Ternate is a small volcanic island shaped like a cone, located in the North Maluku province of Indonesia. Although it may not become a major tourist destination, it boasts unique attractions and a rich history.
In the 16th century, Ternate was a significant kingdom in the famed Spice Islands of the Moluccas. European powers vied for control over the lucrative spice trade in the region. Today, Ternate serves as a primary gateway to the North Maluku province.
If you find yourself passing through Ternate while exploring Indonesia, it’s definitely worth a visit.
Here’s a travel guide highlighting some of the best experiences and sights on the island!
How to Get to Ternate Island
Ternate has an airport (TTE) with direct flights from major cities such as Jakarta, Surabaya, Makassar, Manado, and Ambon. If you are traveling from Bali, you will need to stop in one of these cities first.
You can find flights on Skyscanner, but keep in mind that flights to Maluku tend to be a bit more expensive compared to other regions in Indonesia since there are only a handful of airlines servicing this area.
Alternatively, you can take a boat from Halmahera to Ternate. After hiking Mount Dukono, we chose this route. The speedboat ride from Sofifi harbor lasts around 45 minutes and tickets are quite affordable.
Ngade Lake is one of the most beautiful views on Ternate.
Getting Around the Island
Getting around Ternate is easy due to its small size.
A well-paved road encircles the island, allowing you to complete the loop in about 1.5 hours. Some side roads, like the one to Ngade Lake, can be steep, but the main road is relatively flat and manageable.
You can either rent a scooter from your hotel or hire a private driver with a car, which is what we opted for. Additionally, Ternate has the Grab app, which is handy for short-distance travel.
Aerial view of another lake in Ternate, Danau Tolire.
Best Things to Do & See in Ternate
• Tolukko Fort
The Portuguese established Tolukko Fort in 1512 to oversee the spice trade in Ternate and the surrounding Maluku islands.
Over the years, this fort has been under the control of the Portuguese, the local Sultanate, as well as the Dutch, British, and Spanish.
You can visit the fort for a small entrance fee and climb to the rooftop for stunning views of Mount Gamalama. It’s an alluring and historically significant site.
Fort Tolukko.
• Kalamata Fort
This colonial fort was also built by the Portuguese in 1540 and has changed hands multiple times between the local Sultanate and various European colonial powers.
Located on the southern side of Ternate, it offers beautiful views of the Tidore and Maitara islands across the water, especially if you climb to the roof of the fort.
• Kastela Beach
This beach is renowned for its breathtaking sunsets, featuring a cluster of picturesque trees reminiscent of the dancing trees found on Sumba island.
We experienced a spectacular sunset here, and the colors were simply mesmerizing!
Exercise caution if you venture out to the trees for a closer photograph. The water is shallow, but I almost stumbled upon a sea snake swimming near the rocks.
Incredible sunset colors at Kastela Beach.
• Ngade Lake
This lake offers one of the most stunning views in Ternate, with the volcanic peak of Tidore island visible in the background. A similar scene is featured on Indonesia’s 1,000 Rupiah banknotes.
Although the beauty was somewhat marred by a rather odd bicycle zipline placed at the viewpoint, thankfully it’s still possible to capture pictures without it obstructing your shot.
Make sure you check for any drone usage fees, which we overlooked until it was too late. There is also a swing available for a small fee.
Ngade Lake with Tidore island in the distance.
• Tolire Lake
Tolire Lake is a vibrant green gem nestled at the foot of Mount Gamalama. This lake was created by a massive eruption of Gamalama in 1775, which tragically resulted in the loss of 141 lives and buried a nearby village.
Local legends suggest that a white crocodile guards Tolire Lake. While we didn’t spot any crocodiles during our visit, locals warned us of past attacks on fishermen here.
A video shared by Tribun News in 2022 showcased a crocodile sighted in the lake, although how it arrived remains a mystery given the steep crater walls.
We did encounter many lizards at the viewpoint, including the first iguana we’ve seen in Indonesia.
Tolire Lake.
Aerial view of Tolire Lake.
• Tolire Beach
This unique beach is characterized by its black volcanic sand and offers views of Hiri island across the water. It’s situated close to Tolire Lake.
We spotted a large red crab scurrying along the shore, and I managed to capture a photo of it!
Tolire Beach.
A crab on the black sand beach.
