Ternate is a small, cone-shaped volcanic island within the North Maluku province of Indonesia. It isn’t prone to ever turn into an enormous trip spot for vacationers, however it has some fascinating sights and historical past.
Through the sixteenth century, Ternate was probably the most essential kingdoms within the ‘Spice Islands’ of the Moluccas, and European powers fought over management of the spice commerce right here. Even right this moment, this little island remains to be the primary gateway to the North Maluku province.
In the event you ever occur to be passing via Ternate on the way in which to elsewhere in Indonesia, it’s price trying out.
Right here’s a journey information for a few of the greatest issues to see and do on the island!
How To Get To Ternate Island
There’s an airport in Ternate (TTE) with direct flights from Jakarta, Surabaya, Makassar, Manado, and Ambon. In the event you’re coming from Bali, you then’ll must transit in one among these locations first.
You possibly can shop for flights on Skyscanner, however it’s price noting that all the flights in Maluku are usually a bit expensive by Indonesian requirements since this space is just served by a couple of airways.
Alternatively, you’ll be able to take a ship from Halmahera to Ternate, which is what we did after hiking Mount Dukono. The speedboat journey from Sofifi harbor solely takes about 45 minutes and tickets are fairly priced.

Ngade Lake is likely one of the most well-known views on Ternate
How To Get Round The Island
It’s very simple to get round on Ternate (pronounced ‘ter-nah-tey’) due to how small the island is.
There’s an excellent paved street that wraps across the island in a circle, and it solely takes about 1.5 hours to drive the entire loop. A number of the aspect roads is usually a bit steep, just like the street to Ngade Lake, however the primary street is tame and flat.
You possibly can hire a scooter out of your lodge, or rent a non-public driver with a automobile. That’s what we did. Ternate additionally has the Seize app, which is handy for brief distance journeys.

Drone pic of one other lake in Ternate, the Danau Tolire.
Finest Issues To Do & See In Ternate
• Tolukko Fort
The Tolukko Fort was constructed by the Portuguese in 1512 to manage the spice commerce in Ternate and the remainder of the Maluku islands.
All through the years, it was managed by the Portuguese, the native Ternate Sultanate, the Dutch, the British, and the Spanish.
You possibly can go to the fort for a small payment and climb to the rooftop for views of Mount Gamalama. It’s a photogenic and fascinating place to see.

Fort Tolukko
• Kalamata Fort
That is one other colonial fort that was constructed by the Portuguese in 1540, and subsequently traded fingers between the native sultanate and the opposite European colonial powers.
It’s positioned on the south aspect of Ternate, so it has good views of the Tidore and Maitara islands throughout the ocean, particularly in the event you go as much as the roof of the fort.
• Kastela Seaside
This seashore is likely one of the greatest sundown spots on the island, with a gaggle of photogenic bushes that appears type of just like the dancing bushes in Sumba island.
We solely watched the sundown right here one time, however the colours have been unimaginable!
Watch out in the event you wade out to the bushes for a more in-depth photograph. The water is shallow sufficient, however I virtually stepped on a sea snake that was swimming across the rocks.

Loopy sundown colours at Kastela Seaside
• Ngade Lake
This lake has probably the most wonderful views in Ternate, with the volcanic peak of Tidore island within the distance. An analogous image was featured on Indonesia’s 1,000 Rupiah money notes.
The surroundings was virtually ruined by an unpleasant, foolish bicycle zipline that was put in on the viewpoint, however fortunately it’s nonetheless doable to take photos with out it blocking the view.
They cost a payment for drone use, which we didn’t see till it was too late. There’s additionally a swing you should utilize for a small payment.

Ngade Lake with the neighboring Tidore island within the distance
• Tolire Lake
Tolire is a brilliant inexperienced volcanic lake on the base of Mount Gamalama. It was fashioned by a robust eruption of Gamalama in 1775 that killed 141 individuals and buried one of many close by villages, creating this lake within the course of.
In response to native legends, Tolire is supposedly house to a white crocodile that guards the lake. We didn’t see any crocodiles after we have been there, however the locals instructed us about how individuals have been attacked by them whereas fishing within the lake.
Tribun News shared a video in 2022 of a crocodile that was noticed within the lake, though nobody is aware of the way it acquired there, contemplating the steep edges of the crater.
We did see numerous lizards on the viewpoint, together with the primary iguana we’ve seen in Indonesia.

Tolire Lake

Drone pic of the lake
• Tolire Seaside
This can be a cool seashore with black sand from the volcano, and views of Hiri island within the distance. It’s very near Lake Tolire.
We noticed an enormous crimson crab scuttling throughout the seashore, and he paused lengthy sufficient for me to take an image.

