24 Attractions You Must Visit in MOROTAI ISLAND - North Maluku Province

Morotai Island regency is located in the most northern part of North Maluku province. This island is famous for marine, natural and historic tourism, so no wonder this area is attracting both local and foreign tourists to travel in this island. The capital of Morotai Island is Daruba city. In Daruba city, the local government office provides information for tourists about this island. There is also old village section in Daruba, which can be found "Marston Matting", a relic of the United States during World War II. Currently, it is used as fences by the locals. Morotai Island is increasingly popular because of the local government program "Sail Morotai" in 2012.

"Marston Matting" used as fences (Source: Photo East Indonesia)

History

Morotai Island is nostalgia zone of World War II which had a strategic role at that time. This island became Japanese military base to control Indonesia, the Philippines and parts of Malaysia. On 15 September 1944, The battle of Morotai occurred, involving the allies (the United States, Australia, the Netherlands and the UK) against Japan. Some artifacts of World War II, such as artillery shells, carcasses of warships, amphibious vehicles, runways and bunkers can be found on Morotai Island. Even one of the islands of Morotai, Sumsum Island, was used as the headquarter and the resting place by Great General Mac Arthur, one of the allied forces leaders of the United States in the Pacific region at that time.

Here are some attractions you can find in Morotai Island:

1. Sumsum Island

Sumsum Island, also known as Zum-zum Island, has a high historical value. During World War II, this island became the headquarter and the resting place of General Douglas Mac Arthur, the leader of the allied forces for Asia Pacific region to Sumsum Island which often referred as "Mac Arthur Island". Here you will be amazed by the beauty of the island which is filled with pebbly beach of white sand and crystal-clear sea water. Read More >>

2. Dodola Island

Dodola Island is a must-visit place in Morotai. The island is very fascinating, so the local government called Dodola as a pearl in the Pacific shoreline. Dodola Island consists of Dodola Besar (Great Dodola) and Dodola Kecil (Small Dodola) with a distance of about 500 meters. Uniquely, Great Dodola and Small Dodola unite during high tide and split during low tide. Read More >>

3. Ngelengele Island

Ngelengele Island is an attractive island you can visit in Morotai Island. Here you can see the life of the fishermen who conduct fish breeding and cultivation of pearls. Ngelengele Island is divided into two, Great Ngelengele Island and Small Ngelengele Island. Read More >>

Source: Photo McBill Abdul Aziz

4. Cape Gorango

Cape Gorango will make you amazed by its beauty. It is located between Gorua Village and Korago Village (North Morotai Sub-district). The landscape of Cape Gorango, blue ocean, and a stretch of white sand will make you linger spending time here. Read More >>

Source: Photo Pambapontar

5. Leo Leo Waterfall

This waterfall is located in Leo Leo Village, Southwest Morotai Sub-district, Bau Island. This waterfall can be reached by trekking about 40 minutes from the village. You will also go along three rivers. Leo Leo Waterfall has a height of about 10 meters. If you go from Daruba, so you have to rent a speedboat to this location with a long journey of 2 hours.

Source: Photo Carina & Stenisia

6. Batu Kopi (Coffee Stone)

Batu Kopi (Coffee Stone) is located on the shore of Posiposi-Rao Island, Southwest Morotai Sub-district. This stone is very unique because at certain time it produces the smell of coffee although there are no coffee plantations in the surrounding area. In addition, the beautiful Batu Kopi is also located on white sand and there is a quite big hole under the stone. Read More >>

Source: Photo Carina & Giska Hitto

7. Gorua Beach

You can also stop in Gorua Village which are very close to Cape Gorango. Gorua Village is known for the hospitality of its people. In this village, there are a number of old graves, known locally as a sacred place. You can also visit Gorua beach  in this village which also has a beautiful white sand beach.

Source: Photo Crille Rask

8. Diving
Morotai Island has 28 or more diving spots. In Morotai waters there are not only a variety of beautiful coral reefs but also colorful fish. Additionally, the main attraction is a number of historical relics during World War II that you can find in the sea around Morotai Island. Read More >>

Source: Photo IDD & Cipto Aji Gunawan (Indonesia Dive Directory)

9. Raja Waterfall

This waterfall is located in Raja Village, Southwest Morotai Sub-district. Raja waterfall has some levels. Level 1 is the most frequently visited because it is not too high, about 2 meters high. Meanwhile, the most beautiful is Level 7 (about 50 meters high) which has a distance of 15-20 km from Level 1, that is why it is rarely visited. Waterfall Level 7 is also called "Air Terjun Wayabula" because it is estimated lying on Wayabula area. During trekking, you will also go down a lime river. You can ask local people to be your guide to this location.

