Maluku Region

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.

Maluku Province is an archipelago of hundreds of islands strung across clear, warm seas - the area once known among traders as the Spice Islands. White sand beaches and sheltered lagoons give way offshore to coral gardens; closer to land the islands can be steep and rugged, a patchwork of volcanic peaks, low forested hills and mangrove fringes. Key island groups include the Banda Islands, Aru Islands, the Kei Islands and the Tanimbar Islands, each with its own shoreline character and village life.

Beyond the sand, Maluku rewards people who want to move: rainforest tracks climb into jagged volcanic country and reveal rich birdlife, with hornbills and butterflies common sights in the canopy. Underwater is the other draw - shallow reefs around many islands support vivid corals and abundant reef fish, and the seas are popular for scuba diving, snorkeling, surfing, windsailing and simple day trips by boat. Many visitors base themselves near the water on Pulau Ambon or on smaller islands and hire local boats to explore.

Daily life here centers on the sea and its harvest: fresh fish grilled on open fires, beach barbecues at dusk and local spirits served in simple beachfront shacks are part of the island rhythm. Accommodation tends to cluster by the coast, where guesthouses and small resorts trade ocean views for easy access to swimming and water sports.

For history and easy access, a few places stand out: the crumbling Dutch Fort Orange in Ternate town offers a window onto the islands’ colonial past, while Buru is known for its penal colony where the writer Pramoedya Ananta Toer was detained. The dry season, roughly April to October, is the most reliable time for island-hopping; a practical gateway used by many visitors is Surabaya, which has flights from Jakarta and ferry links to eastern ports such as Bitung and Sorong.