• Batu Angus
Batu Angus is a small park featuring a field of jagged black volcanic rocks deposited by Mount Gamalama.
This site is a testament to the volcano’s ongoing activity and its significant impact on the landscape of Ternate.
Gamalama has erupted many times throughout recorded history, sometimes quite violently.
• Gamalama Volcano
Mount Gamalama, an active volcano, dominates the center of Ternate island.
You can hike to its summit, which takes several hours beginning from Moya. Since this is an active volcano, climbing it comes with inherent risks.
If you’re not comfortable with climbing, consider flying a drone to capture impressive images of the peak.
Mount Gamalama and Tolire Lake, with smoke rising from the volcano.
• Sulamadaha Bay
This picturesque bay features turquoise waters perfect for snorkeling, although the best coral and fish can be found further from shore.
To access this hidden gem, park at the nearby black sand beach and trek through the jungle for approximately 300 meters.
A second bay to the east serves as a harbor for trips to Hiri island.
• Jikomalamo Beach
Jikomalamo is another popular destination for swimming and snorkeling. While it lacks a traditional beach, it provides lovely views of Hiri island.
Numerous local warungs offer snacks and drinks to enjoy while you relax.
Jikomalamo Beach with views of Hiri island.
More Attractions Near Ternate
• Tidore Island
Tidore is Ternate’s neighboring island, historically marked by rivalry between the two kingdoms in pre-colonial days.
Similar to Ternate, Tidore played a vital role in the spice trade, drawing the attention of Spanish colonizers who constructed Taula Fort as a defense against the Portuguese.
The island is comparable in size to Ternate, albeit with a different shape, and has a quick 15-minute boat ride connecting the two.
The primary activity on Tidore is hiking to the summit of Mount Kie Matubu for stunning views of the surrounding area. Be prepared to dedicate at least half a day to the hike.
• Hiri Island
A short boat ride from Sulamadaha will take you to Hiri Island, home to a massive rock arch known as Batu Balubang Gurabala, located on the northwest beach.
When the tide is low, you can walk on the rocks to reach the arch, making it a fantastic photo opportunity.
Map of Sights in Ternate Island
Here’s a map showcasing some of the top attractions and activities in Ternate and the nearby islands. Click on the icons for additional information and directions.
Where to Stay in Ternate
- Villa Ma’Rasai – This hotel is one of the top options in Ternate with balconies offering views of the ocean and the neighboring Tidore island’s volcano. It features a pool, restaurant, and complimentary breakfast. If we return to Ternate, this would be our first choice for accommodations!
- Emerald Hotel – A midrange hotel located in town, equipped with a restaurant and complimentary breakfast.
- Kurnia Homestay – A budget-friendly option with free breakfast. The owner is kind and helpful; this is where we stayed on our first visit and we recommend it for those on a budget.
Room at the Emerald Hotel.
Balcony view at Villa Ma’Rasai.
Other Tips for Ternate
- ATM: Numerous functional ATMs are available throughout the island, typically dispensing 50k notes.
- Credit Cards: Most hotels and eateries do not accept cards, so it’s advisable to carry cash.
- Cell Service: We experienced good 4G data coverage in Ternate with Telkomsel, although reliable WiFi is still uncommon.
- Electricity: The island enjoys 24/7 electricity, so power outages are not a concern.
- Religion: Ternate is primarily Muslim, but we didn’t find the mosque activities intrusive during our stay.
- Malaria: A 2018 study highlighted significant reductions in malaria cases in Ternate and surrounding areas, which is encouraging. However, it’s wise to use mosquito repellent while visiting. We did not take malaria pills.
- Where to Eat: Many hotels and guesthouses offer food, though there are numerous budget-friendly dining options in town, including a KFC and Pizza Hut for Western cravings. We even used GrabFood one evening to order a meal from Solaria to our guesthouse, making it super convenient.
Views of Tidore island from Ngade Lake.
How Long to Stay
All the main sights in Ternate can be explored in a single day, given the island’s small size and accessibility by car.
However, if you wish to linger, consider taking day trips to nearby islands like Hiri, Maitara, and Tidore.
Gorgeous sunset at Kastela Beach.
More Travel Guides for Indonesia
Thank you for taking the time to read! I hope you enjoyed this travel guide to Ternate island in Maluku.
Be sure to explore my other posts about Indonesia before your journey!
