Summary
Seram island in Maluku is one of Indonesia’s best-kept secrets. The Ora Beach Resort offers stunning views reminiscent of Bora Bora, while much of the island remains relatively unexplored.
This destination stands out as one of the best places to visit in Indonesia for those seeking a secluded paradise filled with jungles, mountains, beaches, and wildlife.
Although Seram island is not easily accessible, the journey leads to breathtaking scenery and exceptional snorkeling opportunities away from the crowded spots, such as Bali.
This travel guide will provide insights on how to reach Seram island and Ora Beach, accommodation options, activities in the area, and essential tips for your visit!
How To Get To Seram Island
Seram island is situated near the bustling island of Ambon in Maluku, Indonesia. The journey consists of several steps.
Currently, Seram island does not have an active airport, so you cannot fly directly there. The nearest airport is Pattimura International Airport in Ambon (AMQ), which provides direct flights from Jakarta, Makassar, Ternate, Sorong, and other Indonesian locations. You can shop for flights on Skyscanner.
Upon arrival in Ambon, you will need to take a taxi for the one-hour drive from the airport to the ferry port in Tulehu. Here, you will board a fast ferry to Amahai port on Seram island. The boats may be old, but they are comfortable, taking about two hours to reach Amahai.
How To Get To Ora Beach In Seram
Once you arrive at Seram island, your next step is traveling to Saleman village and Ora Beach. The drive from Amahai to Saleman takes about two hours along a scenic jungle road winding through the mountains. While the road is paved, be prepared for some broken spots.
Your hotel in Ora or Saleman can assist in arranging a car and driver to pick you up in Amahai and take you to the bay. Our guesthouse connected us with a friendly driver named Rudi, who managed our transfer to Saleman village and back for approximately 600k Rupiah (~$40 USD) each way.
Upon arriving in Saleman village, you can reach Ora Beach in just 10 minutes by boat. The guesthouse where we stayed in Saleman offered half-day boat tours to Ora Beach Resort for 350k Rupiah per boat, or you could opt for a full-day tour to multiple locations in the area for 900k per boat.
Top-down drone picture of Ora beach
Where To Stay In Seram Island
The Ora Bay area boasts several new, highly-rated guesthouses that are budget-friendly and comfortable.
In this remote part of Indonesia, luxury may be elusive, but the comfort offered is surprisingly good for such an isolated region.
Here are some top accommodation options:
- Ora Sunrise View — Enjoy overwater bungalows in Saleman village, featuring overwater hammocks. While it was under renovation during our visit in 2021, the hotel offered basic amenities including a fan, clothes rack, and electric socket.
- Air Belanda Resort — This beachfront property offers bungalows with a dining area and hammock, along with basic room facilities.
- Nusa Nalan Beach Resort — Another beachfront option near Saleman village featuring basic amenities.
- Sing Key Beach Hotel — Offers beachfront bungalows with essential amenities.
- Pasir Putih Homestay — A guesthouse with basic yet comfortable overwater bungalows, providing inclusive meals that are diverse and satisfying.
All guesthouses in Saleman present stunning views of the karst mountains, Ora Bay, the ocean, as well as spectacular sunrises and sunsets. Some bungalows are built over shallow water, allowing you to see fish swimming beneath.
However, the location does suffer from some litter seen floating near the village. This unique area requires greater conservation efforts for its preservation.
Ora Beach Resort used to be the prime place to stay in Seram, but reports indicate a decline in quality and maintenance post-Covid. Although a visit to Ora Beach for sightseeing and snorkeling is highly recommended, staying there might not be advisable unless improvements are made. A better alternative is choosing accommodations in Saleman village.
Best Things To Do In Seram
• Ora Beach
Ora beach, a key attraction of Seram island, features breathtaking views of overwater bungalows against a mountainous backdrop. The pristine beach has soft sand and a palm tree swing, ideal for relaxation and snorkeling directly off the pier.
For non-guests, an entrance fee of 25k Rupiah per person applies, which is well worth the price. We enjoyed this beautiful location multiple times.
• Sawai Cliff
The Sawai cliff, a massive white limestone structure, is accessible by boat from Ora beach in about 10 minutes or 20 minutes from Saleman. This day tour location features shallow waters, perfect for swimming and snorkeling, as well as a small sea cave for exploration.
We encountered several colorful fish and corals while snorkeling, including clownfish hiding in anemones!
