Maluku
The Dream Destination in Indonesia
印度尼西亚的香料群岛——马鲁古群岛

By Nikita Jaeger

The Indonesian archipelago, Maluku, consists of the southern and central regions of the Maluku islands. It is popularly known as the Spice Islands, a land with the best production of cloves, mace, and nutmeg.
 

Maluku has been a hideout for many travellers in search of full-grown spices. Located to the south of Sulawesi, Maluku attracts tourists with its beautiful gardens, history and natural beauty.
 

Apart from housing the Second World War memorial, Maluku is also home to many water recreation activities, attracting many tourists. Since the island is located in a remote area, tourist activity is low; however, the crystal-clear water, luscious gardens, and two national parks have everything for the visitor who wants to escape from hectic modern life. The best season to visit the area is November to March, so plan your trip accordingly.
 

马鲁古群岛位于印度尼西亚的东北部，处于苏拉威西岛和伊里安岛之间，赤道从中穿过，面积74,000多平方公里，由大约1,000个小岛组成。这里气候炎热，潮湿多雨，适于香料作物的生长，是东方的主要香料产地之一。古时即以盛产丁香、肉豆蔻、胡椒闻名于世，被阿拉伯、中国和印度的商人称为“香料群岛”。香料生产和贸易繁荣到16世纪，现在香料生产已经没落。

Visa Procedure

Getting a visa to visit Indonesia is relatively easy, and there are many types of visas available for tourists. Depending on the nature of the visit, you can apply for a single-entry visa or multiple entry visas. All passengers should have a valid passport with a minimum of 6 months' validity, and should also have a return or onward ticket.
 

30 days free entry visa for 169 nationals

Indonesia offers a 30-day free entry visa for nationals from the 169 countries which are on the visa free list. The tourist should have a return ticket or onward ticket, and this visa is non-extendable. Travelers who want to take advantage of the visa can apply to the respective Indonesian embassy in their home country by courier, or by visiting the embassy in person.
 

Visa on Arrival for 68 nationals

Another option is visa on arrival, which applies to citizens from 68 listed countries. It is a 30-day visa, extendable for an additional 30 days, but not beyond that. Tourists should hold a passport with a minimum of 6 months' validity as well as return or onward flight tickets.
 

Multiple entry visa

Tourists can also opt for a multiple-entry visa, which is suitable for frequent travel to Indonesia.

Visitors are allowed to enter Indonesia several times before the visa expiration date (the visa is valid for a year), and may stay up to 60 days.

For the multiple entry visa, the passenger needs to apply through the Indonesia embassy or consulate of the home country.
 

Visa fee

The cost of a single-entry visa is $45, and a multiple entry visa is $100. The validity of the visa is 90 days from the date of issue.
 

Overstay penalty

Overstay penalty is IDR 1,000,000 per day, and maximum permitted overstay with penalty is 60 days. Staying beyond 60 days will be considered illegal, and is an offense punishable with 5 years’ imprisonment or a fine of IDR 5,000,000,000.
 

Currency rate: US$ 1: IDR 15,349.10
 

How to reach there?

Tourists can visit Maluku by air and sea. Depending upon the country that you reside in, you may choose the easiest option from the following:
 

By air

Apart from Sultan Baabullah Airport in Ternate and Pattimura Airport in Ambon, a tourist can also get flight connections from Pitu Airport in Morotai island and Karel Sadsuitubun Airport in the Kei Islands. Regular flights are available from Makassar, Manado, and Jakarta to Sultan Baabullah Airport and Pattimura Airport. Once you’ve arrived at the airports, it will be easier to explore the region with the local transport service.

By sea

Excellent ferry connectivity is available to Maluku from different islands. The Indonesian National Ferry service, 'PELNI,' and other private ferry service providers conduct regular services from Ambon, Ternate, Banda Naira, Tual, and many other ports. Apart from the ferry services, you can also find speed boat services between the islands.
 

如何到达？

游客可以乘飞机或轮渡访问马鲁古，根据您的所在地选择最简单的方式：
 

航空

除了特尔纳特的苏丹巴布拉机场和安汶的帕蒂穆拉机场外，游客还可以搭乘从摩洛泰岛的皮图机场和基伊群岛的卡雷尔•萨德苏托邦机场出发的航班。
 

海运

不同岛屿之间拥有出色的轮渡连接。除了轮渡您还可以在两岛之间找到快艇服务。
 

How to go around Timor-Leste?

You can find several types of transport facilities, like buses, ojeks, and bemos, to move around the island. At the Ambon airport one can hire a car with a driver and petrol, which will cost around IDR 600,000–750,000 per day. Alternatively, bike rentals are available for IDR 150,000 per day. You can reach out to any of the local transport stations in Maluku, and they will provide you with the vehicle you require. If you wish to go the traditional way, you can opt for a becak (rickshaw) in Ambon, or a local minibus which takes you to every attraction in the area.
 

