Main image

edited by M.Minderhoud CC BY-SA 4.0 Wikimedia Commons

Bacan Island

Island

Part of North Maluku's Bacan group, the island combines coastal reefs, fishing villages and a forested interior; visitors come for diving, local markets and glimpses of the region's sultanate history.

Bacan Island TernateTidoreHalmaheraAmbonSeramBanda IslandsKei IslandsBacan Island
In this guide

Bacan Island essentials

Address: Bacan Island, South Halmahera/West Halmahera area, North Maluku, Indonesia
Hours: Open daily (no set hours)
Admission: Free (no admission)
GoogleAppleOSM

About Bacan Island

Bacan Island is one of the Maluku Islands located in North Maluku province of eastern Indonesia and forms part of the Bacan island group. The island occupies a position southwest of the island of Halmahera within the Maluku archipelago.

The island has a mix of coastal villages and interior forested terrain and is part of a region long associated with the historic spice trade. It was the centre of the local Sultanate of Bacan, which played a role in regional politics during the precolonial and colonial periods.

Today Bacan is administered as part of North Maluku province and is reachable by sea from nearby regional centres; local livelihoods include fishing, agriculture and small-scale trade.

Geographically the island lies in eastern Indonesia within the chain of Maluku Islands, southwest of Halmahera and within the maritime zone of North Maluku province.

  • Historical role: Historically the island was the seat of the Sultanate of Bacan, one of the precolonial polities in the Maluku (Spice) Islands.
Things to Do
When to Go

Best Time to Visit Bacan Island

Best during the dry season (May-October) when seas are calmer and beach and boat activities are more reliable.

Dry season
May-October · 24-31°C
Drier weather, calmer seas and better conditions for beaches and boat travel around the island.
Wet season
November-April · 24-30°C
Frequent heavy rainfall and rougher seas can disrupt transport and outdoor activities.

Weather & Climate near Bacan Island

Climate

Bacan Island's climate is classified as Tropical Rainforest - Tropical Rainforest climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 22°C to 31°C. Abundant rainfall (1776 mm/year), wettest in January.

Air Quality: AQI 45 Good
Best Time to Visit
OctoberSeptemberNovember
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
34°
Warmest Month
23°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Good 23° - 30° 27° 179 mm overcast 82% 2.0 m/s 2.3 extreme 12.0h
February Good 22° - 30° 26° 151 mm overcast 81% 2.0 m/s 2.5 extreme 12.0h
March Good 22° - 31° 26° 172 mm overcast 80% 1.9 m/s 2.6 extreme 12.0h
April Very Good 22° - 30° 26° 174 mm partly cloudy 80% 1.7 m/s 2.5 extreme 12.0h
May Very Good 23° - 30° 26° 166 mm partly cloudy 81% 1.5 m/s 2.3 extreme 12.0h
June Good 22° - 30° 26° 163 mm overcast 82% 1.7 m/s 2.0 very high 12.0h
July Good 22° - 29° 26° 162 mm overcast 82% 2.1 m/s 2.0 extreme 12.0h
August Very Good 22° - 29° 26° 132 mm partly cloudy 80% 2.4 m/s 2.2 extreme 12.0h
September Very Good 22° - 30° 26° 105 mm partly cloudy 79% 2.1 m/s 2.4 extreme 12.0h
October Very Good 22° - 31° 26° 89 mm partly cloudy 76% 1.9 m/s 2.4 extreme 12.0h
November Very Good 23° - 31° 27° 119 mm partly cloudy 77% 1.5 m/s 2.3 extreme 12.0h
December Good 23° - 31° 27° 164 mm overcast 80% 1.8 m/s 2.2 extreme 12.0h