West Halmahera is one of the regencies in North Maluku province which is famous by its richness of spices and a wealth of culture and nature, on both land and sea, that attracts local and even foreign tourists.
History records that the Sultanate of Jailolo in Halmahera prevailed over North Maluku in the past few centuries. However, the Sultanate of Jailolo was finally collapsed and destroyed by the Sultanate of Ternate in 1551. The conquest of Jailolo by Ternate starts a long history of the rivalry between Ternate and Tidore that links the history of a number of regions in eastern Indonesia.
Jailolo is often called 'Gilolo' in Western literature. The term 'Gilolo' is an ethnic group refers to an old kingdom in Halmahera Island, Indonesia. Until now, there is no place in the world that used to be called Gilolo besides Halmahera Island.
A New Voyage Round The World (1697) written by William Dampier loads a picture of a man with a body covered with tattoos and he is a native of Jailolo. William Dampier who had explored Halmahera, then returned to the UK and took Prince Gilolo (The Painted Prince with tattoos all over his body) to London. Dampier took him to Europe as he is interested in his tattoos. He made the prince as his slave until he died in Oxford because of smallpox. Prince Gilolo then revive the art of tattooing in Britain, even now become the icon of tattoo enthusiasts in the world.
A New Voyage Round The World (1697) written by William Dampier loads a picture of a man with a body covered with tattoos and he is a native of Jailolo. William Dampier who had explored Halmahera, then returned to the UK and took Prince Gilolo (The Painted Prince with tattoos all over his body) to London. Dampier took him to Europe as he is interested in his tattoos. He made the prince as his slave until he died in Oxford because of smallpox. Prince Gilolo then revive the art of tattooing in Britain, even now become the icon of tattoo enthusiasts in the world.
West Halmahera has many bays surrounded by incredible scenery, beautiful nature and has great attractions to visit. One of the famous bay is Jailolo Bay. Jailolo is the Capital of West Halmahera.
21 Must-Visit Attractions in WEST HALMAHERA are as followings:
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| Location of West Halmahera, Maluku Utara Province |
21 Must-Visit Attractions in WEST HALMAHERA are as followings:
1. Babua Island
Babua Island is a small uninhabited island but has a fascinating beauty of its nature and its underwater world. This island is pretty close to Jailolo Harbour, only takes about 10-15 minutes by speedboat. Read More >>
2. Bukit Senyum 5000 (5000 Smile Hill)
Bukit senyum lima ribu (5000 Smile Hill) is located on Mount Manyasal, the trip from Jailolo Harbour to this location takes about 30 minutes. On this hill you can see beautiful view of sea and mountains. Read More >>
3. Damar Island
Damar Island is one of the iconic attractions of Idamdehe Village. It is called damar (a kind of tree) not because there are a lot of damar tree here. Damar Island also has a folklore. The island was originally a warship. In this place, you can enjoy the beauty of Damar Island and the blue ocean. You can also fish in this area. Read More >>
4. Kawasan Pengamatan Burung Bidadari (Birds of Paradise Observatory)
Burung Bidadari, known as Wallace’s Standardwing (Semioptera wallacii), is a rare and endangered species of birds which becomes great attraction for bird lovers and fauna photographers. Because of its rarity, the government has classified this birds as the must-protected birds. The Standardwing has such a beautiful, unique style, and its shrill voice. Read More >>
5. Idamdehe Beach
Idamdehe beach is a volcanic beach in Idamdehe Village so there is a flow of hot water. The northern sea is flowed by hot water comes from geothermal, while the southern ocean is cold. This beach is located approximately 12 km from the city centre of Jailolo and can be accessed by car or motorcycle for approximately 30 minutes. The beach sand is very fine. You can also bring your snorkeling equipment to see the beauty of its underwater.
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| Sumber: Blog Adrisal Hena |
6. Kahatola Waterfall
This waterfall has beautiful and unique scenery because it plunges into the sea in Loloda District. However, it is quite challenging to get here which is about 3 hours by speedboat from Jailolo Harbour. However, you will not get bored on the trip because you will be presented the beauty of Halmahera Island along the way. Kahatola waterfall derived from the seeps of rainwater and dew collected in a hollow, then down into a waterfall.
