14 Attractions You Must Visit in EAST HALMAHERA - North Maluku Province

East Halmahera Regency is a part of North Maluku province. This regency is an expansion of Central Halmahera since 2003. The capital of East Halmahera is Maba. This regency was formerly the basis of Sultan Nuku of Tidore Sultanate when struggling against the Netherlands. At that time, Maba became the central basis. This is proven by the existence of  Soa Gimalaha and Soa Sangaji Village. Gimalaha and Sangaji are function names in the governance structure of the Sultanate of Tidore.

Besides, during World War II, East Halmahera was one of Japanese army post so until now you can still find several historical objects. This regency is not only famous for historical sights, but also has a variety of natural and marine attractions which will make you tempted to explore East Halmahera. Local government also holds Juanga Festival annually, featuring local arts and culture to make your holiday more memorable.

Here are some attractions in East Halmahera:

1. Air Terjun Tiga Bidadari (Three Angels Waterfall)
Air Terjun Tiga Bidadari (Three Angels Waterfall) is so beautiful and interesting to visit. This waterfall is named "tiga bidadari" or "three angels" because it is said that in the past there is are beautiful long haired girls from heaven bathing there. Read More >>



2. Jara-jara Beach

Jara-jara beach, which is located in Cape Jara-jara, Jara-jara Village, North Maba Sub-district, offers a long beach of fine white sand.The waters is rich with marine life and extensive coral reefs. This beach can be reached via two accesses: by speedboat from Buli about 3 hours or by passenger ship about 6 hours (this ship is only available 4 times a week).

3. Lembah Ayu Waterfall

This waterfall is located in Buli Village, Maba Sub-district. This waterfall has a height of about 10 meters and has a beautiful natural scenery. To reach this waterfall, you can go by motorcycle or car about 25 minutes and continue by trekking.

4. To Island

To Island is a small uninhabited island but has its own beauty. The local government also built a small hut for tourists who visit the island. This island is located on Buli Bay, South Maba Sub-districts. The nearest access to the island is from Port Buli.

5. Plum Island

Plum Island (Pulau Tengah) which is often referred as "Plun Island" is a very beautiful island with an area of 19.27 hectares and has an amazing marine park. For diving and snorkeling lovers, this island is a must-visit place. Read More >>

6. Lewi Island

Not far from Plum Island, there is Lewi Island which is famous for a stretch of fine white sand. You can visit this island by speedboat to explore the beauty of this island.

7. Japanese heritage: Cannons and Bunkers

Cannon and Bunker of Japanese heritage during World War II can be found in Hatetabako Village, Central Wasile Sub-district, East Halmahera, North Maluku province. Those historic objects are very interesting to visit. Read More >>

8. Woto Island

Woto Island is also known as "Otto Island" and "Poelo Oto". The island is often visited by foreign tourists who like to surf because it has big waves. Read More >>

Source: Photo Tropical Pix

9. Aketajawe Lolobata National Park

In this national park, you will find Burung Bidadari (Wallace's Standardwing) which is rare, beautiful, unique and also good at dancing. This bird has very captivating colorful wings. Because of its beauty and uniqueness, then an British scientist, Alfred Russel Wallace, named it burung bidadari or birds of paradise. There are a variety of flora and fauna in this park that attract the interest of researchers to visit. Read More >>

10. Batu Babua (Babua Stone)

Batu Babua (Babua Stone) has a height of 100 meters juts to the sky that resembles a cone-shaped temple. Batu Babua is considered sacred because it grows like a tree so that local residents called it "Babua". This stone is also called as "Temple Stone". This unique stone is located in Aketajawe Lolobata National Park. From Wasile Village, the location of the stone can be reached about 3 hours by motorcycle and continued trekking for 6 hours. It will be a fun adventure for you.

