Tidore Islands Travel Guide
The Tidore Islands are a small group of islands of the larger North Maluku island chain in eastern Indonesia. They are a string of volcanic cones off the west coast of Halmahera Island dominated by the main Tidore Island.
The main island has all the appeal, with its 1,730m Kiematabu Peak, dense jungle and striking coastline. The capital of the Tidore Islands, Tidore, lies on the east coast and features a fun Sunday market. The small but popular town of Soasio is just south of here. A road goes around most of the island and connects with Ternate at the northern end by bridge.
The Kiematabu Volcano is Tidore’s main prize and lies down in the south of the island. Sabale Caldera is in the north and also has a couple of cones where there is also some decent walking. Tidore is also surrounded by several pretty islands, most notably to the north and south. Boats can be chartered from Tidore or Soasio and visitors can go island-hopping.
Ternate lies to the north of the Tidore Islands and is the main attraction in the region. It has the largest town and best tourist facilities and is also the capital of the North Maluku province.
Getting There & Away
The airport in Ternate - Sultan Babullah Airport - is the entry point for visits to the Tidore Islands. Makassar in South Sulawesi is the nearest main airport and has daily flights to Ternate that take 3 hours. Flights from Jakarta connect at Makassar. Bemos and taxis run from Ternate across to Pulau Tidore, while boats run to Tidore and Soasio piers.