7. The Lighthouse at Cape Bobo
This is the perfect place to enjoy the spectacular beauty of West Halmahera in 360 degrees. The lighthouse of Cape Bobo is located in Bobo Village. In this place, there are many visitors take selfie pictures.
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| Sumber: Barkerikra |
8. Bobanehena Beach
Bobanehena beach is also known as pantai galau (beach of confusion). This beach offers beauty, in the daytime or at sunset. There are also a small pier and some gazebos to relax. Read More >>
9. Marimbati Beach
This beach is located in Loko Akelamo Village, near to Gamtala Village. In this beach you can enjoy the beautiful sunset.
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| Sumber: Backpackstory |
10. Pastofiri Island
Pastofiri Island is one of the islands which is uninhabited in Sidangoli. Pastofiri Island is so beautiful and has a diving spot that you must visit in West Halmahera. To reach this island, you can go to Gilolo Dive Center in Jailolo Harbour.
In this beach, you will be presented a superb view of the beautiful sunset. The water at this beach is very calm because at a distance of about 60 meters from the shoreline there is a contour of sand that limiting the waves. Also, the water recedes in the late afternoon so the water becomes very calm, making the sea like glass that reflects the beauty of the sky. This beach can be reached by vehicle in about 20 minutes from Jailolo Harbour, then continued by walking for about 15 minutes. Arugasi beach is a connection from Bobo beach in Bobo Village.
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| Sumber: Blog Marischka Prudence |
Bobo beach is located in Bobo Village. This beach can be reached by vehicle in about 20 minutes from Jailolo Harbour. The water at the beach is warm because of the geothermal from the earth of Jailolo.
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| Sumber: Febri Fawji |
Disa beach, which also known as Susupu beach, is located in Sahu Sub-district. The trip from Jailolo Harbour to this beach takes about 35 minutes by vehicle. This beach presents a beautiful natural scenery. However, this place is crowded by people during holidays. The sand on this beach is a bit rough.
14. Gamsungi Beach
Gamsungi beach is located in Gamsungi Village, South Ibu Sub-district. The trip from Jailolo is quite far, about one hour and a half. Gamsungi means "new village", so do not be surprised there are several villages named Gamsungi in West Halmahera.
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| Sumber: Barry Kusuma |
15. Mount Gamkonora
Mount Gamkonora is located in Ibu Sub-district. the peak of this mount is the highest point in West Halmahera, with a height of 1,560 meter above sea level. This mount erupted in 1673 and 2007. This mountain has incredible views and suitable for hiking.
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| Sumber: Ullokan & Vorlan |
Lake Rano is located in Sahu Sub-district, at an altitude of 1,000 meters above sea level, in the middle of Sahu forest. There is no appropriate access to this location, but for those who like adventure and trekking, Lake Rano is very attractive to visit because of its natural beauty and there are also some animals live there such as deer and quails. Read More >>
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| Sumber: Blog Ikal Keriting |
West Halmahera is rich of its marine life. There are some diving spots, such as on Cape Kailupa block, Babua Island block, Atol Pastofiri block, and Loloda. Read More >>
18. Lake Todoke
There is no access to get to Lake Todoke, but if you love trekking, this could be a challenge for you. There is a guide to go to this location. Lake Todoke is located in Ibu Sub-district, about two hours and a half from Jailolo Harbour by vehicle. You can see the beauty of this lake, which is a volcanic lake, and also Mount Ibu that is still active till now.
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| Sumber: Blog Alex Djangu |
In Guaeria VIllage, there is a quite good inn for tourists. Here you can enjoy North Maluku specialties cooked by local people. There is no overland route to this village, so the best option is using speedboat which only takes 10 minutes. Guaeria Village is adjacent to a diving spot in Babua Island. Here you can also enjoy the scenery on Guaeria beach.