11. Tapalo Beach

Tapalo Island is famous as a coastal island of extensive white sand and overgrown with pine trees. This island is uninhabited, located in front of Gotowasi Village, South Maba Sub-district, which is about 200 meters. The island is known as "Pulau Sikekel" by local people, because there are sikekel birds in this island since ancient times. "Tapalo" in Gotowasi language means "beside". The uniqueness of this island is the existence of nuri birds (parrots) in certain season and overgrown mangrove trees as spawning place for fish and growing place for diverse snails (shellfish). In Gotowasi Village, there is also Gotowasi beach.

Source: Photo Zaid Yunus Ido

12. Sai Island

Sai Island is a small uninhabited islands which are located in South Maba Sub-district . The island boasts white sand beaches and also very suitable for snorkeling in the waters around it.

13. Togutil Tribe

One of the unique things in East Halmahera is the life of Togutil Tribe in the wilderness. They live nomadic until now, and they always move from one place to another. Some of Togutil Tribe have dark skin and some have light skin. There have been many researchers and adventurers came to see them. Before encountering Togutil Tribe, you should meet the chairman of the local indigenous beforehand to ask for permission and guidance.

14. Cibcebi Waterfall

Cibcebi Waterfall is located in Waci Village, South Maba Sub-district, with a height of 15 meters flows to Waci river and comes down to a beach between two villages, Waci Village and Petelei Village. The distance of the waterfall and Waci VIllage is about 7 km, which can be reached by motorized boat for about 30 minutes. During the trip, you will be treated by views of the mangrove forests. This river is inhabited by crocodiles, carp and milkfish.

Other Attractions

Additionally, you can also visit Mabapura beach in Maba City, Buli beach in Buli City, Lolobata beach in Lolobata Village, Ekor beach in Nusa Jaya and Subaim beach which commonly called Mujui beach in Subaim City.

Traditional Dances

Typical traditional dance in East Halmahera are Cokaiba dance, performed every commemorating the birthday of Prophet Muhammad, which the dancers surround the village by wearing costumes and masks that symbolized living creatures. There is also Lala dance, a traditional dance that is usually performed at marriage ceremony, welcoming guests and youth party.

Hotels & Lodging

Inn-class hotels & lodging, can be found only in Maba and Buli city. The available hotels are Buli Beach Hotel in Buli, Kartika Buli Resort in Maba and Istana Sailal Hotel. As for the simple lodging, there are Firmaningsih, Marboro, Marfa, Tainmon, Masagena, Lestari, and Rizki Delta. For some destinations that are not yet available hotels and lodging, you can choose to a home-stay provided by the locals.

Kartika Buli Resort  in Maba (Mobile: 0812-2363-636)

Culinary

Eating places available in East Halmahera is limited, such as: Paramakate, Minang, Boboho, Manado, Gamesan, and Seafood. The culinary here is, of course, the typical foods of North Maluku. There are a lot of marine products, such as various types of fish, mangrove shellfish, mangrove lobsters and crabs. In addition, there is Guraka, a typical drink of North Maluku, similar to bandrek of Java. Guraka is made of ginger, brown sugar and milk boiled together, plus a sprinkling of walnuts. The unique culinary here is "suami" (husband), which is made of grated cassava mixed with grated coconut and then put into a cone-shaped container made of palm leaves and then steamed.

Transportation

To enable you to visit various attractions, you better rent a motorcycle or car which are available a lot in this area.

Access to East Halmahera 

There is Buli Airport in East Halmahera. It will enable you to visit this regency. To get to North Maluku, there are some national airlines with daily flights to Ternate city (Sultan Babullah Airport), such as Garuda, Sriwijaya Air, and Lion Air. Meanwhile, to reach East Halmahera, you can fly by Wings Air from Ternate city.

In addition, there is another option. After you arrived at Ternate, you can go by speedboat to Halmahera Island, which is to Sofifi as the capital of North Maluku for about 40 minutes, then you can continue by rental car to Buli for about 5 hours. From Buli to Mapa, it will take about 1 hour. During the trip, you can enjoy the beautiful nature of Halmahera Island although some of the road condition is lack.