Source: Pfoto TaiwanICDF

10. Surfing in Cape Sopi

Cape Sopi is now very popular in surfing world. Many foreign tourists come to Sopi Village on the northernmost Morotai Island to surf and many of them stay at the locals' houses because there is no hotels or inns available. According to the surfers, the waves in Cape Sopi is one of the best in Indonesia. At the end of the cape, you will find a lighthouse. You can enter the lighthouse to see the extraordinary beauty of the surroundings.

Source: Photo Christopher L.

11. Daruba City Park

Daruba City Park is getting crowded at night. This park is very suitable for enjoying sunset. At the beach, there are many stalls selling foods, such as fried bananas, guraka, grilled fish, and many more.

12. Monument of Teuro Nakamura

Monument of Teuro Nakamura stores very interesting history in Morotai Island. Nakamura adalah prajurit Jepang yang paling terakhir dan menyerah pada akhir tahun 1974.  Nakamura is the last Japanese soldier who surrendered at the end of 1974. Therefore, the Government of Morotai Island built this monument to the memory of the history in which Morotai Island had a strategic role as one of the bases during World War II. Read More >>

13. Nakamura Waterfall

This waterfall is located in the forest of Dehegila Village. It is called "Nakamura" because this forest became a hiding place of a soldier, Teuro Nakamura, who always use the water in this spring for daily needs. The waterfall is beautiful, but the access to this place is poor, in a form of red soil path. So in rainy season, the path becomes muddy and slippery. This waterfall has very clear water and so refreshing. Therefore, the Local Governments use this water to supply the needs of Morotai Island residents. Here you can find water reservoirs and large pipes on the surroundings, which may reduce the beauty of the waterfall.

Source: Photo Kai & Ngopa

14. Surfing in Bere Bere Kecil (Small Bere Bere)

Bere Bere Kecil Village is located in Morotai Jaya Sub-district. In this village, you can see the culture of Galela Tribe that comes from North Halmahera. The dance which still exists here is Denge-denge dance. At the beach of Bere Bere Kecil there is a stretch of fine white sand. In Desember, this place is suitable for surfing. The locals here are more friendlier than in Daruba city. The available accommodation here is only guest house, some surfers who used to come to this place choose to stay in the locals' houses.

15. Pitu Runways

Pitu runways is a heritage of Japanese forces which built on 17 Oktober 1944. There are 7 runways in this area, however one o them has been operated as Pitu Airport in Morotai Island. Pitu runways is located in Wawama, near Daruba city.

Source: Photo Gilang Tamma

16. Air Kaca (Glass Water)

During World War II, Air Kaca was a vital spring for US army. This spring was also used by General Mac Arthur to bath and it is said when he was bathing in this spring, he could see previsions to the next war. Air Kaca is also believed has a mystical value by the people of Morotai Island. Read More >>

Source: Photo Regy Kurniawan

17. Tabailenge Island

Tabailengi Island, often referred as Tabailenge Island, is located near Bere Bere Village, eastern part of Morotai Island. From Bere Bere Village to this island is only takes about 15 minutes, you can rent a resident's boat there. The island is full of white sand on the coast that makes you linger for water play.

Source: Photo Semesta Alam Raya

18. Rorasa Beach

Rorasa beach landscape has its own beauty . You can see a pretty big rock very close to the shoreline. The beach is around Buho Buho Village, Morotai Island.

Source: Photo Semesta Alam Raya

19. Bunga Kokota Waterfall

This waterfall is located in Mira Village, on the slope of Mount Bakulu, east part of Morotai Island. This waterfall has its own beauty. There are several points of waterfall in this location, from 4 meters to 25 meters high. One point of the waterfall has a cave with a depth of 4 meters. Beside swimming, this waterfall certainly makes visitors want to explore around this waterfall. The distance from Bunga Kokota Waterfall to the main road is quite close, just 100 meters away. If you go from Daruba city to this place by vehicle, it takes only about 1 hour, then you will find a sign "Air Terjun Bunga Kokota" at the location.

