Pulau Saparua Travel Guide
The largest island in the Lease archipelago is Saparua and although it is the most populated, there is little to do on this quiet island made from a coral reef.
Located to the east of Ambon, it is the busiest of the three islands, but except for the market days, you will be hard pushed to find a motorized vehicle or even another human being. A village on the island makes pottery by hand without the aid of a wheel and is accessible by a hike uphill.
Diving is the biggest draw of Saparua as the surrounding sea is brimming with healthy marine life. Unfortunately, dynamite fishing is prevalent in the area and although it has yet to have an effect on the coral and fish species, it may do in the near future.
There are festivals and celebrations held every year from August to January when harvesting the local cloves, nutmeg and sago palm gets the whole community working hard. The buildings on Saparua date back to the Dutch colonial times and are worth spending some time exploring.
Getting There & Away
Jakarta International Airport is only a 3-hour flight from nearby Ambon. From Ambon there is a slow ferry that takes 2 hours to Sarapua or you can get a small speedboat to take you.