16 Attractions You Must Visit in TOBELO – North Halmahera

Tobelo region is bordering with Galela on the north and Kao on the south. The region is also located Tobelo city which is the capital of North Halmahera regency and as the largest city in Halmahera, North Maluku province. The original inhabitants of this region is Tobelo Tribe who speak Tobelo langguage.

The background of Tobelo City is Karianga mountains. Tobelo has extensive lowland covered by coconut trees and becomes a major commodity area over the years.

The main attraction of Tobelo lies on the clusters of small islands with white sandy beaches, crystal-clear sea and beautiful underwater. Traditions are still entrenched in their society which gives you opportunities to interact with the local culture.

Here are the attractions in Tobelo:

1. Tagalaya Island

Tagalaya Island has a calm sea and crystal-clear water with wide expanse of white sandy beaches surrounding the island. At the north end of the island is there are some beautiful rocks. Read More >>

2. Kakara Island

Kakara Island is the main attraction in Tobelo Islands. White sandy beaches, crystal-clear sea water and beaches area shaded by leafy trees make Kakara Island as a popular tourist destination which frequently visited by foreign tourists. In the weekend, many local tourists come here to swim. Read More >>

3. Kupakupa Beach

Kupakupa beach has a unique characteristic in form of banyan trees and tropical almonds growing along the seaside. This beach is ideal for water sport activities like swimming, canoeing and snorkeling. Here are also available cottages. Read More >>

4. Telaga Paca (Lake Paca)

Telaga Paca offers beautiful natural scenery, lush and calm. The lake is located in a mountain backdrop and hills, surrounded by shady woods make this place as a pleasant outdoor recreation. Telaga Paca also has a folklore that tells the origin of the formation of this lake. Read More >>

5. Kumo Island

Kumo beach is one of the beaches which is crowded with local tourists because the location is close to Tobelo. In addition to swim, from where you can enjoy the face of Tobelo city that is located right in front of it. Read More >>

6.  Rorangane Island

This island is uninhabited and has a calm stream with crystal-clear sea and a pebbled white sand surrounding the island. This location is suitable for diving. Coral reefs can be found with a depth of 10-30 meters. Rorangane Island can be reached about 15 minutes by long-tail boat (ketinting) which can be rented at Dufa-Dufa Harbour, Tobelo. You can also walk around to another island nearby.

7. Luari Beach

Luari beach is famous for its enchanting cape. The location, which directly opposite to Pacific Ocean, is the main attraction of this beach. The sea is clear and calm, which is ideal for swimming and boating. This beach also has a unique story about the origin of the name of this beach. Read More >>

8. Meti Island

Meti island is not far from Todokuiha Village and becomes a tourist destination for the local people at the weekend. White sand and crystal clear sea water can be found on this island. At several locations on the island, you can find a cannon of Japanese heritage during World War II. Read More >>

9. Pasirtimbul Island
Not far from the north of Meti Island, there is a small uninhabited island known locally as Pasirtimbul. Its unique name was inspired from the process of formation of this island which is quite phenomenal. Read More >>

10. Carlen Pitu Beach

The coastline of this beach is 530 meters. At low tide, this beach width is reaching 50 meters, making it suitable for playing soccer or volleyball. The ocean currents at the beach is very calm and shallow, so it is safe for children to play. There are also a unique marine life in these waters which are suitable for snorkeling and diving lovers. The beach is located in Pitu Village, about 8 km from Tobelo. By public transport, you can use mikrolet (microbus) with Destination: Kao at Wosia station (Tobelo City) and get off at the junction road to wards Carlen Pitu beach. Then you can continue by ojek (motorcycle taxi) to the beach location (1.5 km).

11. Pawole Island

This island is uninhabited and dominated by coastal rocks. The island has a relatively swift ocean currents. Activities to do on this beach are swimming, snorkeling, and you can also walk around on the island during low tide for about 15 minutes. This island is one of the cluster of islands in front of Tobelo. You can rent a long-tail boat (ketinting) for about 25 minute trip.

12. Dukono Lamo Praying Hill

This hill is ideal for enjoying the panorama of Tobelo mainland which face to Tobelo Islands. The hill is located in Karianga Hills and the distance is only 3 km to the west of Jl. Tugu Air Nusantara, Tobelo. To go to this location, you can use vehicle.

13. Jembatan Batu (Waterfall)
The forest around Mede river keeps a lot of surprises. One of them is a gorgeous waterfall named Jembatan Batu (stone bridge). The name is inspired by the unique shape of the rocks in front of the bridge that forms a kind of natural bridge. Read More >>

14. Kokoguru Mede Waterfall
Kokoguru Mede Waterfall is surrounded by a unique pattern of rocks, located in Mede forest. The location can be reached by foot as far as 5 km from Mede Village. We recommend you to hire a local guide to get to this place.

15. Padi (Paddy) Wangongira
The village is well known as Wangongira and has its uniqueness. One of the uniqueness is the presence of rice plants growing in rushing river stream. The river where rice is grown named Molulu which means slip. Read More >>

16. Telaga Lina (Lake Lina)

For those of you who like a remote place, then Lake Lina is a place that you must visit. Lake Lina is surrounded by dense forest with crystal-clear water. The quiet lake has various snails and freshwater fish, such as java tilapia and nile tilapia. Read More >>

Restaurants

Here are some restaurant that can be found in Tobelo City:
*Choken. Jl. Kemakmuran, Tel. 0924 2621713, Tobelo 

*Anugrah. Jl. Kemakmuran, Tobelo
*Kakara Cafe. Jl. H. Simange, Tel. 0924 2621908, Tobelo
*Orion. Jl. Kemakmuran, Tobelo
*Famili. Jl. Kemakmuran, Tobelo
*Pondok Indah. Pitu, Tobelo

Accommodation

Accommodation in Tobelo is mostly affordable, from motel to hotel. There are also several tourist resorts in this city. While for some tourist attractions which away from Tobelo City, there are only available guest houses. Read More >>

Banks in Tobelo

Banks with ATM facilities (visa and mastercard) which are operating in Tobelo are BNI '46, Bank Mandiri, Bank Mega, BRI and BPD Maluku. Only Bank Mega and BNI '46 serve foreign exchange.

Local Transportation in Tobelo

Bentor or motor pedicab are the most popular public transportation for Tobelo people. Another alternative transportation ojek (motorcycle taxi) or mikrolet (microbus) in small amounts. As for sea transport, local people using traditional motorized boat (ketinting).

Bentor

Shopping Souvenirs in Tobelo

A small kiosk 'Dabiloha', located in Tanjung Pilawang (Jl. Bhayangkara, lt. 2 Hibualamo, Tobelo) is the only kiosk that provides a collection of typical handicrafts of North Halmahera. While white iron crafts can be found at the intersection harbor front.

Source: Pemda Halmahera Utara