline detracts from the scenery, it remains possible to capture beautiful photographs unhindered.
While a fee for drone usage exists, it was not noticeable until it was too late. There is also a swing available for a small fee.
Ngade Lake featuring the adjacent Tidore island in the distance.
• Tolire Lake
Tolire Lake is a striking green volcanic body of water located at the foot of Mount Gamalama. Formed following a significant eruption in 1775 that tragically led to loss of life and destruction of a nearby village, this lake holds local legends of a white crocodile that allegedly guards it.
During our visit, we did not encounter crocodiles, yet locals recounted instances of attacks while fishing. Notably, Tribun News shared a video in 2022 capturing a crocodile in this lake, although the means of its arrival remains a mystery.
We did observe many lizards at the viewpoint, including our first iguana sighting in Indonesia.
Aerial view of the lake.
• Tolire Beach
This intriguing beach features black sand resulting from volcanic activity and offers views of Hiri island in the distance, positioned conveniently close to Lake Tolire.
During our visit, we spotted a large red crab scuttling across the shore, posing long enough for a photograph.
Crab traversing the black sand beach.
• Batu Angus
Batu Angus encompasses a small park featuring a landscape of jagged black volcanic rocks, originating from Mount Gamalama. This serves as a testament to the volcano’s continuous activity over centuries that has shaped the island of Ternate.
• Gamalama Volcano
Centrally located on Ternate island, Mount Gamalama is an active volcano. Hiking to its summit requires several hours, commencing at Moya, and entails risks due to the volcano’s activity.
If you possess a drone and prefer not to ascend, consider stopping partway for excellent photographs of the peak.
Mount Gamalama overlooking Lake Tolire, with notable volcanic smoke visible.
• Sulamadaha Bay
This picturesque bay, characterized by turquoise waters, is conducive to snorkeling, though the prime fish and coral can be found further from the shore.
Accessing the hidden bay requires parking at a black sand beach and traversing approximately 300 meters through the jungle.
Additionally, the east side houses a second bay utilized as a harbor for transport to Hiri island.
• Jikomalamo Beach
This is another favored location for swimming and snorkeling, although it lacks a designated beach area but offers beautiful views of Hiri island.
Various warungs are available for purchasing snacks or beverages while enjoying your time there.
Glimpse of Hiri island from Jikomalamo Beach.
More Things To See Near Ternate
• Tidore Island
Tidore Island, Ternate’s neighboring isle, was historically noted for the rivalry between their kingdoms prior to colonial times.
Similar to Ternate, Tidore played a crucial role in the spice trade, leading to interest from Spanish colonizers, who constructed the Taula Fort there for protection against the Portuguese.
Roughly the same size as Ternate yet differently shaped, Tidore can be reached within a 15-minute boat ride.
The primary activity to undertake in Tidore involves hiking to the summit of Mount Kie Matubu, offering panoramic views of the region. This moderate hike typically requires about half a day to complete.
• Hiri Island
Hiri Island is accessible via a brief boat trip from Sulamadaha. There, visitors can view a large rock arch on the northwest beach, known as Batu Balubang Gurabala.
The arch is in close proximity to the shoreline, enabling visitors to walk out and explore during low tide, making it an exceptional photo opportunity.
Where To Stay In Ternate
- Villa Ma’Rasai – A premier hotel in Ternate, offering balcony vistas of the ocean and the volcano on Tidore island. Amenities include a pool, restaurant, and breakfast services, making it an excellent choice for return visits.
- Emerald Hotel – A midrange option in the town featuring a restaurant and complimentary breakfast.
- Kurnia Homestay – A budget-friendly establishment that includes breakfast, administered by a kind and helpful owner. This is where we opted to stay during our initial visit to Ternate, and it is a solid option for budget-conscious travelers.
Other Tips For Ternate
- ATM: Numerous functioning ATMs are distributed throughout the island, primarily dispensing 50k notes.
- Credit Cards: Most hotels and restaurants do not accept credit cards, so carrying cash is advisable.
- Cell Service: We experienced reliable 4G data with Telkomsel while in Ternate, although dependable WiFi remains scarce.
- Electricity: The island enjoys 24/7 electricity, alleviating concerns regarding power outages.
- Religion: Ternate is predominantly Muslim, though we experienced no significant disturbances from mosques during our stay.
- Malaria: A 2018 study from The Lancet indicated a notable decrease in malaria cases in Ternate and surrounding areas. Nonetheless, caution and the use of mosquito repellent are recommended during your travels. We opted against malaria pills.
- Where To Eat: Various hotels and guesthouses offer meals; alternatively, many affordable dining options are available in town, alongside KFC and Pizza Hut for Western cuisine cravings. We also enjoyed ordering from Solaria via GrabFood, which was incredibly convenient.
Views of Tidore island from Ngade Lake.
How Long To Stay
All major attractions on Ternate can be explored within a day due to the island’s small size and accessible driving routes.
However, should you wish to extend your stay, day trips to nearby islands such as Hiri, Maitara, and Tidore are certainly viable options.
A picturesque sunset at Kastela Beach.
More Travel Guides For Indonesia
Thank you for exploring this travel guide for Ternate island in Maluku.
Consider reviewing additional blog posts related to Indonesia prior to your journey!
