Maluku Region
Maluku - the fabled Spice Islands (the Moluccas) - is a remote archipelago of hundreds of islands scattered across eastern Indonesia's seas, once the world's only source of nutmeg and cloves, now a far-flung paradise of pristine reefs, volcanoes and history.
Maluku at a Glance#
The fabled Spice Islands - a remote archipelago scattered across eastern Indonesia’s seas, once the world’s only source of nutmeg and cloves, now a far-flung paradise of pristine reefs, volcanoes and history.
Why go / don’t miss: the historic Banda Islands (the original nutmeg islands, with Dutch forts and spectacular diving), the spice-and-fort history of Ambon and Ternate, the pristine coral reefs and volcanoes, and some of Indonesia’s remotest, most untouched seas.
Areas: the Banda Islands for history, nutmeg and diving; Ambon (the capital) and Ternate/Tidore (volcanic spice sultanates) as gateways; and the remote outer islands for wild reefs.
Getting around: flights reach Ambon and Ternate; from there, ferries and small boats (and the occasional Pelni liner) connect the islands - travel is slow and weather-dependent.
When to go: the drier, calmer seas of Oct - Apr are generally best (patterns vary island to island).
Where to stay: the Banda Islands for the historic-and-diving highlight, or Ambon/Ternate as gateways.
Dining: Malukan fare - fresh fish, sago, and ikan bakar, spiced with the nutmeg and cloves the islands are famous for.
Local tips: the Banda Islands are the jewel (history + world-class diving), it’s genuinely remote and requires patience with transport, and the spice-trade history is extraordinary.