What can you do at Maluku?

Ambon

Ambon is the most developed island in Maluku, and its history dates back to the Dutch Colonial period. During the colonial struggle, the war took its toll on Maluku. Most of the historic monuments got damaged; however, Fort Benteng Victoria weathered all the atrocities and all the changes that the city had to take on. Since the fort is a ‘no photography’ zone, it would be better to have prior permits to avoid any bad experiences.

安汶岛

安汶岛亦名“安波那”。印度尼西亚马鲁古群岛南部小岛。岛上地形多山，雨量丰富，土壤肥沃，产西谷、薯类、蔬菜和香料。地震频繁而强烈，房屋多用石建。安汶是马鲁古最发达的岛屿，其历史可以追溯到荷兰殖民时期。
 

Pulau Seram

Pulau Seram is the main island and the largest in Maluku Island province, engulfed by a group of islands, and located on the northern side of the small Ambon Island. Its rich flora and fauna are among the reasons why tourists are attracted to this beautiful place. The island is a home for 14 endemic species of birds. You will have the rare chance to see the grey-necked friarbird, salmon-crested cockatoo, Eclectus parrot, etc.. It is the habitat for 117 species of birds, some of which are endangered.
 

Dense forest makes it a safe home for many mammal species. You can find about 38 species here, of which 9 species are endemic. Commonly found mammal species are murid rodents, Australasian marsupials, Seram bandicoots, etc..
 

Pulau Seram is a beautiful location and home to many attractions around the main city of Mashoi. Sites like Sangar Budaya Seram museum and the less inhabited hinterlands of the island will give you a rare opportunity to meet the Nua-ulu tribes.

塞兰岛

塞兰岛是马鲁古岛省的主要岛屿，也是最大的岛屿，它丰富的动植物群是吸引游客前往的原因之一。这里是117种鸟类的栖息地，其中有些濒临灭绝。在茂密的森林里您可以找到约38种哺乳动物。
 

Tanimbar Islands

Tanimbar Islands, also known as Timur Laut, is a cluster of islands, part of the Lesser Sunda Islands. Yamdena, the largest island, is ideal for beach lovers. The island's identity is displayed in its cultural uniqueness, and the villagers are skillful in creating carved wooden items and ikat cloths. Like many island communities in Indonesia, Tanimbar inhabitants have unique music and dance that are worth enjoying up close. Apart from the pristine beaches, they are also home to rare endemic birds and animals.

塔宁巴尔群岛

塔宁巴尔群岛是印度尼西亚马鲁古省东南马鲁古县的岛群，约有30个岛屿。其中延德纳(Yamdena)岛最大，南岸港口萨翁拉基(Saumlaki)是岛上主要城市，东岸是长满稠密森林的丘陵，西海岸较低，多沼泽。包括延德纳岛北面的拉拉特(Larat)在内的周围岛屿，海岸多为岩石峭壁，沿岸植被浓密。
 

Manusela National Park

One of the main national parks in Maluku is the Manusela National Park, sprawled over 189,000 hectares, located on the Seram Islands. It is famous for evidence of the evolution of a range of indigenous species. At the park, you will encounter 2,000 different butterflies, along with around 120 species of birds––a rare treat to soothe your soul.

玛努塞拉国家公园

沼泽森林，山地雨林和沿海森林的并存为印度尼西亚的玛努塞拉国家公园带来了天然的吸引力。这里是喜欢野生动物摄影，攀岩或其他极限活动的背包客最爱的目的地。此外，也是鸟类学家和自然爱好者的理想之选。
 

Lava Flow

A main attraction in the Banda Islands, is Lava Flow, a dream diving location just in front of the Gunung Api volcano. It is famous for its exquisite table corals which can grow up to four meters in size, thus attracting aquatic life such as sharks and mandarin fish.

Pulau Hatta and Pulau Banda Besar

The Banda Islands are known for scuba diving and snorkelling, and you will find gorgeous coral gardens as you dive. Some of the famous diving spots here include Pulau Hatta and Pulau Banda Besar. Spend your leisure time on the pristine beaches watching the turquoise water whispers.

班达群岛

印度尼西亚班达海东北部十余座小火山组成的岛群。3座岛屿围绕海面形似小湖，风平浪静，海水清澈，珊瑚礁及水中生物甚多，为著名的“海底花园”。
 

Conclusion

Maluku will touch the pulse of any ardent, nature-loving tourist. It offers both aquatic and natural enjoyment and unforgettable coral experiences, which, together with its colonial history, make it one of the best tourist attractions, and a 'must visit' location for many travellers.