• Keramba Heart
This charming spot, another highlight of our boat tour, features a giant Indonesian fish trap shaped like a heart. It’s perfect for capturing drone photos, especially alongside the stunning cliffs of Seram.
The friendly owner showcased some colorful reef triggerfish. Rest assured, while they are beautiful, these fish are common throughout the Indo-Pacific and not endangered.
The Keramba heart can be easily reached within 20-30 minutes by boat from Ora beach.
• Dutch Water Beach (Air Belanda)
Air Belanda is a serene beach situated midway between Saleman village and Ora Beach Resort. A unique feature of this spot is the cold spring water flowing from the mountains into the sea, providing a refreshing contrast when you wade in.
The Indonesian term ‘pantai air Belanda’ translates to ‘Dutch water beach.’ The story shared with us indicates this beach and spring were inadvertently found by colonial Dutch sailors seeking spices in Maluku.
More Things To Do In Seram
• Manusela National Park
The Manusela National Park, centrally located in Seram, provides habitat for numerous animal species, including endemic birds, butterflies, and Indonesia’s deepest known vertical cave (Goa Hatusaka).
Indigenous avian species in Seram feature stunning examples such as the great-billed parrot, eclectus parrot, purple-naped lory, salmon-crested cockatoo, and the Moluccan king parrot.
• Mount Binaiya
As the tallest mountain in the Maluku region, Mount Binaiya holds a position among Indonesia’s ‘seven summits’ with an elevation of 3,027 meters (9,931 feet). Trekking to its summit and back requires about five days, starting from Piliana village. This challenging hike offers diverse terrains, but a guide is essential because of its remote setting.
For safety, arranging a guide is strongly recommended, as it is easy to get lost in the wilderness.
• Roulessy Hill Viewpoint
This scenic viewpoint above Saleman village can be reached by vehicle for part of the route, followed by a 30-minute hike to the top. From Roulessy Hill, stunning panoramic views capture the village and mountains of Seram island, making it an excellent location for sunrises.
• Seven Islands (Pulau Tujuh)
The Seven Islands (Pulau Tujuh) consist of small islets adjacent to Seram, perfect for a day trip from Ora Bay. We chose not to undertake this excursion due to a lack of travel companions. However, the boat ride, lasting about an hour, offers sights of various islands showcasing beautiful white sand beaches and enticing snorkeling spots.
What To Bring To Seram
- Snacks: Although food is good at guesthouses, you might find yourself craving a chocolate bar or trail mix for diversity.
- Snorkel Gear: With excellent snorkeling locations available, bringing your equipment is advisable.
- Power Bank: Useful for charging electronics during potential power outages.
- Dry Bag: Essential to protect your camera and electronics during boat tours in Seram.
More Tips For Seram Island & Ora Beach
- Religion: Saleman is predominantly Muslim, so modest clothing is advisable outside of beach activities. While there are mosques in the village, they were not intrusive at night.
- Electricity: Our experience noted consistent 24/7 electricity in Saleman, although transient outages are possible.
- Cell Service: Telkomsel provided satisfactory 4G reception in Saleman village and the Ora beach pier.
- People: Locals in Saleman may not be used to foreign visitors, yet our guesthouse hosts and our driver were friendly.
- Language: Communication might present challenges as many locals do not speak English, yet increasing tourism might help bridge this gap.
- WiFi: WiFi was unavailable in the village but may become accessible as tourism grows.
- Mosquitoes: Few mosquitoes were present during our visit. Following a study from 2018, malaria cases have decreased, though caution is advisable.
- Crocodiles: There have been no reports of saltwater crocodiles near Saleman village or Ora beach, but exploration into remote areas could present risks.
The Legend Of The Orang Bati
Local folklore in Seram speaks of a mythical bat-monkey creature known as the Orang Bati, believed to abduct and consume children.
While we did not encounter the human-sized Orang Bati, we regularly observed a long stream of small bats or birds departing the mountains around 6 PM, only to return at 4 AM. Locals insist these creatures are birds called Lusiala. Their journey, resembling a trail of smoke, intrigued us daily from our guesthouse in Saleman village.
Although I wished I had brought my zoom lens to capture this phenomenon, the experience itself was certainly captivating.
More Travel Guides For Indonesia
Thank you for exploring this guide on Ora Beach and Seram Island in Maluku, Indonesia. Be sure to check out other travel resources for Indonesia to enhance your journey!
