Ternate is a small, cone-shaped volcanic island in the North Maluku province of Indonesia. It isn’t likely to ever become a big vacation spot for tourists, but it has some interesting sights and history.
During the 16th century, Ternate was one of the most important kingdoms in the ‘Spice Islands’ of the Moluccas, and European powers fought over control of the spice trade here. Even today, this little island is still the main gateway to the North Maluku province.
If you ever happen to be passing through Ternate on the way to somewhere else in Indonesia, it’s worth checking out.
Here’s a travel guide for some of the best things to see and do on the island!
How To Get To Ternate Island
There’s an airport in Ternate (TTE) with direct flights from Jakarta, Surabaya, Makassar, Manado, and Ambon. If you’re coming from Bali, then you’ll need to transit in one of these places first.
but it’s worth noting that all of the flights in Maluku tend to be a bit pricey by Indonesian standards since this area is only served by a few airlines.
Alternatively, you can take a boat from Halmahera to Ternate, which is what we did after hiking Mount Dukono. The speedboat ride from Sofifi harbor only takes about 45 minutes and tickets are reasonably priced.
How To Get Around The Island
It’s very easy to get around on Ternate because of how small it is.
There’s a good paved road that wraps around the island in a circle, and it only takes about 1.5 hours to drive the whole loop. Some of the side roads can be a bit steep, like the road to Ngade Lake, but the main road is tame and flat.
You can rent a scooter from your hotel, or hire a private driver with a car. That’s what we did. Ternate also has the Grab app, which is convenient for short distance trips.