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| Sumber: Chachaaooo & Arkireininta |
The thermal bath is located in Gamtala Village. This location can be reached by vehicle from Jailolo Harbour, for about 15 minutes. The water is calm, clear, and a bit warm along with the beautiful scenery, making us enjoy soaking in this place. This place is also the starting point to the mangrove forest along the river.
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| Sumber: Blog Marischka Prudence |
21. Traditional House "Sasadu"
Sasadu is a traditional house of Sahu tribe, formed of wood and woven sago leaves. This traditional house becomes a place of citizens for gathering, dining, and sharing the values of their indigenous ancestors which is firmly embedded in their daily life. Read More >>
Other Attractions
- Jailolo: Lako Akediri Beach, Liano Beach, Tudua Beach, Tauro Beach, Dock Payo,
Ngalara Museum
- Jailolo Timur: Metang Beach, Jiko Lamo Beach, Bobaneigo Beach
- Jailolo Selatan: Sidangoli Beach
- Sahu: Ropu Tengah Balu Beach
- Sahu Timur: Goal Waterfall
- Ibu Selatan: Bataka Beach, Nanas Beach
- Ibu: Tahafo Beach, Tabaol Beach, Waterfall Muuti
- Loloda: Tolofou Beach, Salu Beach, Tugu Beach, Baja Beach, Totala Jaya Beach,
Sidua Beach, Kahatola Beach, Barataku Beach
Festival Teluk Jailolo (Jailolo Bay Festival)
Festival Teluk Jailolo is an annual event which consistently held by the Government of West Halmahera to promote this regency as one of the featured destinations in Eastern Indonesia. This festival emphasizes the natural beauty, the culinary variety, underwater potential, traditions and culture of West Halmahera. Read More >>
Dance & Music
Typical Dance of West Halmahera, such as: Legu Salai, Sara Dabi-Dabi, Cakalele, Dana-Dana and Tide-Tide. As for the typical music of this regency are: Yanger, Musik Bambu and Tataruba.
Culinary
There are a variety of culinary in West Halmahera such as papeda, usually accompanied with sayur lilin and fish. Sayur lilin is quite unique because the main ingredient is a kind of vegetable which looks like grass. Sayur lilin is usually cooked with some spices and yellowed coconut milk. In addition, there are Nasi Jaha and Nasi Kembar, with spicy ikan dabu-dabu manta as the side dish.
Besides, the typical snack Pisang Mulu Bebe accompanied by coffe or tea is a perfect combination for your leisure time on Jailolo Bay. Pisang Mulu Bebe is fried bananas without any seasoning. Uniquely, Pisang Mulu Bebe is usually eaten with sambal dabu-dabu.
There are limited restaurants which serves typical food of West Halmahera. if you live in homestay then you can ask the host to serve the typical food of West Halmahera. Besides, other typical food of West Halmahera are nasi tou, nasi kukusan, wajik, and saguer.
Souvenirs
Typical souvenirs of West Halmahera are slightly, such as Pisang Mulu Bebe chips, nutmeg syrup, and other snack which you can found at some shops in Jailolo, like Megaria and Imanuel.
Accomodation
Here are some of the lodging in West Halmahera:
1. D’Hoek Hotel. Jalan Hatebicara. Jailolo. (Facilities: Fan, Air-Con, TV, Furniture)2. Amazing Inn. Acango. Jailolo. (Facilities: Fan, Air-Con, TV, Furniture)
3. Hotel Camar. Jalan Gufasa. Jailolo
4. Sabua Gaba. Jailolo
Transportation
Public transportation in Jailolo, such as: bentor / becak motor (motor pedicab), ojek (motorcycle), or you can rent a car or motorcycle here.
Route to West Halmahera
Jailolo is the Capital of West Halmahera regency. If you are from outside North Maluku province, so first you need to go by plane to Ternate (Sultan Baabullah Airport). There are some direct flights from Jakarta, Makassar, Ambon, dan Manado.
After landing in Ternate, you can continue to Dufa-Dufa Harbour and cross to Jailolo Bay by speedboat for about an hour.
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