20. Museum Trikora & Perang Dunia II (World War II)

Both museums can be found in Daruba city. Museum Perang Dunia II (World War II) is much frequented by tourists, and even some American and Australian tourists looking for traces of their ancestors here. They found some relics in this museum which belong to their families. Meanwhile, Museum Trikora was built to commemorate Trikora forces in the operation of Irian Jaya (Papua) liberation. You can also find a mini museum in the village that belongs to Mukhlis Daruba Eso which stores many relics of World War II.

21. Army Dock and Navy Base

Army Dock & Navy Base, relics of World War II, can be found in Pandanga Village which is the allies military headquarter of Army and Navy in the Pacific war in Morotai. The place was also built infantry military installation, combat engineering, hospital and five docks. This location is very important in 1944 to 1945. In the past, there was also a floating bridge linking this place to Sumsum Island to transfer the logistics of the army. You can also see the ruins of the former military port at this location.

Source: Photo Mutya

22. Amphibious Tanks

In Gotalamo Village, very close to Daruba, there are some amphibious tanks. They are the relics of the allies during World War II which can still be seen till now. These tanks are porous, but they still attract tourists because of its historical value.

23. Kokoya Island

When you are doing Island Hopping, you can stop to Kokoya Island because you can enjoy the beautiful panorama of white sand beach here. This island is uninhabited. It is pretty close to Daruba city, only about 30 minutes by speedboat.

Source: Photo Rah Widodo

24. Kolorai Island

The island is known as one of the tourist village. On this island, you can see the activities of the local people and get to know about their lives. Moreover, there is a beautiful beach in this island. From this island, you can see Dodola from afar.

Source: Photo Alex Newman

Accommodation
Various types of hotels and inns can be found in Daruba city. Outside Daruba, you will hardly find a hotel or motel, most available are guest houses and not least foreign tourists who choose to live together with the local people. Read More >>



Cultural Arts and Dance

Cultural arts and dance that you can find on Morotai Island are Yangere music, Tokuwela dance, Denge-Denge dance, Timba Laor (Sea Worm) dance, Cakalele dance, and Tide-Tide dance. Cultural arts and dance is often performed on special occasions such as welcoming guests, wedding ceremonies, and so on.

Handicrafts

Handicrafts that you can find on Morotai Island are sarawaku machetes, which is the traditional weapon of Maluku, also used in Cakalele dance), susiru, and aya-aya (tool for filtering rice or sago water, made of dried bamboo skin), pandan mats, Saloi (traditional backpack made of rattan), Tolu (hat for gardening or fishing with bamboo material), Porocosigi (kind of bottle to store rice) and white iron crafts (made of the remnants of World War II equipment, processed into necklaces, rings, bracelets, commando knives and so on).

Culinary

Typical foods you can find on Morotai Island are Bia Rica-Rica, Dabu-Dabu Grilled Fish, Fufu Fish, Bubengka Cake, Waji Cake, Halua Kacang (nougat), Nasi Jaha, Gohu Ikan (Cakalang Sashimi ala North Maluku), Nasi Bulu and Papeda. Eating places can easily be found in Daruba city. Fresh seafood is also easily found in many restaurants in Daruba. Basically, the typical food of Morotai Island is similar to other specialties in North Maluku province. The specialties are easier to get if you stay at the locals's houses.

Transportation

If you want to surround Morotai Island, it is better to rent a car or motorcycle. Bentor (motor pedicab) are also available for short trip. Some access from Daruba city to quite far villages are still poor. Meanwhile, if you want to visit several islands around Morotai, you can rent a speedboat for full-day although it is quite expensive. Another option is by passenger ship, which is cheaper but takes more time to wait the ship full.

Access to Morotai Island

If you go from outside North Maluku, you have to go by plane to Ternate first. After that, you have some options to reach Morotai Island:

1. You can continue by plane, which currently only available three days a week from Ternate to Morotai Island (Pitu Airport) with the long journey of about 45 minutes.

2. You can go by boat from Port Ahmad Yani in Ternate, which only available two days a week with a long trip around 9 hours.

3. From Ternate Harbour, you can use speedboat cross to Sofifi in Halmahera Island, then continue by vehicle to Tobelo (North Halmahera regency) about 3.5 hours, and continue by passenger ship for 2 hours trip or by speedboat for about an hour to Morotai Island. This last option quite consumes much time and energy, unless you plan to travel in North Halmahera first.