Tolire Seaside

Crab on the black sand
• Batu Angus
Batu Angus is a small park the place you’ll be able to see a area of jagged black volcanic rocks that have been deposited by Mount Gamalama.
It’s a reminder of how the volcano’s fixed exercise over the centuries has continued to form Ternate island.
Gamalama has erupted dozens of instances in recorded historical past, typically violently.
• Gamalama Volcano
On the heart of Ternate island sits Mount Gamalama, an lively volcano.
You possibly can hike to the highest, however it takes a number of hours ranging from Moya. That is an lively, smoking volcano, so climbing it isn’t with out some danger.
If in case you have a drone and don’t really feel comfy climbing to the highest of the volcano, then you’ll be able to cease partway and nonetheless take some nice photos of the height.

Mount Gamalama and Lake Tolire. Discover the smoke coming from the volcano.
• Sulamadaha Bay
This can be a good bay with turquoise water the place you’ll be able to go snorkeling, though the perfect fish and coral is additional out from shore.
It’s a hidden bay, so the one means you’ll be able to attain it’s to park on the black sand seashore and stroll via the jungle for about 300 meters till you discover the bay.
There’s additionally a second bay to the east, which is used as a harbor for going to Hiri island.
• Jikomalamo Seaside
That is one other common spot for swimming and snorkeling. There’s no actual seashore to talk of, however it has good views of Hiri island.
There are many warungs for purchasing snacks or drinks when you’re there.

View of Hiri island from Jikomalamo
Extra Issues To See Close to Ternate
• Tidore Island
Tidore is the neighboring island of Ternate, and in pre-colonial instances, the 2 kingdoms have been fierce rivals.
Like Ternate, Tidore was additionally a key participant within the spice commerce, and this attracted the eye of Spanish colonizers, who constructed the Taula Fort there to defend towards the Portuguese.
The island of Tidore is roughly the identical measurement as Ternate, though it’s formed a bit totally different. You possibly can simply go between the 2 with a 15 minute boat journey.
The primary factor to do on Tidore is to hike to the highest of Mount Kie Matubu for views of the entire space. It’s a average hike so plan on spending not less than half a day on it.
• Hiri Island
Hiri could be reached with a brief boat journey from Sulamadaha. In the event you make a visit over there, it has an enormous rock arch to see on the northwest seashore, known as Batu Balubang Gurabala.
The arch is fairly near the shore, so you’ll be able to stroll out to it on the rocks when the tide is low. It’s an awesome photograph spot.
Map Of Sights In Ternate Island
Right here’s a map of a few of the greatest issues to see and do in Ternate and the encircling islands. You possibly can click on on the icons for more information and instructions.
The place To Keep In Ternate
- Villa Ma’Rasai – One of many nicest inns in Ternate, with balcony views of the ocean and the volcano on neighboring Tidore island. They’ve a pool, restaurant, and included breakfast. If we return to Ternate, this may be our first alternative for a spot to remain!
- Emerald Hotel – Midrange lodging on the town, with a restaurant and free breakfast.
- Kurnia Homestay – Funds pleasant place with free breakfast, and the proprietor is variety and useful. That is the place we stayed on our first go to to Ternate, and it’s an excellent possibility in the event you don’t have an enormous funds.

Room on the © Emerald Hotel

Balcony view at © Villa Ma’Rasai
Different Ideas For Ternate
- ATM: There are many working ATMs scattered throughout the island, however they typically give 50k notes.
- Credit score Playing cards: Most inns and eating places right here can’t settle for playing cards, so that you’ll wish to have money available.
- Cell Service: We had good 4G knowledge in Ternate with Telkomsel, however dependable WiFi remains to be uncommon.
- Electrical energy: The island has 24/7 electrical energy, so that you don’t have to fret about outages.
- Faith: Ternate is Muslim, however we didn’t discover any extreme noise from the mosques throughout our keep.
- Malaria: In response to this Lancet study from 2018, there’s been a serious discount of Malaria in Ternate and the encircling areas, which is nice. I’d nonetheless watch out and use mosquito spray when touring right here. We didn’t take Malaria tablets.
- The place To Eat: Some inns and guesthouses can present meals, in any other case there are many low cost locations to eat on the town, and so they even have a KFC and Pizza Hut in the event you’re craving western meals throughout your keep in Ternate. We even ordered a meal from Solaria one night and had it delivered to our guesthouse with GrabFood, which was tremendous handy.

Views of Tidore island from Ngade Lake
How Lengthy To Keep
You possibly can see all the most important sights on Ternate in a single day, because it’s a small island and every thing is well accessible by driving.
Nevertheless, if you wish to keep longer, then you would do day journeys over to close by islands like Hiri, Maitara, and Tidore.

Sundown at Kastela Seaside
Extra Journey Guides For Indonesia
Thanks for wanting! I hope you loved this journey information for Ternate island in Maluku.
Don’t overlook to take a look at my different weblog posts for Indonesia earlier than you go!
See Additionally